When I took my 20-month-old daughter on a 10-hour flight to Hawaii the last thing I wanted was to have her fall asleep right as our connecting flight was about to land. The thought of having to switch planes and tote a sleeping toddler around the airport while juggling my carry-ons was all the incentive I needed to shell out extra money to book a direct flight. But that’s just me. If your toddler is not a napper, then a layover provides the chance to have your son or daughter run off some steam. The break also allows you to … Continue reading →

If you can barely make it to the grocery store with your toddler in the backseat and your sanity intact, then you may want to take note of the following travel tips aimed at making your summer road trip a lot less bumpy: BREAK IT UP Not the fights between kids in the backseat. I’m referring to long car rides. Travel experts recommend stopping every three hours or so and allowing your toddler to run around at pre-selected rest areas. Pack a ball to play with and use the time to visit the restroom. You can also schedule a pit … Continue reading →

It’s summer, so let the good times roll. And by roll, I mean on four wheels along the nation’s highways to grandma’s house, the beach, the amusement park or wherever your summer road trip takes you. If you are rolling with a toddler this summer, then you know the importance of being prepared. If this is your first long journey with your little one, then consider the following road trip survival tips that have served me well over the years: DISTRACTIONS When traveling with toddlers, never underestimate the power of distractions. Plan on packing plenty of toys and introduce them … Continue reading →

If you are traveling on a plane with a toddler you can be guaranteed two things: 500 miles per hour is NOT fast enough, and buckling up may not prevent you from attempting to jump out of the plane mid-flight (but that’s what flight attendants are for, right?). Traveling with a tot under three? Then prepare to pack your patience and a few of these other helpful items: Laminated Photo Cards: I make my own. Simply choose your toddler’s favorite relatives and friends and laminate their photos to create a stack of cards. Not only are the cards affordable and … Continue reading →

DUH! In other breaking news… the sky is blue. For all you parents, who long suspected that exposing your toddler to excessive amounts of television was a bad thing, you now have hard evidence to support your belief. A new study conducted by the Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development at Seattle Children’s Research Institute found that youngsters who watch too much TV have delayed vocalization and attention problems. However, the reason behind the phenomenon lies not only in the child’s experience with the television, but the impact of television on the adults around him as well. The two-year … Continue reading →

Now that summer is here you might be considering enrolling your toddler in swim lessons. If so, you have plenty of options to choose from. Private fitness clubs, the YMCA, city Parks and Recreation Departments and swim schools offer lessons to toddlers and parents. However before signing up for a particular class it’s a good idea to do some research first. For example, if price is a factor, then you might want to stick with city-run swim classes versus pricier private ones. You also want to find out about class size. Ideally, you want the class to be small enough … Continue reading →

The title of this blog may be a bit misleading. I use the word “adventurous” very loosely, and the tot’s parents are still alive. Perhaps you’ll see why I chose the title once you read about 3-year-old Joshua Childers latest misadventure. According to reports, the toddler wandered out of his home around lunchtime. His mom says she went to take a nap and left Joshua’s dad in charge. Meanwhile Daddy Childers claims he was on the phone when his toddler decided to take a hike—-literally. As it turns out young Joshua not only made it down his driveway in one … Continue reading →

If you have ever taken a cross-country flight with a toddler with multiple connections, then you know what a blessing it is to land at a kid-friendly airport. The creators of the following airport play areas deserve a big hug. Not only do these areas help pint-size travelers understand the air-travel experience, but they also give parents a chance to regroup and preserve their sanity: Boston Logan International Kidport: Located in Terminals A and C. It includes a popular airplane shaped slide as well as a mock baggage-claim slide. There is also a private area for nursing mothers to kick … Continue reading →

As the mother of 18 children, Michelle Duggar knows a thing or two about raising toddlers. The veteran mom and her husband Jim Bob are the proud parents of 10 boys and eight girls, including two sets of twins. You can follow their adventures in parenting on the reality TV show, “18 Kids and Counting,” which airs weekly on TLC. Of the episodes I’ve seen, Michelle seems unflappable. She keeps her infant daughter nearby while she homeschools her older children. In addition, she finds time to pitch in with the laundry, dishes and cooking (some of the older kids are … Continue reading →

If you think your toddler is mischievous, then you have never met brothers John and Matthew Farrer. The rambunctious boys are only two and three years old, but their antics have already been well documented—by police. According to law enforcement officers in Anderson, South Carolina the toddlers’ destructive behavior goes beyond typical child’s play. Police say the brothers got bored being at home with their parents and decided to explore their neighborhood. Apparently, they didn’t have to travel far to find a place to “have fun.” Reports state that the toddlers snuck into a neighbor’s house and ransacked the place … Continue reading →