Archive for the ‘Child Care’ Category
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My Son is Almost 5
WOW. Time flies so FAST! By March, my son will be turning 5 and he wants a Chicken Little birthday cake and a Chicken Little car. The cake is easy to grant but I don’t know if there is such thing as a Chicken Little car. Anyway, before 5 there is 4 years and 3/4 first so I am updating with his Baby Center updates (yes! I still read the up to date email from Baby Center)
My son shows tantrums and emotional turmoil once in awhile these days, he loves to whine and I am not perfect to say that I find it very controllable, in fact, I deal with how I deal with him when he is whining because it gets in my nerve most of the time and I will take these tips from Baby Center as my guide.
One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is teaching her how to calm herself when emotions are boiling over. Self-calming is not an easy thing to learn — or to teach, since most of us are still perfecting the skill.
Since you want to catch her before she explodes, you first need to recognize signals that she’s about to lose it. Does she whine or lash out verbally? Maybe her body language or tone of voice tells the story. If she’s frustrated playing with her blocks, does she clench her teeth? Once you know her cues, you can discuss them with her. The goal is to get her to recognize on her own when she’s emotionally on the edge.
The next step: teaching some simple anger management and stress relief techniques that will help her cope with strong feelings. It can be as simple as showing her how to take a deep breath: “When you feel like whapping your little brother, stop and take a deep breath and then let it out.” Or, “Take a deep breath and count to three, then let the air slowly blow out your mouth.” Practice together; eventually it can become second nature.
Physical activity lowers stress and clears frustrated minds, so getting outside can help. Warm baths, soft music, a back rub — these kinds of sensory activities soothe as well. “You’re beginning to whine and get frustrated. Let’s take a bath to help you calm down.” Although your child won’t be able to give herself a back rub whenever she’s frustrated, your doing so helps her learn to identify her strong feelings and realize that it’s possible to tame them.
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Hushing a Colicky Baby
A lot of you who reads my blog knows that my DS was once a colicky baby. He loves to cry every time he is awake. This is not a joke. The only time that he was not crying was when he was sleeping or drinking his milk. It gave me so much stress that I almost cry with my baby all the time. I lost weight from carrying him and he was so heavy that time. I learned from a few talks with some friends that I am not alone, a lot of babies experience being colicky, not all but they are many. Some only last for a month but like us, him being colicky lasted until he was 6 months old. Anyway, here are the things I learned that maybe very useful to moms who are experiencing it now.
- Using white noise machine really helps in hushing the crying baby. I have no idea what it does and why it works but usually these noise calms the baby.
- Don’t force yourself to take care of the baby when you are tired. Always ask for help, from your mother, your husband or if you have a trusty nanny around so you can also get enough rest to face another session with your colicky baby. Handling it alone with even stress you more and believe me, the baby will feel that.
- Try going outdoors more often. Visual stimulants for the baby usually helps him stop crying and even gives you a space to breathe.
- Play soft music. Baby lullabies are very nice. I used to play a Disney Lullaby Album while my son sleeps, he sleeps well and so did I.
- Lastly, always remember that this thing shall pass. My son now is a very happy kid, he is now almost 5 years old and is a joy to all of us.
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Suggestions of Items to Pack When Traveling with Your Child
We need a checklist when traveling with our kids, most especially if our child is still a baby. I, for one is a mommy of a 4-year-old, though traveling is more relaxed now, I still write a checklist when I pack before a trip. Here are some useful items that you might want to include in your luggage when traveling with your son/daughter:
Packing Checklist:
- Diapers. One for each hour you’ll be in transit, plus extras in case of delays
- Pad to put under your baby during diaper changes. You can buy disposable changing pads at supermarkets or reusable ones at baby stores.
- Blankets. Bring a few — you’ll use them to lay your baby on, cover your baby, cover yourself if you’re nursing, protect your clothes from messy burps, shade your baby, and more.
- Plastic bags. Carry a variety of sizes for storing soiled diapers, clothes, and blankets.
- Diaper rash cream
- Wipes
- Small bottles of disinfecting hand gel, baby wash, and baby lotion
- Tissues
- Extra pacifiers (if your baby uses one)
- A few of your baby’s favorite toys
- Clothes, socks, and booties or shoes
- One to two outfits per day is a good guideline.
- Washable bibs
- Sun hat
- Lightweight plastic feeding set with utensils, and baby food
- If your baby’s eating solid foods
- Formula, water, and juice if appropriate
- Extra bottles, nipples, and sippy cups if appropriate
- Energy-boosting snacks for you to munch on
- Breast pump (if you use one)
- Nightlight. So you can keep the room lighting soothingly low during middle-of-the-night diaper changes
- First-aid kit. Baby pain reliever and supplies for treating minor injuries.
- Sling or front carrier. Lightweight, hands-free way to keep your baby close in crowded places like airports.
- Portable crib or play yard. A safe place for your baby to sleep or play
- Inflatable baby bathtub. Can make bath time easier at your destination.
- Car seat for safer travel by car or plane
- Collapsible stroller. Can be gate-checked or stored in the overhead bin of an airplane.
It is a long list, I must say, but your trips will be hassle free and less stressful if you have everything handy. Here are more tips:
- Start preparing to pack a few days before you travel. Keep a running list of things to take, or put items out on a table or dresser as you think of them.
- Use a diaper bag with a waterproof lining and a shoulder strap.
- Be prepared for leaky diapers and baby spit-up on the airplane: Tuck an extra outfit or two for your baby – and an extra shirt for you – into your carry-on bag.
- Prevent leaks by packing medicines and toiletries in resealable plastic bags.
- Pack each of your baby’s outfits in its own zipped plastic bag so you don’t have to hunt around for tiny socks, shirts, and so on.
- Take your camera, battery charger, and an extra memory card.
- Take a clip-on reading light so you can read without disturbing your baby.
- Take the phone number for your baby’s healthcare provider in case you have questions while you’re on the road.
Article from Baby Center.
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Choosing A CT Daycare Center
It is normal for any parent to worry whenever their child is not by their child. This is why it is very important for a parent to make sure that they trust and feel comfortable with whomever they will leave their child with. Among the usual options for this are CT daycare centers.
If you are one of the many parents who are looking for a Connecticut day care center or a CT preschool you can bring your child to, below are some things you should consider before making a decision.
· Teachers and Staff. These are the people who will be spending time with your child while your child is at the center so it is important to get to know them well. Make sure that you can trust the people at the daycare center and that they always have the welfare of the children left to their care as their priority.
· Facilities. Go around the center and make sure that it is safe and secure. The areas where the children will be staying should be child-proofed. Look out for pointed objects or sharp corners which could cause injury to any child. Aside from the safety and security, you should also make sure that the facilities are clean everywhere. Viruses, germs, and diseases can be easily spread in such centers so it is vital that the place is regularly cleaned and sanitized to prevent this.
· Location. It is best if the center you will choose is near your workplace or your home so that you can easily have access to your child especially in case of emergencies. It is also a huge advantage if the center is near a hospital or any place where your child can receive medical attention.
· Activities. Do not just choose a daycare center without knowing what your child will be doing while staying there. Ask the center if they follow any schedule and what kinds of activities they have with the children. Some form of structured schedule is good especially if your child is the type who thrives on routine. Knowing the activities they have planned will also allow you to make requests if there are some activities that you do not want your child to participate in.
About the Author:
Aggie Aviso is a freelance consumer and business writer, writing comprehensive reviews, articles and how-to’s. -
What is your discipline style?
I am a first time mom and nobody is perfect. I believe that disciplining your child and taking care of him is a learning process. You have to learn what is best for him and all kids are unique so one discipline style maybe effective to your son but when implemented to another child, it will not be as effective. Friends of mine who have two or more kids say that each of their children are so different from each other so it’s always trial and error. You read, learn from experience and more importantly, pray that God will lead you to the path of right parenting for each of your child and hoping that your fears like school dropouts or getting in a santa barbara drug alcohol rehab treatment center will never be experienced in the family. There are several parenting style but all discipline tactics leads to address similar themes and these are on the list of Baby Center.
- Aim for the middle ground between being too punitive and too permissive.
- Don’t use physical punishments like spanking and slapping.
- Don’t use psychological punishments such as name-calling and insults.
- When you or your child spiral out of control, take time to cool off.
- Offer choices.
- Learn how to manage your own anger.
- Provide encouragement and positive feedback.
- Let your child experience consequences to behavior.
- Don’t hold grudges. Once the behavior has been dealt with, give your child a clean slate.
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The Connection Between Sleep and Growth
I am very particular with the sleeping habits of my son. Ever since he was born, I instill the right time to sleep at night and the afternoon napping he never misses until today, unless he has to stay up for an activity in school or a very important occasion of the family. Anyway, I read an article at Baby Center about sleep and growth…
Getting enough sleep is important for a young child for many reasons, from restoring energy to building brain connections (not to mention giving Mom and Dad a needed break). But science is showing that sleep also fuels physical growth.
The science of growing
Growth is a complex process that requires several hormones to stimulate various biological events in the blood, organs, muscles, and bones.A protein hormone secreted by the pituitary gland called growth hormone (or “human growth hormone”) is a key player in these events. Several factors affect its production, including nutrition, stress, and exercise. In young children, though, the most important factor is sleep.
Growth hormone is released throughout the day. But for kids, the most intense period of release is shortly after the beginning of deep sleep.
How much sleep do they need?
Two- and 3-year-olds need 12 to 14 hours of sleep every 24 hours (a combination of about 12 hours of night sleep and 1 ½ to 3 hours of naps), 4-year-olds about 11 to 13 hours (with about 11 of the hours at night). (Sleep needs are somewhat individual, with some kids requiring slightly less or more than their peers.)Without adequate sleep, growth problems — mainly slow or stunted growth — can result. Growth hormone production can also be disrupted in kids with certain physical sleep problems, such as obstructive sleep apnea
Kids who don’t get enough sleep show other changes in the levels of hormones circulating in their body, too. Hormones that regulate hunger and appetite can be affected, causing a child to overeat and have a preference for high-calorie carbs. What’s more, a shortage of sleep can affect the way the body metabolizes these foods, triggering insulin resistance, which is linked to type 2 diabetes.
A lack of sleep at night can also affect motor skills and concentration during the day, leading to more accidents and behavioral problems, and poor performance at school.
Ensuring a good night’s sleep
Most kids need more sleep than their parents think.Signs that your child may not be getting enough rest include crankiness or lethargy by day, always falling asleep in the car, and being hard to wake up. If your child is hyper at bedtime or tired before it’s time to go to bed, that’s another clue his schedule may not be consistent enough.
To help your child get plenty of zzz’s:
- Establish consistent daily sleep times and stick to them.
- Have a regular bedtime routine, which helps signal to your child’s body that it’s time to wind down. This might include giving him a bath or snack, reading a bedtime story, and talking or singing softly to him while tucking him in.
- Make sure your child’s room is conducive to sleep. It should be dark and quiet.
- Avoid roughhousing before bedtime. It’s stimulating instead of sleep-inducing.
- Stick to the same timetable and routines for bed on weekends and vacations that you normally have. A variation once in a while won’t cause long-term disruptions, but erratic bedtimes can lead to poor sleep habits and sleep deprivation.
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Is it time?
I learned swimming when I was in third grade so I have doubts if my son can this summer, he is 5 by then. We are looking for sports that we can possibly enroll him. His doctor told us to get him into sports. I am thinking of soccer, but swimming is still something I am scared to consider but is still considering because I know it will give him so much advantages like, strengthening his lungs for example. We will see next year if he is ready. I read an article about swimming lessons for 4-year-olds over at Baby Center that got me thinking…
Your child may be like a little fish in the water or he may cower at the edge of the pool. Either way, swimming lessons are a great way to learn water safety and work on coordination.
Four is usually a fine age to start. To learn to swim, a child must be mature enough to be in the water with an instructor but without you and must be able to get around without swallowing a lot of water. He needs to be able to pay attention to directions and be able and willing to stop doing something when told to do so.
Start by finding a certified instructor who has experience with young children. Many community pools, sports facilities, and places like the local YMCA offer courses for young beginners. With 4-year-olds, the class needs to be fun; ask if the lessons incorporate music or games. Your child also should be allowed to progress at his own pace; it’s not unusual for a child to stay in a beginner class for more than one session. The first go-round might simply be spent getting comfortable in the water.
Make sure there’s adequate supervision. At this age, a good ratio is one instructor for every four children. For beginners, lessons should cover water safety, as well as basic floating, breathing, and leg and arm movements.
photo from: Pool Center
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