Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Don't take risks at home with a toddler on the loose.
Toddlers are leaps and bounds away from their younger baby selves… and if you’re not careful, your toddler may be cleverer than you give him credit for. I’ve been victimized by one such clever toddler on many occasions. But once I got the hang of it, I’ve gradually begun toddler-proofing our home. I can’t make everything inaccessible (or invisible), but I’m doing my best! As I continue to try to think one step ahead of my one-girl wrecking crew, I’ve found a number of helpful resources and tips online (of course). Here’s what I can tell you about properly toddler-proofing your home. Think It Through Take a good look around your home and find these items and other dangers. Try to think like your little one and locate all the shiny, weird-…
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Spend time enjoying family-friendly activities this holiday season.
With small kids in tow these days, you’re probably not looking at the holiday season the way you used to. Sure, you’ll still drop in on the office holiday party, maybe cruise by a few friends’ houses, but your activities now are a bit different. You need “kid friendly” things that your whole family can enjoy together. This year, use the holiday season to spend some time together, but not just sitting around the house in your pajamas. There are so many great family activities to explore in our area, you really don’t have an excuse not to get out and have some fun! Boston Central – Family Fun Events A few months ago, I discovered an invaluable resource on the web in Boston Central. Here, you can find an entire calendar filled with great …
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Spend some quality time together to help your little one fight off the cold and flu blues.
It’s cold and flu season, and the weather’s been unseasonably warm, which all adds up to one thing: your sick toddler. My daughter’s at the tail-end of a battle with a respiratory virus, one we unfortunately passed all around our family… and back again. But during the past two weeks, I’ve been trying all kinds of things to get her to eat, relax, cheer up, go to sleep… Just about anything I can think of. The toughest thing with having a sick toddler is communication. They can’t tell you where it hurts or what they’re feeling. And you can’t explain to them why they feel so lousy or ask how to make them feel better. Basically, part of caring for a small child who feels under the weather involves the art of distraction. Find a way to keep …
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Keep your little ones safe and warm this winter.
Even though Mother Nature hasn’t exactly caught on that the winter solstice is just around the corner, it is starting to get a little bit cooler these days. Winter’s a nice long season, though, so even if we’re a little bit behind schedule, we’ll see snowfall eventually. Looking ahead to the colder months, it’s time to start thinking about winter safety for your little ones. Last year was pretty easy for us as parents. With my daughter just turning one last February, we didn’t spend too much time out in the snow. We had the obligatory snowsuit and boots, which did get used, but she was too young to beg us to make a snowman. This year, however, my daughter is old enough to be curious and want to explore. Safety tips are definitely going …
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
The holiday season's toy haul can be overwhelming.
I have to admit I’m tempted to tell my friends and family not to buy any more toys for my daughter this Christmas. With so many already, many of which sit neglected in a corner toy chest, I don’t know where we’ll put another holiday haul. Especially since her birthday is in February, so a supplementary haul isn’t too far off either. That’s a lot of toys for one little girl. But I don’t want to be a total killjoy, either to my daughter or the people who love her. So instead, I started thinking about the benefits of getting new toys and what kind would be the best choices for my daughter at her age. She’s just shy of turning 2, but even if your child is older or younger, these shopping tips can help you too. Why Toys Are Important Yes, it’…
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Pick the right foods to help your little one grow big and strong.
Although I’ve talked before about picky eating habits and how to chase down your toddler with healthy food, I’ve never delved into the realm of nutrition. At my most recent visit to the pediatrician for my little one, her doctor talked a lot about making sure she was getting a diverse range of foods to round out her diet. Eggs, fruits, chicken, whole wheat toast, lots of water, and milk… of course. But unfortunately, there’s no eating guide for toddlers, no fool proof plan to make sure she’s getting the right vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from the food I’m giving here. At least, I didn’t think there was, until I started Googling “Toddler Nutrition.” And so here we are… In the midst of a column about this very topic. Here’s what I’ve …
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Your toddler may be young, but his relationships can still be meaningful.
My family recently welcomed a new member to its ranks—a healthy baby girl. With the birth of my new niece, some things have changed around here. It’s the first time my daughter has seen me hold another infant, but it’s also the first time we’ve had to show her how to behave correctly around one as well. The new addition has gotten me thinking about my daughter, her new cousin, and the meaningful relationships that already exist in her life. Toddler Relationships with Mom & Dad Obviously, there’s already a special bond formed between my daughter and us, her parents. This happens without us doing anything special at all, but we can shape what it looks like. Parenting a toddler can be fun, but also stressful (as I’ve documented in this column…
Valerie Tratnyek
9:09 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
My children are way beyond toddlerhood, but I remember clearly searching for creative toys, and ones without electronics. Specifically, we got many hours of play time from Legos(Duplo for young children) and Brio wooden tracks and Thomas the tank engines. I've noticed that the Lego company has also expanded the Duplo section with more girl-friendly subjects. more ›