Shaping the life of your precious ones

Welcome to another issue of All about Parenting Toddlers .

In This Issue:

1. Making time for your kids
2. Christmas Gift Ideas
3. Latest updates on Parenting Toddlers

How A Turtle Can Save Your Child's Life

Making Time for Your Kids
by © Samantha Olea -2004, http://thebestmoms.com

Making time for your kids…It’s more important than you think. If a child grows up feeling as if they were an after thought, or that they just don’t matter that much to you it directly affects who they become as adults. Children need a sense of self that can not be bought at the nearest toy store, and can’t be played in the DVD player.

We all have the best intentions when it comes to our children. A majority of parents have to work between 40 and 60 hours a week just to provide for their children. As a former “Latch Key Kid” myself, who attended daycare until the age of 12 before being able to ride the bus home by myself to care for my 8 year old sister until my mother came home 3 hours later; I know all too well what it’s like when your parents are always at work. What made it worse was that by the time my parents did come home, they were absolutely exhausted. In hindsight, I can see why they did it-to provide for us and make sure we had the things we wanted and needed- but back then I didn’t know, and it made me feel pretty crummy.

Unfortunately, by the time children really grasp the reason that their parents are always so busy, they likely have their own children and are also working all of the time. The good news is, there are some things that you can do starting today that can let your children know that above all else they matter to you.

Try to give your children at least 30 minutes every day doing things that reassure them, and when doing so make sure to talk in a pleasant (but real) voice, make eye contact, and listen to what they are saying. Show no anger or disappointment in this very special time slot.

Here are some ideas:
-Get on the floor and play with them. You will be amazed at just how different the world looks from the floor, and you’re coming down to their level which they LOVE.

-Be silly. For no reason at all, start singing a silly song, talk with a funny accent, or walk in the room with a bowl on your head-just do something silly that will catch them off guard and keep being silly! Teach them funny jokes or songs you remember from your childhood.

-Read them a story-kids love to have stories read to them! When looking for good books, make sure they are either appropriate for all ages, or your child’s age, and look for books with very fun and vivid pictures. Remember, this isn’t a text book! I’d shy away from books based on popular movies {I’ll not mention the company}-they tend to be long winded, and not as enjoyable as others.

-Cook together-this is great for boys and girls. The children find this so rewarding, and it is fun. Don’t fuss about them spilling this or that, because it is inevitable-and you are actively creating memories, so make them good ones. Great food choices are home made pizza, sandwiches, cookies, lasagna, pigs in the blankets, boxed macaroni, etc.

-Take a walk. This is a great time of year for walks, and while you are looking at the beautifully changing landscape, you can ask your children about their day. Ask about their teacher and their friends. If this is the first time you’ve really truly talked to your child about their life, they may give short answers at first. If that happens, break the ice by telling them some interesting stories about yourself when you were their age, and don’t expect too much. Just be there, and be receptive.

-Dance. Turn on the radio, kick off your heels, and grab your partner. Involve them in it, and be silly. They will love it.

There are so many ways to reconnect with your children and help them know that you care more about them than anything. We sometimes forget that children have limited life experiences to base their thoughts on. If you are gone a lot, and in a bad mood when you are home, to them that says : ‘You aren’t important to me.’ or ‘I don’t like you’ . Kids tend to have tunnel vision, and think that everything that you do is a direct reflection of how you (the most important person in their world) feel about them. Though you can’t quit your job, you can change your child’s perception by simply taking 30 minutes a day. As a bonus, this time actually helps you to relax also, which is better for everyone.

Enjoy your children. They are kids for a limited time only!

Samantha Olea is a designer, business woman, wife, and most of all Mother of 2! Samantha founded a free parenting resource at http://TheBestMoms.com hoping to help every mom be the very best mom they can be! Samantha is also the owner of her own web design, graphic design, and hosting firm at : http://getwrappedup.com and AWU Gifts: http://Gifts.GetWrappedUp.com , where she helps Moms work from their homes.

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Christmas Gift Ideas

With Christmas round the corner, you must be getting rather busy shopping for family and friends. In case you have run out of ideas, here are some unique gift ideas to help you out :

Personalised Christmas Gifts
Personalized everything from Christmas ornaments to house decorations and gifts for all ages. You can find many creative personalized Christmas gift idea for kid as well as adults at PersonalizationMall.com

Give the Parent – a Discipline Tool
Parents would welcome this great gift which will be rather useful for them all year long. They will remember and thank you for many years to come. Get them a better-behavior wheel and help them put fun into discipline.

Gift Finder from Discovery Channel Store
Gift recommendations for friends and families of all ages and interests. Let the Discovery Channel Store find the perfect gift for you!

Use code “EXTOYS” at checkout to enjoy savings of $15 USD off purchases of $75 or more.

Personalised Children Books
Your child will be delighted at being part of the story in a children’s book. Get your child his/her own Personalised Child Books

Latest updates on Parenting Toddlers

The Parenting Toddlers website is constantly being updated with more information.

Below are the latest additions :

Bed wetting cause and helping your child cope with it

Personalized Christmas Gift Ideas

Remember to check back often for more updates on parenting toddlers.

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See you in the next issue. :-)