Parenting Blog

Disciplining a young child using the time out method can be very effective, and will work with kids as young as 18-24 months old. By applying this method of discipline parents are giving the child time to sit quietly and alone after misbehaving, without becoming angry or agitated with the child.

Designate an appropriate place in the house where the child is isolated from interacting with others. It can be a corner in their bedroom, a space on the kitchen floor or a special chair that’s labeled specifically for time outs. The length of time should be age appropriate. A good rule of thumb is generally one minute for year of age. A kitchen timer is useful in counting down your child’s punishment time.

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Accidents in the home are the primary cause of death in U.S. children. By taking a few simple precautions, these accidents can be avoided, making your home safe for your son or daughter and the children who visit it.

In your kitchen, you should be sure to install safety latches on drawers and cabinets. This helps keep them out of the everyday household chemicals you use to clean your house and dishware with, and also keeps them from grabbing sharp objects such as scissors or knives from inside the drawers. It is best to use the back burners when cooking on the stovetop, and keep the handles of your pots and pans turned out of a curious child’s reach while cooking.

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Former students would probably attest to the fact that few things tried my patience as much as did the statement, “This is boring!” As I reflect back on my many years in the classroom, I can’t help but feel a tad bit sorry for the first kid who made the mistake of uttering those words each year. (It was rare to hear the phrase a second time because most kids vividly recalled my “sermon,” and they didn’t want to risk a repeat performance.) Well, classes aren’t TV.

The sermon went something like this. “Nobody is BORED in my classroom. I work hard to plan fun and interesting activities that will allow you to learn. When you finish your work earlier than others, there are many choices of quiet things to do. You may use the book nook, puppet theatre, computer, writing center, art center, or the manipulative math corner. Now please, do NOT let me hear the word “bored” again!”

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To start, I would like to mention something that a new parent might forget about. Crib bedding (especially girl baby bedding!) is the focal point of the nursery and cute beyond words. You need to realize, though, that there are suffocation risks associated with infant bedding. To avoid a disaster, use a firm mattress in your baby’s bed and make sure the sheets fit tightly. Don’t leave anything soft in the crib while the baby is in it - this includes comforters and bumper pads. In cold weather, dress your infant in a sleep sack or warm clothes, but do not use a blanket.

You should seriously consider a baby bedding set, because it will be much less work than trying to buy individual items. There has been a boom in character-themed sets, but many parents are still opting for less commercial choices, like paisley print crib bedding. No matter how unique you want your bedding to be, you’ll find someone on the Internet selling it!

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