Why is there so much controversy over schedules and routines? While some moms despise the idea of routine, others thrive on them. Can putting your infant on a feeding schedule really lead to malnourishment? Does implementing a daily routine really have to confine you? While some moms may cringe, and others cheer at the thoughts …
Category Archives: Tips
Removing the Hot Spots!
Hot -Spot: A place in your home that attracts clutter, if not dealt with will eventually take over. Do you have a table in your home that stays cluttered, it’s just the catch all for everything? This was my dining room table, and I don’t have a kitchen table. There were many nights I would …
Setting Clear Expectations
Have you ever gone to a job and they said “Ok, Mrs. So’n’So, go to work!” No explanation of the job description or expectations of your performance. This would be very frustrating right? Worse yet what if that same boss came in and yelled at you, or docked your pay, because certain tasks were not …
Take the Headaches Out of a Nice Smelling Home!
Because I am very sensitive to getting headaches I can not have alot of perfumy things in my home. But I love nice smells, so I have had to come up with some ideas to make my home smell nice without getting a headache. These are not only effective but inexpensive: 1- To get rid …
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Visit The Zoo!
I was reminded today by Rookie Mom’s to check out the zoo. I know, I know, nothing new right? But, how long has it been since you checked it out? I realized my daughter is 19 months old and never been! When Emily was 2 (she is 5 now), we had a 1 year membership …
Attitude of Gratitude
Last night I watched “Extreme Makeover:Home Edition” on ABC. I am so glad to see this show’s return. While I did not catch the full story on this family, I was amazed at these children. The mom was a single mom, with 7 or 8 kids. And she had a family member with his kids …
Training a child(1)….”Rules Without Relationship Lead to Rebellion!”
Proverbs 22:6 says “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is grown he will not depart from it.” Solomon by all standards was considered one of the wisest men who lived, so taking some tips from him may not be a bad idea. And if you have EVER been in …
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Ireland’s Craftworker has great children’s games!
This week, I have found a very beautiful site. It is a blog about the life of an Irish craft worker. She is obviously very talented in her crafts, and very creative. I loved her one post about taking her children to the shores to witness a sperm whale who had washed ashore. The pictures …
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Potty Training
Oh the dreaded potty training! I must admit, after being a nanny and child care worker for 5 years before having my own, I really did not look forward to potty training. We first tried Dr. Phil’s potty training in a day…… HA HA HA! Ok, no disrespect to Dr. Phil because I love him, and I am sure it has worked for some, but my daughter was not falling for it.
Here are a few tips I have learned along the way:
* Do not start until you are absolutely positively ready and commited. They will be ready when you are, but any inconsistency will make it much harder on you and your child.
* Pull Ups…..Don’t do it! Two reasons. One, What is the pay off of stopping what they are doing to go to the potty. Discomfort brings a change. (This is true with adults too) 🙂 If it they feel wet and icky they will stop to go to the potty. Two, no offense, but what is your pay off to stop what you are doing and make them go to the potty? My Pediatrician says the best way is the hardest on the parents, sorry I didn’t like it either. When you are at home set your timer for 15-20 minutes and make them sit on the potty. (If they actually go you may set the timer a little longer the next time) And when you are out you take them potty before they leave the house, when you arrive at your destination take them again, and before you leave your destination, yep you guessed it, take them again. Repeat as necessary for wherever you go. Now as hard as this sounds, why when you are in a hurry would you not say,”oh well he has a pull up on and if he has an accident, no biggy”. But without a pull up you will take the time to go potty so you don’t have to take the time to clean up an accident, right? And remember they need consistency! (Thus the reason for tip #1) ( The only exception is bedtime, and on extremely long trips. But every time you stop make them go)
Setting Goals For Your Family Time
1SmartMom.com is all about “Creative Ideas, Tips, and Resources for Smart Moms Everywhere”. Well, once a week I feature another site that I have found inspiring, and think can help us all as moms, and women. This week I want to introduce Jill Koenig. I have heard her name many times, but never really knew …