Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Setting A Bedtime Ritual

Any casual glance at child rearing guides will reveal that particular attention is paid to baby sleep habits. The reason is fairly obvious: one of the most difficult things for a new parent to get used to is dealing with constantly being awoken in the night by a newborn. There are no hard and fast rules to getting your baby to sleep well, as all newborns are different. There are, however, some . . .

21 Reasons To Send A Child A Greeting Card

When was the last time you saw the face of a child light up and glow because they got a piece of mail with their name on it? Children love to get mail. My children, even at 10 years of age, run to the door and ask if they got any mail today. It doesn’t even matter if it is junk mail. They just like to get anything with their names on it. Of course, it means that much more if there is a special . . .

Baby Sleep Tips - Create A Familiar Environment

All newborns are, of course, different. Some sleep better than others at a young age, which prompts many parents to trade stories of how "lucky" or "unlucky" they were with a given child. There is, no doubt, a certain amount of mystery to getting a child to sleep well and through the night on his own. Nevertheless, a plethora of baby sleep tips exist intended to speed up the process which your . . .

Cookies And Kids

I don’t know what it is but there are some smells that bring back fond memories and one of them is the whiff of a freshly baked cookie. I don’t have a particularly sweet tooth and can actually survive without cakes or chocolates but once I am hit by that cookie smell I am taken to a warm and wonderful place. I want to enjoy the cookie all on my own and find myself a quiet place with a cup of my. . .

How to Protect Your Children from Online Predators

While online computer exploration opens a world of possibilities for children, expanding their horizons and exposing them to different cultures and ways of life, they can be exposed to dangers as they hit the road exploring the information highway. There are individuals who attempt to sexually exploit children through the use of online services and the Internet. Some of these individuals gradua. . .

The Benefits Of Massaging Your Baby

Both babies and parents benefit from baby massage. The Benefits To The Baby:- Massage will help to relax baby and relieve pent up tension and frustration.- Massage has been shown to provide relief from colic and other problems related to digestion.- It improves circulation and boosts the immune system by moving the lymph around.- Its therapeutic benefits help relieve the pain of teething.- Babi. . .

Baby Sleep Tips - Developing Sleep Associations

Everyone who has had the experience of being a parent knows all too well the difficulties of getting your baby to sleep soundly throughout the night. The dark circles around the eyes of new parents are usually familiar to all those that have been around them. In terms of baby sleep tips, one of the most important things you must try and establish as a parent is getting your baby to learn to fal. . .

Keeping Your Baby Relaxed Throughout The Day

One of the greatest challenges for any new parent is getting their child to sleep throughout the night. This is very difficult at first, as the child has to make a transition from sleeping with his mother to sleeping on his own. Like anything else in life, this isn't something that happens instantly - it takes time for your child to learn how to do this. There are some things you can do, howeve. . .

Confused by Nipple Confusion?

You need to go back to work and would like to bring on a combination of breast and bottle. But you have heard that this could lead to 'nipple confusion'. Do you need a lactation consultant? Perhaps you need a primer on nipple confusion.What is nipple confusion all about?Babies who are fed both by the breast and the bottle can sometimes have problems in recognizing the difference between the two. . .

Don't Let Your Preschooler Get You Down

Have you ever seen parents discipline their children in public? I recently saw a mother spank her child at the bank. Unfortunately, the mother was treating her little girl like a punching bag. The child was probably five or six years old, and was intrigued by the bank’s “Take one!” brochures. When the child took one, her mother slapped her hand. The girl began crying. She received another slap.. . .

Swaddling Your Baby

Your baby was safely sheltered in the cozy cocoon of your womb for nine months before being transported into the big bad world. No wonder swaddling her makes her feel 'at home'.What is swaddling?Swaddling is snugly wrapping your baby in a blanket to make her feel safe and secure. Parents of colicky babies swear by swaddling. It also helps some babies to sleep more soundly.The art of swaddlingFo. . .

Dilemma: Nappy Issues (Disposable Or Reusable)

Welcome to the crazy world of nappy changing. On an average, in Baby's first year you will be changing around 2000-5000 nappies. If you are a first time mom, you will want to get a primer on changing baby.Wondering what kind of nappies to use? Consider these options:Disposable NappiesNo dirty nappies to collect, no laundry piling up, no odor issues, and no frequent poop accidents. Disposable di. . .

Getting To Know Your Baby: Baby's Ninth Month Guide

It has been nine months since you first held your bundle of joy in your hands! However the once squirming bundle has undergone a dramatic change. For one, it is no longer squirming but almost running! Welcome to your baby's ninth month.Look mamma I can standIn baby's ninth month, he is getting closer to walking all by himself. He can crawl up the stairs (dangerous!) and is cruising too. Your ba. . .

Keeping Your Breast Milk Healthy

Expecting a baby? You must be in a state of bliss, yet confounded by multiple choices. One of the toughest decisions you will have to make: Bottle feeding or Breastfeeding? Despite all the information available on the pros and cons, the final decision is yours. What is right for someone else might not be right for you.Here is some help to make your decision.The strong case for breast feedingMos. . .

What's In A Name: Naming Your Baby

Does your baby really care what you call her? All she needs is milk, sleep and some comfort; and she will be fine. Is a name important? Yes, in a way it is. Let us say you randomly choose a name for baby. Once your little one grows up, she might wish you had spent more time thinking about it. Of course, there is no definite way to tell if she will eventually like the name, you give her. Yet, a . . .

Pumping Breast Milk: Get The Best Of Both Worlds

You want to go back to work but would like to keep feeding baby the best food possible- breast milk. Is exclusive breastfeeding possible if you are away from baby eight hours a day? Yes, here is where pumping milk comes in.Why pump breast milk?Most moms pump breast milk to collect and store it for their babies while they are not around. However, if you have engorged breasts you can express some. . .

Dilemma: To Bottle Feed or Breastfeed

Expecting a baby? You must be in a state of bliss, yet confounded by multiple choices. One of the toughest decisions you will have to make: Bottle feeding or Breastfeeding? Despite all the information available on the pros and cons, the final decision is yours. What is right for someone else might not be right for you.Here is some help to make your decision.The strong case for breast feedingMos. . .

Dealing With A Gassy Baby

Does your baby yell and cry non-stop without any apparent reason? Excessive gas in a newborn baby could be the culprit. Gassy and colicky babies present a perpetual challenge to their parents. Welcome to the rocky world of parenting. Gassy BabiesAccumulation of gas in baby's tummy can make her extremely fussy. Your newborn has an immature digestive system that is prone to accumulation of gas. . . .

Preparing a Sibling For Baby

You may be excited about the thought of having another baby to complete your family, but your little darling first born may not quite feel comfortable with the idea of having a sibling! The spotlight that was on her all these years is about to shift and she may feel threatened. Help her make the transition a smooth ride and let her enjoy the experience of having a little brother/sister.'You are. . .

Bathing Your Newborn Baby

Your newborn baby is so small and tender that giving him a bath might be a little scary. However, in spite of all your concerns, you will find that bathing the baby will soon be a fun thing for both him and you. For the first few days, stick to a sponge bath, only wetting the towel in warm water and giving a baby a thorough sponging with it. Once the umbilical cord stump falls off, baby is read. . .

Ouch! Baby's First Shots

Now that your bundle of joy has arrived, it is your responsibility to keep her safe and healthy. Immunizations/vaccinations protect your baby from serious and some life-threatening illnesses. They boost your baby's immunity and help her make antibodies to combat infections. Some vaccination myths bustedIf all the children in his school are immunized, my child cannot get sick.The chances of acqu. . .

Bottle Feeding For Beginners

The art of bottle feeding is not very tough to master. For most mothers, it comes as naturally as (or easier than) breastfeeding. First things firstThe first step is to choose a suitable infant formula. Prepare the formula just before baby's feeding time. Pumping milk, like breastfeeding takes some time to perfect but breast milk can be stored at room temperature for a longer time.If you want t. . .

It's a Year Already! : Baby's Twelfth Month Guide

Congratulations on completing one year of (successful?) parenthood!Happy Birthday!Your lively little darling has become fiercely independent and more adventurous. Watch his first unaided strides into the big world. Start planning for his first birthday party! Your little one may even 'dance' to the music much to your delight.Your one year-old baby's developmentYour one year-old baby can stand w. . .

Alternative Ways of Naming a Baby

Traditionally, babies have been named at a christening/baptism. Most still are, but increasingly parents are choosing an alternative, non-religious ceremony.There are three types of service available at a Church. • The traditional Infant Baptism (which most people call a 'christening'), here the parents declare the child to be a follower of Jesus Christ;• A service of Dedication, when the par. . .

Getting To Know Your Baby: Baby's Second Month Guide

Time has flown. Your little bundle of joy has been a part of your home for more than four weeks now. The new dad and mum are now more relaxed, confident, and really enjoy their new responsibilities (at least most of the time). Here are a few pointers on what to expect in baby's second month.Semblance of orderBaby is no longer attached to mom's breast all the time. A feed every 2-3 hours usua. . .

Your child's 1st year development - month to month

The first year of your child’s development is an ever-changing and exciting time for both you and your child. See the differences month to month. 1 to 2 months:After nine months in the womb, your baby will be familiarizing himself with his surroundings. The familiar sound of your voice will be comforting to the baby. By the second month, you will see your newborn becoming more aware of his surr. . .

Getting What YOU Want in Parenting

Have you ever noticed that everything is a battle with your child? If it is, then one of three things is happening. Your child, you or both are in a competitive need cycle. What is a competitive need cycle?As humans, we are all born with five basic needs that we are genetically programmed to attempt to meet. They are survival, love & belonging, power, freedom and fun. Without getting into the d. . .

SATS! - A Daunting Educational Yardstick

The Dreaded SATS - A Teenagers Nightmare! Well, here we are again facing the dreaded standardized achievement tests (SATS). Everyone involved is a bundle of nerves. The head teacher wants to look good on the national league tables. The other teachers want to make a good impression. The poor children, everyone keeps telling them how important the tests are, so they are panicked about not doing w. . .

Kid Time And Couple Time

Summary: Are you having trouble finding time to be with your children and to be with each other? Discover how important this balance is, and what may be the underlying issue in the way of couple time.A reader emailed me the following question:“Many dads and moms, especially those that work full-time, are torn by guilt when it comes to time allocation. They have been away from the kids so long d. . .

7 Breastfeeding Myths Dispelled!

Despite the tons of scientific literature available, these breastfeeding myths are a cause of concern for every nursing mother.Read on to see a few common myths dispelled.Myth #1"My breasts will sag if I breast-feed" Not true! Pregnancy does bring about some changes in the breast (Yes, that one is not a myth). But breastfeeding does not play a big role in determining the future shape of your br. . .

Your Little Chatterbox: Baby's Eighth Month Guide

You have been yearning for your baby to move about and spread cheer. Well, now you might want to reconsider that wish. Your baby is in his eighth month and has started crawling. His growing curiosity will lead him to explore every possible nook and corner. Milestones in baby's seventh monthYour eight month-old baby can sit all by herself, for longer periods. She can say 'dada' and 'mama', but . . .

SmartStart: Home-Based Cognitive and Language Remediation...

Children of different ages adopted internationally are often ”at risk” educationally. Deprived of essential learning experiences in orphanages, children are indeed disadvantaged and may have cognitive and language problems moving to more advanced levels of learning after adoption. What can be done to put these children on a fast track to catch up with their peers? The answer in many cases is an. . .

Buying For Baby

Well, what else can be as exciting for proud parents-to-be than the first glimpse of their bundle of joy? Shopping for baby of course. Here is some help to start your baby-shopping adventure.Buy a car safety seat. It's the law!You need to buy an approved car safety seat before your baby arrives. Your precious newborn has to be safe and cozy on his first car ride from the hospital to home. Some. . .

Your Curious Baby: Baby's Seventh Month Guide

In baby's seventh month, he is still pretty interactive, but he is more interested in taking apart his toys (and anything else that he can lay his hands on) than just meaningless babble. The days are over when you can set your baby someplace and come back ten minutes later to find him still at the same spot. Your seven month-old baby has developed a sense of independence and wants to explore yo. . .

Hello World: Baby's Third Month Guide

Remember how you wished your baby would learn there is more to life than crying, feeding and sleeping? Your wishes are coming true. Your baby's third month will see her become much more interactive. So much so with some babies, that parents secretly sigh, "Why doesn't she ever sleep?" Wonder what to expect in the third month?Good night babyWorried that your baby is still not sleeping through th. . .

You Have A New Person At Home: Baby’s Fourth Month Guide

Baby is into her fourth month now. Mom's milk is best…Breast milk is still important and sufficient to take care of baby's needs. If you are a working mom you might need a combo of bottle and breast. Alternatively, you can express milk into a bottle for your baby's caregiver to feed her. While feeding baby, do watch to see that the nipple and neck are always filled with formula, to avoid baby . . .

Getting Around: Baby's Sixth Month Guide

Baby is now in her sixth month, takes an active part in life at home, and has become an established part of the family. Can you even imagine a time when she wasn't there?No more night calls?Baby has a more regular sleeping pattern - maybe two naps during the day and up to 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night. If your baby is still not sleeping through the night, you might want to learn str. . .

Getting Your Child's Attention When They're Engrossed In ...

Have you ever struggled to get your child’s attention? Perhaps you have dinner on the table, and want the kids to come before everything gets cold. Your objective is clear, but your child is engrossed in a video game. Their eyes are focused on the TV screen. Their hand is on the joystick. They’re playing the game, and you’re being ignored. As a result, you feel frustrated, angry and stressed. . . .

How To Select The Right Shoes For Your Children

It is pretty usual for children to go around in footies or in socks during their first months. At that age, shoes are merely a 'decoration' item because newborns or young babies never walk so they don't need any kind of support for their body and feet. Nevertheless, the minute kids begin to walk, generally quite a few months before or after they turn one, you must know what types of shoes your . . .

Conversations with Children Imperative

There is a vitally important conversation that probably has never occurred to you. One of the most startling facts I have learned during the past 12 years of speaking, traveling, and reading thousands of survivor letters is how many older siblings are sexually violating younger siblings.Research tells us that one out of three to four girls and one out of six boys will be sexually violated befor. . .

Bath Time Magic For Kids

Bath time is the perfect opportunity for parents and children to really get to know each other and spend quality time together. How you view “bath time” is up to you. Many parents choose to treat it as a chore and dread the evenings – as do their children. In many homes, bath time is about as boring as brushing teeth. You, however, can choose to turn bath time into something special, which both. . .

Parenting Dilemmas: Finding Support Online

The role of being a parent is full of trials and tribulations. The good times are great, but the bad times can make you feel frustrated and lonely. Friendly advice: to take it or not?Confiding in friends and family about problems at home is not always the best thing to do. These are ongoing relationships that you've spent years nurturing and introducing a problem can throw the dynamics of a goo. . .

How To Use A Token Economy To Shape Your Child's Behavior.

A token economy is a behavioral modification technique that was first used in mental institutions to reinforce and establish desirable behaviors in their patients. Today you can find token economies being used in schools, treatment programs, and some families have found its usefulness in shaping their children's behavior. The token economy is a system in which targeted behaviors are reinforced . . .

SUPERMOM- The Real Mom

That is the real description of our jobs as MOMS we work 24 hours a day seven days a week. We are Mom to all including the lost cat. No matter where we are if we here the word Mom we are sure to look. Even if the kids aren’t with us. The saying of “Once a Mom always a Mom” is so true. As a Mom I find myself having to juggle a lot. I work at home so I often have to drop what I am doing to come. . .

Overweight Children – What Can A Parent Do To Help? Part ...

The latest figures released in the US state that 15 percent of children and teenagers are now considered overweight, up from 6% 20 years ago. Statistics in the UK are similar, and rising. Whilst children starve in Africa, kids in the Western world are lining up to suffer a frightening array of weight-related illnesses, including skin and joint problems, early osteoporosis, type II diabetes, bow. . .

Essential Baby Clothes

People love to buy baby gifts - especially the adorable baby outfits. Beautiful outfits with cute buttons or bows are plentiful even in the smallest of sizes, but they are not very practical.New parents need to know that they will be changing their new arrival countless times a day and that babies are very messy in general.Following is a checklist of basic baby essentials that you will really n. . .

Finding The Best Child Care

Why would you need childcare?Perhaps you are returning to work, it may only be a one off special occasion whatever your requirements you will want the best care available for your child. Personal recommendation is one way of finding the right care. You will have an idea of the cost, conditions and what children actually do and achieve if someone you know sends their child to a certain place. . . .

Goodbye My BULLIED Baby

Victim of the school bully Many parents feel the pain for their bullied baby and feel helpless to make matters better either because the child is to afraid to name the perpetrators or denies blatantly that they are are a victim of abuse regardless of the bruises torn clothing and the fresh black eye every week.Children wrapped up in their winter woollies for school because mum is protecting the. . .

A New Baby Can Be Expensive!

"A new baby brings a lot of joy and hope to a family. It also brings some uncertainty. You may be concerned that your home is too small, or that you need a larger car, among others. Whether you are expecting your first or your fifth child, chances are that you need baby gear! There are hundreds of different items that you need when the baby arrives, and it is important to remember that stocking. . .

Your Children Should Not Suffer Because of Divorce

Guiding Your Children Through the Process of Divorce Divorce is, tragically, a family affair, and the ones who suffer the most are the children of the couple divorcing. That couple must carefully consider the repercussions that their divorce will have on their child or children. These children feel lost and insecure when parents divorce, and don't think that just because you children are older,. . .