parenting

Baby Wearing with Slings and Wraps

Filed in archive All About Babies , Gadgets on June 21, 2010

Baby Wearing with Slings and Wraps
© Amazon
I am a baby wearing mama. I bought my first sling from Didymos, which was basically some sort of long cloth (I got one that was almost 4 meters long as my husband is tall and we wanted him to be able to carry the baby, too) with a special durable weave that secures the baby onto you with a knotting technique. I've also gotten a Maya Wrap, which uses a double ring to secure the baby snugly onto you.

Unfortunately, I haven't really mastered the art of such slings. Maybe it's me, or maybe I gave up too soon, before I really get the hang of it, but I've always felt awkward wearing my baby with a sling, and it felt too cumbersome. I found that I had to constantly adjust the tightness, or check on my baby while on the go. Fortunately, I've found another baby carrier alternatives that worked for me.

Have you tried baby slings or wraps? Tell us what you think of them!

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Insulated Rolling Cooler for Family Picnics

Filed in archive Gadgets on June 18, 2010

Insulated Rolling Cooler for Family Picnics
© Bed Bath and Beyond
One summer activity all the members of our family always enjoy is a picnic. We usually go for a picnic brunch, so we are out and enjoying the outdoors before it gets really hot. My husband and I can actually enjoy a meal and some conversation while the kids play, kicking a ball around or blowing bubbles or simple just clowning around running and doing cartwheels. If the weather cooperates, and I've packed enough food, we could stay out like this for hours, well into the afternoon.

Probably the hardest part in a picnic is just lugging all the paraphernalia and keeping food and drinks chilled to last the entire time we're out. If I had the muscle, I wouldn't mind bringing our huge ice chest and toss some ice packs in. But this cooler bag with wheels from Metro is much better (photo).

The insulated cooler bag sits on a sturdy, lightweight, removable trolley and has a large zippered opening for easy access to its contents, plus a utility pocket for accessories. Two durable wheels and a stabilizer bar make it great to transport to a park, a barbecue or a sports game. It folds flat for convenient storage. Also great to bring along for trips to the supermarket to keep the chilled goods cold.

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Toilet Training and Toilet Seat Attachments

Filed in archive Gadgets on June 16, 2010

Toilet Training and Toilet Seat Attachments
© ToddMorris
I've been reading p a lot of potty training lately. My daughter is now 26 months old and most of her playgroup friends have already started potty training, with varying levels of success. I know that, while most toddlers start getting ready and interested in this transition at this age, some kids aren't ready til much older. As for my daughter, I thought it would be worth a try.

I don't know yet what strategy to take. There seems to be a lot of techniques advertised on the web, some even claiming to be enable you to potty train your kid in three days! I am extremely skeptical of those claims, and I'm setting no such expectations on me and my daughter. I'm still reading up on the best ways to go about this, but one thing I already know is that I'd like to skip the potty and have her make a go at the toilet directly. I'm planning to get one of those toilet seat attachment for kids-- either one of those simple toilet seat you put on top of your toilet seat, or one of those with built in ladder so she can get on the seat on her own.

Do you have any recommendations?

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Martial Arts for Children

Filed in archive Kids and Sports on June 14, 2010

Martial Arts for Children
© Amazon
Over the last couple of years, my son has been attending Tae Kwon Do lessons, a martial art that originates from Korea. As opposed to karate and kung fu, tae kwon do emphasizes on the leg's power to perform various kicking techniques. The rationale is that the leg is your longest and strongest weapon, and kicks thus have the greatest potential to execute powerful strikes.

Yes, it's a contact sport, and apart from learning the kicking and blocking techniques, students also go for sparring sessions, where they are pitted against each other to demonstrate the practical application and control of attack and self-defense techniques.

Sounds violent? Not really. All of these are performed in a safe environment, with padded flooring, shin and arm guards and other padded head and chest protectors, and beginners are not really allowed to make contact. Many parents worry that enrolling their children in martial arts classes encourage violence. But this is totally unfounded. In fact, one of the basic tenets of the International Tae Kwon Do Federation says, "I shall be a champion of justice and freedom" and "I shall build a better and peaceful world."

Aside from the exercise, martial arts lessons also encourage other life skills, such as self-confidence, courtesy, discipline, respects and concentration. In fact, martial arts therapy is also being used to treat certain psychosocial or behavioral issues.

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Observing Fathers's Day

Filed in archive Parent Watch on June 10, 2010

Observing Fathers's Day
© pipitdapo
With Fathers' Day coming up, let's not forget to pay a small tribute to all the fathers in our lives. The shops will be awash with Father's day promotions, enticing one and all to look for a suitable present for Dad. The sales for gadgets, gardening, sport and outdoor gear must be soaring in the next days coming up to Fathers' Day.

Fortunately, on occasions such as these, my husband, my partner in parenting, is always happy enough to simply spend time with the family, perhaps share a special breakfast. I'll get the kids to make some art- or craft-work, and I am sure they will be just as much appreciated as an electronic gadget or a new shirt or whatever else one can buy in a shop.

What are you getting Daddy this Fathers' Day?

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