Children--Unplugged!
They say that when you have a baby, he/she doesn't come with a manual. I beg to differ. The answers to all the many questions you'll encounter are contained right in your heart.
Ok--I admit that is pretty sappy, but in many ways, it's true! That's my daughter Amber to the left, and I am in awe of her, every day. As I watch her grow and learn about the world around her, I am so grateful that I get to be her dad, and teach her about...well..everything!
On this Squidoo, we'll explore all things kids, and how to plant the seed and help them grow. I hope you visit often. Like parenthood, it should be a fun ride!
Common Sense Parenting
Happy Kids = Happy Parents!
With the glut of advice out there, sometimes the most obvious building blocks of parenting can be overlooked.In the short time I've been a parent (just over 2 years), I've learned that there really is nothing you can't do with your child if you exercise patience.
Common sense in parenting is a rather relative idea. Some parents simply do not have it and they need to be told just how to parent. That is why there are so many bestselling parenting books out there. There is nothing wrong with needing a little help in the area of your kids, parenting is difficult during the best of times and if those books can help you then go ahead and get them!
There are some basic rules when it comes to good parenting however. Here are the basics of parenting that every parent should know:
Be kind
It's simple, really--treat your kids how you would want to be treated! It is never okay to demean your children. You do not ever want to put them down or hurt their feelings on purpose. No matter how mad they make you feel you should always work to control your temper. Not only will this keep you from doing and saying something that you will regret, it will also teach your children to control themselves as well.
Be a good role model
Monkey see, Monkee do. My daughter parrots many things I say and do, so the lessons I teach her simply by conducting myself in an appropriate manner are so vital.
Although I admit it is funny to hear Amber say a minor swear word, is it really something a 2-year old should be doing? Not really, and my wife & I know we have to curb our tongue.
Being a good role model is important. This means teaching your children how to be good people all of the time. You want to teach them to be kind and to control their temper as well as to share. The most important thing that you will teach your children is the difference between right and wrong. Without this very important knowledge your children will not know how to succeed out there in the real world
Keep That House Safe
For Baby's sake!
One of the biggest fears new parents have is whether their home sweet home is safe for their new bundle of joy.You think you've thought of everything--but trust me, you haven't The best advice I can give you is to get down on all fours, and look at your house from your baby's perspective. You'd be amazed at the security hazards you'll find (Not to mention that your carpet probably needs to be cleaned!)
With that in mind, follow this little list to get your place ship-shape, and your whole family can have peace of mind.
A baby is a both a joy and a responsibility. Taking precautions help to ensure that your new addition is safe can ease some parenting burdens.
Before bringing your baby home, slowly investigate each room. Get down on the floor. Lay down if possible. See your home from a baby's point of view. Look for hazards and correct them. Some potential dangers to watch for include:
Anything dangling. Electric cords, tablecloths, curtains and cords from window blinds should be secured well out of baby's reach. Your infant could strangle, be electrocuted or pull something heavy or hot on top of themselves.
Move cleaning supplies, medications and any other poisons up and out of reach. One of the ways in which a child learns is through taste and you certainly don't want them sampling anything toxic! Consider too, moving all houseplants out of the way as these can prove poisonous as well.
Check the crib. Bars should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. Make sure the mattress fits tightly and resist placing large stuffed toys inside.
Clear tables, floors and cabinet tops of anything small that a baby could swallow. Make sure that any wobbly furniture is repaired or removed.
Once baby is home, there are a few more precautions to take. Do not smoke, use matches or drink hot beverages while holding your baby. Any of these can easily burn your child or become a fire hazard.
Avoid foods, especially with children less than one year of age, that can become lodged in their throat. Popcorn, grapes, raisins, nuts, hard candy and small pieces of hot dog should be avoided. Never let a child suck on any type of food while lying on their back!
These are basic, common sense precautions every parent should take to keep baby healthy and happy.
The Parenting Shop
One Stop Shop..for Mom & Pop!
Books, toys, goodies that make noise....it's all here!
SIGN with your BABY - Baby Sign Language (ASL) Kit: Includes Book, How-to DVD, Quick Reference Guide
Amazon Price: $31.47 (as of 09/05/2008)
List Price: $49.95
Used Price: $27.81
What to Expect the First Year, Second Ed
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 09/05/2008)
List Price: $15.95
Used Price: $1.48
Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 09/05/2008)
List Price: $15.00
Used Price: $4.00
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 09/05/2008)
List Price: $14.95
Used Price: $4.50
The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy: Or everything your doctor won't tell you
Amazon Price: (as of 09/05/2008)
List Price: $14.00
Used Price: $0.01
The Nursing Mother's Companion: Revised Edition
Amazon Price: $13.18 (as of 09/05/2008)
List Price: $14.95
Used Price: $6.99
Parenting With Love and Logic : Teaching Children Responsibility
Amazon Price: (as of 09/05/2008)
List Price: $21.00
Used Price: $2.79
bABY eINSTEIN
Amazon Price: (as of 09/05/2008)
List Price:
Used Price:
Disney's Little Einsteins - Our Big Huge Adventure
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 09/05/2008)
List Price: $19.99
Used Price: $6.90
Baby Einstein - Baby Mozart - Music Festival
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 09/05/2008)
List Price: $19.99
Used Price: $4.57
Baby Einstein - Meet the Orchestra - First Instruments
Amazon Price: $15.49 (as of 09/05/2008)
List Price: $19.99
Used Price: $3.93
Baby Einstein - Baby MacDonald - A Day on the Farm
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 09/05/2008)
List Price: $19.99
Used Price: $8.45
Baby Einstein - Baby Wordsworth - First Words - Around the House
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 09/05/2008)
List Price: $19.99
Used Price: $7.92
Baby Einstein - Baby Beethoven - Symphony of Fun
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 09/05/2008)
List Price: $19.99
Used Price: $4.92
Baby Einstein - Baby Neptune - Discovering Water
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 09/05/2008)
List Price: $19.99
Used Price: $6.88
Links
- SitterTime
- The convenient, online way for parents and their babysitters to arrange babysitting dates.
- Childtime Learning Centers
- Provides for-profit child care through child care centers throughout the U.S.
- Child Care Pages Webring
- The pages by individuals in the child care field or those who simply have good advice for parenting.
- Creme de la Creme
- Child care centers and preschools nationwide with summer camp and after school programs.
- Daycare Providers
- A free nationwide search for child care in the United States. Family as well as 1 to 1000 center providers welcome.
- Babysitters Online
- Individuals and facilities for pets, home, adult, alzheimer's/dementia and child care sitting.
- Child Care Online
- Providing child care information for parents searching for care, and for educators providing quality child care services.
- Childcare-Inet
- Featuring at least one child care company from each city listed and where they are located. All listings for child care companies are businesses that have been screened for reliability.
- 2care4kids.com
- Licensed family child care information about day care program, preschool program, policies and contract, and other ideas to share with providers and parents.
- Schoolanddaycare.com
- Directory of hundreds of daycare centers, preschools and non-public schools in major cities across the U.S. Information includes tuition, enrollment, and student/teacher ratios.
- Child Care Aware
- Search facility for locating childcare by zip code, and other options. Also includes general advice and other resources.
- Orange County Child Care
- Searchable database for childcare in Orange and LA counties, CA.
- For Kid's Sake
- Improving the quality of child care by providing parents and providers with useful information.
- A Parent's Night Out
- Babysitting services in the Monterey, CA area for local hotel guests, residents, weddings and other special events.
- Montessori Unlimited
- Focus on teaching children to discover the potential in themselves. Stressing learning in a fun and stimulating environment.
- Child Care, Inc.
- A non-profit resource offering referral information for families and training for child care providers in the New York City area.
- National Network for Child Care
- NNCC unites the expertise of many of the nation's leading universities through the outreach system of Cooperative Extension. Sharing knowledge about children and child care from the vast resources of the landgrant universities with parents, professionals, practioners, and the general public.
- The Baby Sitter Service
- A registery of baby sitting services in Luebeck, Hamburg, Berlin and Oslo, Norway. Offers office hours, rates and procedures.
- Get-A-Sitter.Com
- A meeting place for parents and sitters. A site where parents can find a babysitter within their zip code.
- Child Care Choices
- The Department of Children and Family Services of Illinois provides information to help parents make a child care choice that is best for child and for family.
- Providers First
- Founded in 1996 as an organization created to support worldwide recognition of child care providers and the valuable work they perform.
- Day Care in DC
- Offers a directory of day care centers and child care providers. Includes resources for parents and providers.
- Soho Center and the Child2000 Project
- Children's Literacy, quality child care, and school success including the National Children's Literacy Initiative.
- Daycarefinder
- A comprehensive list of daycare providers both private and commercial.
- Child Care Source
- Dedicated to providing information and services for parents seeking child care as well as information on professional development opportunities for child care providers.
- Phone a Babysitter.com
- Service connecting parents with babysitters in their area. Serves both the US and Canada.
- La Petite Academy
- Offers early childhood education for babies through kids for preschool, kindergarten, and school age child education. Also on site corporate and resort childcare.
- Babysitter Exchange
- A service that lets users trade babysitting with parents known and trusted.
- Daycare Index
- Directory includes daycare centers, group day homes and registered family homes in the state of Texas.
- Desert Daycares
- Childcare directory for parents in the high desert area in California.
- Canadian Sitter
- A database of qualified, educated babysitters and nannies.
- Child Care Directory
- Find family child care in your area or list your family child care business.
- The Childcare Solution
- A nanny, au pair and childcare agency with branches throughout southeast England.
- MyNannyCalledinSick.com
- Directory of on-call local nannies, sitters and caregivers. Worldwide.
- Oregon Employment Department for Child Care
- Child Care Division, providing regulations and information.
- Care For Kids
- Search for child care in Australia by postcode, region, state or name.
