Dealing with Tantrums

Here are three ways to deal with Tantrums.  You may agree or disagree, but all are good options.

TURN NO INTO YES

Instead of saying NO, which usually tirgers a tantrum, I try to give a positive reply.  If my kids ask, “Mommy, can I have a cookie?” I’ll say, “Of course you can – right after you eat dinner”  Or if they want to watch TV, I’ll say, “Sure after you’re done picking up your toys” or “As soon as you play outside for an hour”.

WALK AWAY

As long as they’re safe, I will usually walk away from my kids when they’re having a tantrum.  I don’t try to calm them down.  If we’re in a store, I’ll go around the corner, not far away, where I can see them and they can’t see me.  Once they realize I won’t pay attention the meltdowns stop.

VALIDATE THEIR FEELING

When my kids are about to explode, I affirm what they’re feeling.  For example, Your’re mad you can’t have ice cream now.  This lets them know I understand their frustration and gives them the words to express it.

sponsored by Baby Bjorn travel Crib light & Organic crib mattresses.

Spend Less on Your Kids

Find the deepest discounts on clothes, activities, day care and more for your little ones.
Here’s a number to make your head spin: The average cost of raising a child is $222,360 (and that’s not including college), a recent government report says, From baby gear to child care, extracurricular activities and the never ending demands of teenagers the financial pressure begins at birth and only grows from there. To keep your budget under control, this guide offers smart strategies to slash what you spend on your kids, as well as tips to help you resist buying more stuff together.

1. Don’t Overbuy.

2. Shop on Deal Days

3. Be Counterintuitive.  Shop the sales at the end of each season for the following year

4. Shop Alone

5. Buy clothes that will last.

Follow these five guidelines and the savings can add up.

sponsored by Cougars

How to Tell if Your Child has Caugh a Cold or Flu

..and what you can do to help her feel better.

When your infant starts sneezing, coughing, refusing food, or acting seriously fussy, take her temperature (preferably rectally – sorry!). If she’s under 3 months and has a fever of 100.4 F or higher, see a doctor ASAP to rule out a bacterial infection or other serious issue, says Jennifer Shu, M.D. Call your pediatrician if your 3 to 6 month old has a temp of 101 F. Whatever her age, always check in with a doc if she has trouble breathing or is extremely irritable, sleepy, or lethargic.

Cold and flu symptoms are often similar. With a cold, she may sneeze, have a runny or stuffy nose, a dry cough, or a slight fever. Sings of the flu tend to be more sever and can include a moderate to high fever, headache, chills, sore throat, cough, runny nose, muscle aches, and vomiting. Suspect she has the flu? take her to the doctor, who may give her a rapid flu test and if she’s very sick or at risk for complications, prescribe an antiviral medicine like Tamiflu to lessen the illness’s length or severity.
To help your tot feel better, you can use an over the counter fever reducer such as infant acetaminophen or provided she’s older than 6 months and isn’t vomiting – infant ibuprofen. You probably took cold and cough meds as a kid, but they aren’t effective for young children and could have dangerous side effects, so don’t use them.

Clear a suffy nose with Salen Drops and a nasal suction bulb, advises Rober Bonner, M.D. A cool mist humidifier can lossen mucus and ease her cough too. or run a hot shower and sit in the steamy bathroom with your tiny patient. Another trick that can relieve chest congestion: Lay her facedown on your lap, and gently tap her back with teh cupped palm of your hand.

Preparing a Preschooler for A Brother or Sister

QUESTION: I’m about to have another baby. What can I do to prepare my preschooler for this big transition?

ANSWER: For starters, relax: you don’t want your son to get the idea that he should be stressed out. Still there are ways to get him ready. Before your baby arrives encourage him to play by himself in his baby bjorn travel crib for a few minutes while you do something else. Let him know that after the baby is born, you two will schedule a regular one on one activity (even if it’s just playing his favorite game once a week). Find ways to introduce the changes that are coming. “Look at his baby photos and videos together”. Talk about the things he could and couldn’t do as an infant, and how you took care of him He’ll revel in his trip down memory lane, plus learn about his new sibling’s needs in an irresistibly personal way.  Make it fun and he will think it’s fun.

This answer is sponsored by organic baby crib mattresses.

Is letting a 4 Week Old Sleep with You OK?

QUESTION: I let my 4 week old sleep with us so we can all rest better. Is this a bad idea? Will it be hard to break her of the habit?

ANSWER: Cozy as it feels to have baby in bed with you it’s not safe. The American Academy of Pediatrics cautions against bed sharing because infants can easily become entrapped in the bed frame and smothered by mattress, pillow, and covers. In fact, studies suggest that bed sharing with infants younger than 14 weeks may increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Adult beds aren’t designed with infant safety in mind. To lesson the danger, you’d have to remove the headboard and foot board and strip your bed of all covers and pillows, and that wouldn’t be very comfortable for anyone. Even then there’s the chance that you could rollover on your baby. A better option is to put her in a cosleeper bassinet, like one of those made by Arm’s Reach. It fits flush against the side of your bed, so your baby has her own safe sleeping space but is still close enough that you can easily pick her up to breastfeed, without getting out of bed. The Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light works as well.

If you hear the baby fuss, you can reach out and stroke her while gently shushing her or saying “it’s Ok, Mommy’s here”. This teaches her that you’re always there to meet her needs, while helping her learn to soothe herself so she can eventually settle down to sleep on her own.

You will rest easier too, knowing that you’re’ doing everything you can to keep your baby safe.