Everyday Christianity » Parenting

Hours for the Child of a Work-at-Home Mom

Sarcalogos — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:56:24 +0000

In theory, working at home is an ideal situation. But in reality, it’s difficult to balance the needs of your family with the needs of your clients. Phones, fax machines and e-mails have no common courtesy, nor does your client really care about your personal situation. You are simply a means to an end consisting of a telephone number, an e-mail address and a 1099 at the end of the year. For the most part, you are not afforded special considerations and must respond to their needs or your business will suffer.

Long before I began my career as a writer, I was already a work-at-home mom. I provided outsourcing solution to a variety of clients, which included bookkeeping, personnel records, reports and creating employee handbooks and mission statements. Initially my clients were leery; it was a time when home businesses were just emerging. I went to great lengths to establish and maintain my associations. Part of my success was the perceived illusion was that I was available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Continuously, I had to prove my home life did not interfere with their business needs or deadlines.

One day, as I absentmindedly brushed my son off and repeated the phrase, “just a minute” for the fifth time, I suddenly realized why he had no concept of time. That “minute” I was speaking of was hours away, at best. The business I built so that I could be at home with him was also the business that was taking me away from him. I turned back to my computer to complete the report I was working on and my son returned to his video game in frustration. It was then I realized my solution was only a paragraph away.

I was experienced in writing mission statements for my clients. These leadership tools are used in the corporate world to define goals, values and purpose. A successful business takes commitment, resources, responsibility, problem solving, honesty and hard work. Doesn’t that also define raising a child? Parenting consists of all those factors and so much more.

As in any business, the business of raising a child will bring accomplishments, successes and rewards, but it will also have it’s share of conflicts, disappointments and setbacks. However, when it comes to the business of family the stakes are much greater than a new client, a contract, a promotion or a raise; they involve the wellbeing of your child.

The emotional difficulties of childhood serve to build strength, courage and character. But to a child, these conflicts may feel catastrophic if they have no one to turn to. You can help prepare your child to cope if you take time out each day to remind him how much you love him, express your commitment to his wellbeing and provide positive affirmations that help foster confidence.

Just as you keep focus on your business goals and rise to meet your company’s mission statement, keep focus on your personal goals as a parent. Run your family business with the integrity and respect of a healthy, thriving corporation. Define your ideals, set plans to action, keep communications open and reward success. Encourage individuality, praise creativity and share the wealth. Be positive and proactive. The business of family is one to be celebrated and cherished. It may not be listed as a FORTURNE 500, but it is the most important business of all.

A PARENT’S MISSON STATEMENT

The purpose of this Mission Statement is to express my love, support and commitment to you. As your parent, I promise to help you achieve your dreams and goals by providing you with a safe and nurturing environment. I respect your opinion and I encourage your creativity. I will be there to praise your accomplishments and comfort you in your disappointments. I promise to accept you as you are, support your decisions and honor you as a special and unique individual. You have the right to a safe and happy childhood and as your parent, I am committed to providing this to you.

TIPS FOR WORKING AT HOME

The luxuries you dreamed of as a work-at-home mom can quickly lead to burdens unless you are organized and scheduled. This schedule consists of a balance between business and family and activities should work in harmony with your child’s needs, not against them.

• Define your work area and organize it so valuable time can be spent on the task at hand.

• Determine quiet times, such as early morning or after your child goes to bed. Use this period to complete tasks that need the most concentration.

• Set a start and finish time for your workday.

• Allow a full day off from work each week and stick to this schedule as much as possible.

• Start each morning by talking with your child about the day’s events. Include your child in these plans. By informing him of your activities, he will be comforted in the knowledge that there will be time for him.

• Remember that you are entitled to breaks, lunch, vacation time and even sick time. You are the boss.

• When it comes time for your break, stop working, compliment your child for his cooperation, and spend the next block of time enjoying the moment.

• Record an “out to lunch” message and set your phones daily. Even if you are sitting at your desk, do not answer the phones. Your clients will become accustom to your schedule.

• If you need to run an errand, but are concerned about missing an important call, don’t wait around stressing, forward calls to your cell phone.

• Consider hiring a babysitter a few hours per week to read or play with your child or do a special craft.

Most of all, remember your priorities as a parent and your commitment to your personal mission statement. When your child needs to talk, be grateful he or she is turning to you. Keep the lines of communication open, there will come a time when they need you for more than a glass of milk and a snack. And when that time comes, they might not be able to wait, “just a minute”.

About the Author:
Patricia Gatto and John De Angelis are the authors of MILTON’S DILEMMA, the tale of a lonely boy’s magical journey to friendship and self-acceptance. As advocates for literacy and children’s rights, the authors speak at schools and community events to foster awareness and provide children with a safe and healthy learning environment. For more information, please visit Joyful Productions at http://www.joyfulproductions.com.

More Parenting Resources

Getting Your Child to Sleep Using Christian Bed Time Stories

Sarcalogos — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:06:25 +0000

Do you sometimes have difficulty getting your child to sleep? You’re not alone. For many parents, bed time can be one of the most stressful parts of the day. At a time when you are tired and your temper may be somewhat frazzled, your child decides he or she doesn’t want to go to sleep.

Children do need direction in life just as we all do. Jesus said in Matthew 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

That wasn’t just an invitation to follow Jesus, it was an invitation to walk beside him and to follow his path. When oxen are connected by the yoke, the strongest ox is the leader and where he goes, the other will follow.

The same is true of our children, they need a strong parent to lead them, to bed for instance. But when you are tired and weary from a long day, your child can sense it. That is the time when the rebellious spirit may try to take over and, sensing weakness, your child may try to stay up later or stall going to bed.

There are several ways to handle that. The first way is the direct approach. There are times when we do have to be an authoritarian and just simply put our foot down. You can use force and physically put the child in bed. However, while you can put a child in bed, you can’t make him or her sleep.

On the other hand, you may also make your child want to go to bed with a reward. This reward can be as much a gift to yourself as to your child. Children love bed time stories and also appreciate the time you spend reading to them or telling them the story.

Modern Christian bed time stories may simply be a book with stories in it or a recording. Using good Christian Psychology, some Bible bed time stories have specially designed cues to help your child grow drowsy. Your little one is gently guided into sleep and relaxation with specially engineered music and sounds.

About the Author:
Rev. Bill Langford invites you to get information on recorded Christian Children’s Bedtime Stories, by visiting http://www.christiansleep.org/christianbedtimestory.html. There you’ll find information and stories in MP3 format that you can download or listen to right away. This article may be reproduced but must contain this bio and link.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com/

5 Tips to a Happy and Safe Baby Bath Time

Sarcalogos — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:30:12 +0000

One of the hardest things you might experience when taking care of your baby is having them cry all throughout when it’s baby bath time. It’s a bit unnerving because you don’t get to concentrate on what you are doing with them. Plus, it makes you feel worried too that you might just be doing something wrong or hurtful to make them cry that way while you are bathing them. So to help soothe your baby as you give them a bath, here are some useful tips you may want to try.

1. Make sure you pick the right bathtub size.

Although you don’t really put your baby’s body entirely on the bath tub, make sure that it fits their size. This way you also keep yourself comfortable and get to hold your baby much better and focus more on cleaning them up at the most convenient way for the both of you.

2. Take the water’s temperature before bathing your baby in it.

Make sure that you only use lukewarm water in bathing your baby. Keep in mind that their skin is still very sensitive and they may not be able to withstand the same heat that adults can manage when taking a hot bath. The same goes when you already use cold water to cleanse them.

3. Slowly cleanse their body with baby wash and water.

If your baby cries because of all the liquid being placed on their body, then make sure you do it slowly and even sing soothing songs to help them calm down. You might also want to use baby-friendly body washes that are scented with chamomile and lavender to also help them calm down while bathing.

4. Lightly massage your baby while bathing.

Touch therapy can also be applied when bathing your baby. By gently massaging them you can also help ease their nerves up a bit and help them calm down throughout the activity.

5. Try putting on some soothing music.

You can also try singing along with the music as you bathe your baby. Natural sounds are also known to be an effective way of making your baby calmer when it comes to bathing them. You can also try starting to have them listen to nursery rhymes. It also helps for them to know that you are the one bathing them so that they could feel that indeed they are safe and that there’s no reason to cry.

One thing you should remember when it comes to taking care of babies is that, when they cry, it’s their way of communicating with you and it might not always mean that they are hurt. Sometimes they do it even if they are merely feeling uncomfortable with the situation and unless you find a way to effectively alleviate that, they would not cease crying. Desensitizing your baby is the best way to go when it comes to helping them get rid of their fear of bathing.

About the Author:
Harrison Fray is an experienced and expert home decor planner who specializes in kids’ bedding and kids’ room decor buying. His advice can help you to buy toddler bedding cheaply but with unique style. Drop by http://www.kidstoddlerboutique.com and see what Harrison recommends.

More Baby Resources

Pick The Gender Of Your Baby.com.
Guaranteed To Give You The Baby Of The Gender Of Your Choice.

GeniusMaker.
This Is An Easy-to-use, Fun Software For Parents To Teach Young Children Or Babies To Get A Headstart In Life By Training Them How To Read, Learn Mathematics And Have An Encyclopedic Knowledge Base At A Young Age.

The Baby Sleep Solution Audio Program.
In Just 35 Minutes This Audio Program Teaches You How To Get Your Baby To Sleep Through The Night Every Night – 100% Guaranteed. Ideal For Parents Whose Toddler Or Infant Has Sleep Problems.

How To Make A Diaper Cake Video Instructions.
Diaper Cakes Are The Hottest Baby Gift Trend Today!

Complete Autism Package.
1 In 166 Babies Have Autism And Disorder Is Affecting More Families Daily. Early detection by YOU dramatically improves the effects of treatment to reduce the symptoms of autism.

Print And Play Baby Shower Games.
77 Baby Shower Games. Including Mom and Dad, Celebrity, Funny & Humorous Team and Couples, Trivia, Animals, Bingo, Charades. Easily Print Out As Many Games As You Require For Your Guests.

Twins Survival Guide.
Practical Help And Advice From A Mother Of Twins For Parents Expecting Or Bringing Up Twin Babies.

Ultimate Guide To Baby Gender Selection.
An EBook Containing Safe, Natural Techniques To Choose Whether To Have A Boy Or A Girl.

Baby Sleep Tonight.
How To Get Your Baby To Sleep Through The Night — In A Weekend! An Instantly Downloadable PDF EGuide By Robin Ariola.

Easy & Scientific Solutions For Miscarriage & Infertility.
Natural Solutions To Fertility And Miscarriage Problems. Products Are: E-books (It Takes 2, Temperature Chart, Sperm Count, Making Love & Babies, Reproducing After 35), And A Unique On-line Personal Report. Purchase One Or More Or ‘the Lot’ At Discount.

Baby Bump Fitness.
Complete Pregnancy And Mom Fitness . Safe And Efficient Fitness And Nutrition Guides For Busy New Moms And Soon-to-be Moms.

How To Survive And Thrive When Your Baby Is Colicky.
It Can Be Scary For A Parent When Their Child Cries For Long Periods… For Seemingly No Reason At All. If Your Baby Shows Symptoms Of Colic (what Seems Like Gas Baby) Or Constant Crying, Then This May Be The Most Important Letter You Ever Read…

Looney For Looms Knitting Patterns.
Loom Patterns For Sweaters For The Baby, Toddler & Small Dog. There Are Adorable Booties For Babies, Super Warm Slippers For Adults, Popular Doll Clothes And More. Knifty Knitter Looms Or Any Similar In Gauge Will Do.

Best Baby Shower Games On The Internet.
75 Beautifully-Designed, Unique Baby Shower Games. They Can Be Download And Printed In As Little As 5 Minutes. See For Yourself – These Games Are Top Notch And Blow Others Away.

Host The Perfect Baby Shower.
Everything You Need To Host The Most ‘talked About’ Baby Shower Ever. The Package Includes Games, Invites, And Lots More.

A Practical Guide To Baby Milestones.
Practical Advice And Tips For Ensuring Baby Learns All Important And Smart Skills.

The Baby Gender Choice – The Ultimate Guide.
You Can Choose The Gender Of Your Baby. This Book Is Built First And Foremost As A Practical Guide. New Compilation!! This Book Contains Everything The Other Methods Might Have And Evrything They Don’t Have.

Connecting With Your Unborn Baby.
It Helps Readers To Bond With Unborn Babies Earlier By Practicing Essential Skills (e.g. Relaxation, Communication, Visualization, Mental Imagery, Accelerated Learning, Suggestion Skills) and Useful Activities (e.g. Pregnancy Journal, Love Letters Etc).

Online Childbirth Education Classes.
Online Childbirth Education Classes Provide New Avenues For Pregnant Women To Prepare For Childbirth And Pregnancy. Plan For A Smoother, Easier Birth For Both You And Your Baby From The Comfort Of Your Own Home With Online Childbirth Classes.

Get Pregnant.
Ways To Get Pregnant Easily, Avoiding The Extensive Cost Of Ivf Treatment. This E-book Really Helps People Get What They Want. Get The Baby You Want Now.

Baby Sign Language.
E-books Teaching Parents How To Use Sign Langauge As An Early Means Of Communication For Use With Hearing Babies. Talk To Your Baby Before He Can Talk!

The Ultimate Baby Sleep Package.
How To Get Your Baby To Sleep Easily, Gently And Quickly, Guaranteed And Proven. Package Includes Two E-Manuals And Certificate Of Consultation With Author.

Baby Can Read.
EBook On Homeschooling Young (Teach Baby To Read) — Adapted Glenn Doman Method.

Make Your Baby Smarter Before Birth – In Only 13 Minutes/Day.
7 Medical Studies Prove You Can Communicate And Teach Your Baby Before Birth. Pre-natal Stimulation Results In Higher Iq, Increased Learning Capability, And Advanced Motor Skills. Find Out What To Do, How & When To Do It In This Groundbreaking Program.

Sign Language For Babies And Beyond!
Learn How To Communicate With Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Speak Using American Sign Language! Includes Video Of 250 Signs!

Good Dog Happy Baby: Dog Training For Expecting Parents.
New Dog Training Ebook & Audio Course For Expecting Parents To Teach Them How To Prepare Their Dog For The Arrival Of Their Baby. Only E-product On The Market For This Important Topic. Authored By A Celebrity-endorsed Trainer.
Fun And Unique Printable Baby Shower Games!
It Doesn’t Matter If The Baby Shower Party Is Only 10 Minutes Away. Start Having Fun Immediately With These High-Quality, Easy-to-Download Games! Free Bonuses With Every Purchase. Includes Today’s Hottest Themes. 100% Satisfaction Money Back Guarantee!

Brand New Ebook About Treatment Of Infant Colic.
First Of Its Kind! 20% Of All Babies Get Colic. 80% Of Parents Believes, At Some Point, That Their Baby Is A Victim Of Colic
Thriving Babies.
How To Choose & Use Baby Carriers & Slings To Promote The Healthy Development Of Your Infant.

Content Baby.
Step By Step Manual On Taking Your Brand New Baby From Crying Machine To The Most Content Child You Have Ever Seen.

Baby Spoon.
Babies, Toddlers And Children Quick And Easy Recipes.

Kirstyn Sierra’s Elite Pregnancy Keys Program – Over 100 Pregnancies.
Helps Couples Conceive The Babies They Long For. The Infertility Rate Is Increasing Each Year.

A Collection Of Baby Nursery Decorating And Infant Safety EBooks.
If You Are Looking For Cool Nursery Decorating Ideas, And Infant Safety Information Browse Our Unique Selection Of Helpful Baby Room Decorating EBooks. Get Top Tips And Money Saving Ideas. Start Your Nursery Decorating Project Right Away!

Discover How Baby Sign Language Can Help You.
Step By Step E-book On How To Communicate With Your Baby Before They Can Speak. Discover How Baby Sign Language Can Help You To Understand What Your Child Is Thinking And Saying Before They Can Talk.

Get Pregnant Formula + Bonuses + 4 Months Counseling.
The Get Pregnant Formula Covers Everything You Need To Do To Resolve Your Fertility Issues And Accelerate Your Pregnancy To Conceive A Healthy Baby.

How To Get Your Baby To Sleep Through The Night.
An Informative And Effective Strategy To Get Your Baby To Sleep Through The Night.

Organic Baby – Caring For Baby The Chemical Free Way.
This Practical, Definitive Guide Uncovers All You Need To Know About The Use Of Harmful Toxic Chemicals In Baby Products. A Must Read For All Parents To Discover How To Keep Baby Healthy, Safe And Chemical Free.

Weaning From Breastfeeding Guide.
A Guide To Help Moms Wean From Breastfeeding Gently, Safely And Painlessly. Perfect For Breastfeeding Moms Who Would Like To Know How To Express Breast Milk, Stop Lactation, Feed Solids Or First Foods To Baby, And Overcome Weaning Problems.

Baby Play Activities- Treasure Baskets.
Looking For A Baby Game To Play That’s Natural, Fun, Easy And Good To Use? Learn How To Make And Use A Treasure Basket.

New Baby Calming System.
Introducing The New Amazing Baby Calming System That Dramatically Increases Your Ability To Calm Your Fussy Baby!

Good Night Lullabies.
Discover The Amazing Proven Method That Calms Even The Fussiest, Crankiest Babies Every Time. Guaranteed! Lulls Your Baby Into A Deep, Peaceful Sleep So You Can End Sleepless Nights And Get The Rest You Deserve.

Infertility Solutions Online How To Get Pregnant Naturally
An Easy, Step-by-Step Solution To Infertility Naturally! A Great Way To Solve Your Inability To Have A Baby.

Baby Names Dictionary.
Software To Help You Find The Perfect Name For Your Baby.

Pregnancy And ChildBirth – Step-by-Step Guide To Having A Baby.
Even if you have no knowledge whatsoever about pregnancy, this pregnancy eBook is going to guide you through your week by week pregnancy basics of what you can expect when you want to be expecting or are expecting.

Top 5 Tips for Setting Up Your Baby’s Nursery

admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:22:57 +0000

It is an exciting time to prepare your baby’s nursery but knowing the right time is also important. Some parents may choose to have it done while the mother has just received the good news that she’s pregnant. Other parents prefer to set up the baby’s nursery together with the construction and interior design of their homes.

Normally if you plan and set-up the nursery in advance, neutral colors are incorporated to ensure that the room will fit the baby’s gender. White, beige and cream are the most common color schemes for a neutral room. Some updating once the baby’s gender is determined can be done to make sure that the room is comfy and appropriate.

Once you’ve determined the gender of your baby, it’s ideal to plan the completion of the interiors and purchase other necessities for the nursery.

Here are top 5 tips in setting-up your baby’s nursery for its completion to make it baby-ready:

1. If you haven’t selected the right furniture yet for your little one, make sure that you prioritize the bigger furniture pieces first and foremost. These pieces are normally moderately-priced to expensive, so make sure that you have the budget or prioritize in spending your budget for the more important pieces. The baby’s crib is the most important as of this time because it is the place for baby’s rest and relaxation.

A changing table is also important and these days it is incorporated with a dresser to keep all of your baby’s clothes and stuff in.

Make sure that you have a bed for mom or for any adult in the house who will be assigned to stay with the baby each night. Younger infants should not be left alone in a nursery unless you have a baby camera or monitoring device inside. It is a safety precaution nowadays, so you might as well invest in those, too.

2. Other baby-friendly necessities such as bedding materials, bedding sets, toys and activity sets should be examined first before you buy them.

Make sure that the materials are safe and non-toxic for your baby. If he/she is vulnerable to allergens, make sure that the material of her beddings is hypoallergenic.

3. You may want to plan and purchase for furniture that can be used for a long period of time. Dressers and a bed you are planning to buy should be made of tough materials to ensure that your baby can use them for years. These are bigger pieces of furniture so invest on them wisely.

4. The decor of your baby’s nursery can be based on a theme such as a cartoon character, flora and fauna themes, or a generic theme that can be updated as the child grows older.

As mentioned earlier, if you plan ahead and included the nursery in the overall interior design of your home, a neutral palette can be used. Complementary design can be used via incorporating furniture, curtains and other stuff that can add life and fun to your baby’s nursery.

Upgrading some paint job is also advisable just make sure to do this while the baby is still unborn and once you’ve determine its gender. Make sure to use non-toxic and odorless paint.

5. Once all the upgrading and furniture are ready, you can arrange the interiors of the nursery to make it baby-friendly and safe for everyone. It is ideal to keep the nursery free from clutter and too much unnecessary furniture and accessories. It is important that you can move around freely and that there is ample space. As much as possible, do not overcrowd the nursery with too much toys and things that the baby won’t enjoy at this time.

Planning for a baby’s nursery is a fun idea. The key is to keep it safe, simple and spacious for everyone. Only buy the necessary furniture and when you do, make sure to check each piece for safety and sturdiness to keep your baby happy and safe at all times.

More Baby Resources

How To Make A Diaper Cake Video Instructions.
Diaper Cakes Are The Hottest Baby Gift Trend Today!

Twins Survival Guide.
Practical Help And Advice From A Mother Of Twins For Parents Expecting Or Bringing Up Twin Babies.

Ultimate Guide To Baby Gender Selection.
An EBook Containing Safe, Natural Techniques To Choose Whether To Have A Boy Or A Girl.

Baby Sleep Tonight.
How To Get Your Baby To Sleep Through The Night — In A Weekend! An Instantly Downloadable PDF EGuide By Robin Ariola.

Baby Bump Fitness.
Complete Pregnancy And Mom Fitness . Safe And Efficient Fitness And Nutrition Guides For Busy New Moms And Soon-to-be Moms.

Get Pregnant.
Ways To Get Pregnant Easily, Avoiding The Extensive Cost Of Ivf Treatment. This E-book Really Helps People Get What They Want. Get The Baby You Want Now.

Baby Sign Language.
E-books Teaching Parents How To Use Sign Langauge As An Early Means Of Communication For Use With Hearing Babies. Talk To Your Baby Before He Can Talk!

The Ultimate Baby Sleep Package.
How To Get Your Baby To Sleep Easily, Gently And Quickly, Guaranteed And Proven. Package Includes Two E-Manuals And Certificate Of Consultation With Author.

Baby Can Read.
EBook On Homeschooling Young (Teach Baby To Read) — Adapted Glenn Doman Method.

Fun And Unique Printable Baby Shower Games!
It Doesn’t Matter If The Baby Shower Party Is Only 10 Minutes Away. Start Having Fun Immediately With These High-Quality, Easy-to-Download Games! Free Bonuses With Every Purchase. Includes Today’s Hottest Themes. 100% Satisfaction Money Back Guarantee!

Brand New Ebook About Treatment Of Infant Colic.
First Of Its Kind! 20% Of All Babies Get Colic. 80% Of Parents Believes, At Some Point, That Their Baby Is A Victim Of Colic

Thriving Babies.
How To Choose & Use Baby Carriers & Slings To Promote The Healthy Development Of Your Infant.

Content Baby.
Step By Step Manual On Taking Your Brand New Baby From Crying Machine To The Most Content Child You Have Ever Seen.

Baby Spoon.
Babies, Toddlers And Children Quick And Easy Recipes.

Kirstyn Sierra’s Elite Pregnancy Keys Program – Over 100 Pregnancies.
Helps Couples Conceive The Babies They Long For. The Infertility Rate Is Increasing Each Year.

How To Get Your Baby To Sleep Through The Night.
An Informative And Effective Strategy To Get Your Baby To Sleep Through The Night.

Baby Play Activities- Treasure Baskets.
Looking For A Baby Game To Play That’s Natural, Fun, Easy And Good To Use? Learn How To Make And Use A Treasure Basket.

New Baby Calming System.
Introducing The New Amazing Baby Calming System That Dramatically Increases Your Ability To Calm Your Fussy Baby!

Infertility Solutions Online How To Get Pregnant Naturally
An Easy, Step-by-Step Solution To Infertility Naturally! A Great Way To Solve Your Inability To Have A Baby.

Baby Names Dictionary.
Software To Help You Find The Perfect Name For Your Baby.

5 Ways to boost your Child’s Self Esteem

admin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:21:18 +0000

“Self Esteem” is an important part of growth and development. Fostering a healthy sense of self can help your child avoid problems with bullying peer pressure as she approaches the teen years. Kids that feel better about themselves perform better at school, and are more likely to stay active and healthy. There are a few key ways you can build your child’s self respect as they grow.

1. Offer encouragement.

Encouragement is different from praise. While praising your child’s accomplishments is great, providing encouragement is important as well. Praise generally focuses on a single even or activity: winning a game, scoring a goal, or getting a great grade on a test. Encouragement focuses on the person: trying hard, working towards a goal, and focusing on the process, not the outcome. While praise can and should be used when warranted, try to offer plenty of encouragement as well.

2. Don’t compare your child to others.

Avoid comparing your child to others. Everyone has his own skills and talents and comparing your child negatively to someone else is a sure way to sap confidence. Even positive comparisons can backfire as your child may feel pressured to live up to set expectations.

3. Be your child’s advocate.

At school or at home be an advocate and a voice for your child. While you should give older children a chance to solve their own problems, they should know that you are on their side and will back them up. Even if your child is clearly in the wrong, you need to be there to set things right and to help get him on the right path in a supportive way.

4. Don’t freak out about mistakes.

Mistakes happen. It can be very upsetting to know that your child has broken a rule or done something wrong but helping your child fix his problem is the best thing you can do. Be supportive and talk about what kind of solution would be best. “Supportive” doesn’t mean “pushover”. If your child has broken rules, he will need to face the consequences. Your job is to make sure the consequences are fair, and that your child understands the reason for them.

5. Listen and pay attention.

Ask your child about school or about her day, and listen to her response. If you ask each and every day, you will be more likely to notice when trouble is brewing. Knowing that you care and understand about her daily life is important, especially as your child grows.

About the Author:
Denise Sanger is the owner of http://www.NewCoolToysOnline.com which features a great selection of ride-on toys and outdoor toys for kids of all ages. The company may be reached at 877/950-7665.

Good Hygiene During Potty Training

admin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:57:52 +0000

The business of ‘doing your business’ can be a messy proposition especially with toddlers. Good hygiene consists of much more than just washing hands.

First, when it comes to the potty chair and the removable bowl, you may want to show your child the correct way to clean it out and have them do it themselves.

Change your child’s underwear or training pants as soon as possible after soiling so s/he doesn’t become comfortable with or even enjoy, being soiled.

Soiled underwear falls into one of two categories: save or trash. When it is just urine, a run in the washing machine will make it smell like new. When it is a bowel movement, it depends. Most likely, if the BM is wet or mushy, pitch the underwear in the trash. But there may be occasions when few or no traces of BM are apparent and the underwear can be saved.

Encourage your child to wipe the seat when he or she is done. Since germs can be sprayed from the toilet flushing process and settle on the seat, teach children to wipe the toilet seat with toilet paper. Germs can be present whether the seat is wet or dry.

Teach your child how to wipe properly. Girls should wipe thoroughly from front to back to prevent bringing germs from the rectum to the vagina or bladder. Teach your little girl to go ‘pat, pat, pat’ instead of wiping hard. This will help eliminate irritation or possible rashes.

Buy products that are gentle on children’s extra sensitive skin but also are strong and absorbent. For example, pre-moistened wipes are ideal for young users because they gently and effectively clean children’s delicate skin while providing the strength and absorbency to accomplish the task.

There are now tons and tons of these products on the market, so finding one shouldn’t be too difficult!

Show your child how to wash their hands. Hand washing and other hygiene practices actually do reduce the spread of disease. Use antibacterial soap and warm water. Scrub hands for about 15 seconds.

Some say that reciting the ABC song fully while washing your hands will get them clean enough. You can also teach your child to count to ten or say a rhyme while washing hands to help them gauge the right amount of time.

They should dry their hands on a towel (which should be laundered at least on a weekly basis). Hand washing should be routinely done, even if your child didn’t actually in the potty. And don’t forget to wash YOUR hands, too.

Children need repeated reminders to close the toilet lid before flushing to avoid contact with germs that might spray up.For easy potty chair clean up, place cling-wrap or a coffee-filter in the bowl before your child sits down.

When they’re done, there’s minimal mess – just lift the wrap or filter out and throw it in the trash. Don’t flush the wrap and filter because it’s not biodegradable like toilet paper.

Clean the potty periodically with a bleach/water solution after each potty training session. To avoid cleaning carpets, place the potty on an easily cleaned floor or invest in a mat that can be cleaned to avoid any spillage on the carpets. One mom puts down painter’s plastic which is cheap to buy and easy to discard.

Washing hands can be difficult for your little one. They probably won’t be able to reach the bathroom sink, so that’s where the stool we talked about before can come in handy!

After your child has mastered daytime potty habits, it’s time to work on staying dry throughout the night!

About the Author:
Nicole Morgan offers expert advice regarding all aspects concerning potty training by providing free online potty training tips, information and products reviews. Discover the secret of potty training at http://www.pottytraininghome.com/

Calm Your Fussy Baby

admin — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:05:59 +0000

Introducing this NEW incredible resource on how to easily learn proven baby calming techniques!

Learn 5 steps to calming your fussy baby in under a minute. This book covers everything you need to know on how to calm your fussy baby.

The author, Brian McCumber, has done all the research for you. To find the answer to help keep his newborn baby happy, he attended seminars and gathered knowledge from books, the American Academy of Pediatrics, La Leche League, and industry experts like Dr. Harvey Karp. Then, he and his wife successfully used these techniques with their infant son, Isaac.

Click here or on the book cover to read all about the book and the free bonuses!

PC Tattletale Parental Control and Monitoring Software

Brother Bill — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:47:00 +0000

Is your child safe when they’re online alone? How would you know?

The Internet is an haven for child molesters, sexual offenders and pedophiles. Right now, these sexual predators are “trolling” the net looking for a child just like yours!

Now there is a software program that can help keep our kids safe when they go online.

Click here or on the box cover to learn more!

Potty Train Your Child in Five Hours

Brother Bill — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:15:58 +0000

Discover the steps and secrets to having your own child potty trained in five hours or less. Imagine the Feeling of Relief!

With the H.E.A.R.T. potty training method you get a simple method with no complexities, extremely high success rate, potty training that works with your child, reasons why this method works, and a happy child who thinks he trained himself

This ebook contains a method written by someone with a degree in Psychology, who has been studying children’s learning styles for over 20 years.

You will learn:
• How to avoid the #1 mistake most parents make that causes them to take months to potty train.
• The ten commandments of potty training and how one “mistake” can cost you in training hours.
• The sure fire secret to persuading your child to want to use the potty, and how to make it fun!
• Two ways to increase your energy investment for five hours and why this is important to your child.
• Four supply items that you don’t want to be without and how to use them to make training fun.
• A Step-by-Step explanation of how your child really trains himself or herself.

Click here or on the book cover to learn more!