Surefire Way to Put Kids to Sleep

Are you suffering a nightmare with your little ones not sleeping throughout the night? Below is the surefire way to put them to sleep if they are two years and older. 

1. Have your child play an active sport game or running, take a soothing bath, afterwards put him/her to sleep. 

2. No overeat but do some bedtime snacks to keep the sleep going. Cereal, cracker, and fruits are some healthy options. 

3. Prepare for sleep environment, which includes dimming of lights, cool temperature, pajama, diaper change, and good night kiss. 

4. For terrible two's: When you say "G'night," you mean it. 

Discipling Trouble Two - Time Busters

Our first son who just turned two in August started to throw time-busters once again.  It would take twice as long to dress him, leave the house, eat, bath and sleep.  He resists to everything and try every incident a "fun" time for him and make mom exhausted by trying the just change diaper or cloth him.

I have been strict "before" and may have returned to setting no boundaries again. Here are some of the roots of all time-busters according to the Secrets of the Baby Whisperer for Toddlers.

• Parents don't stick to a structured routine.
• Parents allow the child to be in charge.
• Parents don't start as they mean to go on.
• Parents don't set limits.
• Parents have no boundaries - they respect the child but don't demand respect in return.
• Instead of accepting their child's temperament, parents keep hoping it will change.
• Parents haven't helped the child develop self-soothing skills.
• A crisis occurs, such as illness or an accident; parents relax their rules but never reestablish them, even after the child is better.
• Parents are arguing with each other, not paying enough attention to their child-and in time no one knows what the problem is. 
• Parents are dealing with their own "ghosts" of the past, which makes it hard for them to see their child clearly.

Looking back, I was away from my son for a business meeting for a few days.  To cope with the first trauma of being away, I may have been easing off on the rules but have not established them.

I thought I should be better on him, but he is already taking advantage!  Make sure rules at intact because time-busters are neither beneficial for the child nor for the parent.

Toys for 3-6 Month Old

Here are some of toys that are good for 3-6 month old.  For my firstborn, he didn't have much interest in touching and playing with toys in the beginning.  But for the second one, she gets interested in toys hanging from the swing.  She also shows interest in toys on play mat.  Though she is not yet into rattles and pull and shake toy, they would be great as she becomes 5-6 months. 

First one stayed little on the swing, but the second one stays on the swing for longer period of time and sometimes falls asleep.  Maybe, I was too alert in my first one and didn't give any chance to ponder at things.  Especially, Jumperoo, swing and play mat frees some time for you as the child plays there a little longer.

1. Rattle
2. Teething Ring
3. Play mat
4. Jumperoo
5. Baby pull and shake toy
6. Taggies blanket
7. Squeaky rubber toys
8. Swing

Best Way to Remove Food Stain

With children, a lot of things get on the shirt. 

For grease, use dish soap.  Rub the clothes with dish soap and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.  Then, put them in the wash.

For berries (blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and strawberries), pour boiling hot water and rub the clothes with soap.  Or you can soak the stain with white vinegar, then put them in the wash.

For coffee & tea, rinse the stain with vinegar.  Or treat with a stain remover and put them in the wash.

For mustard, ketchup, and blood, rinse with cold water.   Rub using laundry detergent and rinse.

Selecting Safe Lotion for Baby

Selecting a safe lotion for baby is so important as it is what touches the baby so closely.  Make sure they are free of parabens, phthalates, sodium laureth sulfates (SLS), 1,4 dioxane, PEG’s and/or Propylene Glycols.

Some of Top picks from SafeMama are as below:

• Earth Mama Angel Baby
• Weleda Baby
• Eden's Kiss
• Terressentials Organic Baby Care
• LuSa Organics

Some Paraben, Phthalate, PEG Free Baby Products are:

• California Baby
• Nature's Baby Organics
• Burt's Bees Baby
• Aubrey Organics

See the full list here.

Responding to Cranky Older Child with the Newborn

Finally, new sister C is born.  Our little J thinks, 'Mommy used to hold me, but now she says she is sick and doesn't hold me but only my sister C'.  The first rival for the older child is his first sibling.  He used to be treated as a prince, but now he needs to step down to one younger one who doesn't know anything but crying.

Mother seems to have bought so many new things like bottle, blanket and clothes that wasn't given to him.  With so many friends of parents come and gives much attention and affection to the newborn.

Show and Tell Them How You Still Love Them
When everything is new and the older child has seen how the mother is so close to the newborn, it is crucial not to leave psychological scar to the older child.  Show and tell the older child that parents still love him.  If parents send the older child to a relative's house, then the 2-3 week period of time can leave a damaging remark.

In the book Siblings Without Rivalry by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, it has list of scenario that the older child might be experiencing.

Imagine that your spouse puts an arm around you and  says, “Honey, I love you so much, and you’re so wonderful that I’ve decided to have another wife just like you.

When the new wife finally arrives, you see that she’s very young and kind of cute. When the three of you are out together, people say hello to you politely, but exclaim ecstatically over the newcomer. “Isn’t she adorable? Hello, sweetheart … You are precious!” Then they turn to you and ask, “How do you like the new wife?”

The new wife needs clothing. Your husband goes into your closet, takes some of your sweaters and pants and gives them to her. When you protest, he points out that since you’ve put on a little weight, your clothes are too tight on you and they’ll fit her perfectly.

Thinking through, it would be very upsetting.  For toddlers who cannot control their feelings such as joy, anger or anxiety, everything might show.  Some may regress to old behaviors.  If he has been potty-trained, he might make mistakes sometimes.  J used to spit all the food that are hard, and he did go back taking food out of his mouth.  They might pretend to be a baby again or just try hard to get more attention.  J knew that mommy wanted to change diapers, put on clothes, take bath, so if it was bad, he would cry, not letting mommy do anything for him.  He would say, 'No' to merely anything.

Here are some tips that would help ease this tension:

First express affection to the older child

When giving older child's clothes or toys, first ask the older child for permission

For older child who is jealous, show pictures of him when he was old

When others give too much attention only to the newborn, tell them to also show similar attention and love to the older child

When the new baby comes home, give gift to the older child and tell him that the gift is from the new baby

Prepare a set of new toys for the older child
 
Do not enforce being an older child

Treat the older child better

Spend a 'special time' with the older child

 

Tips for Educating an Older Child about the New Baby

When you are expecting your second, it is very important to prepare your older child.  How the older child will react depends how well you have prepared your child.

Photo by: MissMessie

Explain Clearly in Simple Language
First explain to the older child about the new sibling in simple language.   If you explain to him/her clearly, he will come to also have anticipation for a new sibling.  Tell him/her that you can take bath together and play ball together later on and it will be a great fun. Another great way is showing an another newborn before the new baby and tell the older child that you will also be meeting his/her new baby at home.

Practice Being Separated
Mother will be in the hospital and the older child can be separated with mother for the first time.  To reduce the shock, make sure that you try to bring the older child to grandparents', or other relatives' house before and let him/her experience a sleep-over.  The older child will realize that mother will come back the next day.  Also tell him/her that mother needs to be away a few days in the hospital, and will come back home.

Buy Older Child's Gifts along with New Baby's Gifts
Older child can easily compare and be upset that only new baby received gifts and therefore parents no longer love the same way.  When you buy a toy or a cloth, try to buy one for the older child also.  Make sure, the older one gets enough attention.

Establish a Play date
First few days or weeks are very difficult for the parents.  If you don't have one, establish a play date, so that your older child can go and play together.  It could be very difficult to always take care of two children, so setting a play date and a routine can help a bunch even though it is only an hour or two.

Call and Talk to the Older Child While in Hospital
Although the older child cannot stay in the hospital over night, the hospital do allow older sibling to visit.  Though it could be more difficult to have the older sibling and meet his/her needs, let the older child see the mother and not be separated too much.  When he/she is away, talk over the phone to give comfort and feel secured.

Read Books about Welcoming a New Baby
Reading a book about expecting a new baby is also a good way to let the older child know. Below are some of great books to tell the older child:

• I'm a Big Brother by Joanna Cole and Rosalinda Kightley
• I'm a Big Sister by Joanna Cole and Rosalinda Kightley
• There's Going to Be a Baby by John Burningham and Helen Oxenbury
• My New Baby by Rachel Fuller
  

Let the Older Child Understand through a Doll
Buy a new doll to teach that a new baby will come just like the doll.  Though your child might not understand right away, it will help build connection of being pregnant and expecting a new baby.  Here are some of cute dolls that will inspire nurturing play.

Books about Trucks

One thing that boys really like is Transportation.  They like cars, trucks, construction trucks such as crane, tractor and many more.

Here are list of books about transportation that my son really likes:

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site 
by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld
This book is a 5 star on Amazon and really a favorite to many of the children.  It is good for bedtime story and also a book that can grab attention during a car ride.
 



Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night?
by Brianna Caplan Sayres
This is a also a 5 star on Amazon. It tells the story how diggers, dump trucks, snow plows, tractors and more share similar experience.  It is surely an imaginative and cute storybook.


 
Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go
by Richard Scarry
This is #1 bestseller in Children's Books >> Cars, Trains & Things That Go >> Cars & Trucks.
It has all or every machinery with its names.  It is more about the names of each cars and trucks than a story book, but your child would be excited to see the cars in the book.
 

My Truck Is Stuck!
by Kevin Lewis
This is also a popular book.  It is #2 Bestseller in Children's Books >> Cars, Trains & Things That Go >> Cars & Trucks.
This is for preschool and up more than a toddler. This has longer sentences for older kids to read along.


Here are two series of books.

One series is books that actually look like the actual truck  Simple garbage truck facts in a board book shaped like a garbage truck! Each one explains what a garbage truck, dump truck or fire truck does, and children can pretend as though the book was an actual truck itself. 

I am a Garbage Truck 
by Ace Landers


I am a Dump Truck
by Josephine Page, Paola Migliari

I Am A Fire Truck
by Josephine Page, Paola Migliari

This is an another series by Amazing Machines.  All the books here are have 4/5 stars in Amazon.  2-year old really loves trucks and trains.  It is not too long and simple to read.  It can't go wrong as a birthday gift also.  

Tough Trucks (Amazing Machines)
by Tony Mitton and Ant Parker

Amazing Airplanes (Amazing Machines)
by Tony Mitton

Terrific Trains (Amazing Machines)
by Tony Mitton

Flashing Fire Engines (Amazing Machines)

Dazzling Diggers (Amazing Machines)

Tremendous Tractors (Amazing Machines)

Great Tips for Holding Family Morning Devotions

As everyone in the family continues their routine work, they can be caught up with school, work and even problems with relationships.  In the midst of hardship, relationship between family members can easily lead to arguments.  Having 2 under 2 (years old), sometimes it is not easy just to keep up with the evening routines of cooking, mealtime, washing kids and putting them to sleep. 

To bring the family together, you and your spouse, you and your children and your spouse and the children, it is crucial to maintain healthy relationship with God.  As each one grows closer to God, it brings unity and servitude rather than complaining and arguing.

So the devotion time is a time that can bring everyone back to God and bring harmony and laughter to the family.

With one toddler and one baby, this is not an easy task.

For family devotions, make sure the time is regular.  It could be in the early morning, after the breakfast, before dinner or after dinner.  Set a specific time and keep them regularly.

Also, set the duration of the devotion time and schedule.  It could be 5 minutes of praise, 10-15 minutes of devotion and 5 minutes of reflection and prayer time.

Make them simple and easy for everyone to follow.  If the Bible lesson is about Noah, you can bring a small boat or a simple paper boat and bring small toy animals to put them inside the boat.  Add fun and innovative ideas.

Children learn and remember good memories.  During the Christmas season, you can tell the story of Jesus in the manger and even bring puppets and lambs to retell the story.  During the Easter season, you can decorate the eggs and tell the story of Jesus who died and resurrected.

Keep the children engaged but do you let your spouse lose out.  Keep them relevant, so that everyone can apply the lesson in their daily life.  Though children might not understand everything, they will learn faith through regular devotionals and faith will seep into their hearts to build firm ground for the Lord to work in their lives ahead.

Also, make sure the lessons of love and forgiveness are not just told during the devotions but also set an example of love, forgiveness, humility and gentleness.  It is not just to the children but also to your spouse.  Children will learn how God is through their experience with parents, and the relationship between you and your spouse will become a model for them as they interact with others.

Keep Them Engaging: Cater your Bible teaching to the age of your children.  Keep it relevant to their daily life.  For younger children, keep the devotions short to coincide with their attention span.   For older children, communicate with them as adults.  Allow them to select topics, ask questions, and give them the responsibility of teaching occasionally.

Keep Them Real: Make sure your children know that you are not infallible.  If you have wronged them in any way, ask for forgiveness and explain how you want to handle yourself next time.  Provide a model of grace, humility, and forgiveness for them to follow.

Keep Them Growing: Think of practical ways that you can each apply what you have learned in the devotions.  Be the first to apply the lesson.  Deliberately look for love in action in your children or spouse.  Encourage one another.

- See more at: http://ministry-to-children.com/family-devotions-tips/#sthash.08gwiI2R.dpuf

Keep Them Engaging: Cater your Bible teaching to the age of your children.  Keep it relevant to their daily life.  For younger children, keep the devotions short to coincide with their attention span.   For older children, communicate with them as adults.  Allow them to select topics, ask questions, and give them the responsibility of teaching occasionally.

Keep Them Real: Make sure your children know that you are not infallible.  If you have wronged them in any way, ask for forgiveness and explain how you want to handle yourself next time.  Provide a model of grace, humility, and forgiveness for them to follow.

Keep Them Growing: Think of practical ways that you can each apply what you have learned in the devotions.  Be the first to apply the lesson.  Deliberately look for love in action in your children or spouse.  Encourage one another.

- See more at: http://ministry-to-children.com/family-devotions-tips/#sthash.08gwiI2R.dpuf

Making a Sensory Box

When my son was bored, I made this sensory box with lentils.  It instantly picked up my son's interest.  He would put the lentils into the plastic egg and even tried to put the lentils into the dump truck.  He then tried to place the animals straight and pretend the lentils to be sand.  J is 2-year old, and so his attention span is about 10-15 minutes, but this lasted more than 20-30 minutes.  This is a great for fine motor skills and help the child to be more creative.  This is a great toy box for any toddlers!

Learn more about the importance of sensory place at pbs.org <http://www.pbs.org/parents/child-development/sensory-play/developing-and-cultivating-skills-through-sensory-play/>

The five sensory crafts that PBS listed are:

• Cloud Dough
• Gak/Flubber/Slime
• Silly Putty
• Quicksand
• Instant Snow

Positives and Negatives for Family Sleep

Positives 

1. It is easier to feed in the middle of the night

2. Children would like better the "occasional" family bed 

3. Children will feel more secure, which will enhance their confidence and emotional stability 

Negatives

1. Parents might wake up several times for feeding. 

2. Kids need to sleep on their own eventually 

3. Deep inside the child's memory, the separate bed between parents will be remembered as something negative about the parents' relationship. 

Conclusion

Both "parents and children" relationship and "husband and wife" relationship should be balanced

Resource

Parents' guide for sharing family bed: http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FGood-Nights-Parents-Family-Peaceful%2Fdp%2F0312275188%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1293572158%26sr%3D8-1&tag=natparnetw-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325

Tips for Long Flight with Child on Lap

- Seat: Check-in early to get the best seats available for your kids. I recommend the non-emergency-exit where there are good floor space for you child to play. Also window seat is desirable for your kid to look outside how beautiful the sky is. 

- Safety: Check if your airline has the seat belt extension for your child. 

- Preparation: Be sure to bring diapers and baby wipes in one bag. Others are toys bag and snacks bag. Put one set of extra clothes in case. Ziplocs are for changed diapers and other messes. 

- Amenity: There might be some goodies depending on which airline you get on, including toys, crayons, and hats with their logo on it. In case there is none, bring your surprise ziploc of stickers, finger puppets, and flash cards to keep your kid's imagination rolling. Download great apps and favorite kids songs to your smart phone with headset to do away with long flight boredom. 

- Meals: If there are meals, airlines do have the baby food or children's meals. In case they don't like, prepare granolas, gold fish, teddy grahams and cheerios of their favorite kind.

- Drink: You will be allowed to take milk through airport security. Take two - one for taking off and the other for landing. It will help ease the air pressure for baby's ear. 

Free Printable Dump Truck Counting Mat

I read this article, and it looks like an activity that my son would really like when he first learns how to count.  He is a bit scared of the sound from the dump truck, but he definitely likes the dump truck toy.  He loads many small cars and pushes the dump truck all around the house. The measured mom has free printable dump truck.   Check their website here.

Check Out Portable Road Play Set

Check out portable road play set that Dyan Robson made published on "And Next Comes L"

This is such an innovative idea.  Here is link to how to make pipe cleaner trees.  My J loves trains and train tracks, and this would be very nice imaginative and learning experience for him.  Check out the portable road play set from "And Next Comes L" website.

Fun Plates

The plates are from duitang.com.  It is such a cute and innovative.  These plates seem to be from China, and I cannot understand Chinese to purchase them.  But you can definitely make this idea into a fun play time with your toddler. 

Gift Idea for 1 Year Old Boy

Here are some gift ideas for 1 year old boy:

Nice dress-up clothes or comfy clothes
Clothes are conventional, practical but nice option. It can't go wrong~








Fisher-Price Little People Wheelies Stow 'n Tow Garage
Cars are always a nice choice for gift for boys. This one has tow garage, ramp and car wash, which are fun to play with. 
Cost: $33





Fisher-Price Little People Lil' Movers School Bus
J love putting the people in and out of the bus and
when the bus driver is pushed down, its eyes move, and it plays music and lights up too. 
Cost: $17.99





Fisher-Price Little People Lil' Movers Airplane
Another option to the school bus is fun airplane toy.
Cost: $17.99


Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear? Sound & Board Book
by Eric Carle and Bill Martin
It is always nice to give a book for a gift, but they probably have Eric Carle's classic books. But this is a great because it also makes sounds and always great to read to them.
Cost: $11.46




 Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn: Learning Piggy Bank
Somehow, kids love to put the coin into piggy bank and push it open. Great gift~
Cost: $20.17

What is Attachment Parenting?

"Attachment parenting" is a phrase coined by pediatrician William Sears (Dr. Sears).  It is a parenting philosophy that the child forms a strong emotional bond with caregivers during childhood with lifelong consequences.

According to asksears.com website, it is first opening your mind and heart to the individual needs of your baby, and eventually develop the wisdom on how to make on-the-spot decisions on what works best for both you and your baby.

Attachment parenting is summarized by the 7 BABY B's.
1. Birth Bonding
2. Breastfeeding
3. Baby wearing
4. Bedding close to baby
5. Belief in the language value of your baby's cry
6. Beware of baby trainers
7. Balance

Tricycle (Trike) that Toddlers Like

Toddler boys really like tricycle.  They run around the house saying, "Bike" or "Bicycle".  We purchased one Radio Flyer Fold 2 Go Trike - Red.  We thought they would like this one because I saw so many kids have this brand trike.

But actually, J and other kids really like Fisher-Price Thomas Tough Trike.  Maybe it is from the color blue, but maybe it is because they can move around their feet a little easier than the radio flyer bike.  Also, it is pretty sturdy.  There are several kids that plays together with us, and their first choice always is this Fisher-Price Tough Trike. 

Great bib with paci and blanket

I recently received one bib and a soft blanket.  The blanket is so soft and also perfect in size. The bib has a velcro to put pacifier.

This is an idea product!  You can use to clean spit-ups.  You can also put pacifier on the bib, and you don't have to look on the floor to see where the pacifier went. 

C is definitely hungry! (She is trying to eat the blanket.)

Check out SuperKMom from etsy.com.

Cool Booster Seat, Cushion

In search for a nice booster seat, I found cool booster seat on parents.com magazine.  My son seems to grow out of the booster seat with belt, and he rather stands on our chair to see the food on the bowl and eat them.  This booster seat is great.  It is very light and also looks very cool~

It has non-slip bottom that keeps it in place and wipes the food easily.  It has a handle that allow you to carry easily.

Great Sunday School Songs with Action

Here are some great Sunday school or vacation Bible school (VBS) songs with actions.  Children can get involved easily with actions in the Sunday School.  Singing can help them understand more about God and Jesus and know that they are God's children! 

Jesus Loves Me This I Know
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdZSrF03-jk
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

STOP, and Let Me Tell You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXYCbMkxTiI
Stop: And let me tell you, what the Lord has done for me!
Stop: And let me tell you what the Lord has done for me!
He forgave my sin and He saved my soul.
He cleansed my heart and He made me whole.
Stop: and let me tell you, what the Lord has done for me.

Every Move I Make in You Jesus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWYaWc-sQ3k
Na-- na-- na na na na na
(3X)

Every move I make
I make in You
You make me move, Jesus
Every breath I take
I breathe in You

Every step I take
I take in You
You are my way, Jesus
Every breath I take
I breathe in You

Waves of mercy
Waves of grace
Everywhere I look
I see Your face
Your love has captured me
Oh my God, this love
How can it be

Who's the King of Jungle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6AG_oWXD9E&list=RD02iXYCbMkxTiI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vMWmJvzxA4
The second one is conventional actions for this song, and their Youtube channel with more videos!
http://www.youtube.com/user/sarahlee1254/videos

Who is the King of the Jungle
Who is the King of the sea
Who is the King of the universe and
Who's the King of me

I tell you J E S U S YES!!!
He is the King of me
He is the King of the universe
The jungle and the sea.

Who is the King of the Jungle
Who is the King of the sea
Who is the King of the universe and
Who's the King of me

I tell you J E S U S YES!!!
He is the King of me
He is the King of the universe
The jungle and the sea.

Who is the King of the Jungle
Who is the King of the sea
Who is the King of the universe and
Who's the King of me

I tell you J E S U S YES!!!
He is the King of me
He is the King of the universe
The jungle and the sea.


He is Changing Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLbNSW12ksU
 He is changing me LYRICS!! G C
He is changing me my precious Jesus G Em D
I am not the same person that I used to be G G7 C Am
Sometimes its slow going but there is knowing G D G D
That some day perfect I will be

G
Little by little bit every way
C
Little by little bit everyday G Em D
My Jesus is changing me (Oh yes Hes changing Me!)
G
Since I made that turn about face
C
I been walking in His faith
G D G
My Jesus is changing me

Let Your Light Shine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZMMz5uJKkQ
In the same way,
Let your light,
SHINE before men!
That they may see your good deeds,
And praise your,
FATHER in heaven!

Every thing a child is,
Reflects back on his parent.
The Sun of Light,
Our father is,
So let019s be so transparent!
What we are,
The world should see,
It must be so apparent!

I’m In The Lord’s Army
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V4MKR6O0EY
I may never march in the infantry
Ride in the cavalry

Shoot the artillery
I may never fly o’er the enem
y But I’m in the Lord’s army (Yes, sir!)

I’m in the Lord’s army (Yes, sir!)
I’m in the Lord’s army (Yes, sir!)
I may never march in the infantry
Ride in the cavalry
Shoot the artillery
I may never fly o’er the enemy
But I’m in the Lord’s army (Yes, sir!)

Where to Listen to Great Songs for Toddlers

I was looking for great songs that kids can listen.  I found Muffin Songs playlist on Youtube is a great place for songs that kids can follow! Muffin songs are classic children songs. And MyVox songs are a little more country style but still very classic and nice!

Below is the link to the Muffin Song playlist with 153 songs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUeS6gabSkE&list=PLA7C852E2AAF83138





Here is an another great playlist - MyVoxSongs.com.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCyznSQihKY&list=PLAC3D41EC5BB271FE

Lullaby playlist - Muffin Songs: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP9thfXwBHc&list=PLDFC095997935DA6C

Making Healthy Patty for Kids

My son does not like to eat vegetable, so here are healthy patty I made for him.

First, put spinach, mushroom, green onion and grind them.
Then, add egg, flour and either mushed tofu, grounded beef or even fish to add protein.
Then, mix and put it on the pot to cook them.

Another great mix is imitation crab and Zucchini and green onion.  This also makes great tasting patty.

Fun Activities with Toddler at Home

Here is a few list of good activities or games that I play with my 2-year-old son at home. 

1. "Share": Take blocks, toys, cars, beans, and anything that you can count and measure. Then give container to each one, however many, and let your child share those items in turn. This helps the child's leadership, sharing heart, and numbers! 

2. "Stepping Stone": Take cushions and any piece of clothes and put it on the carpet floor as "stepping stones" where is safe to step on. All other areas are designated as "dangerous zone," so the game goes not to step but only those safe areas. This helps child's spatial awareness and balance. 

3. "Dance Dance": Get your music on, and have fun in both listening to music and move your body. Either audio or video is fine but try getting a theme of it, take some accessories like cape or ribbon. This helps child's musical skills and balance. 

Great Shoes for Little Ones!

The first shoes that we tried was Crocs, but oddly J was stuck on the floor with the shoes because they felt very uncomfortable. He wouldn't make an another step with his shoes on.

So we thought maybe the shoes is too uncomfortable for him, so we bought him Bobux shoes 3.5M. They are so cute and comfortable. It was sold in Whole Foods, so we got him one.  Later on, we also got him Robeeze leather shoes, which was similar to Bobux shoes.  They are very comfortable and fits perfectly.

He was scared, but after maybe 2 weeks, he started to walk on them. Now that he is 2 year old, he loves his Croc shoes because it has small accessory car jibbitx in the front.  It is made of rubber and sweat can stay on the shoes that might him a little uneasy I guess.

Now, he also has cool Adidas shoes that is also very nice~

Great Gift for 1-Year Old Girl

Here are some gift ideas for 1 year old girl:

Nice dress-up clothes or comfy clothes
Clothes are conventional, practical but nice option. It can't go wrong~


 




Melissa & Doug Bella Butterfly Tea Set
It is BPA-free, PVC-free and #1 Bestseller in Toy Dishes & Tea Sets on Amazon.  Girls really like pretend and play with cups and this is really nice one with butterfly on the teapot~
It includes teapot with lid, creamer, sugar bowl with lid, 4 cups, 4 saucers and 4 spoons.
Cost: $16.70

Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear? Sound & Board Book
by Eric Carle and Bill Martin
It is always nice to give a book for a gift, but they probably have Eric Carle's classic books. But this is a great because it also makes sounds and always great to read to them.
Cost: $11.46



Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn: Learning Piggy Bank
Somehow, kids love to put the coin into piggy bank and push it open. Great gift~
Cost: $20.17

Pets can Boost Self-esteem and Lower Stress

In "What to Expect" website, I read an interesting article about how pets can boost self-esteem and lower stress.  If you are living in a high-rise apartments, I think it is too harsh for a furry friend like dog because they have limited rooms to roam around.  Then, you can choose a cat, a bird or a fish.

Read more from
http://www.whattoexpect.com/kids-and-pets/benefits-of-pets.aspx?xid=nl_YourDailyNewsletterfromWhattoExpect_20130824

Great Educational Books - Sticker Activity and Look and Find

Now that J is 2 years old.  Here is a book that he really likes.  Before he used to play with nesting cups and pots and pans.  Now that he is two year old.  He loves cars, trucks and trains.  But he can also concentrate for longer period like 10 minutes.  He can now match the sticker to the right place and understand colors and a few numbers like one and two.  He loves this book.  He can use this sticker and spot where things are not only in the book from things at home.

Preschool Color & Activity Book
Cost: $6.29

My 2-year old loves putting stickers, drawing lines with two same objects and coloring.  He doesn't like to color, but this is a great activity book. 






Sticker Activity Numbers (Early Learning: Sticker Activity) by Roger Priddy
Cost: $3.55


Great for reinforcing numbers.  Even if your toddler doesn't know numbers yet, he will become familiarized with fun sticker activity. Also, each page is not too flimsy.

Sticker Activity ABC (Early Learning: Sticker Activity) by Roger Priddy
Cost: $3.55

Also great for reinforcing ABCs.  This is a bit more difficult than Number activity book, but it's another fun activity book.


 
First Look and Find: Disney Pixar ABCs all around
Cost: $7.18

Look and find is very good.  My J loves to spot each object, and he started to same a few items inside.  Toddlers (2~3 year old) can learn ABCs, colors, shapes, matching, counting, letters and more.

Teaching Your Toddler about Relatives

Unlike old times, your favorite relative like grandma, grandpa, aunts and uncles, might live far way, few hours airplane rides away.  As the children comes to understand self and other at around age 2, they begin to connect names to people.  Grandparents visited your children and had great time, and your child seems to miss their grandparents.

When your child remembers the time when grandparents or aunts visited him, be sure to video chat with them to keep the memory of your relatives.  When J's grandparents visited, he started to say, "No way~" and joke with grandparents, saying, "No way~." After months passed, but whenever he has video chat with grandparents, he still remember the playing time and smiles saying, "No way~."

Another great way is to put photos of your relatives on the wall.  The photos should be leveled to his eyes, so that he can see and repeat their names. Also, make sure the family member is clear, not look and find who is inside the picture, kind of picture.

우리 아이 자존감의 비밀 - 책 리뷰

제목: 우리 아이 자존감의 비밀
저: 조세핀 킴

아이를 키우면서 자존감이 많은 아이로 커야 아이가 행복할 수 있다는 것은 들었지만 친구로 부터 얻어서 '우리 아이 자존감의 비밀'을 읽고 정말 아이들이 행복하게 사는 것이 얼마나 중요하고 자신의 감정을 묻어두고 말과 행동의 상처로 시름하고 있는 아이들이 얼마나 많은 지 다시금 생각하게 되었다.

아이는 백지상태로 태어나서 8세 이전 형성된 자아존중감이 아이의 미래를 결정한다. 또한 아이의 행복이 자존감에 달려있다.  

자존감 self-esteem은 자신이 다른 이들의 사랑과 관심을 받을 만한 가치가 있는 사람이라고 자기 가치 self-worthiness와 자신에게 주어진 일을 잘 해낼 수 있다고 믿는 자신감 confidence이라는 두가지 요소로 이루어진다. 즉, 자기 자신을 제대로 사랑할 줄 아는 방법이며, 모든 행동과 변화의 근원이 되는 마음가짐이다.

아이의 자존감을 심으려면 부모의 자존감이 더 중요하다. 먼저 자기 자신을 아껴야 하고 최고의 엄마가 되기 이전 자기를 사랑하고 행복한 삶의 본보기를 보여주면 자녀의 자존감도 그에 비례하는 것이다.

행복한 삶의 본보기로 자기 자신을 사랑하고 그리고 부부 간에도 행복해야 한다. 서로 싸우거나 잔소리와 뒷담화를 달고 살 거나 대화가 없는 부모들은 아이의 자존감을 떨어뜨리기 일상이다.

육아에 시간이 없고 지친 부부 간에 애정을 쌓기 위해서는 이 책에서는 친척이나 친구에게 아이를 맡기고 한달에 한번 또는 일주일에 한번은 부부만의 시간, '데이트 나이트'을 갖는것을 권장한다. 

아이에게도 순수한 애정을 가지고 무한한 사랑을 베풀어주는 게 바로 자존감을 길러 줄 수 있는 방법이 된다.

건강한 자녀교육의 첫 출발은 부부가 공통된 가족 패턴을 취함으로써 아이에게 안정감을 주는 것으로 시작해야 한다. 부모가 서로 다른 의견을 보일 때 양육 방식의 불일치로 갈등하는 부모 밑에서 자란 아이들이 자존감에 상처를 입게 된다는 사실을 확인했다고 한다. 

또한 부모의 유형이 3가지 나오는 데 독재자형, 방임형, 권위형 양육 스타일이다. 독재자 유형의 부모를 지닌 부모 밑에 자란 아이들은 부모를 무서운 대상으로 인식하며, 부모가 자신을 사랑하고 있는 지에 대해 좀처럼 확신을 갖지 못했다고 하고, 방임형 양육 방신을 지닌 부모를 둔 아이들은 통제를 받은 경험이 별로 없기 때문에 종종 충동적이고 공격적인 모습을 보였고, 반면에 권위형 양육 방식을 지닌 부모 밑에서 자란 아이들은 기본적으로 발랄하고 의욕적이며, 친구들과 협동해 무언가를 이루어내는 일에도 적극적으로 참여했다고 한다. 

이 책에서는 하버드대 학생들을 길러낸 부모들의 자존감 교육이 여러가지 소개된다.

• 아이와 함께 하기 
• 놀이를 활용해 교육하기
• 아빠의 역할 만들기
• 다양한 이벤트로 감동 주기
• 아이와 함께 공부하기
• 규칙 지키기
• 비교하지 않기

그리고 구체적이고 전문적인 실천 로드맵 3가지도 소개 된다.

자존감 교육 실천 로드맵 

1. FRIENDS for LIFE

• 다양한 감정 일깨워주기
• 생각과 감정 사이의 연관관계알기 
• 걱정 해소법 배우기
• 문제 해결 방법 익히기
• 성공하는 경험 반복하기

2. Self-esteem in the Classroom

• 생각과 감정을 끌어내는 일기 쓰기
• 협동심과 재능 발견을 위한 소그룹 활동

3. Social and Emotional Learning

• 아이의 장점에 집중하라
• 벌칙은 현실적이되 꼭 지킨다
• 집안의 큰일을 결정할 때 아이의 생각을 물어라
• 화가 났을 때 평정심을 유지하는 방법을 찾아라
• 아이를 놀리거나 굴욕감에 빠지게 하지 마라
• 부모도 사과할 줄 알아야 한다
• 아이에게 선택권을 주고 그것을 존중하라
• 답을 제시하지 말고 힌트를 줘라
• 함께 책을 읽어라
• 봉사를 통해 공감을 유도하라