The Right Age For Potty Training

One of the most frequently asked questions by first time parents is “what is the right age for potty training?” The short answer to that is There isn’t one. Regardless of what you may hear from well-meaning friends and relatives, the right age to potty train your child is when your child is ready. Attempting to potty train a child who has not shown any signs of readiness will frustrate both you and the child and very possibly make him resistant to potty training in the future.

Helping Your Child Get Ready

You can help your child get ready for potty training by encouraging his natural curiosity. Let him follow you into the bathroom and explain that you’re going potty. Let him learn how the toilet works. If his natural curiosity leads him to start happily flushing everything in sight, a simple toilet lid lock from the hardware store will save your sanity and your pocketbook.
You can also help him recognize that he goes potty. Ask him if his diaper is wet. When he starts to tell you on his own that he needs to be changed, he’s getting close to being ready for potty training. Switching to cloth diapers at this point will also help since the cloth diapers don’t wick the moisture away from his skin, he will be more able to feel wet.

Be Ready Yourself

Prepare for potty training by having the things you’ll need on hand. If you decide to use a potty seat or potty chair, have it ready. Your child will need training pants or underwear which you can let him choose. He may decide to give it a try if it means he gets to wear his special new Superman underwear.

Get Your Team Ready

Anyone who interacts with your child needs to be prepared to support your potty training efforts and methods. Daycare providers, relatives, friends or anyone who may need to help him needs to know what words he’ll use to tell them he needs to go potty and what do to help him.
He will become frustrated with the process if he tries to tell someone he needs to use the bathroom, and they don’t understand what he means or what routine he’s expecting. If you are using a sticker chart or other reinforcement/reward system, he will be very put out if he uses the potty and doesn’t get a sticker from grandma.

The only one who can tell you when your child is ready for potty training is your child. By being ready yourself, you’ll be able to act quickly and take advantage of the window of opportunity when it presents itself
http://www.pottytrainingtips.us provides articles and information on How to Start Potty Training for new parents.

10 Things Not To Feed Your Baby

1. Cow's milk and egg whites, which can cause tummy upset, eczema and other tummy troubles in kids under 12 months.

2. Food that is either sticky or really hard (popcorn, peanut butter, marshmallows); they can cause your baby to choke.

3. Raw veggies (grapes, carrots) or whole pieces of canned fruit--all choking hazards.

4. Nuts. All kinds present choking hazards in children under 4.

5. Honey. There's an off chance it may contain bacteria that can cause infant botulism (it doesn't typically happen in babies over 1 or adults, however).

6.  Anything caffeinated, such as soda or iced tea. Hey, the kid keeps you up enough as it is!

7. More than 4 ounces of fruit juice per day. It can cause diarrhea in infants.

8. Unpasteurized cheese, which has a slight food poisoning risk in young babies. Most cheeses sold in the U.S. are pasteurized, but just check the label or ask.

9. Fish, especially shellfish like shrimp, lobster, crab, scallops--these can trigger an allergic reaction in babies under 1. If fish allergies run in the family, then avoid fin fish until baby's at least 2 (it gives his immune system time to strengthen).

10. Swordfish, shark, tilefish or king mackerel, which are high in mercury. Even adults shouldn't eat these very often

Dealing With Temper Tantrums

Toddlers throw temper tantrums from time to time and some are really good at it. If you happen to have the knack for parenting you will be able to stop a temper tantrum almost as soon as it has started. Many parents will try to stop the temper tantrum right away by giving in to whatever the child is having the temper tantrum about. However it is best to let the temper tantrum go through the steps it needs to take.

When a child is between the ages of two to five years old, temper tantrums will start. Prior to putting a halt on temper tantrums you will first need to figure out why they have started. First and foremost you should keep in mind that your toddler might be hungry, toddlers eat less and more frequently then an adult. You need to show by modeling that temper tantrums are not productive. It is also a good thing to let your toddler have some different options to let them feel as thought they have the control this should prevent some temper tantrums.

If a temper tantrum erupts for no good reason it is best to ignore the child as much as possible, as long as they are not harming themselves or anybody around them. When you are doing this it will make you feel as though you are not a great parent but it will have your child feel as though they are not getting anywhere with their tantrum. If you keep this up the temper tantrums will soon get shorter every time until eventually they will stop completely. If you react to the temper tantrum by giving in every time your toddler will feel as though this is what they need to do to get what they want. You need to be the boss, not your child.
Over time your child’s temper tantrums should stop. If not you and your child should see a doctor about your child’s behavior. There might be some medical reason why your child is acting this way.

Tantrums can be annoying. However, they need to be handled with patience.

101 Ways To Praise Kids

                                   101 Ways To Praise Kids

That’s Incredible* How Extraordinary * Outstanding Performance * Far Out * Great * Marvelous * I can’t get over it * Wonderful * You Should Be Proud* Amazing Effort * Unbelievable Work * Phenomenal * You’ve Got It * Superb You’re Special  * Cool * Excellent * You’ve Outdone Yourself * Your Project is First Rate* Way to Go * Thumbs Up * What a great Listener * Your Help Counts * You Came Through* Terrific* You Tried Hard * Fabulous * The Time You Put in Really Shows * You Make It Happen * You’re a Real Trooper * It Couldn’t Be Better * Bravo * You’re Unique * Exceptional * You’re a Great Example to Others * Fantastic Work * Breathtaking * Keep Up the Good Work * Awesome * I Knew You Had It In You * You’ve Made Progress * Your work is Out of Sight * What an Organizer * It’s Everything I hoped For * Stupendous * Sensational * Very Good * You Make The Difference *Good For You * A+ Work * Take a Bow * Super Job * How Thoughtful of You * Nice Going * Class Act * Well Done * You’re Inspiring * How Artistic * You Go The Extra Mile *Hooray For You * You’re a Joy * You’re a Shining Star * You’re Amazing * What a Great Idea * Great Answer * Extra Special Work * You Deserve a Hug *You’re Getting Better * You’re Tops * You’re Catching On * You’re Neat * You’ve Got What It Takes * Spectacular  Work*  You’re a Winner * You’re #1 * Remarkable * Beautiful * Great Discovery * Clever * You’re So Kind * Wow * Magnificent * You’re Sharp * You’re Very Responsible * Brilliant *Thanks For Helping * Thanks For Caring  * You’re A-ok * You’ve Earned My Respect *You’re a Pleasure to Know * You’re Very Talented *How Original * What a Genius * Very Brave * Congratulations * You’re a Champ * You Figured it Out * You’re Super * Right On * You’re the Greatest * You Make Me Smile * What a Genius *

AMAZING GRACE: Tips for teaching child manners

The holidays aren't the only time a kid should demonstrate good child manners--but special occasions, parties or family gatherings are when parents most want their children to be acting their best. For children to exhibit respect, tolerance, and social graces at these special times, however, means those important lessons must have already been learned. Teachers and senior adults agree that today's children demonstrate less child manners than in previous generations, which is not a compliment for today's youth.

Children who grow up without learning respect and tolerance, as well as how to act in social settings, are at greater risk of not being successful as adults in work settings and at social events. Parents, teachers and providers can team together to start teaching and reinforcing appropriate child manners now and in time to impress even Great-Grandpa at the next family dinner. How?

Here are some tips for teaching kids social graces.

• R-E-S-P-E-C-T is Class Manners 101. Aretha Franklin sings about respect, and it is a fundamental skill needed for learning about child manners overall. Children must first be taught about respect--for their parents, for their friends and family, and for themselves. Here is where the issue of respect and manners gets sticky. The "old school" still believes in teaching kids the basic rules of never calling an adult by a first name, always responding with either "Yes Sir" or a "Yes, Mrs. Smith," and never, ever talking back or questioning an adult's directive. With that said, many individuals today believe some of the more traditional social rules to be too formal and too restrictive for today's kids. It is okay to agree to disagree with some of the recommended social rules. The key is to determine what rules are appropriate for child manners in your family or at your school or day care, and then to enforce them. These rules can be applied to sharing, asking to borrow a crayon, lining up in a hallway, and what actions cause a consequence and why. And, by doing so, adults teach respect along the way.
• Appropriate mealtime child manners should be taught as soon as a child begins eating at the table. Amazingly enough, many kids have never been formally told that they should not have their elbows on the table or where to leave their napkin. Kids don't automatically know what is expect or now, what is considered right or wrong, and without adult guidance, some kids grow into adults who also don't know basic rules at mealtimes. Many a potential job offer has ended over lunch when a hiring individual observed poor manners of an applicant, and too many dates end without a connection because of boorish behavior at dinner. Why not get kids on the right track now? This does not mean all kids need to know fancy table arrangements and eat from fine china. However, holidays or special evenings out can be a great time to promote these practices. Start kids young with learning how to set the table appropriately, and then talk to them about general etiquette rules. One family has a weekly "family night out" at the dining room table, in which the better tableware and glassware are used and the table is set with candles and other arrangements. Each week, a different child in the family makes the plans. On some weeks, the meal may consist simply of hamburgers, but the family uses the special meal to teach manners, social graces, and according to the mother, "hopefully foster an enjoyment and respect of table conversation and of the dining experience in general." Some schools have programs such as cotillions for children, and some child care settings feature play meal settings or dress up teas or parties. All of these are stepping stones for teaching appropriate child manners.
• Work on one social skill at a time. Don't overburden a child with too many lessons at once. Child care providers and teachers could work with parents to promote one child manner of the month, to be reinforced both during the day and at home. A general theme of respect, table manners, phone etiquette, addressing adults, social interaction with peers, etc., could be used and then scenarios and games coordinated to help teach the general message. Parents could help a kid's understanding of child manners by asking their child's care provider how mealtimes or share times are handled and then instilling those same processes at other times for consistency. Care providers will be glad you've asked and that you care enough to want to reinforce those teachings.

The Importance of Physical Affection

Showing affection comes easily with small children. We smother our babies in kisses and hugs but once children reach the age where they are always on the go, parents can find themselves going whole days without touching their kids. Indeed, research shows that while 90% of parents hug their small children (under 3 years) every day, this drops to as low as 50% for older children.1 Yet older children need affection just as much as small children.

Yet this resistance to affection is often nothing more than self-consciousness and a sensitivity to anything that might be embarrassing. Older kids still need the reassurance and affirmation that comes from receiving affection. The trick is to show affection in ways that won’t trigger their ‘mushiness’ radar. So, while one child might accept a hug from dad at home, he would be horrified if Dad attempted it at the soccer field! Another child might reject kisses altogether but still enjoy the rough and tumble affection that comes with a wrestle or game of footy. Don’t give up on trying to show affection – just change your tactics.

Strategies for Increasing Affection in the Home

1. Implement affectionate daily rituals of affection. By introducing rituals like good morning and goodnight kisses or hugs, you immediately increase opportunities for displaying affection.
2. Have a weekly family games night. A regular games night is a ritual that allows the family to have fun together and connect emotionally. There are games that even the smallest child can participate in (which are often a secret pleasure for the whole family). Twister, for instance, gives you a chance to connect physically and laugh.
3. Implement a family hour every night. This is a time when the family comes together, preferably with the TV off. This creates a sense of family unity as well as providing opportunities to be physically close. Listen to music, play backgammon, give foot rubs – there are many things you can do to connect when you are all together in the same room.
4. Eat at the table every night. This important family ritual creates opportunities for laughter, affectionate teasing and connection. Don’t be afraid to tease your children – if it is done in a loving and affectionate way, it is a great way of showing affection. I know my kids love to give as good as they get over dinner. Dinner usually goes for twice as long as it needs to, just because we are having so much fun.
5. Allocate one day of the weekend for family outings. Family outings provide many opportunities for physical affection and fun as everyone is more relaxed and enjoying themselves. Plan your weekends in advance. The weekend can go by in a flash without any time spent together, if you do not plan ahead. Once a month, get the whole family together to toss around ideas about what you want to do on the weekends.
6. Take a child or the whole family for neighborhood walks regularly. This ritual of walking the dog or just exploring the neighborhood allows opportunities for personal conversation and intimacy which often leads naturally to physical affection. While my 13 year old usually resists my hugs, I find she is happy to let me drape my arm around her shoulders while we are walking the dog and talking.
7. Have family sports time. Games like soccer or tennis and bowling provide opportunities for physical affection and bonding without the mushiness that older children tend to dread. Even Wii Sports can be a chance to connect and laugh with your kids. The sight of their parents trying to ‘snowboard’ down a virtual hill usually reduces my kids to hysterics.
8. Build night-time routines. Read a book together in a chair, sit on their bed for a few minutes at bedtime, tickle their backs – there are many routines you can create which only take a few minutes but allow you to connect physically and emotionally.
9. Develop a secret code that only the two of you know. With my children, I share a special gesture which they know means ‘I Love You’. I use it when I am dropping them off at school so that I don’t embarrass them with an affectionate display. They roll their eyes but it also makes them grin, so I know they secretly like it!
10. Come home early at least once a week just to have fun with your kids. Take them swimming, play a game of ball – develop a regular weekly routine which they can look forward to.
11. Cook in bulk so you don’t have to cook every night. Instead, relax for a while when you get home and then spend some time with your kids.
12. Put a reminder up on the fridge - ‘Have I hugged my kids today?’ Don’t let the hectic daily schedule make you overlook physically connecting with your kids. Show affection whenever there is an opportunity. Squeeze their shoulder as you go past, ruffle their hair, tickle them, challenge them to a finger wrestle...there are many ways to show your child affection without embarrassing them.
13. Set time aside each month to have an outing or activity with just one of your kids. You need to develop a special relationship with each child individually. The one on one time creates the opportunity to be close, whether it is a walk, sharing a milkshake or going on a shopping expedition.

By continuing to show affection as children grow up, you make it more likely that they will grow into adults who can show affection easily. So hang in there and one day you will be pleasantly surprised when your child turns around and give YOU a hug!