Parenting - Parenting Healthy

There are hundreds of things that you can provide to entertain toddlers in your care. But as a busy parent, you will fall short of ideas!

It happened with me. Time will fly and your toddler will quickly grow before you know. So, you need to provide a constructive set of entertainment sources that will help their mental development as well as physical fitness.

I talked with many parents about the sort of activities that they do to amuse their children. And.. believe me there is a lot of scope for creativity and idea generation here.

I got 10 entertainment ideas for toddlers and they are simple and inexpensive to pursue.

1. Books and Colors— Learn While Having Fun

Start with simple board books filled with colors and cartoons. You can guide them through the story and explain what’s going on.

For better engagement, a sketch book will work great. Just give your toddlers some nontoxic markers and let him fill in the colors. Don’t worry if it gets messy.

2. Introduce Them to Water Sports

Water games are most toddler’s favorite. There is something about water that toddlers find fascinating.

As a kid, my parents used to put me in a large plastic pool with all sorts of plastic toys. Among all the fun experiences I had in my childhood, this one was the most memorable.

You can also buy a sprinkler toy and your kid’s summer will be the best he will ever experience.

3. Take to the Beach or Make a Sandbox

Like water, sand is also a fun element. The patterns that your children can make on it fascinates them. Have a beach nearby? Take him there and encourage him to make shapes and different objects with sand.

Alternatively, you can make a sandbox from plastic and leave it in the backyard. The evening will become super enjoyable.

4. Break Toys and Fix Them

Breaking toys were my kid’s favorite activity. Though I don’t encourage it, kids are often curious about what’s inside their toys.

So, set aside some old or already broken toys and let them break and play. You can also encourage them to fix the toy after breaking with simple tools and drivers. Just make sure to supervise.

5. Give a Ride on a Wagon

Wagons have been a great toddler entertainment gear for generations. The feeling of riding on their own vehicle with wheels makes them excited.

Get a push wagon for toddlers that will add a different level of fun into your family. My kids used to go crazy when they knew it was time for a wagon ride.

6. Help Them to Climb

Before your child learns to walk, he will learn to crawl and climb. It’s a natural urge and you should make ways for them to climb, instead of suppressing it.

The local park can be suitable place for climbing with lots of blocks. You can also create stairs from wooden stuff inside your home. Just make sure to cover it with soft material.

Or… You can build some like this at home:

7. Let Them Make Their Own World Inside a Tent

You can get a nice cozy tent for your toddler. My kids spent most of their time inside their little tent. A lamp, toys and some pillows and you can’t believe how much your kid is going to appreciate this. It will become his own small private space that will make him feel like an individual.

8. Play Simple Games That Stimulates Them

Play games with your toddler. It can be anything— hide & seek, solving puzzles, racing with them, etc. Doing so will stimulate your baby’s mind and also keep him physically active. The relationship between you and the child will also become stronger.

9. Sing Songs Together

Try singing nursery rhymes like “Hush little baby,” and “rock a bye baby” to your little one. Sometimes it can help him to calm down. And before you know it, he will be singing with you one day. As a mother, this was my favorite activity and probably most mother’s.

10. Go on a Field Trip

Even if you are super busy, make a routine and go on field trips with your child. It will change their mood and expose them to new stimuli.

You can visit the nearby park, zoo, museum, pet stores and amusement parks. If you can’t go on field trips often, make sure he gets enough stuff at home to keep him busy.

Final Words…

These ideas will give you a head start and you can get creative and find more ways to entertain your kids. The more diversified experience your kids have in their childhood, the faster they will cope up with the environment. Whatever they do, make sure there is someone there to keep an eye on them.

Parenting, Tips and Tricks

Sadly, Sex Trafficking is an American Epidemic – How to Talk to Your Teens

December 31, 2019December 31, 2019 Erin Sluka

I hate to even say those 2 words – Sex Trafficking or Child Abuse. 2 of the worst topics we have to discuss as a family, but how do we have that conversation? What age should we start making our children aware of this horrible epidemic?

I have found these 5 tips for parents about opening the dialogue with young children and pre-teens about child abuse and sex traffic recruitment prevention. We must talk about it because communication is the most powerful safety tool we have as parents!

The tips are excerpted from Selah Freedom’s Prevention Program that equips parents, youth and those who work with them, with the tools they need to avoid being manipulated by a trafficker and successfully prevents girls from being commercially sold.

Tip #1: Conversation Starters

For younger children, talk about safe vs. unsafe touch. Encourage your child to use their voice. Have your child identify their trust triangle (3 safe adults they can talk to). Explain the difference between secrets vs. surprises

Talk about safe screens. Create a safety plan on what they can do if they don’t feel safe. If you suspect child abuse or trafficking, notify authorities immediately and keep our child safe by letting police handle it

Ask your pre-teen, “what qualities do you want in a relationship?” “How would you know you are unsafe online or in a relationship?” “How would you respond to an unsafe conversation or person that made you feel uncomfortable?”

Tip #2: Communication

Ask your child what they know about this topic and discuss the facts and myths. Identify safety measures that your family can put in place and role-play different scenarios. Don’t be afraid to add a bit of humor and assure your child that it is ok to have this conversation.

Listen to your child speak without interrupting, judging or criticizing.

Tip #3: Education

Check out “SelahFreedom.com/Prevention” with your child for Safety Tips; Videos/Documentaries/Helpful Links. Give youth access to resources and safe contacts. Stay in the loop and check out new apps as youth are using them. Remember to use parental controls on your children’s cell phones to prevent internet solicitation & pornography.

Tip #4: Spotting The Signs

Sexual knowledge and experience beyond their years. Hyper-awareness of genital area, touching, discussing, etc. with themselves or other children/teens. History of emotional, physical and sexual abuse in families
Fear/hesitance of adult (s) or being alone with a particular person

Tip #5: Keep Up the Dialogue

It’s not “one and done” …. keep the conversation going with your kids each year as they are growing up and maturing.

For more resources that will help parents teach their children and teens about the signs of child abuse and sex trafficking recruitment and prevention, visit:

SEX, LIES & MEDIA: Through our cutting-edge, multi-media Sex, Lies & Media presentation, we will educate parents and students on the online recruitment tactics of predators and equip them with practical ways to discuss this issue, protect themselves online, and be a part of the solution. This presentation can take 1-2 hours and may be presented specifically to teens or to parents/adults working with teens.

Parenting, Pets Products

6 Adorable Dog Breeds Who Get Along Great with Young Children

December 20, 2019December 20, 2019 Erin Sluka

If you’re introducing a dog to your family while your children are still young, you’ll need to take care when choosing dog breeds. Young children won’t be able to follow instructions as well as older children, when it comes to how to behave around their new family addition.

Therefore, a family dog that will be spending lots of time around young children should be calm and gentle, easy to train and eager to please their owners.

Here are six of the best breeds for families with small children.

Laborador Retriever

This intelligent and loving dog is great with children. They are kind, rarely display aggressive traits and are very even-tempered.

Labs are easy to train which a must in a family with young children. Any family dogs needs to be able to learn quickly, and respond well to commands.

Labradors love being cuddled, and will happily play fetch or tug with your child in the garden for hours. They have a very easy going attitude which is suited to many family dynamics.

Pug

This toy dog is an entertainer and will love to show off and make your children laugh. Pugs need constant human companionship, which makes them an ideal breed for a family where there is always someone at home.

This breed is low maintenance, and don’t require a huge amount of exercise, half an hour a day will be plenty.

They do shed a lot though, so you might not want this breed if you aren’t a big fan of dog hair around the house!

Cocker Spaniel

The Cocker Spaniel is a trustworthy and loving family dog, and is typically great with everyone including young children, older family members and even other pets.

They love to get stuck in with family activities and need plenty of exercise which makes them a perfect match for any active family who love to spend time outdoors.

As long as a Cocker is raised alongside respectful children, they will fit into any family effortlessly.

West Highland White Terrier

This confident little dog has oodles of personality and will easily fit into your family with his fun and happy nature.

He will happily greet all family members at the door with a wagging tail, and will love playing games and having a belly rub from your children.

Terriers do tend to have a strong will which can cause training difficulties, so he’ll need a consistent and regular training routine put in place.

French Bulldog

French Bulldogs are the perfect companion dog, with his adorable squashed face and pointy ears, all children are bound to love snuggling up to this breed.

This dog loves to spend plenty of time with his owners, so would be well suited to a family where there is always someone around at home.

Bulldogs are easy to train but can be stubborn so will need an owner who is firm and fair.

Poodle

This dog would be perfectly suited to a family who has a member that suffers with allergies. The Poodle is hypoallergenic which means it sheds less than other dogs, and because of their closely packed curls, they don’t drop as much dander which is what triggers allergies.

Poodles are extremely intelligent which makes them very easy to train; they are also lively and inquisitive making them a great friend for your children.

Whether you are looking for a small, medium or large sized dog, there will be a Poodle to suit your family, as they are bred in three different sizes: toy, miniature and standard.

Choosing Your Dog’s Name

As well as getting your children involved in choosing which dog you’d like to introduce into your family, perhaps you could also include them in naming your dog.

Try to choose a name which is easy for your children to say, one or two syllable names are often best.

Also bear these things in mind when choosing a name:

Make sure it isn’t a fad name which will go out of fashion in the next year or two.
Make sure it is something you’re comfortable shouting out loud across the dog park.
Make sure it doesn’t sound too similar to any commands you’ll be teaching your dog.

Summary

Raising your children alongside a dog has many benefits, including giving them a friend for life, teaching them responsibility and compassion, and health benefits as it keeps them active.

It is important to remember that choosing a family friendly dog is just the start to creating positive relationship between your dog and children.

All dogs need proper socializing and training with children, and your children should be taught how to behave around the family dog, and be respectful of their space.

Whichever breed you choose, you’ll be sure to have years of family fun ahead of you!

Author Bio: John Woods is an experienced dog trainer, and set up his website All Things Dogs to share his knowledge and passion for everything dog related.

Fashion, Parenting, Reviews

Bollie Brand is Clothing for Your Body After Baby

September 12, 2019September 12, 2019 Erin Sluka

It was 11 years ago, but ‘after baby’ body goes well beyond the early postpartum. Before getting married and having my son I was athletic and very much in shape. Life happened and I am hardly athletic and less in shape.

I still want to feel good in the clothes I wear even if it is to sit on a soccer field and watch him practice and Bollie Brand was created by sisters who also wanted fashion for Mom’s body after baby.

I had a lot of fun browsing their shop, but 2 pieces stood out most to me. I just love wearing my Bollie Brand top and pants. I went out to dinner this weekend in my new top.

The Perfect White Tee is hardly a tee. It is soft like a tee but the cut and fit makes it much nicer and it can pass for dressing up. Wear over nice pants and adding a necklace quickly uplifts this shirt.

I also love wearing this top with my High Waisted Paper Bag Striped Pants. Aren’t these adorable?

The pants are so comfortable and not restrictive at all. I can wear them to dinner or running errands. You’ll love how you look and most importantly how you will feel in clothing that compliments any body type to keep you feeling confident and less restricted in your day. Shop Bollie Brand.

Comment: Samples were sent for feature. Opinions are my own

Category: Parenting

How to Entertain Toddlers – A Comprehensive Guide for Parents