Dear Parents,
It's a girl! My family and I are excited to announce the birth of our third child, Kalista.
We are settling in to our new-baby routine, but this time around there is one notable difference. Although my wife, Kristine, is still breast feeding, she is using pumps and bottles. This gives me the chance to step in and feed Kalista part of each night. Yes, this means I'm a whole lot more tired, but it is well worth it to have this special time with our newest addition in a way that I couldn't with my first two children!
To nurse or not to nurse, to bottle feed or use formula --- many people have passionate feelings on the subject. Check out this recent Time article "Mothers Who Opt for Breast Milk, Not Breast-Feeding" by Catherine Sharick on the very same topic.
I'm wondering how you, the parents of Bubbles Academy, feel about all of this. Let me know by leaving your comments below!
Gratefully and Exhaustedly Yours,
Gregoire Klees-Johnson
Bubbles Academy Co-Founder and Owner
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Tip of the Week: Why Children Hit, Shove and Bite
I remember picking my three-year-old daughter up from one of her first drop-off experiences and being told by the teacher that my daughter had bitten one of the other children. The teacher said she wasn’t sure who the child was, but that she would let me know after she spoke to the other teacher. Of course I was mortified, but my friend and I laughed as we put our daughter’s coats on and discussed how to handle what was inevitably something that all parents would have to go through. Then the laughter abruptly stopped as the teacher came over to explain to me that my daughter had actually bitten my friend’s daughter... awkward!! After that, lunch was a little uncomfortable to say the least. I couldn’t understand what would have possessed my sweet little girl to do something like that, especially to her friend!
So, why do toddlers bite, hit and shove their peers when it is so socially unacceptable to their parents? According to W. George Scott, Ph.D, Assistant Professor of Child Development at Tufts University, “Just as it is with adults, when kids are irritable it's harder for them to control themselves. To develop into maturity is to learn good ways to deal with one's anger and frustrations. But none of us does that on our own."
According to Michelle Borba, Educational Consultant, Ed.D, and author of "No More Misbehaving", "Some little critters just don't have that inner regulatory system yet," she says. "They will continue to hit if you don't stop it. We forget that aggression can very easily become a habit, just like whining and talking back."
I have had time now both as a mother and teacher to think about this, and while I believe all of this to be true, I think a good deal of this comes from the child’s lack of ability to communicate their frustration or fears. Also, with young children, they are constantly testing boundaries to see what will happen if they do something, and unfortunately for parents that includes unacceptable behavior.
Since “the biting incident”, as it is fondly referred to at our house, I’ve learned the following things about behavior both as a parent and as a teacher of toddlers.
1) Even if it is an isolated incident, address the behavior immediately.
2) Get down on the child’s level and explain to them calmly yet with intent that this behavior is unacceptable.
3) Ask them if they understand what they did wrong, and to apologize to their friend.
4) Do not address aggression with aggression. You should be a good role model for you child.
5) Ask your child what they should do next time, instead of hitting or biting their friend, when they become upset about something.
Most importantly, do not brush off bad behavior. As difficult as it can be as a parent, every time you disregard bad behavior or “pick your battles” you are telling your child that the bad behavior was acceptable, and they will continue to do it.
Looking for even more information? Click here for an article all about child aggression.
So, why do toddlers bite, hit and shove their peers when it is so socially unacceptable to their parents? According to W. George Scott, Ph.D, Assistant Professor of Child Development at Tufts University, “Just as it is with adults, when kids are irritable it's harder for them to control themselves. To develop into maturity is to learn good ways to deal with one's anger and frustrations. But none of us does that on our own."
According to Michelle Borba, Educational Consultant, Ed.D, and author of "No More Misbehaving", "Some little critters just don't have that inner regulatory system yet," she says. "They will continue to hit if you don't stop it. We forget that aggression can very easily become a habit, just like whining and talking back."
I have had time now both as a mother and teacher to think about this, and while I believe all of this to be true, I think a good deal of this comes from the child’s lack of ability to communicate their frustration or fears. Also, with young children, they are constantly testing boundaries to see what will happen if they do something, and unfortunately for parents that includes unacceptable behavior.
Since “the biting incident”, as it is fondly referred to at our house, I’ve learned the following things about behavior both as a parent and as a teacher of toddlers.
1) Even if it is an isolated incident, address the behavior immediately.
2) Get down on the child’s level and explain to them calmly yet with intent that this behavior is unacceptable.
3) Ask them if they understand what they did wrong, and to apologize to their friend.
4) Do not address aggression with aggression. You should be a good role model for you child.
5) Ask your child what they should do next time, instead of hitting or biting their friend, when they become upset about something.
Most importantly, do not brush off bad behavior. As difficult as it can be as a parent, every time you disregard bad behavior or “pick your battles” you are telling your child that the bad behavior was acceptable, and they will continue to do it.
Looking for even more information? Click here for an article all about child aggression.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Tip of the Week: Talking to Nanny
You've just hired a new caregiver and you immediately begin to compose a list of instructions for them... but then you second-guess yourself. How much information is too much information? You don't want to come across as Mrs. X, the mother from "The Nanny Diaries", but this is your first born child.
Take a moment to look at your situation from your caregiver's perspective. What would you want to know? What would you want your "employer", the woman of the house, to know about you?
Concentrate on opening the lines of communication. This two-way street is an important part of every relationship, including the caregiver and parent relationship. We can improve the lives of our children, our caregiver and ourselves if we can just understand how to communicate our needs.
Click here for a great article from the New York Times on how to speak to your nanny.
Good luck moms!
Take a moment to look at your situation from your caregiver's perspective. What would you want to know? What would you want your "employer", the woman of the house, to know about you?
Concentrate on opening the lines of communication. This two-way street is an important part of every relationship, including the caregiver and parent relationship. We can improve the lives of our children, our caregiver and ourselves if we can just understand how to communicate our needs.
Click here for a great article from the New York Times on how to speak to your nanny.
Good luck moms!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Tip of the Week: Favorite Things
One important thing I have learned as a mom: buy multiples! If your child has a favorite item, do yourself a favor and buy one or more "back-ups" of the item. You and your child will avoid a meltdown if, God forbid, you misplace your child’s “blankie” or “binkie” (which will inevitably happen)!
A few years ago I was in Walt Disney World with my daughter, and to my horror I watched as her last “binkie” fell through the crack of the pier into the canal below. My daughter was hysterical, and unfortunately she didn’t buy my story that the baby alligators would take care of it for her. Then of course I became upset too, because we had a three-hour plane ride ahead of us with no “binkies”!
The moral of the story is that it is better to be safe than sorry! Have several of your child’s favorite thing on hand at all times. You can never have too many, especially if it avoids the dreaded meltdown!
A few years ago I was in Walt Disney World with my daughter, and to my horror I watched as her last “binkie” fell through the crack of the pier into the canal below. My daughter was hysterical, and unfortunately she didn’t buy my story that the baby alligators would take care of it for her. Then of course I became upset too, because we had a three-hour plane ride ahead of us with no “binkies”!
The moral of the story is that it is better to be safe than sorry! Have several of your child’s favorite thing on hand at all times. You can never have too many, especially if it avoids the dreaded meltdown!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Tip of the Week: Stain Remover
As a mother, I have learned to dread doing laundry. Watermelon and formula became my archenemies when it came to stain removal. One day I read in a magazine about a stain remover called "Fels-Naptha". Now there is not a stain that can make it past my laundry room!
This stain remover, which I am told can also be used for treatment of Poison Ivy, looks similar to a bar of soap and has been used for close to 100 years. You can purchase it by visiting www.soapsgonebuy.com. Trust me, it really works!
This stain remover, which I am told can also be used for treatment of Poison Ivy, looks similar to a bar of soap and has been used for close to 100 years. You can purchase it by visiting www.soapsgonebuy.com. Trust me, it really works!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tip of the Week: A Gift for Grandparents
I bet your family can hardly wait to get their hands on their new grandchildren this holiday season! Sadly, sometimes making holiday visits just isn't possible. Perhaps it is your in-laws turn to spend the holidays with your family or maybe it is just too far to travel with a new baby.
If you're unable to visit this year, try bridging the distance with an e-mail advent calendar. Count down the days before holidays by e-mailing grandparents, or other family and friends, a picture-a-day of your child celebrating the holidays in all of their holiday finest. It will surely be their favorite gift!
If you're unable to visit this year, try bridging the distance with an e-mail advent calendar. Count down the days before holidays by e-mailing grandparents, or other family and friends, a picture-a-day of your child celebrating the holidays in all of their holiday finest. It will surely be their favorite gift!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Tip of the Week: Cool Gifts for New Moms
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