Equipment for Infant Twins ~ Makes Life Easier

Are you expecting twins or know of 
someone who is expecting twins? You might find this article handy when planning ahead for the baby shower. I am a Nanny for a family that has newborn infant twins. I am amazed with the updated baby equipment that has been created to make life easier for the parents and caregivers as well as infants. The ingenious engineers that came up with the current inventions for baby equipment, had to be females who came into motherhood in recent years.

Here is a list of some equipment that my family, for whom I nanny for, have been using and love:

Oh My Anxious Heart

What to do when filled with anxious feelings? There are so many reasons women feel stressed out, full of anxiety, and have overwhelming worried thoughts. Some reasons that come to mind are unexpected events like loss of job, illness in the family, major changes like a big move, financial struggles, relationships with a spouse, children, adult children, siblings, in-laws, job or career related relations. This list can go on with countless circumstances that women are currently facing.

I have recently been following this wonderful inspiring book

Diaper Changing for Newborns & Toddler Age

Diaper changing can be daunting from day 1 after your little one is home from the hospital. There are a few things to consider; like how to care for the umbilical cord stump, and the circumcision area if your newborn boy had this procedure done. In addition, you will need to choose as to whether you want to start with cloth diapers or disposable diapers. And of course deciding on what added supplies you will need that come with diaper changing.

Newborns

A newborn baby is tiny with tiny bum and legs. Your little one will have some sensitive issues like

10 Ways to Banish the Stay-at-Home Mom Blues

I’m promoting another article in which I appreciate and completely agree with the author’s suggestions for Stay at Home Mom’s. Kuddos to the author: Sheila Wray Gregoire.

Here is a portion of the author's suggestions:

1. Think Outings, not Hibernation

We go about stay at home parenting all wrong. We start by buying tons of equipment (ExerSaucers, swing sets, trampolines) to ensure that we never have to leave the house. But what happens if we’re home alone all the time? Our kids may go stir crazy and whine, cry and vomit. Then we cry. Probably we whine, too. And if we’re pregnant, we definitely vomit. So let’s take a step back and approach this stay at home thing differently.

Instead of spending all day cooped up with the kids, plan for a daily outing, if possible. When my kids were little, we went out every single day. We went to the library. We went to a playgroup. We walked to a nearby park. We went to the museum (it was free on Thursday mornings).

The benefit was that the kids had fun, but they were tired out, and then they would nap better for me later. And if we were out, I could focus completely on them, so when we got home, it was easier to get them to give me time to myself.

2. Enforce Quiet Time

We count the minutes until we can put a child down for a nap. We rejoice when more than one child manages to nap at the same time. Sometimes we even grab a nap, too, wondering how long it will last.

And then an older child stops napping, and it all falls apart.

When a 3-year-old stops napping, enforce quiet time. Have them stay in their room for half an hour with a book or a toy, and let this be “quiet play” time. That gives you some time to yourself, and helps them get some rest (and thus not get so whiny).

To continue to read, let me direct you to the author’s link from her site ~ To Love, Honor & Vacuum @

http://tolovehonorandvacuum.com/2014/09/banishing-stay-at-home-mom-blues

10 Ways You’re Spoiling Your Kids Without Even Realizing It

Oh my, when I read an article that I completely agree with, I love to promote the author and article on my blog. Here it is, written by:

SUZANNE ZUCKERMAN

FEB. 15, 2017

We kinda figured we shouldn’t be buying our kids mini Bentleys or Gucci denim in size 3T. (Exceptions will be made for Blue Ivy.) But yikes: It turns out offering too much homework help and caving to tantrums are bigger no-nos than sugar or shopping. Here, ten things you might be doing that are teaching your kids they can get away with murder.

Read more . . . http://www.purewow.com/family/ways-you-are-spoiling-your-kids

Bye-Bye Binky: Ending the Pacifier Habit

I could not pass up sharing this article. Marguerite Lamb has some practical approaches towards weaning your little one from his/her love of the pacifier. Personally, I like “The Gradual Approach”

By Marguerite Lamb from American Baby

Originally published in American Baby magazine, August 2005

This is quoted from a section of this article:

Weaning Your Child Off of Pacifiers

When to Stop?

Here is where opinions diverge. Marolyn Morford, PhD, a developmental psychologist in State College, Pennsylvania, recommends discontinuing the pacifier by a year. "At that age, a child's developmental needs do not include sucking," she says. Dr. [Karen] Breach [MD, a pediatrician in Charlotte, North Carolina] allows more latitude: "It's okay to make pacifiers the last thing to go. Once a baby is weaned and potty trained, then focus on stopping the pacifier."

It's a tolerant attitude echoed by Dr. [Richard] Dowell [PhD, a pediatric neuropsychologist at Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania]: "Ultimately, children develop higher level strategies to manage their distress -- usually beginning at around age 2," he says. "They phase out their pacifiers as they develop skills to replace them." Most kids willingly surrender their binkies by age 3 or 4.

How to Stop: The Three-Day Plan

Crib to a Toddler Bed . . . When is the Right Time?

First of all, don’t be freighted about the horror stories you hear from friends or read about online. Every child is different so, rest assure this is another one of those transitions that will be his/her new normal in time.

What are the signs your toddler/preschooler is ready for a toddler bed?

Children Learn What They Live

I have referred to this poetic saying several times when raising our own children. I found it to be a good reminder before I reacted to situations or issues that came up that I felt I wasn't prepared for. Love your children where they're at and embrace them for who they are.

If a child lives with criticism,

You Don’t Have to be Perfect to be a Perfect Parent

I’ve been reading a lot of articles, blog comments and Facebook messages from parents that seem to be struggling when caring for little ones. It seems there is more pressure placed on parents these days. Parents get messages from various sources like; go green . . . eat organic . . . is your house childproofed enough . . . protect from germs . . . no TV or screen time . . . eat healthy . . . no fast foods . . . sign them up for sports . . . stranger danger . . . is your child getting bullied . . . save money for college . . . place them in the best schools. The list is endless. No wonder parents are stressed. They can easily be overwhelmed with trying to be perfect.

Gratitude: How children develop the attitude of gratitude

We, as parents, can start inspiring the idea of gratitude even in our children’s first years. Be the reflection and model of what you’d like to see your children model in their future years. We can plant seeds along the way as they are growing and developing. By practicing gratitude with our own children and people around us, your children will see what the “attitude of gratitude” looks like and feels like.

You can model what it looks like by: 

Reading to Infants One-on-One

Overwhelmed with the numerous educational toys for infants? Relax and know that all your little one needs is your comfy lap, your voice, and a fun little book to share.

Trust Your Instincts. Experts say

Black Spider Craft for Halloween

A couple of years ago, my child care toddlers made spiders with paint and a paper plate. It was fun, simple, and easy. See the end result pictured. I hole-punched the plates and sent home some string for the kids to add the web at home. Since Halloween is coming up, I wanted to share this craft with parents who are looking for something easy and fun to do together with their little one(s).

Here are the supplies needed:

Life Lessons to Share

I found this blog under the name of Momista Beginnings. I was so impressed with an article the author, Misty from Southern California wrote which came in two parts. The articles are titled "Life Lessons To You, From Mom". Here is the link to the article part 1 http://momistabeginnings.com/life-lessons-to-you-from-mom-part-1/ and here is the link to the article part 2 http://momistabeginnings.com/life-lessons-to-you-from-mom-part-2/

These life lessons are so valuable that I must share. Here is the list:

Language Development Activities for Toddlers and Preschool Age

Toddlers at the age of one to about 18 months old, pickup on repeating what they hear from their environment, playmates, from being read to and the like. As toddlers grow and show interest in expanding their limited vocabulary at around 18 months or older, adults and teachers could help expand this interest with fun activities.

Music Appreciation and Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers

Toddlers & Preschoolers love to listen to music while playing. Quoted from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, “Children are natural musicians, and exposure to music during the early years enhances the learning process by promoting language development, creativity, coordination, and social interaction.

Caregivers can play an important role in incorporating music and movement into a child’s life.”

Fine Motor Activities for Toddlers: Store Bought

Toddlers are always looking for something to play with, whether it means getting into the “no-nos” or playing with toys in the toy box or playroom. As parents, I’m sure you are always thinking of something for your little one to do as well as an activity that challenges his development while he is growing and learn each day.

I wrote an article, “Homemade Fine Motor Activities for Toddlers” over a year ago, which was full of fun and educational ideas you could make at home. This article includes even more fine motor activities that are fun, educational and relatively inexpensive. 

Kudos to "The Better Mom"

I was browsing around the Internet and found this awesome blog titled The Better Mom growing better together at www.thebettermom.com

Ruth, along with 26 other contributors, write articles in this blog regularly. I thought to introduce my readers to this blog because it's full of inspirational articles to give Mom's a boost and some hope with topics like anxiety & weary Mom's with bible verses that relates to Motherhood issues.
Like these articles: When Someone You Love is Making Poor Choices , Overcoming Fear with Authentic Faith , Where Interruptions Find Their Welcome With Weary Moms

Here is a little tidbit about the blog written by Ruth,

Naps: Weaning from the Morning Nap to One Nap a Day

Have you noticed a change in how long your little one naps during the day? Usually around ten months to sometime after one year, little ones start showing signs of not needing to nap as often as the earlier months.

Some signs to observe while deciding when your little one is ready to wean that morning nap are:

White Noise Machine? What’s All the Hype?

“White noise machines” have become popular among young parents with little ones. If you are a new parent, you are more than likely aware of this. If you are a grandparent or child care provider, this might be new to you. Through my child care program, parents are educating me on a new method of helping their little ones lullaby to sleep.

Happy Mother's Day!

 Wishing all Mother’s and Grandmother’s a well-deserved Happy Mother’s Day. Cherish this magical day as you celebrate with your family and relatives.

Here is a little poem to share . . .