Tip of the Week: Choices

I had always been opposed to school uniforms -- that is, until my daughter became obsessed with purple and wearing anything that sparkled. Getting dressed in the morning became a battle. My friend had it even worse. Her son would wear only his Spider-Man costume! He insisted on wearing it everywhere (even to swimming lessons) until she finally gave up, and he grew out of it.

Now, with the start of the new school year, I am actually looking forward to the simplicity of these school uniforms. Of course, as parents, we don't want to squash our children's self-expression, but it's not all right to wear shorts in the middle of winter!

For me, school uniforms have made life easier. If your school doesn't use them, however, do your children and yourself a favor by giving them clear choices. I suggest narrowing the scope: Pull out two different outfits and tell them, "You can wear this or this. Which one would you like to wear today?"

When you offer your child a choice, whether it be about clothing or food, you're giving him or her a sense of power, therefore defusing the power struggle. I also recommend picking out and talking about outfits the night before. That way if you're running late in the morning, you won't have to worry about your child spending extra time deciding on clothes!

Offering children choices works well for many of the different interactions that you have with them, and everyone will be happier because of it!

Tip of the Week: BPA-free... to what degree?

With everything you hear and read lately about the endocrine-disrupting
chemical Bisphenol A (BPA), many parents, including myself, have decided to
avoid it at all costs. I was surprised to find out recently that one of my
family's favorite eco-friendly water bottle brands, SIGG, may not be 100%
BPA-free after all!

My daughter's SIGG water bottle goes everywhere with her; it's cute and
convenient. Now the company has announced that its water bottle liners made
before August 2008 contain traces of BPA. The company has done comprehensive
testing and says there's "absolutely no migration or leaching of BPA or any
other substance from the protective inner liner."

If you'd like to know whether your SIGG bottles contain an old liner or the
new "EcoCare" liner that's 100% BPA-free, check the color. The old liner has
a shiny copper finish, and the new liner is a pale yellow. Keep in mind that
although production with the old liner stopped in August 2008, many are
still in stores. For more information, visit http://mysigg.com/liner.

Now that you have all the facts, take a look under the lid of your family's
water bottles and see if SIGG's announcement affects you, too!

Tip of the Week: A Farm Adventure

While on vacation last week I stumbled upon the perfect venue for family fun this fall. It's a bit of a drive, but Green Meadows Farm in Waterford, Wisconsin, is well worth it! About 1 hour 30 minutes away from Chicago, the kid-friendly petting farm is one of several across the country that caters to children with hands-on exploration. Young and old are encouraged to learn through interaction with the farm animals. Children can cuddle with bunnies, kittens, chicks, ducklings and more. Green Meadows Farm also has hay rides, animal shows and lots of food and beverage options.

There's no need to worry about your little one's safety or sanitation -- this place is sparkling clean! Animal pens are fresh and tidy, and there are outdoor sinks and several antibacterial stations with easy instructions on how to have a safe visit.

To find out more about Green Meadows Farm, visit www.greenmeadowsfarmwi.com or call 262-534-2891. You can arrive 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and stay as long as you like, Wednesday through Sunday, until Sept. 7. Green Meadows will reopen for fall with a pick-your-own-pumpkin patch on Sept. 26 and will remain open, seven days a week, with arrivals 10 a.m.-3 p.m. through Oct. 31. Admission is $12 per person, and children under 1 are free.

I highly recommend this for the entire family. My favorite thing was watching the fun-loving pot-bellied pigs. And it was a delight to watch my daughter milk a cow and collect eggs from the chicken coop! This is well worth the trip!

Tip of the Week: One Last Ride

After 81 fun-filled years, Kiddieland in Melrose Park will close its doors forever this fall. Kiddieland, the last privately owned and oldest operating amusement park in Chicagoland, had more than 30 rides for kids. Parents and kids alike enjoyed Kiddieland for its nostalgic charm and unique attractions. Kiddieland will definitely be missed!

Experience the magic one more time before it closes Sept. 27. You can find out more by visiting the Kiddieland Web site at www.kiddieland.com or by contacting them at 708-343-8000. Admission is $23 for guests 6 and older. Admission for guests 3-5 years and seniors 60 and older is $20 per person. Children under 2 are free with a paid adult admission. Normal hours, including weekdays, end in August, with only weekend availability in September. Hours vary: check Kiddieland's Web site for more information.

Tip of the Week: Retro on Roscoe

As the summer winds down and we prepare our children for the new school year, the city celebrates with lots of wonderful family-friendly events. A personal favorite is Retro on Roscoe, guaranteed to make your entire family smile!

Retro on Roscoe will take place Saturday, Aug. 1-Sunday, Aug. 2, noon-10 p.m. The two fun-filled days will include great family activities and entertainment. Check out these children's performers taking the main stage this weekend.

Kids Music Lineup
Saturday
Noon -- Radio Disney
1 p.m. -- Mary Macaroni
2 p.m. -- Ralph's World

Sunday
Noon -- Patchouli
1 p.m. -- Scribble Monster
2 p.m. -- Justin Roberts

Tip of the Week: Naptime for Mommies

As a new mother, you can only hope that someone has an answer for
sleep-deprived parents. Unfortunately, there isn't really a single solution.
What works for one mom might not work for another, depending on her
lifestyle and the temperament and health of her child. There is so much
information, and it can be even more overwhelming than the lack of sleep!

You'll have to wait until Sept. 15 to hear Dr. Weissbluth's solutions when
he speaks at Bubbles Academy, but in the meantime, I thought I'd turn to
another expert source, The Mayo Clinic <http://www.mayoclinic.com/>. Here
are some of its suggestions for beating sleep deprivation and reclaiming
your sanity:

Sleep when your baby sleeps. Turn off the ringer on the phone, hide the
laundry, ignore the dishes in the kitchen sink. These things can wait!

Set aside your hospitality. When friends and family visit, don't feel
pressure to be a hostess. Let them care for the baby while you excuse
yourself for some much-needed rest. Believe me, they will understand.

I wholeheartedly believe that you should quickly reclaim your bedroom. At
first, you may feel more secure sharing a bedroom with your baby —
especially if you're breast-feeding. But if your baby's crying, squirming
and restlessness keep you awake, separate rooms may be the key to sound
sleep and a sound marriage.

Adjust the baby monitor. Lying in bed listening to your baby's every
movement may be just as disruptive as having your baby in the room. Change
the volume based on how loudly your baby cries.

Share nighttime duties. Work out a schedule with your spouse that allows
both of you to rest and care for the baby. If you're breast-feeding, perhaps
your partner could bring you the baby and handle nighttime diaper changes.
If you're using a bottle, take turns on feedings.

Wait and see. I know it is difficult, but sometimes, middle-of-the-night
fussing or crying is simply a sign that your baby is settling in. Unless you
suspect that the baby is hungry or uncomfortable, it's OK to wait a few
minutes to see what happens.

Ask for help when you need it. Take advantage of baby-sitting offers from
trusted friends or loved ones. You don't need to go out — simply head to
your bedroom and close the door. It is important to spend time taking care
of yourself as well!

Tip of the Week: Relieving Teething

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.