Four Time Out Tips For Toddlers

Most parents are familiar with the concept of using time out as a tool for disciplining their children. The concept is simple enough – when your child misbehaves, he or she is immediately asked to go to a predetermined location and sit there quietly for a specific amount of time. As simple as time out seems, sometimes even well meaning parents use this discipline tool in an ineffective way. Since time out is a valuable tool for shaping behavior, here are some hints and tips for maximizing its effectiveness for your toddler: 1. Begin using time outs sooner, rather than … Continue reading

Tips For a Toddler Road Trip

It’s summer, so let the good times roll. And by roll, I mean on four wheels along the nation’s highways to grandma’s house, the beach, the amusement park or wherever your summer road trip takes you. If you are rolling with a toddler this summer, then you know the importance of being prepared. If this is your first long journey with your little one, then consider the following road trip survival tips that have served me well over the years: DISTRACTIONS When traveling with toddlers, never underestimate the power of distractions. Plan on packing plenty of toys and introduce them … Continue reading

Toddlers and Popsicles

With summer on its way, no doubt that you will be faced with the issue of popsicles (or other frozen treats) and toddlers. These two things seem made for each other. You can almost hear the groans of mothers all over, though, when they contemplate the mess and the extra sugar involved when toddlers and popsicles get together. Here are some tips to help parents and kids alike enjoy this little staple of summer. To help contain the mess, you can fashion your own drip tray. Use plastic lids from formula, small oatmeal containers or other packaging. Cut a slit … Continue reading

Baby Blog Month in Review: July 2008

Two of my three children are summer babies. That is, they were born in the summer and had their first months surrounded by sunshine streaming in the windows, the sound of birds chirping, and days spent wearing nothing but a diaper and a “onsie.” I made sure that they had Fourth of July outfits ready, even though one of them arrived a week after the holiday. I guess he just wasn’t interested in the parade. Do you have a summer baby, too? We had a lot of new information to share this past month, such as recall notices and new … Continue reading

One in Four Toddlers Improperly Vaccinated

CDC researchers are concerned because recent studies show that one in four toddlers are improperly vaccinated. Either they are missing doses or are given vaccinations too early or too late. However, the CDC is calling this a “wake up” call. Interestingly, one issue that the study discovered was that babies were being immunized too early. If a baby or toddler is immunized too early and/or has their shots too close together, the CDC counted them as invalid saying that there is a window of optimal response. If your baby has the shot too early, then the response might not be … Continue reading

Family Time at the Zoo

What could be more fun for a family with young children than a trip to the zoo? My family is lucky that we live only a few miles from the Bronx Zoo. It makes it very convenient to visit the zoo for a couple of hours or an afternoon. In fact, my wife and I decided to become members of the zoo so that we wouldn’t feel obligated to make an all day excursion out of a trip to the zoo. One thing that I would suggest is that you only consider going to the zoo when your children are … Continue reading

Safety Tips for Baby on the 4th of July

If you are American, you are undoubtedly preparing for your 4th of July celebration. Either you are going elsewhere to celebrate or you are getting ready to host your own big party. Lucky me, I’m going to go to the courthouse today to attempt to get out of jury duty next week. But with that aside, we too are planning on traveling tomorrow and partaking in my father in law’s company’s large Independence Day picnic. However, did you know that the 4th of July is one of the busiest times of year for emergency room physicians? After our incident last … Continue reading

Five Tips to Help Allowances Work for your Family

One of the best ways to help your children learn the value of a dollar is to make them work for it. This really helps to put a value on all the money that they spend. It also teaches your children the importance of hard work. This is one reason why it can be beneficial to set up allowance in conjunction with chores in the home. You can set up your system in numerous ways. Here are five suggestions that may work for you. 1) You may have a set amount of money you want to give your children each … Continue reading

Tips for Dealing with Temper Tantrums

Tantrums – Screams and crying oh my As a single parent, sometimes the challenges of dealing with babies and toddlers can be stressful, especially when it comes to temper tantrums. Of course, if you have children like mine, the best time for a tantrum is in the middle of the grocery store when your cart is near full. I actually had my son do that one time when he was about four. I told him twice that if he didn’t behave, we would leave. He refused so I asked the manager if he would put my shopping cart in the … Continue reading

Surviving Independence Day with a Toddler

There are few toddlers who are not captivated by the sight of colorful fireworks lighting up the night sky. It’s the thunderous booms most tots can live without. You want to see real fireworks?  Take an unsuspecting toddler with sensitive hearing to a Fourth of July fireworks show and you’ll get a front row seat to an explosive meltdown the likes of which will surpass any holiday pyrotechnic show. Trust me. Unfortunately, if you have older children, who are unfazed by the massive booms that resonate in your head and chest, the option of staying home on the Fourth is … Continue reading