Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Mommy & Baby: More Parenting Tidbits

Diapers: as a rule, most PDF babies will need a diaper change that corresponds with their feeding times. This will total 6-8 diapers per day, or more if you manage to change your baby prior to her pooping. Most new parents learn to “time” the diaper change to correspond with the after-meal expulsion of solid waste, but if you miss it, you’ll have a few more diapers to go through in the course o. . .

Wearing Your Baby

If you're looking for the perfect gift for the parents-to-be, nothing comes close to the gift of a wearable baby. Years ago, the only way to take your baby along was in a stroller or pram, or to carry her in your arms. All that changed with the introduction of the soft baby carrier, a way to carry your baby and still leave your arms and hands free for other things.Wearable babies are not a conc. . .

Three Kinds Of Baby Clothes

When buying baby clothes parents are suddenly inundated with multiple choices that can become quite confusing. How many cute and adorable outfits does little Bill or Hillary need? How many “Onesie” body suits are enough? For little people that grow so quickly there are certainly a wide variety of clothing options, how does a new parent know what to get?To help settle the dilemma and answer thes. . .

Baby Needs A New Pair Of Shoes

Baby's first Nike's may be absolutely adorable, but are they necessary? According to most experts - and not just modern ones but for at least the last thirty years - babies don't need shoes till they're up and walking around. Even at that point, it's good for the little tikes to get in lots of barefoot time so they get used to their balance and how their little toesies work.Still, by the time t. . .

Buying Baby Clothes At A Discount

Dressing your little darling doesn’t have to cost a fortuneIt is no secret that having and providing for a new baby is an expensive job. With the expense of those all-important early doctor’s visits, necessary items for the nursery, and the rising prices of formula, diapers, and various infant accessories, it seems a wonder that anyone can afford to reproduce anymore. While it’s difficult to ar. . .

Diapering 101 - How To Fold And Use Cloth Diapers

Let's skip right past the great diaper debate and assume that you've read what there is to read, done your soul-searching, and made your decision - and for your baby, it's nothing but natural against that tender skin. Whether your decision is ecological, economical, or based on something else entirely, you've decided on cloth diapers for baby. Now it's time for Diapering 101 - how do you turn a. . .

Let Your Children Help You Prepare for the Big Move

INTRODUCTION AND INTUITIONAre you and your children moving house soon ? If you're moving to a new town or a new region, it can be rough on your children as they may feel uprooted and disoriented. Your children lose the comfort and security of the world they know - from their private spaces to their more public places: their bedroom, their house, their yard, their neighborhood, their school, the. . .

When Your Child Says, "He Isn't My Dad!"

Q. "Five years ago, my son's father left. In the meantime I remarried, David, who is a fabulous man. He has tried his best to make friends with my son, Nathan. I handle all of the discipline. We've been married for three years now, and my son still won't do anything David asks of him. How can I persuade him to listen to his stepfather?". A. Although it is problems between you and your ex that h. . .

Buying Baby Clothes Online

Today’s parents have more options available to them when it comes to finding and purchasing clothes and other items for their babies than ever before. With the advent of the internet, shopping for baby clothes has never been easier as there are numerous online retailers that can provide almost anything a parent needs. What follows are some of the best web sites for buying baby clothes online.Di. . .

Build Character with This Triple A Recipe

My mother often said, "You can catch more flies with a spoonful of honey than with a cupful of vinegar." Let's build character by finding out how this applies to parenting. Vinegar or honey, what do kids really want? "Toys, candy and their own way," answer millions of parents. Then why do too many toys, too much candy, and constantly giving into kids create sour little monsters? Aren't these th. . .

Dating... A Parents Worst Fear? It Doesn’t Have To Be!

Parents with Teenagers…be Prepared!!I am writing this brief article to parents who have or will have teenage girls. I want to share this because if necessary precautions are taken you will save a lot of pain, heartache, and tears! At the age of 16 my daughter became ill, headache, throwing up, nausea and tired. Yes all the symptoms of pregnancy, as I know the symptoms well as I have brought fou. . .

The Supermum Myth Exposed

The Supermum myth is creating havoc in families and communities around the world. Think about it. There is so much pressure on mothers. They’re expected to know what their doing with a brand new baby despite having little or no experience except a few antenatal classes and books they’ve read. They’re expected to cope with hormones going crazy, serious sleep deprivation (used by many countri. . .

Mommy & Baby: Teething & Weaning

These are two topics that strike fear in the hearts of all parents: what will happen when my baby starts teething? How will he respond when it’s time to wean him (from the breast)?TeethingTeething is not a disease, but a condition of growth. It shouldn’t be dreaded, but simply seen as an accomplishment of a healthy, growing child. Most babies begin teething between 6-8 months of age, but as in . . .

Mommy & Baby: Parenting Tidbits

There are many issues which new parents are bombarded with and many things they are expected to know immediately. None of this is fair, as most new parents are simply trying to care for their baby and get some rest. Here are some of the topics which you might be questioned on in the early days and weeks of your baby’s life. Bathing your baby: under your baby’s umbilical stump falls off (7-14 da. . .

Special Occasion Baby Wear

Finding special suits for baptisms, christenings, and other ceremoniesReligious ceremonies, celebrations, and occasions are a big part of a newborn baby’s life in many families. Naming ceremonies, christenings, baptisms, and dedications ceremonies carry a degree of importance in the lives of followers of many different religions and are generally considered to be special occasions of some impor. . .

Finally, The Real Reason Why Toddlers Have Tantrums

Many parents find their toddler’s temper tantrums bewildering. How is it possible that a once-sweet baby could fall to the floor screaming and kicking looking more like a wild animal than their beautiful baby? How could such behavior be considered normal? To learn the answers, you need to put yourself in the shoes of both a baby and a typical toddler. Ute Fumeaux, CEO and founder of child-educa. . .

Mommy & Baby: Facts On Feeding

How you choose to feed your baby, bottle or breast, is a decision you alone get to make. Do not listen to pressure from outside sources that tell you that you “must” choose one way or another in order to be a “good mom,” or that you are “doing harm to your baby” if you opt against what they tell you. The fact is, your baby needs food. If you give your baby the nutrition she needs, you are a goo. . .

Essential Baby Clothes And Accessories

Leave the cute outfits to the shower guests – these are the things you need.Having a baby is a time of combined joy and stress for most people. Nothing compares to the joy that a mother feels when she’s holding her new baby for those first few days after bringing the little tyke home or that of the proud father showing off pictures of the infant to his friends and family. Unfortunately there is. . .

Mommy & Baby: Feeding Philosophies

This should be easy, right? Your baby is hungry, and you feed him. What’s the big deal? The big deal is that there are so many philosophies that are thrown at moms regarding this topic. See if any of these sound familiar: Demand-feeding Hyper-scheduling Cry feeding Demand schedule Self-regulating schedule Rigid feeding Cue (responsive) feeding Parent-directed feedingConfused yet? Most moms are . . .

Mommy & Baby: When Your Baby Cries

Babies cry. There’s no denying this fact; it’s the only form of communication they have! Deciphering which cry is which is the key, and understanding that not all crying is a bad thing is amazingly important as a parent.Reasons for crying include: Hunger Tiredness Wet Sick Bored Frustrated Out of routine Fed too often Just because he can (!!!)The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes that c. . .

The First Pair Of Baby Shoes

NEVER JUDGE A BABY UNTIL YOU’VE WOBBLED A MILE IN HER WEEBOK’SAny parent will tell you that there is nothing quite like watching as your child takes her first steps. When little Tom or Katie start to teeter around upright for the first time there are a few messages that should flash through your mind in order of importance. Somewhere after “please don’t fall, oh please don’t fall” and “hmmm… th. . .

Mommy & Baby: Styles Of Parenting

As a parent, you have the opportunity to set the tone in your home based on the style of parenting you choose. You can choose child-centered parenting or family-centered parenting—the differences will be discussed here. Child-centered Parenting Intensely pursue the child’s happiness, taking great strains to avoid discomfort or emotional stress for the child. The child receives what she . . .

The Great Diaper Debate

Way back when in the days of Home Ec, one favorite class was 'how to diaper baby'. Turning a flat piece of absorbent cotton into a comfortable, well-fitting nappy was a trick that seemed to require the dexterity and legerdemain of a trained magician. Worse, diapering the baby clumsily came with the very real fear of jabbing a squirming infant with a diaper pin. Generations of mommies suffered p. . .

Retro Baby Clothing

If it was cool when you were a kid, it’s cool for your kids!Baby clothing is quite a bit different today than it was when you were an infant. From the designer styles of Baby Dior and Baby Phat to the bizarre offerings of the alternative baby clothing market, there’s now something for every parent to adorn her children with in an effort to transfer a bit of her own personality onto her offsprin. . .

Baby's First Month At A Glance

Congratulations on your new baby! You have just brought your baby home and are pretty excited about everything. Perhaps you don't even mind the fact that getting a good night's sleep is getting tougher by the day. Getting into a routine This is not easy, but rest assured, it will happen. By the end of the first month, new parents discover that their baby lets them slip into a comfortable (but e. . .

Sugar And Spice - Dressing Up Little Girls

I admit it - I'm a total sucker for sugar and spice baby girl clothing. Give me lace and roses, hand-crocheted pinafores, add hand-smocked bodices and I'm in heaven. I've raised two little girls and had a hand in half a dozen nieces, and I'm here to warn you, ladies. If you love dressing up your little girl in ribbons and lace, indulge yourself as much as you can when she's a baby - because it . . .

Special Baby Clothes For Those Special Days

Baby clothes are a necessity more than anything else, but there are a couple of special occasions that make the baby the center of attention. It is moments like this that the mother's keen sense of fashion gets to shine. Here, the fact that the baby will undoubtedly grow out of the outfit quickly is of little to no concern, and style is of the utmost importance. In most cases, so is tradition.P. . .

Counter the Effects of Media Violence on Children

Despite the fact that their own ratings systems found the material appropriate only for adults, the motion picture, music, and video game industries practice "pervasive and aggressive marketing" of violent movies, music, and electronic games to children. - Federal Trade Commission finding regarding child entertainmentThe values depicted on TV and movie screens are a far cry from the values you . . .

Creative Kid Birthday Cake Ideas

A Creative Dream Come TrueA hush falls over the room as you bring out your child's birthday cake.With its candles glowing, your cake masterpiece sits at its place of honor for all to admire as the room fills with the oohs and aahs of your envious party guests. Your creative birthday cake is wonderful and it fits your party theme perfectly.Your birthday child makes a wish and your guests join in. . .

Educational Toys Can Cost A Fortune For Some Mums. See Ho...

August 2005 – Sydney, Australia. Sydney mothers have discovered a way of providing their children with high quality children’s educational toys and they’re only paying 20% of store price. These mothers aren’t spending hours in discount stores or second hand toy stores. They’re buying high quality, highly sought after children’s educational toys and instead of paying $100 they’re paying only $20. . .

What You Need to Know about Baby Monitors

Baby monitors are an essential part of baby gear. When you have the baby asleep in the crib, you don't have to keep constantly checking to make sure that he/she is all right when you have a baby monitor. You have one part of the monitor in the nursery and the other in the same room of the house where you are. Every move and sound that the baby makes come through the speaker so it is almost like. . .

6 Simple Rules to Come Up With the Perfect Name for Your ...

Choosing a name for your baby is the most crucial decision you have to consider. It is very exciting and quite difficult at the same time. During the pregnancy, you will spend many hours trying to decide on the baby's name. You have to choose and select from a huge names list and consider suggestions from family, friends and other relatives... In fact, you are going to face a big challenge, rea. . .

Cleaning a Child's Bedroom - 15 Minutes a Day

Here is a simple plan to help your child/teen keep their rooms clean. Don't worry if the room is a disaster. Just set the timer for 15 minutes each day and get started. Continue clearing clutter each day until you find the tops of the dressers and the floor. By the end of the week, you will be amazed at the progress! When you are ready… start the weekly plan. During the first few weeks, you may. . .

How to Choose a Changing Table

As a prospective parent, you may wonder how hard it could possibly be when it comes to learning how to choose a changing table. But you'd be surprised at the little details that can make your life easier when you have them, and a nightmare when you don't.The first consideration should be how long you are going to be using the table. Is this a short term item, that you need to move around the h. . .

Guidelines For Finding Quality Childcare

Childcare Guidelines In today's two-income family households, finding childcare is more of a necessity than a "what if" situation. During the time when childcare was not the norm allowed parents more time to scope out circumstances. However, for today's working parents - married or single, the time to find a great childcare home or center is an immediate need. For this reason alone, parents . . .

6 Ways to Communicate Clearly With Your Teen

How would you like to have a closer relationship with your teen again? Your ability to communicate effectively with your teen is one of the most precious skills you can develop to achieve this goal.When we think of communication, we tend to think only of the way we can express ourselves. This is certainly important, but listening is the single most crucial of all communication skills.As a mothe. . .

Five Reasons For Preparing Your Own Baby Food

Are you unsure whether you should make your own baby food at home or just buy it from the store? If so, then take a look at these five good reasons for doing it yourself - they may help you make up your mind...1. Home-made Baby Food is Healthier and More NutritiousCommercial baby foods contain additional fat, salt, sugar, fillers or other ingredients that are completely unnecessary (and often i. . .

Tips To Help A Child Live More Charity-Oriented

How much does your child think charity is important? This may sound like the beginning of a lecture on charity, but questions like this can start at home with your child at a very young age. Children can't immediately comprehend the benefits of charity unless this concept is broken down into steps that are age appropriate. Even a toddler can grasp the importance of sharing and caring, although . . .

The Village Idiot

That would be me! From what I can see, I’m just beginning the second year of a minimum four year sentence as a Village Idiot. I say minimum because the sentence may be extended at any time and without advance notice – written or verbal.Actually, I’m not treading on unfamiliar turf. I received a similar sentence earlier in my life. If I remember correctly, that one lasted about 14 or 15 year. . .

Incredibles Kid Birthday Party Idea

Mr. Incredible and Elastiwoman to the Rescue. The Incredibles based on the hit Disney movie has become a favorite fun kid birthday party theme. The Incredibles Invitations Have fun creating a "top secret" message as your Incredibles child birthday party theme invitation. You might say something like this. "Calling all superheros... The Incredibles need your help!" "You're invited to help Mr. In. . .

Preserving Christening Gowns

Even though many christening gowns come with a vinyl bag, don't be fooled. Even the manufacturers who package them that way will admit that's the worst way to preserve your christening outfit. Textiles need to "breathe" in order to last a long time without fading or turning yellow. Plus, the chemicals in plastics can cause severe damage over an extended period. Paper boxes and tissue should be . . .

The Crucial Role Of The New DAD

Loving and caring for our babies is the most important thing we can do. Our babies of today are the adolescents of tomorrow, who will grow up to be the adults who influence the world we live in. It is when they are a baby, that we lay the foundation of who they will become. When a baby is first born, the brain is developing at a rapid rate. It is at this time that you teach your baby about the . . .

Preparing A Layette For Your New Baby

First of all, in case you do not know, what is a layette? Well, the definition of layette is quite simple: a kit consisting of a complete outfit (clothing and accessories) for a new baby.Whether your new baby is going to be your first or fifth, taking that baby back home from hospital requires a lot of preparation. It is far better to have the essentials ready to make for a smooth return home w. . .

PreSchool Spanish

Why an EarlyAGE 2nd Language?Research indicates that from ages 1 through 8 is the best time to introduce a new language to a child. If the 2nd language is introduced early in life children will learn it faster and retain it longer. Being exposed to a 2nd language offers numerous benefits to young children including an improved ability to communicate, better cognitive development, richer cultura. . .

How To Deal With Toddler Temper Tantrums

It's one of the few things your child can do that will make your cringe. A high-pitched, eardrum shattering, teeth grinding scream that goes on and on and on. Sometimes to the accompaniment of heels beating on the floor, or fists on the wall. You may have to duck as the toys start flying, because your toddler is having a temper tantrum.The reasons for having temper tantrums, are relatively s. . .

The Baby Stroller- How To Choose

You will need to begin gathering the things your baby will need, now that you got the news that you are expecting a bundle of joy. You may feel overwhelmed if this is your first baby with all the decisions that need to be made.Deciding on the type of stroller you will use for your baby is one of the biggest decisions you will need to make. You need to determine your budget first before you begi. . .

How to Choose a Baby Bathtub

Choosing a baby bathtub is likely one of the easiest decisions you'll have to make when it comes to acquiring supplies for the new arrival. Basically, if it holds water, you're all set.There is little in the way of advantages to baby bathtub designs. Your basic tub shape, made of sturdy plastic, preferably with a drain plug in the bottom, will do you for quite a while. About the only essenti. . .

Why Allowances for Back to School?

What do good schools and well thought out allowances have in common? Both teach your child a vitally important life skill: reflective thinking. Kids are naturally impulsive. Learning how to reflect before making a decision – learning to think in terms of choices, alternatives and consequences -- is a great life skill for kids to learn. Stanley Greenspan, M.D., one of the country’s leading. . .

Halloween Opens Creativity

Halloween is a time for both adults and kids alike to delve into their creative sides and dream up inventive Halloween costumes. It is also a time when people want to be something that they cannot be in their everyday lives. Some people choose to use their minds and try something clever, while others stick to the traditional choices of ghost or witch. They also want their costumes to be unique . . .

Homeschooling — Is It Worth It?

Suppose that you rearrange your life to homeschool your child and the experiment fails? You may feel that you’ve disrupted your life and wasted a year of your child’s time. Your child may even be kept back a grade by the local public school.The answer to this concern is, can you risk not trying? Isn’t your child’s future worth the risk? If you see that your child is getting a bad education in p. . .