March 2010

  • The Joys of Taking Children to the Theater

    By sarajean on 3/30/10 6:15am
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    You might have imagined that this would be a sarcastic rant about how much fun it is to go to the movies with your kids. From the astronomical prices to the outrageous rating systems, the constant need to potty or talk during the movie or to even walk out due to an unexpected scary scene (that may or may not have been scary), yes, we’ve all had our bad days out to the theater with our kids. It happens. You just have to shrug it off, let it go, go with the flow… Well, by now, you already know all of that!

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  • Alternative Ideas for Easter Baskets

    By sarajean on 3/26/10 3:14am
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    Excited about the idea of different things to put in my child’s Easter basket this year, I was very disappointed upon learning that, after clicking link after link, every idea was just as commercialized as the last. These really aren’t that different from buying a bunch of candy for our kids, other than the lack of calories involved.

    If you’re looking for some truly different ideas for your child’s Eater basket and eggs to get away from the commercialism of the holidays, here are a few things you might wish to try.

    Rocks: Paint your child a set of rocks with special words that describe him or her on them. Or include paint so that he or she can create his or her own.

    Handmade “Grass”: Instead of grass, make a paper chain or other decorative hanging featuring your child’s favorite colors. He or she can then hang it in his or her room.

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  • Science Kits are Literally the Bomb

    By sarajean on 3/24/10 4:41am
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    I heart science kits!

    If you’ve been to a craft or hobby store, toy store, or even perused science materials online lately, you know what I’m talking about. These babies are popping up everywhere—from chemistry sets to rock gardens, tadpole habitats to night sky viewers.

    And I want them all!

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  • Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

    By hellenwyeth on 3/19/10 3:34pm
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    From the time our children are born they undergo many tests. Tests are performed in the hospital when they are born and continue throughout their growing years at their numerous checkups. One test in particular is done on their hips. While it may seem like insignificant stretching and pulling on your child’s legs, it is very important that you pediatrician continues to do this to diagnose developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), or congenital dislocation of the hip. This condition is commonly found at birth but not always. Because it is an ongoing process it can’t always be detectable at birth.

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  • The No Tears Method to Sleep

    By hellenwyeth on 3/19/10 3:26pm
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    Tried the “crying it out” method and it’s just not working? Maybe, like a lot of parents you just can't put yourself to leaving your baby to cry themselves to sleep. That is completely okay because that method will only work if you know you can dedicate yourself to it and it’s not the only sleep technique out there to try. There is also the “no tears method.” But don’t be fooled by the name because as much as you would want to believe there are no tears involved, they are inevitable when changing your baby’s sleep routine. Even the experts will tell you this.

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  • Getting Your Baby to Sleep: Crying it Out

    By hellenwyeth on 3/19/10 3:15pm
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    Getting your baby to sleep through the night is something that a lot of parents are left dreaming of. That is if they get the chance to sleep long enough to reach the dream state. Before I delve into techniques of getting your baby to sleep on their own and in their own bed, I want everyone to know that I am a firm believer in attachment parenting and co-sleeping. I have done attachment parenting and co-sleeping with both of my children. However, co-sleeping can only last as long as the parents can handle it and then changes need to start taking place.

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  • On Toys That Bark, Jump, and Flip

    By sarajean on 3/18/10 4:10am
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    My daughter has recently become obsessed with these little walking, talking hamsters known as zhu zhu pets. A friend of hers has a few of them and generously gave her one, which was very sweet; however, I tend to group these little toys with other passive toys that simply don’t allow for the development of the imagination.

    Sure, such toys can be fun; why else would kids love them? And I certainly don’t mind my child playing with her little hamsters, holding them and playing pretend. But it’s when the kiddos place the hamsters inside their little wheels or play areas or whatever and simply sit back and watch them the passivity starts.

    We have televisions for that already; why use toys in the same way? Kids are getting more obese, more bored, and less active overall—and we give them toys that yip, bark, flip, and make noise so they can sit and watch them? It just does not make sense.

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  • Avoiding the Baby Blues with Siblings

    By hellenwyeth on 3/16/10 2:16pm
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    Adding another addition to the family is such a fun and exciting time for everyone. You, as mommy to be again, can relax more for the pregnancy since you know what to expect for the most part. From your first born, you may already have most of the big ticket items stored away so even nesting will be a breeze. But in all the commotion of the new baby’s arrival, don’t forget about your first love, your first born. This can be a difficult time for them and how you handle the pregnancy and your time after the baby is born, will determine just how well they will cope with their new sibling.

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  • In Depth Parental Ratings Before You Watch

    By hellenwyeth on 3/16/10 2:05pm
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    imdbimdbAt my daughter’s school they do different things to raise money, just like any other school would. My favorite one that they do is the Movie Matinee fundraiser. For only $8.00 we get to go see 10 movies at our local theater. All the movies on the line up are kid friendly, mostly Disney movies and run at the same time they are coming out on DVD. As a parent of two now, this is a great opportunity for me to spend some one on one time with just my daughter once a week. However, I think I need to be more vigilant about checking out the reviews of the movies before we go. The spring line up so far has been a smidge questionable to say the least.

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  • March is So Musical

    By sarajean on 3/14/10 12:11am
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    Have you heard the birds chirping in your window yet this month? If not, you probably will soon. I know in our Midwestern region we’ve had a plethora of brightly-colored feathered friends swoon in, bringing with them the gift of beaked song and live, non-computed twittering at the very hint of spring’s arrival (of course, it may just be our birdseed!).

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  • Daylight Saving Time Activities

    By sarajean on 3/13/10 6:26pm
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    Daylight Saving Time can be a difficult period of adjustment for many people—families especially. Here are some tips and tricks for making the adjustment—as well as some fun things you might want to do in honor of the day.

    Give kids some time to process. Yes, it’s an hour later on Sunday morning than they are used to, so give them a little extra time to get ready in the morning if necessary. Don’t make big plans; instead, let them slowly adjust to the time change. Some families even let their children go to bed early throughout the week before the change to adjust.

    Teach kids the “Spring Forward, Fall Back” saying. Explain the history and significance of Daylight Saving Time; if you need help, read this article.

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  • Another Great Group: Gastroschisis

    By hellenwyeth on 3/8/10 10:50am
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    Finding support groups for rare birth defects is very difficult. I unfortunately know this from experience. Just six short years ago I got pregnant with my first child. Everyone was so excited including me, especially when it came time for the first ultrasound at about three months. Anxiously, I looked at the screen while the tech glided the wand over my growing belly. I waited for him to begin telling me that every little part of my child looked perfect, one body part and organ at a time. But when he stayed completely silent until the moment he announced that he needed to go get a second opinion, my heart sank and the tears couldn’t be fought back. My daughter had gastroschisis. Her intestines were on the outside of her little developing body from a hole in her abdomen.

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  • The Benefits for Mothers Who Nurse

    By hellenwyeth on 3/4/10 8:25am
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    While on the run of breastfeeding posts, I do have one more. Earlier I mentioned that there are health benefits for mothers in addition to the newborn and this is very true. Just like for our bundles of joy, our breastfeeding is very beneficial to us while we are breastfeeding and long after we are done and they are grown and out of the house.

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  • Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association

    By hellenwyeth on 3/4/10 8:11am
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    Wouldn't it be nice to have one place that moms could go to and find the perfect doula, lactation consultant and childbirth educators all in one place? Now you can and I have found them on Facebook. The next page/group that I have found to have great worth for parents to be and even seasoned parents is CAPPA (the Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association). They are very informative on many different spectrums of the pregnancy and parenting world. Once you’re a fan, you’ll be hooked just simply by their news feed. Every day they send words of inspiration that are not only uplifting, but force you to reflect on all the heartfelt memories that have been created along your parenting path.

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  • If Breastfeeding Offends You, Put A Blanket Over YOUR Head!

    By hellenwyeth on 3/3/10 5:01pm
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    New and experienced moms alike always find themselves looking for the best sites to provide them with the most up to date and accurate information as well as support. It’s not always the easiest task to tackle. Everything from what your child’s poopy diaper should or should not look like to breastfeeding in public, every mom out there can use some support. Facebook has turned out to be a wonderful outlet for finding support groups in every area imaginable. Over the next week, I will be posting and reviewing the best of the best and let you know which ones are worth your time and those that just simply don’t measure up.

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