ca.momtastic.com

Here’s what you need to teach your kid about tasks, consequences, investing, accomplishments and action: Giving your child a job to do may seem obvious, but it is such an important way to teach them about responsibility. Permitting children to help with daily tasks not only instills responsibility, but it gives them ownership over the final product and helps them feel accomplished. Don’t allow your kids to put themselves or others in danger, of course, but allow them to see both the natural and parent-imposed consequences for less-than-responsible behavior. But, if it’s a matter of busting through a period of boredom and building character, then help them stick to their goals and learn the responsibility of their investment.

While it may seem like babies can’t do very much, it’s actually never too early to start your little one on developmental activities. There are endless interactive baby toys on the market these days, but they’re often expensive and not all that attractive. And you never know whether the materials that they’re made from are safe for your little one. From baby gyms to crinkle toys to busy books, these DIY interactive toys will give your baby a sensory head start.

The glorious sound of waves washing up and whooshing back, the feeling of sand squishing between toes, and sun-kissed skin after spending a day outside exploring are the simple yet beautiful things that can make for the sweetest childhood memories. I’ve got some great tips for keeping your infant safe while also having a truly amazing time learning to love the endless fun of beach time. The best part about all of that sensory play is the golden opportunity to take advantage your child’s natural curiosity and to teach them things like how the water moves, the nature of the tide and all about ocean life and the cool creatures you’ll find there. By letting your child be the leader in exploring the lay of the land, and by being open to their natural curiosity, you can definitely help your child to develop a healthy love of not just the beach but of the great outdoors.

I’m not sure what I thought motherhood would initially be like, but I am pretty sure that it wasn’t me blubbering on and on about how awkward my body felt or about how much I was sure my baby was just plain pissed off all the time. Not only is there a cascade of hormones flooding mom but there is a ton of mental and emotional heavy lifting that suddenly happens as mom navigates the frustrations of not sleeping, getting used to a postpartum body, the round-the-clock care for a new tiny person, and the list goes on. According to the American Pregnancy Association, the difference between baby blues and postpartum depression is that baby blues are short term and generally characterized by mild mood swings. The baby blues may feel paralyzing at first, but there are ways to cope while your body’s hormones settle down and life starts to feel like it is getting to a routine that feels normal to you.