Baby Butz Cream

Technology plays such a vital role in our daily lives. We use technology to manage our finances, plan our meetings and schedule play dates for our kids. Now, take a minute to think about how technology is part of your child’s life. Let us pose a question to you. Does your two- year-old know how to use your iPhone better than you? The fact is that video games and electronic devices provide endless hours of entertainment, but at what expense? What is being sacrificed? Sadly, it may be our children’s imaginations.

Imaginative play creates a foundation for children to learn how to engage with others.  It builds social skills, language skills and thinking skills in ways that electronic devices cannot possibly provide. Nurturing your child’s natural ability to be creative and imaginative is easier than you think. Mediums such as art, music and storytelling are natural, age-appropriate outlets that allow your child a safe, nurturing environment to express themselves.

Musical Expression

All young children enjoy music. When young children are exposed to music they learn rhythm, they connect emotions with different styles of music; they learn how to create their own unique sound. Here is a fun activity to try with your child.

Pick an instrumental piece of music. It can be a fast song or a slow song, the speed and style does not matter. Listen to the selection together and encourage your child to create a story in his or her own head based on how the music makes them feel. Ask your child to tell you the story they created. You may be shocked by how detailed and creative their story will be from just listening to a short selection of music.

Artistic Expression

Some children find it easier to express their imagination through arts and crafts. Arts and crafts form excellent ways for young children to learn how to expand on a thought or an idea. If you have a young child who loves to create using their hands, it is important to praise your child on their creations and not offer unsolicited suggestions or critiques. For young children art is about the process, not the outcome.

Do you recycle? If so, let your little artist raid the recycle bin and create recycled art. Again, provide only safety directions, like making sure no sharp objects are used and that jugs are cleaned thoroughly. Otherwise, step back and let them be inventive.

Storytelling

Some children prefer to use their imaginations to create fantastical worlds. These children thrive on using their ingenuity to create intricate plotlines that involve their teddy bears, imaginary friends and even inanimate objects like trees. The sky is the limit!

One way to engage with your storyteller is to create a story together. Visit your local library for story time. While you are there browse the shelves for picture books like Goodnight, Gorilla by Peggy Rantham. This classic children’s story is told completely through pictures. Encourage your child to tell the story to you. Books that provide your child the opportunity to create a story within a story feed your child’s imaginative appetite.

Balancing Act

Video games and other electronic devices will be a part of your children’s lives. Given the society we live in today, it is difficult to completely eradicate them from the landscape of your child’s daily experiences. There is nothing wrong with allowing your child to play a LeapFrog game, or passing them your phone to keep them happy while waiting in a long line at the grocery store.  The challenge is to learn how to balance innovation with imagination.

How do you encourage imaginary play with your children?

Attachment parenting might stir up images of a kangaroo with their Joey in the pouch all the time or parents’ pulling their hair out because they never get a break away as their child is always connected to them. While attachment parenting can seem daunting at first, it can be very rewarding at the same time.

The idea of attachment parenting is not a new idea at all. Many cultures have been practicing the idea of attachment parenting for centuries not ever putting their babies on the floor until they were able to crawl. Because of this modern day revolution where everyone is so busy and has ten things going on at one time, we like the idea of putting our babies down with the latest toy that plays music and has flashing lights all over. We can get things done and we feel they are being stimulated, when actually all they really want is us.

What is attachment parenting and how does it work? It works on the principals of keeping your baby close to you while you get to know them to ensure they are happy and you are happy thus creating the best environment for everyone. There are many different aspects to attachment parenting, but the three basic aspects include wearing your baby, listen and react to baby cries and sleeping close to baby. By adapting your style and changing a few things, your household can reflect an attached situation in which everyone is happy.

By wearing your baby, your baby is reassured all the time because you are there for them while you have two free hands to do what you need to do. Baby is happy as well as the person wearing the baby because they are able to get essential things done. Babies held in a sing or wrapped up in any of the different baby wraps that are available on the market tend to cry less and learn as they are being held. If you have never tried to wear your baby, it is something you can easily try and see if it fits your lifestyle. Even wearing your baby a couple of hours during the day will allow you to feel closely connected with your little one throughout the day.

Another aspect to attachment parenting is being able to listen and react to your baby cries.  When a baby cries, they are telling you something. By listening to the cries that are being made and reacting to them immediately you will naturally begin to feel closer to your baby.  Your baby is crying for a reason, not just to annoy you. They are trying to tell you something. By reacting to them right away you are creating a lasting bond with them that will help you get through rougher days.

The last idea is similar to the above as you should sleep closer to your baby, whether you decide to co-sleep or have the baby in your room next to you or just have the baby close is your decision to be made. Similar to reacting to your baby crying during the day, the same is at night time. Some people often believe that babies should not cry in the night time that is for sleeping, but babies do cry and if you continue to react to them immediately; you will be able to bond with them creating happier babies and families.

In the end, it doesn’t matter what type of parenting style you choose, everyone is different. What you need to do is determine what works for you and your baby and stick with that, no matter what others say or think. You know best after all.

Having a baby is a magical experience, but it can get expensive quickly, especially if this is your first child and you need EVERYTHING!  The good news is that you can raise your baby on a budget without sacrificing quality, safety or luxury as long as you make frugal, realistic choices when shopping for your baby.

Many first-time parents are like children in a candy store, mesmerized by all the latest, trendy baby gear. This can get you in a lot of financial trouble if you aren’t careful about where you put your money. Here are a few tips on how you can save money and still give your bundle of joy everything they could ever need.

Needs vs. Wants

What does your baby really need to thrive? They need unconditional parental love (which is always free), food, diapers and plenty of rest. These are the items you should focus on spending the most amount of your baby budget on.

Crib – Bassinets and cradles are endearing and nostalgic, but they make little sense for parents on a budget. Realistically, your new baby will only use these items for a few months before they are too big for them. Instead, invest in a new crib that meets all current safety standards. If you want to increase your savings, invest in a crib that can be converted into a toddler bed.

Diapers – Modern day parenting has nudged cloth diapers out of the picture because disposable products are perceived to be more convenient. However, your new baby could go through up to 14 diapers a day. That is a lot of diapers you are purchasing and even more filling up landfills. You can save money by purchasing re-usable cloth diapers. Today’s cloth diapers are designed for everyday use and for the lives of busy families. If you want to save money, consider the benefits of cloth diapers.

Nutrition – Breastfeeding is the number one way that you can save massive amounts of money. If you plan to breastfeed, you will want to spend the majority of your budget on a reliable breast pump that is easy and pleasant to use. Don’t forget the accessories and bottles you will need. Buy only the best!

Save with These Techniques

Now that you know what you should splurge on, here is how you can get all those other baby items without spending a fortune.

Resale: This isn’t your Grandma’s resale. Secondhand boutiques are popping up all over the country with gently used designer styles and cool trends for deep discounts.  Visiting these modern thrift stores can be quite the delight!

Multi-purpose items: When purchasing items like high chairs and portable play yards, look for products that can grow with your child or be converted depending on the situation.  Save space and money by purchasing a high chair that attaches to your dining chairs. Many of these products can be used from infancy through toddlerhood.

Ask a Friend: Do you have a friend that recently had a baby? Babies grow rapidly and baby items have a short shelf life.  Most people would be more than happy to loan a baby swing or a stroller to a friend than try to find a place to store the item. If you’re coveting an item that a good friend no longer uses, there is no harm in asking.

Raising a baby on a budget is easy when you make practical, realistic decisions. Of course, you should never compromise safety, for savings. If you borrow or buy baby items secondhand, make sure you check the Canadian and United States Consumer Products Safety Commission website for the latest recalls and safety requirements.

From numerous diaper changes, late nights, sick days, skinned knees, sad faces and all those days in between; you will forever and always be a mother and will be changed for life. Motherhood in some countries is celebrated but one day every year, but to be a mother you know motherhood is something that lasts longer than twenty four hours and should in fact be celebrated everyday indefinitely.

Being a mother is one of life’s greatest pleasures but is also one of life’s greatest trials. It takes many years of practice and patience to get it right. But as your children grow, you grow along with them. Being a mother means knowing your children better than anyone else. Knowing what makes them smile and what things they love to do with you. It means being able to tuck them in every night and telling them everything will be o.k. when they are feeling down and out. Being a mother does not necessarily mean you had to have given birth to your child, if you raised, loved, protected and nurtured a child you are in every sense of the word,  a mother.

From the smiles and tears to all the laughs, mothers really have the best job around. To be called a mother is a reward and should be cared for with the utmost care, for life is so precious and needs to be preserved. One day your little babies will be all grown and move away to another home on their own and you will remember the time when they held your hand and sat on your lap. Although they are grown, the journey is not over as they will always need their mother.

As you wipe the tears and fix the skinned knees, cherish every moment for they grow too fast and you will be looking back wondering where it all went.  They will forever be in your heart as you will be in theirs.