Children Archives - Page 3 of 6

How to Give Your Little Girl The Best Birthday Party Ever

March 28, 2017 by anthony

If your little girl has a birthday on the horizon then you will no doubt want to give her an awesome party which she will remember. As you may or may not know I have a little girl and boy and I have always found that boys party ideas are far easier to come up with than girls. There are many themes which you can choose from for girls though and today I wanted to give you some ideas for how to give your little girl the best birthday party ever.

Theme

When it comes to the theme of the party you should look to base it on something that they are really into. This could be anything from a Princess-themed party to a Hello Kitty style event, a roller skating party or even something simple like a pizza party. Picking out a theme should be relatively easy and if your little girl is anything like mine, then they will likely tell you exactly what kind of party it is that they are after as the event approaches.

Fancy Dress

Whatever the theme of your party is, fancy dress really helps the whole event go off in style. Other parents may not love you for adding fancy dress to the party but they will make sure that their little ones are dressed to impress and the kids will absolutely love an excuse for getting dressed up for the day.

The Cake

The cake is a crucial part of your little girl’s party, as you get older the cake becomes a little more symbolic but for little ones with sweet teeth, a cake is essential. If you feel comfortable in the kitchen then you could knock up your very own cake for the party, incidentally I would recommend that you practice a few times first. Alternatively, if you want a really stylish cake then go professional, some of the cakes that people are creating these days are simply incredible and can perfectly fit whichever theme it is that you have decided upon.

Flowers and Decorations

Birthday flowers look great at a party and not only do they magically brighten up the occasion, little girls will adore them. There are lots of florists who will be able to create some beautiful flowers for birthdays and parties and they can even theme them around your event. Flowers can really help to brighten up a party, especially themed flowers and you should consider these for your upcoming event.

Regarding decorations, you will need to be as resourceful as possible when it comes to decorating the hall, room or garden that you have chosen as the destination of your party. If money is no object then you could hire planners to come in and fully decorate for your themed party, if you are trying to watch the pennies and still want to throw a great bash then look online for some budget ideas to help you out.

Juggling It All Without Dropping the Ball: Helpful Gadgets, Tech and Tools for Busy Moms

February 24, 2017 by Mandy

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When was the last time you felt like you had enough hours in your day? If you’re like most parents, you’ll appreciate knowing about a few great apps that help busy moms and dads arrange their time.

Media matters

If you remember a certain book or movie fondly, but wonder if it’s is right for your child, download and use the Common Sense Media app. Common Sense Media offers timely and accurate reviews of TV shows, movies, video games and books. With this info, parents and caregivers can easily judge the appropriateness of certain media, says WatchMeGrow magazine.

SonicDad is a wonderful app that boosts parent-child relations. Download and install SonicDad to instantly access all sorts of cool DIY craft projects that use inexpensive materials. Of course, you don’t have to be a dad to use this app. Anyone who spends time entertaining kids will have a great time with this app, says PopSugar.

Organize your time better

Plan your errands and outings better when you have access to an Android weather app from Apalon. If you’ve ever bundled up the kids for an afternoon outing only to find the weather’s not cooperating, you will appreciate the easy and effective way a great weather app can help you skip storms that might wreck your fun. Available at Google Play, this handy weather app offers everything you need to know about rain, snow, hurricanes and other weather patterns.

Save the good stuff in one place

Evernote is a good way to organize kid’s artwork, report cards, homework assignments and other essential documents. Evernote is the ideal organizer for parents, students, teachers and everyone else with a need to corral all of their info in one easy-to-retrieve location. Pocket lets moms and dads save recipes, articles, videos and other family friendly links to one easy to navigate space. With its ability to link across all your devices, Pocket is a great app for babysitters and anyone who wants to spend more time with kids and less time searching for ways to entertain them. As a bonus, Pocket can also be a read-aloud storyteller that provides hours and hours of good times for kids and parents alike.

Traveling with kids in tow? You’ll want to know more about the HotelTonight app. Install it, and finding and checking into lodging in any of 23 countries is easier and more streamlined than ever. Take the stress out of holidays when you can reserve a hotel room in minutes, virtually anywhere in the world you happen to be. If you have a hard time remembering details, prioritize your tasks with the RememberTheMilk app. Arrange important events by the due date or importance and delegate tasks when necessary. Integrate your Gmail, Twitter, Google Calendar and other savvy services with this app that operates across all of your devices.

Parenting is a sensational job, but keeping your kids and plans organized can take a lot of valuable time. Download and install a selection of parent-friendly apps, and you may find that you’ve got extra hours in which to enjoy spending time with your children.

Steph Talbot has 4 kids ranging in age from 8 months to 15 years. Life is crazy, hectic but she wouldn’t change it for the world. Apps are her saviour most days when it comes to getting things done.

How children benefit from pet ownership

February 9, 2017 by Mandy

While getting a pet of any kind may feel like a natural progression for your family, or simply a ‘nice’ idea at the time, you’ll soon discover that your new householder has so much to give, and to teach you, in return for your care. Whether you’ve chosen a dog, a cat, a rabbit, or a fish, your new pet has the ability to strengthen your family’s bond, and to aid the emotional, physical, and educational development of your children.

Here are just a few of ways that pet ownership could benefit your child, or children…

Forging friendships

Numerous studies have shown that pet ownership can improve kids’ emotional intelligence, and that those who grow up with animals are more compassionate than those who don’t get their first cat, dog, rabbit, or fish until later in life. Your children’s pets are likely to be their very first friends, and the bond that they’ll develop will be one of utter devotion and trust.

Learning how to care for an animal teaches children about the needs of others, and allows them to identify when someone, or something, is feeling happy, sad, or unwell. These social interactions will prove vital in later life, teaching your child how to forge friendships as they approach school age and beyond.

Learning responsibilities

Your child can begin to learn about the responsibilities of pet ownership before your animal comes to stay. Once you’ve chosen the animal you’d like you’re going to need to prepare for his or her arrival, including drawing up a list of jobs, going shopping for essentials, and creating a bed, or safe space, for your pet to reside. Encourage your child to take part in these discussions. What kind of bed would your new pet like? What foods will they eat? What daily activities will you need to complete in order to keep your pet healthy and happy? Engaging your child during those first conversations will give them confidence to take part in pet care and training, and instill in them a sense of responsibility – and importance.

Emotional development

Having a pet can do a lot for a child’s emotional development, and for the emergence of their character and personality. Those who lack confidence, or suffer from anxiety, can often be encouraged to open up to a pet rather than an adult, and may discover a new sense of self that’s been hiding all this time. Pets are incredible stress relievers, and will listen to problems without judgment.

Having an animal of any kind is also a good way to approach the subject of loss. While nobody wants to think about the death of a beloved pet, such an event is an essential part of growing up. The lessons we learn during childhood will shape the kinds of experiences we have as adults. If you’ve recently lost a much-loved pet try not to exclude your child from conversations; listen to their concerns, let them know that it’s okay to grieve, and encourage them to play a part in your pet burial or memorial service. It’s not unhealthy to allow a child to say goodbye to their pet, and valuable lessons can be learned from such an experience.

Improved wellbeing

Pets of any kind can do wonders for a person’s health and happiness, including reduced stress, a lowered heart rate and blood pressure, and improved mental wellbeing; the general feelings of happiness that accompany having an animal can effect our children in the same way they impact our lives. The benefits of having a pet can be felt much further afield too. Having a dog will encourage your child to head outside on a daily basis, and to engage their best friend with games of fetch, catch, and running wild. In an instant, your child is more active than they were beforehand, and enjoying his or her time outdoors. Rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, and other domesticated livestock are similarly fantastic for nurturing a love of nature and the great outdoors, while playing with a cat, bird, or small mammal indoors is still exercise your child may not have been getting before their pet arrived.

Inspiration to learn

Becoming a pet owner can facilitate language development in children, as they spend hours babbling, and then talking to their faithful friends. Animals can also aid cognitive development, as your child strives to learn more about a particular breed and opportunities for play – even grooming an animal can help a child to master simple actions.

Perhaps more subtly, having a pet could help your child during their reading journey, or as they begin to give presentations. Speaking in front of an adult, even a parent, can be daunting, but pets never judge. If your child is a nervous reader, or hates speaking in front of the class, encourage them to practice with only their pet for company; you’ll soon notice a huge leap in their confidence.

From aiding social interactions and inspiring a lifelong addiction to the great outdoors, to providing comfort and encouragement, your new animal is so much more than a pet – he or she is your child’s friend for life.

Childproofing your home on a budget

January 9, 2017 by Mandy

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When it comes to your children, the most important thing in the world is ensuring their safety, but is it possible to ensure your home is safe and secure for children without spending a fortune? The answer to this question is yes, but parents on a budget need to think carefully about where to invest.

Some childproofing measures are simple, and do not cost a huge amount, especially if parents are savvy shoppers.

Childproofing electrical outlets

One of the first areas than can be quickly childproofed without incurring too high a cost, are electrical outlets. These can be easily childproofed using plastic guards that are available online for pennies a piece – simply ensure you buy enough to cover all outlets that may otherwise be left exposed – buying in bulk can help save cash so if you have mommy friends with children at the same stage, why not club together to ensure you all receive the best possible price.

Kitchen and utility childproofing

Other common areas for parents to take childproofing measures are the kitchen and utility room. With cupboards containing cleaning products and drawers full of sharp implements, these areas can post a danger to small children, but again the solution is not expensive with adhesive plastic clips that prevent storage being opened by small hands. They are readily available at low prices on line or in low cost retail outlets.

Simple stair gates

Parents who are on a budget may find it easy to invest in a single pressure fit stair gate, as this can be moved from the top to the bottom of the stairs as necessary. The stair gate should always be fitted at the entrance to the stairs nearest to the area the child is using at that time.

Child safety in the bathroom

While young children should always be supervised in the bathroom, some cheap childproofing measures can be taken in this area to ensure that children are as safe as possible while they are being bathed. Parents on a budget may choose not to invest in a dedicate baby bath, but if this is the case, they should ensure that an appropriate bath support is fitted in the tub to ensure that baby is not at risk of slipping during bathing. Older children will benefit from the fitting of a rubberized mat in the bath and shower to prevent slips, while plastic brackets can be fitted to heavy toilet seats and lids to prevent any slamming incidents during the toilet training years.

Parents should also be aware of keeping sharp implements such as razors and nail scissors safely stowed out of reach of their children, while medicines and cosmetics should all be out of sight, preferably in a locked medicine cabinet.

Childproofing furniture

When your toddler begins to crawl and walk, everyday items can become hazardous to their health. Furniture can be childproofed in a number of ways. Tall chests and armoires should be secured to the wall using a bracket that will cost pennies at your local hardware store, while sharp corners can be cheaply padded using packing foam and tape if your budget does not stretch to a dedicated product.

Childproofing windows

One danger area that parents can sometimes overlook when it comes to childproofing your home is the windows. They can pose a number of dangers to a small child.

It some climates it is impractical to think that windows will always be kept closed, especially if the family is on a budget that does not stretch to round the clock air conditioning, so it is important that parents think about how opening windows can be made safe for young children.

Many window units come with locking openings that allow them to be left ajar in a locked position with an opening too small for anyone to get out, or indeed, in. Parents may also wish to invest in solid window dressings such as locking interior window shutters that allow windows to be left open while a barrier is still in place – allowing air to circulate without exposing children to the risk of an open window.

Parents with blinds and curtain tie backs should be aware of the risk of strangulation that both of these products can pose and should modify their window dressings accordingly – replacing them with solid twist blind controls or ensuring that any loopable materials are kept well out of reach of small hands at all times.

Supervision is the best childproofing

While childproofing your home is always as good idea as one step to help prevent accidents in that could potential harm babies and children, parents should be aware that young ones need to be supervised at all times in order to prevent accidents and deal with unexpected dangers as they arise.

7 ways to standout from all the other moms

December 20, 2016 by Mandy

Being a mom can be tough. Some call it the toughest job around. But taking care of babies is just one part of the challenge. The other part is trying to avoid being a stereotypical mom and standing out in the crowd. Women want to be more than just a parent. They want to be an individual.

The following are 7 ways you can really become your own person that will impress others.

Dress to impress. This doesn’t mean you have to wear designer clothes while hanging around the house changing diapers. But when going out, wear something with a style that fits your personality. Don’t be afraid to stray a little out of your comfort zone. And you don’t have to spend a fortune on your wardrobe. You can buy very fashionable clothes that are affordable if you know where to look. For example, you can find great deals at Saks Fifth Avenue with coupons and promo codes.

Be outgoing. For many moms, especially new ones, meeting new people can be difficult. The key is to be outgoing. While this is easier said than done, being outgoing simply means to talk to new people. Find other moms to have conversations with (you do have something in common, after all). Don’t just stay home every day.

Have a hobby you’re passionate about. Having something to do that you love, other than being a mom, will open up new possibilities for you. For example, certain hobbies are very sociable and have close-knit communities. This will help you expand your horizons beyond just being a mom.

Be confident. Having confidence in yourself means you’re not afraid to be the center of attention. You can talk about any subjects, even ones you don’t know anything about because you know the right questions to ask. People are drawn to you because you can make the best of any social situation.

Read books about interesting topics. Being well-read will help you be more confident when out and about town. Reading will also expand your horizons beyond the world of parenting. You can easily find a new passion while reading. Think about joining a book club. Most meet in the evening, giving you much-needed relief from your parenting duties.

Travel. Yes, traveling with kids can be a challenge. But there’s no substitute for getting out and seeing the world. Traveling will also help you meet new people, have new experiences and give you an education you can’t get anywhere else. Traveling doesn’t have to be expensive, great travel deals are all over the internet.

Be strong with your opinions. This means not to compromise what you believe just to please others and avoid conflict. Your own opinions about the world around you make you unique, so embrace them. But this doesn’t mean you can’t be open to new ideas. Listen to what others’ opinions and try to see things from their point-of-view. And always remember to be respectful.

Standing out as a mom doesn’t have to be hard, or even that expensive. Keep an open mind and be proud of who you are. Everything else will follow.