After you bring your baby home from the hospital, you and your pediatrician will be on the lookout for a variety of much discussed milestones. That first smile is so affirming to every new parent, and the much anticipated first laugh or ability to sit up or roll will surely be documented on video. Of course, everyone from parents to …
Recently, a family we know was invited to a birthday party that took place at an indoor bounce house emporium. Bouncy castles, bouncy slides, cheers, screams, and laughter abounded. But this family entered the party with trepidation, because they knew that their three year old son might be overwhelmed by the noise, the energy, and the bright visuals. Their son was reluctant to try …
After years of cooking every meal, cleaning up every spill, and tidying up every toy, something amazing can begin to occur in your home. As your kids become better communicators, better with gross and fine motor skills, and more interested in the “grown-up” tasks that go on in a household, you can actually ask them to pitch in! Assigning chores …
As your kids start to interact more with the world around them, you might find that they’ll become curious about other people, especially people and kids that seem different from them. Teaching your kids about the range of diversity that exists, and modeling tolerant and celebratory behaviors, is a great way to help your child contribute in positive ways to …
You’ve made it through the sleepless newborn nights, and you’re finally settling into a schedule, only to be confronted by your next parenting challenge: teething. Teething and its profound effect on young children comes as a big surprise to unaware parents, so read on for the basics you’ll need to know. While teething can begin as early as 4 months …
Rainy days and chilly mornings can put a damper on your weekend plans with your kids. While ideally, we’d like to get our kids outdoors, moving around, and stimulated at least once per day at daycare, weather, even here in south Florida, sometimes puts the kibosh on our day, and we know many parents feel at a loss for what …
Is your ten month old obsessed with nesting blocks, but doesn’t seem to want to play with the other babies in daycare or at her playgroup? Or is your preschooler all of a sudden picking up new habits, phrases, and maybe a new friend? Children go through four main stages of play, from infancy up until school age, and each …
Sometime between 18 months and 3 years of age, most children begin potty training. There are several different approaches to potty training, and depending on your child’s disposition, communication skills, and maturity level, you may decide that a particular method is right for your family. Read on for three of the most popular methods, and think about which one is …
Just when you think you’ve gotten nighttime sleep and napping under control, even parents of the best sleepers can find themselves dealing with some very common preschool age sleep problems. To help your child, and you, get better rest, read on. Problem: Those once reliable naps are not so reliable any longer. Solution: Back when your child was a young toddler, you …
While some people may eschew New Year’s resolutions, they can be very helpful, especially when families yearn to turn over a new leaf and begin new habits while vanquishing the old ones. We listed our twelve favorite resolutions for families, one for each month of the year, though you can begin them any time you like! Unplug. Everyday, make sure …
