Waiting to go Outside

I am sure that I am not alone in thinking that the arrival of Spring is much later than I would like it to be this year. Sure, it has already started, according to the calendar. The calendar is blissfully unaware that it’s still pretty cold and there are still about ten inches of snow covering much of my yard. Each day I wake up hopeful, wondering whether it will be the day that the sun comes out for so long that it melts away all that remains of winter. Ordinarily I would be concerned if the remaining snow were … Continue reading →

Talk, Listen, Read, Repeat.

The development of vocabulary that happens as a toddler grows is absolutely amazing. Even though Blake is just getting started with words, I am still very excited to be able to witness the miracle of toddler vocabulary development for a second time. As an experienced parent, I know that there are many companies out there who will have you believe that your toddler’s vocabulary will not develop well unless you buy and use their product or educational program. As an experienced parent, I can also tell you that that is simply not true. Parents, not products or programs, are perfectly capable … Continue reading →

How to Make Natural Easter Egg Dyes

Kids love crafts, and coloring Easter eggs is a fun tradition that parents have been doing with their children for many years. Of course, when our great grandmothers were dyeing eggs with our grandparents, they probably were not using the egg coloring kits that you can find at the store today. If they were not using egg coloring kits, what did they use to dye their Easter eggs? They may have used one or more of the following natural coloring methods. Choosing which colors of dye to make can be a lot of fun. Canned blueberries, red cabbage leaves, or … Continue reading →

The Link Between Toddler Milestones and Unusual Behavior

Did you know that when your toddler is learning to walk and talk, there could be regressions in other areas of his behavior? Mastering new skills is hard work, and it can push a toddler’s system into overload. If your previously mild mannered tot is suddenly throwing tantrums or your little one’s formerly very regular nap time is becoming difficult to predict, there may be a developmental growth spurt happening. While it is exciting that your toddler is acquiring new skills at a very fast pace, the accompanying changes in his or her behavior can be unsettling. Simply knowing that there is … Continue reading →

What Happens During the Toddler Years

Now that Dylan has turned three and Blake has had his first birthday, I am thinking a lot about just how much growth and development occurs during the two years that a child is a toddler. For example, right now even though he is technically a toddler, when I look at Blake I still see a baby because he is just beginning his journey through the advances in physical ability, physical appearance, and verbal skills that are the milestones of the toddler years. Blake has taken a few steps here and there, and he cruises around a lot, but his … Continue reading →

Toddlers and the Time Change

Toddlers are notorious for bedtime battles, so the twice yearly time change for Daylight Savings Time can be a sore spot for parents. It can be difficult to predict whether the change will have any effect on your particular child or children. It can also be difficult to decide whether you should try to orchestrate any changes to your evening routine and bed time in the days leading up to the switch. Since we are due to spring forward in a few hours, I decided to start our evening routine an hour earlier than normal. I made sure to include … Continue reading →

Why I Don’t Hate Caillou

Since we have been indoors much more than we have wanted to be for a few months now, I have become more acquainted with what’s on TV. While we don’t watch a whole lot of television, most days we do watch a show or two on PBS. Sometimes, it’s This Old House or a cooking show, other times it’s Sesame Street, Sid The Science Kid, or Caillou. Yes, Caillou. My three year old absolutely adores that show, and I really don’t mind it either. For some reason, though, it seems as if a whole slew of other parents absolutely despise it. … Continue reading →

Keep Your Toddler’s Smile Bright

While there is a good chance that your toddler has been visiting her pediatrician regularly since the time that she was born, it is possible that she has not yet had her first visit to the dentist. There is no iron clad rule about when a toddler’s first visit to the dentist has to happen because each child’s teeth come in on their own unique schedule. A generally accepted timetable for a child’s first trip to the dentist is within six months of getting her first tooth, or by one year of age at the latest. There are many reasons … Continue reading →

Adjusting to Being a Big Brother or Sister Takes Time

If you are the parent of a toddler and you are expecting a baby or you have recently welcomed a new baby into your home, you might be wondering whether your toddler will form a close connection with his or her baby brother or sister. When a new baby comes home, newly – minted big brothers and big sisters often take some time to grow into their new roles. It has been almost a year now since I brought Blake home from the hospital, and I can truthfully say that I was concerned about this very issue during the first … Continue reading →

Have You Considered Homeschooling or Unschooling for Your Toddler’s Preschool Experience?

If you are a parent who is planning to home school or unschool your toddler instead of sending him to preschool after his third birthday, this post is for you. As your toddler grows and develops right before your eyes, you may from time to time find yourself wondering whether you will be able to provide enough of an enriching environment for him once you begin your homeschool or unschool “preschool” years. This sense of uneasiness may come from a couple of sources, namely the fact that many parents send their children to preschool and the questions and comments from often well … Continue reading →