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Toddlers and the Flu Vaccine

Every parent, who has children under the age of five, quickly discovers that little kids are “germ spreaders.” One cannot be too surprised by this revelation. Toddlers, for example, tend to put things into their mouths, to pick their noses, and to strongly resists all parental attempts to wash their little faces and hands. As such, it is recommended that toddlers receive the flu vaccine. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that the LAIV (live attenuated influenza vaccine) be given to children ages 2 through 8 years old. In addition, they recommend that kids between age 2 … Continue reading →

Mind Your Manners

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As a nation we seem to have lost the ability to be courteous to each other. When was the last time someone held a door for you, said excuse me or even thank you? Everyday we are surrounded by rude people. Recently at work I was walking up the stairs as two women were walking down. Instead of one of the women moving to the same side as the other woman, they both barreled down the stairs as if I wasn’t trying to come up them. I actually had to step backwards, onto the landing to keep from being run … Continue reading →

Speech: How Much Does Your Baby Understand?

Do you ever wonder if your baby can understand what you are saying and how much? The thing I have noticed the most about my son’s development is his increasing understanding of what I say to him. I am always excited when he obeys a new command because I know he is learning a lot of new words! I have noticed, though, that obedience is definitely not a good indication of whether they understand the actual words. Often, they understand the words by themselves first, it’s the call to action they do not perceive. A good example of this is … Continue reading →

Do You Take Your Kids to Funerals?

I was asked that question last week by a friend whose second cousin unexpectedly passed away from cancer. She was debating whether or not she should bring her preschooler and toddler along to the funeral or leave them with a sitter. My answer: It depends on whose funeral it is. For example, I would, without question, have my preschool daughter attend the funeral of any member of our immediate family. And by immediate family I mean my own parents, siblings, and grandparents, in addition to cousins, aunts and uncles. It is inconceivable to me that she would not be present … Continue reading →

Baby Blog Month in Review: October 2008

If you had an October baby, congratulations! I hope that you will spend some time with us here at Families.com, as we bring you the latest news and tips for you and your family. Here is the Baby Blog month in review for October. October 1st Insect Repellent and Young Children Protecting my children is the number one priority, but one thing that I tend to avoid is insect repellent. I figure that putting additional chemicals on my kids is not the best idea, that is until now. These days, a mosquito bite is not just an annoyance, but it … Continue reading →

Toddler Stand Up Comedy

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In the words of Uncle Albert in Mary Poppins, “I love to laugh, loud and long and clear!” On most days, I think we have a blast in my house. We love to laugh, and laugh often. However, other than one basic knock-knock joke we tried to teach our girl last year, we have never approached structured comedy with her. That old one involved a banana and an orange as the punch line. Recently, we tipped our family toe a bit further into the comedic waters. We just got our hands on a clever new book called Mama’s little book … Continue reading →

Grandparents Have Paid their Dues

It is the prerogative of grandparents to spoil their grandchild because they do have to live with the consequences of spoiling them. Remember, your parents raised you or your spouse and they went through all the fussy times of coping with raising you. When a parent becomes a grandparent – they get to revel in the joy of all the fun without any of the hard times or the work. But there’s a balance that must be struck between parents and grandparents where babies are concerned – particularly if the spoiling they indulge your little one in is undermining your … Continue reading →

An Example to Your Children

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Most of us know or have been told that, as parents, our best teaching tool is our example. I, personally, grew up in a household where the mantra was ‘do as I say, not as I do’. My mom usually said this in a joking tone of voice, but she did sincerely mean it. I, myself, have caught myself in typical parenting blunders – my favorite was when I lightly swatted one of my toddlers’ bottoms while saying “We don’t hit!” That one caused an entire shift in parenting technique. A close second occurs on long car trips, when I … Continue reading →

Holiday Stress & Your Baby

Are you and your family traveling to grandma’s this weekend? Keep in mind that the holidays provide an entirely different kind of stress for your baby whether he or she is an infant or a toddler. Holidays are times when families see each other — sometimes for the first time since the previous holiday. Aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, grandparents and more will be surrounding your little one with a great deal of love and more often than not – a lot of touching. Let’s Not Think About the Colds & Stuff Viruses – though often transmitted during the holiday shuffle … Continue reading →

Family & Marriage: Grandparents Day

Today is Grandparent’s Day, a day that we pay honor to the parents of our parents and those that mean so much to us. When my daughter heard that was what today was, she great very excited and wanted to make a card and get presents for each of her grandmothers. I listened to her exciting chatter and my husband and I both had to smile. Of the two of us, he has two grandparents still living – his grandmother on his father’s side and his grandfather on his mother’s side. His grandfather celebrates his 96th birthday this November. My … Continue reading →