How to handle supermarket tantrums

In case this commercial is not shown in your area ... here's an alternative way to dealing with children's tantrums in super markets (about 18 seconds in).

Enjoy

-Stef

Bully proof

What can you do to make sure your child doesn't get bullied at school? Find out about "bully proof courses" in your area! Bullying is a major issue for all school children and parents these days and it seems schools or government initiatives are relatively ineffective in dealing with this problem. So it's back to us parents to sort it out - fine. I've recently come across so called "bully proof" courses which a number of martial arts disciplines offer. The courses are based on standard entry level martial arts classes but offer a few elements of how to deal with being bullied specifically.

After attending a number of karate classes I think enrolling your child in a martial arts course will address various aspects at play when it comes to bullying at school.

What presents to give babies and young children (by age)

Non-parents or brand new parents sometimes struggle to find age appropriate gifts for babies and children. To make the present-finding process a bit easier, here's a table with suitable presents and gifts by age range.

Age range	Gift idea / suitable presents
Not born yet - 3 months	Resist the urge to give newborn baby clothes unless you know for a fact that the parents-to-be are not already drowning in baby clothes. If you can't resist at least buy clothes for older age ranges like 6months or 12months and up. Instead of clothes get any of the following as gifts (which you can never have enough): picture books, wall stickers / murals for the nursery, bath toys or nappies (if you want to be really practical).
3 - 6 months	Teething toys, bibs, floor mats (protective covers or to play on), picture books, baby gyms / activity sets or Lamaze toys
6 - 12 months	Soft balls, stacking blocks, cardboard books and flash cards, toy animals, dolls, shape sorters, bubble guns or bubble makers (shapes and bubble liquid)
12 - 24 months	Simple jigsaw puzzles (up to 20 pieces), play dough, crayons / chalk, doodle pads, simple musical instruments (e.g. maracas)
2 - 3 years	Story books, toy animals / action figures, jigsaw puzzles (up to 48 pieces), train sets, dolls and doll house, toy vehicles (trucks, cars), fancy dress costumes or accessories (like dinosaur tails or princess tiaras), large LEGO blocks (Duplo)
3 - 5 years	Children's kitchen sets, ball games, water color sets, kites, paper planes or toy planes, LEGO blocks, paddle pools, scooters and tricicles

With children 5 and up it's pretty much down to what they are in to at the moment. Find out what they really like - common themes include fairies, trains, princesses, Disney stories and characters, dinosaurs, animated movies and related characters.

Teething in pictures

If you have ever wondered what it looks like when baby teeth first emerge - have a look at the following sequence of images that show how baby teeth come out. For a description of the teething sequence by month (after a birth) - check out our article on the baby teeth eruption sequence.

Stage 1 - you will notice a swelling of the gums at certain areas of the mouth (usually at the front where the lower or upper incisors will appear). The actual teeth are not visible yet but you might see the hint of an opening in the gum.



Stage 2 - you will notice an opening in the gum and a tiny showing of the tip of the teeth. It is quite common for two teeth to emerge at the same time or shortly after one another.

10 baby toys made from stuff you already have in the house

Don't get sucked into an ongoing spending pattern to buy ever more baby toys. You can probably find better things to do with your money and your baby will *love* the following toys made from stuff you already have in the house as well as store bought toys. Here's our list of essentially free baby toys that you can put together easily in a matter of minutes. Even better all of these toys stimulate your baby's development through sensory stimulation or direct experience of concepts.

1. Make Maracas - use an empty softdrink bottle (POM juice bottles are awesome) and fill with anything that makes a noise (beans, lentils, old screws/nuts/bolts, etc).
   
2. Make a cardboard snake - use paper rolls (from kitchen roll or toilet paper) and a piece of string, tie the cardboard rolls together with the string (make little holes and thread through). Your baby can use the cardboard snake to drag around the floor or just play with it

Some thoughts about ADD

One in 20 grade-schoolers is taking drugs for Attention Deficit Disorder - or ADD. Now, some of these children may really need medication, but experts recommend that you examine your child's lifestyle before you medicate. Is his diet full of sugar, caffeine and processed food? Is he getting enough exercise? Is he getting too much stimulation from video games and TV?

But, more importantly, does your family life have structure? Is he getting enough attention from you? Often kids will act out to get noticed.

So, why not take a one-on-one weekend trip with him, and use that time to really observe and talk about his behavior. And talk about your relationship. For you may find that this is where the real attention deficit has been.

Here are some tips on parenting an ADD child:

1. Be consistent in rules and discipline.
   
2. Keep your own voice quiet and slow. Anger is normal. Anger can be controlled. Anger does not mean you do not love your child.
   
3. Try to keep your emotions cool by bracing for expected turmoil. Recognize and respond to any positive behavior, however small. If you search for good things, you will find them.
   
4. Avoid a ceaselessly negative approach: "Stop." "Don't." "No."
   
5. Separate behavior, which you may not like, from the child's person (e.g., "I like you. I don't like your tracking mud through the house.").
   
6. Establish a clear routine. Construct a timetable for waking, eating, play, television, study, chores and bedtime. Follow it flexibly when he disrupts it. Slowly your structure will reassure him until he develops his own.
   
7. Demonstrate new or difficult tasks, using action accompanied by short, clear, quiet explanations. Repeat the demonstration until learned, using audiovisual-sensory perceptions to reinforce the learning. The memory traces of a hyperactive child take longer to form. Be patient and repeat.
   
8. Designate a separate room or a part of a room that is his special area. Avoid brilliant colors or complex patterns in decor. Simplicity, solid colors, minimal clutter and a worktable facing a blank wall away from distractions help concentration. A hyperactive child cannot filter overstimulation.
   
9. Do one thing at a time: Give him one toy from a closed box; clear the table of everything else when coloring; turn off the radio/television when he is doing homework. Multiple stimuli prevent his concentration from focusing on his primary task.
   
10. Give him responsibility, which is essential for growth. The task should be within his capacity, although the assignment may need much supervision. Acceptance and recognition of his efforts (even when imperfect) should not be forgotten.
    
11. Read his pre-explosive warning signals. Quietly intervene to avoid explosions by distracting him or discussing the conflict calmly. Removal from the battle zone to the sanctuary of his room for a few minutes can help.
    
12. Restrict playmates to one or two at a time because he is so excitable. Your home is more suitable so you can provide structure and supervision. Explain your rules to the playmate and briefly tell the other parent your reasons.
    
13. Do not pity, tease, be frightened by or overindulge your child. He has a special condition of the nervous system that is manageable.
    
14. Know the name and dose of his medication. Give it regularly. Watch and remember the effects to report back to your physician.
    
15. Openly discuss with your physician any fears you have about the use of medications.
    
16. Lock up all medications to avoid accidental misuse.
    
17. Always supervise the taking of medication, even if it is routine over a long period of years. Responsibility remains with the parents! One day's supply at a time can be put in a regular place and checked routinely as he becomes older and more self-reliant.
    
18. Share your successful tips with his teacher. The outlined ways to help your hyperactive child are as important to him as diet and insulin are to a diabetic child.

Huddle up and ask your wife tonight: Do you think our child has ADD? Do you think it's a lifestyle or medical issue?

Posted with permission from www.allprodad.com

Timers – the ultimate ace up your sleeve

Some days parenting comes down to a very simple question. How do you get your kids to do something they don’t want to do? So we come up with tricks, treats, threats and cheats. Sometimes they work, then they don’t … and because there are always days when nothing works it’s useful to have a few tricks up your sleeve that you only use in real emergency situations.

One of the ultimate tricks (we found) is using an egg timer (or any timer / alarm clock). A timer suddenly adds a sense of urgency to a given situation. When it goes off there’s a clear signal that something else needs to happen. Combined with an element of competition (“I bet you can’t get dressed before the timer goes off”) often works a treat for ambitious preschoolers who are only too keen to show off.

Dealing with your daughter’s first boyfriend - The nightmare begins

Oh those dreaded teenage years. As parents you may experience anxious feelings about the coming years when your children will grow up to be young teens. Those temper storms, stubborn behavior, changes in ways of thinking and so many new and difficult situations to deal with. And above all, you know deep within there will come a day when your daughter will start going out with a boy.

As a parent, acknowledge that everyone does start dating at some point. Don’t forget your past years as a teenager and youth. Dating is both a normal and good activity.

Weaning expert advice

Weaning wife extraordinaire!

I’m very proud of my wife for a variety of reasons - not only did she bring my two beautiful children into the world, but she also allowed me to buy two 42" TVs. But my most recent bosom-swelling moment came when my wonderful wife became the Plum Baby Food Mum of the Month.

Dawn is currently featured on the Plum web site where she shares some top tips for baby weaning. I can testify that she did a terrific job of weaning Henry & Harper and there is some really useful advice in the article. She also exclusively reveals that she’s happily married (to me), which certainly comes as a relief.

Check it out: plum-baby.co.uk

-Craig

Craig Alan Williamson writes for DIYFather and has authored the UK Edition of our eBook Baby on a Budget

Honey we're wrecking the kids

Every parent should watch this ... brilliant stuff about how we (the parents) and our education system is wrecking our kids ...

Enjoy,

Stef