Tag Archives: toddler

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 →

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 →

Two Possible Causes of Toddler Bedtime Battles

A good bedtime routine is helpful in getting your toddler to bed at a decent hour every night. Some combination of a bath, books, cuddling, or other quiet and calming activities for about an hour before bedtime is essential to help your child unwind so that he can fall asleep. That said, the bedtime routine is not the only factor that determines whether your toddler will actually go to sleep at bedtime. One thing that can affect your toddler’s willingness to go to bed at bedtime is that he simply is not tired. This can happen for a couple of … Continue reading →

Preparing for Blake’s First Birthday

As Blake’s first birthday approaches, I am both excited and filled with dread. I am excited to celebrate our little guy with our friends and family, to formally acknowledge that he is crossing the line from infancy to toddlerhood. The thought of preparing a special meal and baking a beautiful cake is exciting, too. I’m also thrilled about the theme that I have picked out – since Blake was born two hours after St. Patrick’s Day, I have decided to go with a St. Patrick’s Day themed birthday party. Yes, I am fully aware that St. Patrick’s Day is more of … Continue reading →

Why Not Work in a Workout

When you are at home with small children all day, you may feel like you get plenty of exercise keeping up with their numerous requests for just about everything that you could think of and making sure that they get the active play time that they need. While caring for toddlers does require a lot of physical and emotional energy, you may eventually realize (like I have) that you really do need some other form of exercise to keep you fit. This is especially true if you live somewhere where the cold and snow of winter prevent you from enjoying … Continue reading →

What is an Ear Infection?

Today, I read a children’s health statistic that really surprised me. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, nearly seventy five percent of children will have at least one ear infection by the time that they turn three years old. What’s more, of that seventy five percent, half will experience three or more ear infections in their first three years of life. When your child has an ear infection, fluid collects in the Eustachian tubes inside of the ear. Normally the fluid would drain away, but sometimes the tubes become blocked. The result is that bacteria grow … Continue reading →

Getting Ready for a New Pet

Even though the ground is covered with snow, I can’t help but think that warmer weather will be here soon. After all, we are halfway through February, and then March will come in like a lion. By the time that March goes out like a lamb, it will also be time to celebrate Easter. This means that I have approximately a month and a half to prepare myself and my home for the arrival of a new pet. For a few months now, Dylan’s Auntie has been reminding me that Dylan will be getting a very special gift on Easter … Continue reading →

Thoughts on Loving Toddlers

Since it is Valentine’s Day, love is at the forefront of many people’s thoughts. For parents of young children, love is something that we learn more and more about each day. From the moment that we hold each of our children for the first time, we are learning what it means to love them. Sometimes, loving our little ones is effortless. Other times, it requires strength and courage that we did not even know that we had. Toddlers are interesting little people, and each day with a toddler holds the potential for both moments of exhilaration and moments of despair. … Continue reading →