Photo: Flickr, OliBac

Take a look around the room in which you’re sitting right now. What do you see? Odds are good you saw at least one or two things which to you aren’t the least bit threatening, but which to a curious toddler can be very dangerous. The power cord that is charging your phone and dangling from your side table, a curtain that drapes down just far enough for little stretched fingers, a top-heavy stool — any of these is a potential hazard to a child. But what can you do about it? Follow these do’s and don’t's for some tips and tricks on how to child-proof your home.

Do get down on your hands and knees

The best way to child-proof your home is to think like a child, and the best way to think like a child is to see the world from his eyes. Get down on your hands and knees and look around for a bit. What are those things on the wall that look like smiley faces (and, more importantly, what’s around here that I can stick in them)? What can I reach? What can I get tangled in, fall over, or bump into? What can I put in my mouth? What can I swallow? It won’t be the most comfortable experience of your life, but it just might be the most important one. { read more }

About Jeff Jacobson

Socrates understood himself to be the smartest man in Athens because he knew at least enough to know he knew nothing. That's me. I'm an inconsistently successful father, stepfather, husband, and writer. But at least I know it.

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Photo: Flickr, peterme

We’ve all been there: you’ve changed your baby’s diaper, fed/nursed her, put her down for a nap, played with her, rocked her, sang to her, and pled with her, but still she won’t sleep! Dealing with a cranky baby can leave both parents and baby in a pretty fussy mood, and it can cause a lot of anxiety. Thankfully, though no two babies are the same, there are some tried and tested tactics you can employ to soothe your cranky newborn.

Bounce the newborn

No, I don’t mean bounce her off the floor in frustration. I mean bounce her in your arms. Rocking is a solid standby, but when my daughter was a newborn she wavered between liking to be rocked and liking to be bounced. And she punished her mom and me if we opted for the wrong choice. To make matters worse, her preferred bouncing method varied, too. Sometimes a gentle bounce in my arms sufficed, while other times she preferred a more vigorous bounce in my arms on an exercise ball. When you have a cranky newborn, you have to be willing to try anything. { read more }

About Jeff Jacobson

Socrates understood himself to be the smartest man in Athens because he knew at least enough to know he knew nothing. That's me. I'm an inconsistently successful father, stepfather, husband, and writer. But at least I know it.

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Photo: Flickr, elbragon

No parent likes to leave their child in someone else’s hands. But as hard as it can be on you, odds are good it’s even harder on your child. Read on for a few tips and tricks to help your toddler deal with separation anxiety.

Do the prep work

Before simply dropping off your child suddenly, lay the groundwork for a smooth transition. If possible, talk about the separation far ahead of time, and be as specific as you can. Children feel better when they know what to expect, so tell them exactly what they can expect to happen: where they’re going, with whom, and for how long. And, of course, always follow it up by telling them when either you are their other parent will be back to collect them.

Don’t dawdle at drop-off

Kids pick up on cues from their parents. That’s not to say you toddler will be all smiles at drop-off time just because you are; but the odds are better than if you sulk and show anxiety about it, too. So put on a happy face, use positive words and good body language, tell your toddler how much fun he’s going to have, make the drop-off, and then make a hasty getaway. But don’t run.

Leave him with a keepsake

If your toddler’s separation anxiety is especially peaked, consider leaving him with a little keepsake — a reminder of you. It can be anything from a photo of your, to a blanket with your scent on it, to a special something the two of you share. And, of course, if he has a security blanket or stuffed animal, bring that long, too.

Don’t diminish your child’s feelings

It’s all too easy to forget that toddlers don’t share our sense of the passage of time. Hours can seem like minutes when they’re having fun (five more minutes, mom, please?), or days when they’re not. Try to resist the impulse to rationalize what’s going on, as doing so can give them the message that their feelings aren’t valid.

Remind yourself that these strong reactions aren’t simply a toddler being dramatic; your toddler’s feelings, no matter how irrational, are nevertheless real to him, and must be taken seriously. Empathize with him by acknowledging his feelings and telling him it’s okay for him to feel them. And then remind him how much better he’ll feel when you come pick him up.

Be patient

Most toddlers go through a stage of separation anxiety at least once, and many experience it several times. Remember to be patient with your child, and remember that even though it’s heartbreaking to leave your child when he’s sad, it would be even more heartbreaking to leave a child who doesn’t care that you’re leaving.

About Jeff Jacobson

Socrates understood himself to be the smartest man in Athens because he knew at least enough to know he knew nothing. That's me. I'm an inconsistently successful father, stepfather, husband, and writer. But at least I know it.

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Photo by bart_ via Flickr

Whether you’re a caregiver or parent, making the most of the time spent with a toddler or other young child is usually a priority. Between work, school and extra curricular activities, most people look for ways to make play time also educational time. But it still has to be fun! The good news is that brain games with toddlers and young children can also boost an aging brain’s potential, so take a few notes and make a date to play with your child. { read more }

About Liz Alfano

I write "Dirty Words," the blog about things you should know, but might not. I'm the mother of two elementary school-aged boys and wife of one adult aged man. When not writing, I can be found reading or staring into space wishing I was either reading or writing. Sometimes I'm seen vacuuming...but not often. www.mydirtywords.com

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Photo: www.amerikidzca.com

Being a single mom is hard enough, but dating as a single mom can be even harder.  It all depends on your attitude and your objectives, really.  Are you approaching dating as an outlet for fun and connection or are you pressuring yourself to find the next Mr. Right?  You’re going to enjoy it a lot more if you maintain the just-for-fun attitude.  Here are a few tips to help you along your way.

1.  Attitude is everything

If you’re a single mom, chances are you’re more in the market for a good time than a relationship.  By this I mean you’ll be happier if you approach dating with an attitude that it’s for fun and enjoyment.  You may find yourself single for a few years, so why not make the decision to enjoy your singleness?  This will open you up to new experiences and new kinds of people.  When you approach dating with an attitude of fun, you will easily create more joy.  Even your “nightmare” adventures can turn into funny stories to share on your girls’ nights out.  It’s all about your attitude. { read more }

About Lisa Gale

"She was an artist and her life was her canvas." (Kobi Yamada) When I grow up, I want to be her! For now, it's fun to pretend.

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Photo: Flickr, subewl

Every father whose baby is born somewhere other than at home will tell you: that first car ride with your baby is the most nerve-wracking experience of your life. Speed bumps feel like a car chase through the streets of San Francisco, eighteen wheelers in the next lane never seemed so close, and the safety of your home has never seemed so far away. Thankfully, car seats these days offer the best protection available for your most precious cargo. But which one should you buy for your child? What should you look for, and how will you install it? Read on for tips and tricks on buying a car seat for your new baby.

Car seat safety days

The most important aspect of choosing a car seat for your child is, of course, safety. That’s what it’s all about. Luckily, many communities offer car seat safety days, during which helpful information is offered about types of car seats, where to get them, how to install them, and how to use them. Check listings at hospitals, police stations, and fire stations for listings of local safety information sessions. { read more }

About Jeff Jacobson

Socrates understood himself to be the smartest man in Athens because he knew at least enough to know he knew nothing. That's me. I'm an inconsistently successful father, stepfather, husband, and writer. But at least I know it.

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Photo: Flickr, threelayercake

It all started so well: after months of solid breastfeeding, our now 14-month-old took to solid foods like a duck to water, easily and greedily downing anything she could get her tiny fists on. Beets, carrots, hummus, beans, even the dreaded brussel sprouts, nothing was safe when she was hungry. And then tragedy struck. We introduced her to fruit. After that, it was all downhill. Bananas replaced beets, and then blueberries replaced bananas, until the only foods our now-picky eater would eat were those you could smash and pour into a box with a straw.

Something had to be done. My wife and I searched and plotted until we eventually came up with a few healthy reliable stand-bys. Now, when our fussy eater turns downright obstinate at lunch time, we know we can always turn to one of the following healthy meals for our toddler. The following is just a sampling of what works for us; you’ll probably have to make a few changes for your own toddler’s taste, but this is a good place to start. Godspeed to you, and your fussy eater. { read more }

About Jeff Jacobson

Socrates understood himself to be the smartest man in Athens because he knew at least enough to know he knew nothing. That's me. I'm an inconsistently successful father, stepfather, husband, and writer. But at least I know it.

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Photo: www.thenutritionpost.com

Motherhood is one of the most beautiful challenges life can give to us. On a good day, it’s rewarding and possibly even blissful. You know those days when the kids are all happy and playing well together. There is a synchronicity and flow between your daily activities. You feel a real heart connection with your children and love is the predominant emotion. But truth be told, sometimes motherhood is just downright stressful. How long we allow that stress to continue and go unchecked can have a big impact on our health and well being as mothers, as well as a harmful effect on our families.  The good news is that you can learn to manage stress effectively so that you can eek more joy out of motherhood.  Here are a few tips. { read more }

About Lisa Gale

"She was an artist and her life was her canvas." (Kobi Yamada) When I grow up, I want to be her! For now, it's fun to pretend.

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Photo: LaPrimaDonna, Flickr

Parenting multiple children is a challenging job that at times can feel more like a juggling act than anything else. Thankfully, as children mature, you can start to count on them to govern themselves more and more. But what kinds of activities keep an older sibling entertained and a younger sibling safe? Read on to find out.

Activity #1: Have them complete some light chores

Children like feeling useful, and they like staying busy. Once your kids are old enough to focus on a job, set them to light tasks like wiping down table and glass surfaces. Your younger child can spray the cleaning solution (non-toxic solutions are widely available now, or you can make your own) while the sibling does the wiping. { read more }

About Jeff Jacobson

Socrates understood himself to be the smartest man in Athens because he knew at least enough to know he knew nothing. That's me. I'm an inconsistently successful father, stepfather, husband, and writer. But at least I know it.

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Whether you are bringing home your first child or your third or fourth, documenting your baby’s first years can be difficult, time consuming and sometimes boring. If you aren’t that jazzed about filling in page after page of the typical firsts, and want something with a little more personality and zest, here are a few unique ideas to try. From documenting pregnancy stages till your little one is off to college, there are never ending ways to commemorate that path.

Pictures of baby

Most likely, you’ll find that you have more pictures than albums, or wall space, or friends wanting pictures of your precious bundle! When you have snapshots you love but don’t want to bury them away in an album on a shelf, try collages. You don’t have to just lump baby pictures in the same old way; with online photo companies like Snapfish and Shutterfly, you can create calendars with your pictures, including those from your pregnancy stages. { read more }

About Liz Alfano

I write "Dirty Words," the blog about things you should know, but might not. I'm the mother of two elementary school-aged boys and wife of one adult aged man. When not writing, I can be found reading or staring into space wishing I was either reading or writing. Sometimes I'm seen vacuuming...but not often. www.mydirtywords.com

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