Monday January 4, 2010
For me, New Year's Day sets off some sort of nesting instinct. It's almost like I'm about to go into labor. Before I even have time to digest my black-eyed peas, I start run around cleaning things, checking things, staring pensively into cluttered closets and working out my game plan. Some people like spring cleaning, but I'm all about starting the year off on the right foot.
Usually the first thing I do is go check out the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. I do this with the time changes in spring and fall as well, but where I live, the furnace is only just now starting to get serious use, so one more cold-weather check gives me peace of mind. I also take a look around the house and make sure I'm doing everything I can to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning since we do have gas appliances.
Next, I tackle the refrigerator, pantry and medicine cabinet. I check expiration dates on all food and drugs and throw out anything past its prime. Then I make a list of the items that need replacing so I can stock up next time I'm at the store. (Nothing is worse than throwing out an expired pain reliever and realizing you didn't replenish your supply as your toddler spikes a fever at 3 a.m. a week later.) Another thing to consider when going through the medicine cabinet is the age (and weight) of your child. As your child crosses that threshold from babyhood to toddlerhood, her medicines and dosages will change. Check labels to see if it's time to move up to the children's versions.
If you've made a resolution about getting more organized, take some time to think about establishing new ground rules with your toddler. For instance, one of the most effective rules for a toddler is that before she gets a new toy out, the old toy has to be completely put away. If that seems unrealistic at your house, then use a number she understands (1-2-3) and only allow that many toys or toy sets to be out at once. You can make this easier on yourself, too, by limiting the amount of toys she has access to at one time. Line the shelves with about 10 toys of different types and put the rest in the closet out of reach. Each month, rotate the toys so it always feels like she has new things to play with.
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Wednesday December 30, 2009
Thanks to Patti for sharing this picture of Jack.
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Tuesday December 29, 2009
Photodisc / Getty Images |
For many parents, more than any other holiday or event, New Year's Eve is the time to hire a babysitter.
Choosing the right babysitter can be a frustrating task, especially when you've got a toddler with limited language skills who can't let you know what's going on while you're away.
I wish I could say that I always chose the perfect sitter for my child, but that is not the case. Once, I thought I had found such a great fit for us. We decided to go to a concert and I was so excited. It was the first time I'd left my son in the care of someone that wasn't family or friends. He was 7 months old and I was a bit nervous, but he was a pretty easy baby at the time, so no worries, right? Imagine the horror when I arrived around 1 a.m. to find my son still awake and eating peanut M&Ms off the kitchen floor, I kid you not!
Hindsight tells me that Robin's Bad Babysitter Sign #2 ("Doesn't seem to care or focus on instructions provided") is spot on. While I was giving her detailed feeding instructions she was scarcely listening. I ignored my gut feeling at the time and instead wrote the instructions down for her, thinking she might have just been distracted with the other children in her care. I should have listened to my instincts instead.
What about you? Have you had a babysitter that was a total nightmare? Share your story with other parents.
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Monday December 28, 2009
Last week, I talked about getting your toddler enough Vitamin D, calcium and fats without giving her a lot of milk. This week, I want to talk about how to get your toddler enough Vitamin C without giving her too much juice. It can get a little harder in the winter. I left my grocery store this week longing for the good local fruits and veggies, but alas, even down here in Texas with our long growing season, it was slim pickings in the fruit section.
Vitamin C is important on its own (it helps with immunity, healing, healthy gums and teeth and more) but it's also an important calcium booster. And, since the body doesn't make it or store it, it's important that you make sure your toddler is getting enough each day.
I'm happy to see that many of the parents I know are giving their kids less juice. It's really not necessary and is full of empty calories. There is one problem I see, however, and that's making sure that kids are still getting vitamin C in their diet, since parents have been able to rely on fortified juices for so long.
Our Pediatrics Guide, Dr. Iannelli, has a great list of foods that are rich in vitamin C. This is the best way to make sure your child is getting what she needs. As a last resort, use a vitamin supplement or multivitamin if you feel you're having a hard time getting enough of these foods into his diet. Keep working on it, though, because just like kids don't need lots of juice, the majority of kids who are healthy and eating well don't need a vitamin supplement either.
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