It seems like teething is an endless process for our children, and there is
little we can do to soothe those tender gums. There are a
tremendous amount of teethers out there, but sometimes tough teethers can
inflame our little ones' gums, making them even more uncomfortable.
Try the Born Free teether with gum
massager<http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3502435>,
which is made of 100% medical grade silicone. It has five different
textures, including a side with soft bristles. It's also free of
Bisphenol-A, Phthalates and PVC, and can be refrigerated or frozen.
If you prefer tried-and-true home remedies, try taking a wet, clean
washcloth and freezing it. Babies can gnaw on the material, which will
gently massage their gums without inflaming them further. Make sure the
cloth is not too cold and that it's free of loose strings.
Showing posts with label child development. Show all posts
Showing posts with label child development. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Tip of the Week: Relieving Teething
Monday, May 4, 2009
Tip of the Week: Developmental Support
Did you know that the state of Illinois provides a wide range of early
intervention services? They're free to eligible children up to age 3 and can
help with developmental challenges related to vision, hearing, speech, fine
and gross motor skills, self-help skills, behavior and nutrition.
Here are three ways the Illinois Early Intervention programs can help:
- A therapist will work at least monthly with children and their families
to provide education, intervention and environmental support.
- The therapist will also evaluate the child's and family's needs and
will review activities for parents and caregivers to do with the child.
- The therapist will provide training, evaluations and assistance for a
child's specific challenges.
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s development, it's
better to be safe than sorry. Through early intervention, these obstacles
often can be tackled and overcome. Visit Illinois Early Intervention's Web
site at http://www.eiclearinghouse.org/ei_home.html to find out more about
the support the state offers to families.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Tip of the Week: A New Place to Play!
http://www.fieldmuseum.org/
http://www.fieldmuseum.org/playlab/ (if you want a more specific link)
The new Crown Family PlayLab at the Field Museum offers six themed play areas, adding even more kid appeal to a place already packed with exhibits that will pique your child’s curiosity and imagination. Family restrooms, an eating area, stroller parking, a “book nook” and infant play zones help make the PlayLab a haven for parents, too.
Here are a few PlayLab highlights for your children:
Babies: Little music-lovers will enjoy hearing Japanese taiko drums and playing elephant bells from India in the PlayLab’s Rhythm Section.
Toddlers & Pre-K: Kids this age will go crazy digging for dinosaur bones, making rubbings of real fossils and becoming a “Jr. Paleontologist” in the Dino Field Station.
To plan your visit:
The Field Museum
1400 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605-2496
312-922-9410
Hours: The museum is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, and the Crown Family PlayLab’s hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the last admission at 3 p.m. The museum sometimes closes early; call ahead or check the Web site before you go: http://www.fieldmuseum.org/
Parents with strollers should use the wheelchair-accessible east entrance. The museum also rents strollers.
http://www.fieldmuseum.org/playlab/ (if you want a more specific link)
The new Crown Family PlayLab at the Field Museum offers six themed play areas, adding even more kid appeal to a place already packed with exhibits that will pique your child’s curiosity and imagination. Family restrooms, an eating area, stroller parking, a “book nook” and infant play zones help make the PlayLab a haven for parents, too.
Here are a few PlayLab highlights for your children:
Babies: Little music-lovers will enjoy hearing Japanese taiko drums and playing elephant bells from India in the PlayLab’s Rhythm Section.
Toddlers & Pre-K: Kids this age will go crazy digging for dinosaur bones, making rubbings of real fossils and becoming a “Jr. Paleontologist” in the Dino Field Station.
To plan your visit:
The Field Museum
1400 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605-2496
312-922-9410
Hours: The museum is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, and the Crown Family PlayLab’s hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the last admission at 3 p.m. The museum sometimes closes early; call ahead or check the Web site before you go: http://www.fieldmuseum.org/
Parents with strollers should use the wheelchair-accessible east entrance. The museum also rents strollers.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
A Tip from 2008: Something to Sink Your Teeth Into
Is there any better time to introduce the joys of toothbrushing to your kids than during holidays full of sweets? It's a perfect time to discuss how important it is for children to keep their teeth clean! There are two toothbrushing tools that I would recommend; the Recycline's Preserve toothbrush and a timer, so they know how long to brush their teeth for.
The handle of Recycline's toothbrush is made out of recycled Stonyfield Farms yogurt cups (I have contributed to their cause, as it's a favorite at our house). When you're done with your toothbrush, you can send it back (postage paid) to have them recycle it into something else. Very environmentally friendly!
I love this product, especially in this day and age when we have to be wary of anything plastic. Recycline also makes cute, fun tableware, food storage containers and other personal care items. They're all BPA free and dishwasher safe too!
Check out Recycline's programs and products at www.recycline.com/
Enjoy!
Kim
The handle of Recycline's toothbrush is made out of recycled Stonyfield Farms yogurt cups (I have contributed to their cause, as it's a favorite at our house). When you're done with your toothbrush, you can send it back (postage paid) to have them recycle it into something else. Very environmentally friendly!
I love this product, especially in this day and age when we have to be wary of anything plastic. Recycline also makes cute, fun tableware, food storage containers and other personal care items. They're all BPA free and dishwasher safe too!
Check out Recycline's programs and products at www.recycline.com/
Enjoy!
Kim
A Tip from 2008: Avoiding the Power Struggle
Hello Triple B Members,
I am certainly no expert and I continue to have power struggles with my
daughter, however I have received a couple of tips along the way that are
helpful. Several people have mentioned that they have been experiencing
some challenging behavior with their little ones lately (which is par for
the course at this stage in the parenting game), so I thought I would share
a book that I found to be very helpful.
Lucky for me, one of my best friends is a child psychologist, so I turn to
her for book recommendations and advice quite often. One of the books she recommended to me in resolving the ongoing battle with power
struggles was "Parenting With Love and Logic" by Foster
W. Cline and Jim Fay. While I did not agree with the entire book, I found
the overall premise to be very helpful. Admittedly, the chapter about a
grocery store experience was a bit over-the-top, but the bits and
pieces I took from this suggestion really worked.
One thing that I have always had a difficult time with is patience. I am
unfortunately always rushing from here or to there and these are moments
when I have no patience for a power struggle over simple things like
wearing coats outside or bringing the entire toy box with us in the car.
Their suggestion is to stay calm, and give choices like: Do you want to
have milk before you go to bed, or juice? This, instead of the battle on
whether or not she was going to bed. We find ourselves laughing at some of
the absurd choices we come up with, and it's harder than it appears to
consistently think this way. What is easy to see is that it works, and
works well. Some of our biggest battles over dressing, or going to bed, or
eating dinner have become much easier and the "uh-oh" said calmly has
stopped some poor behavior in its tracks! What this book suggests is that
by giving them the opportunity to make non-essential choices, you
allow them to have some power, while still accomplishing your goal,
completely eliminating the power struggle.
I do embrace the fact that testing the limits is a natural and healthy way
for young children to learn. This book gave me some great insights on
how to facilitate and not discourage that type of learning, and yet still
teach the right behaviors.
Another one that has been recommended to me is:
"Kids, Parents and Power Struggles" by Mary Sheedy Kurchinka
For more information, check out:
www.loveandlogic.com
"Kids, Parents and Power Struggles"
I am certainly no expert and I continue to have power struggles with my
daughter, however I have received a couple of tips along the way that are
helpful. Several people have mentioned that they have been experiencing
some challenging behavior with their little ones lately (which is par for
the course at this stage in the parenting game), so I thought I would share
a book that I found to be very helpful.
Lucky for me, one of my best friends is a child psychologist, so I turn to
her for book recommendations and advice quite often. One of the books she recommended to me in resolving the ongoing battle with power
struggles was "Parenting With Love and Logic" by Foster
W. Cline and Jim Fay. While I did not agree with the entire book, I found
the overall premise to be very helpful. Admittedly, the chapter about a
grocery store experience was a bit over-the-top, but the bits and
pieces I took from this suggestion really worked.
One thing that I have always had a difficult time with is patience. I am
unfortunately always rushing from here or to there and these are moments
when I have no patience for a power struggle over simple things like
wearing coats outside or bringing the entire toy box with us in the car.
Their suggestion is to stay calm, and give choices like: Do you want to
have milk before you go to bed, or juice? This, instead of the battle on
whether or not she was going to bed. We find ourselves laughing at some of
the absurd choices we come up with, and it's harder than it appears to
consistently think this way. What is easy to see is that it works, and
works well. Some of our biggest battles over dressing, or going to bed, or
eating dinner have become much easier and the "uh-oh" said calmly has
stopped some poor behavior in its tracks! What this book suggests is that
by giving them the opportunity to make non-essential choices, you
allow them to have some power, while still accomplishing your goal,
completely eliminating the power struggle.
I do embrace the fact that testing the limits is a natural and healthy way
for young children to learn. This book gave me some great insights on
how to facilitate and not discourage that type of learning, and yet still
teach the right behaviors.
Another one that has been recommended to me is:
"Kids, Parents and Power Struggles" by Mary Sheedy Kurchinka
For more information, check out:
www.loveandlogic.com
"Kids, Parents and Power Struggles"
A Tip from 2008: Important Parenting Advice!
Hello Triple B Members,
I wanted to share with you two pieces of advice I have received as a mother that have proven to be very valuable to me:
1) Give your child compliments rather than criticism. Just like adults, when children receive compliments their self esteem goes up and their sense of security and belonging are strengthened. Although love is unfortunately not enough to raise a child, nurturing and love are part of discipline. Children who feel loved and cared for have the desire to please their parents and therefore are better listeners.
2) If you take your child to class and they don't want to participate, don't push them. I remember taking my daughter to class, and really being disappointed that she would not participate. I would try and bribe her, and I would threaten to take away toys and make nap time earlier. You name it, I tried it! In the end, all that happened was that I left very frustrated and so did my daughter. We hadn't accomplished anything except a cranky mother and child.
Rather than to push, gently encourage your child and allow them to participate in class at their own pace, a little bit at a time. Be sure to praise their actions when they do participate. By allowing them to set their own comfort level, you are teaching them to become independent and helping them to build self confidence. When you push, they not only will be liable to do the exact opposite of what you wanted, but in addition, they will remember one of their first learning experiences in a negative way. When you leave class, discuss the positive aspects of the class with your child even if they happened from the sidelines. They will get a lot more out of it, rather than concentrating on why your child didn't participate.
Enjoy and have a great week!
I wanted to share with you two pieces of advice I have received as a mother that have proven to be very valuable to me:
1) Give your child compliments rather than criticism. Just like adults, when children receive compliments their self esteem goes up and their sense of security and belonging are strengthened. Although love is unfortunately not enough to raise a child, nurturing and love are part of discipline. Children who feel loved and cared for have the desire to please their parents and therefore are better listeners.
2) If you take your child to class and they don't want to participate, don't push them. I remember taking my daughter to class, and really being disappointed that she would not participate. I would try and bribe her, and I would threaten to take away toys and make nap time earlier. You name it, I tried it! In the end, all that happened was that I left very frustrated and so did my daughter. We hadn't accomplished anything except a cranky mother and child.
Rather than to push, gently encourage your child and allow them to participate in class at their own pace, a little bit at a time. Be sure to praise their actions when they do participate. By allowing them to set their own comfort level, you are teaching them to become independent and helping them to build self confidence. When you push, they not only will be liable to do the exact opposite of what you wanted, but in addition, they will remember one of their first learning experiences in a negative way. When you leave class, discuss the positive aspects of the class with your child even if they happened from the sidelines. They will get a lot more out of it, rather than concentrating on why your child didn't participate.
Enjoy and have a great week!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tip of the Week
Hello Triple B Members,
It is often that I find myself wondering where I went wrong in this thing called parenting! I was beside myself when I realized that I had missed the "window of opportunity" to learn how to discipline my one year old. I was horrified when my daughter turned orange because the only vegetable she would eat was sweet potatoes! French fries count as a veggie don't they?
I still am constantly scouring the shelves for books on how to best parent my daughter. I find myself saying to her "Patience is a virtue", just like my mother did to me, only now I understand exactly what she means! No, my daughter doesn't usually like to listen to me, that is true, but I have done some things right, haven't I?
As mothers, we find ourselves striving to be the perfect role model for our child, and yet I have to remind myself that in the scheme of this thing called parenting there are only a few golden rules that both you and your child will remember about your time together:
1) Give lots of love, hugs and kisses to your children and to your spouse
2) Take time to listen to one another
3) Sit down and eat together
4) Read and play together
5) Try not to raise your voice
6) It's alright to take time for yourself once in awhile, and it will make you a better parent!
7) Be patient-"Patience is a Virtue"
8) Ignore a mess
9) Share a memory from your childhood
10) Say "I Love You"
In the end it truly doesn't matter if your child's hamper is overflowing. They won't remember the food you fed them or the crumbs always swept from the floor, but they will remember the time you spent with them and the love you gave them! That is worth far more than anything else, and that is what they will remember and take with them!
Enjoy!
Kim
It is often that I find myself wondering where I went wrong in this thing called parenting! I was beside myself when I realized that I had missed the "window of opportunity" to learn how to discipline my one year old. I was horrified when my daughter turned orange because the only vegetable she would eat was sweet potatoes! French fries count as a veggie don't they?
I still am constantly scouring the shelves for books on how to best parent my daughter. I find myself saying to her "Patience is a virtue", just like my mother did to me, only now I understand exactly what she means! No, my daughter doesn't usually like to listen to me, that is true, but I have done some things right, haven't I?
As mothers, we find ourselves striving to be the perfect role model for our child, and yet I have to remind myself that in the scheme of this thing called parenting there are only a few golden rules that both you and your child will remember about your time together:
1) Give lots of love, hugs and kisses to your children and to your spouse
2) Take time to listen to one another
3) Sit down and eat together
4) Read and play together
5) Try not to raise your voice
6) It's alright to take time for yourself once in awhile, and it will make you a better parent!
7) Be patient-"Patience is a Virtue"
8) Ignore a mess
9) Share a memory from your childhood
10) Say "I Love You"
In the end it truly doesn't matter if your child's hamper is overflowing. They won't remember the food you fed them or the crumbs always swept from the floor, but they will remember the time you spent with them and the love you gave them! That is worth far more than anything else, and that is what they will remember and take with them!
Enjoy!
Kim
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