Toddler Tantrums: Taming Tips to Help

The “terrible twos” is such a scary thought for young parents. But take heart, though, as you will survive the toddler stage like many other young mums do.  Understanding why your toddler has a tantrum is not easy, but at such a young age, a child is consumed with thoughts of themselves.  Everything is simply about them and how they feel and nothing else matters.  So until they are educated on how to share, they will automatically see every toy or piece of food as belonging to them. 

Toddler temper tantrums can have a variety of effects

It is natural that your first thought might be that everyone is focused on you and your screaming
child, but getting embarrassed won’t diffuse the situation.  Take heart, as a parent, you will have many more years of embarrassing situations to look forward to courtesy of your children.  So worrying about what others think during this situation is simply going to stress you and make you feel worse.

Here are a few tips to help you cope during tantrums:

1. Ignore the tantrum.  This technique works best if you begin at home.  It is important, in public places, you don’t want to ever leave your child unattended as a form of punishment.  Good behavior in public begins at home.  Ignoring a toddler is not harsh.  If your child is squirming on the floor screaming for a cookie, simply continue to talk to them as if you never noticed.  Eventually, they will get the hint and stop screaming. 

2. Avoid instant gratification.  In public, toddlers throw tantrums when they are denied something that they want.  Some parents give in to keep their child quiet but a child learns quickly.  Tantrums will continue if they know you will cave.  Simply tell them “no” and keep moving.

3. Don’t get angry.  When you scream and they scream the situation is wildly out of control.  You’ll end up crying and your toddler will still be screaming.  In any situation, raised voices mean that a civilized conversation has ended in favor of basic primal instincts.  Don’t revert back to the days of early man.  You must keep using your same calm voice that you use when they are behaving in order to get your child to calm down as well.

4. Praise your toddler when they behave well.  Positive reinforcement is much better than negative.  In the absence of positive attention a child will behave badly just to get some attention at all.  Acting out and throwing tantrums may just be a cry for attention.  Don’t let it get to this point.  Clap and celebrate when they complete little things like going to the potty successfully and when they put away their toys.  Good manners such as saying “please” and “thank you” deserve a smile and attention as well.

5. Run errands after nap time.  Kids get punchy when they get tired.  A toddler misbehaves more often if they are dragged around when they are tired. 

6. Carry snacks with you.  Low blood sugar can lead to tantrums.  If you are out longer than anticipated and lunch or dinner time is close at hand, let them eat a healthy snack to keep their hunger pains at bay and sugar levels stable.

7. Be consistent in your punishment.  At home, you might use “time out” to deal with a tantrum or bad behavior.  Then in public do the same.  Sit your child on a bench for five minutes or take them to the car.  Eventually they will learn that you are not a pushover and they will begin to behave.

Above all, you will survive the toddler years.  Nip temper tantrums in the bud early with the above tips and enjoy going out in public.

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For a little help with these challenging times we recommend you take a look at Toddler 411...

Toddler 411 gives hands-on advice and tips on parenting questions. In an easy-to-read book it talks about toddler discipline, challenges: from traveling with toddlers to biting, hitting, temper tantrums. You can read up on odd but normal toddler behavior, which can include imaginary friends or eating strange food. It gives advice on pacifiers and thumb sucking or things like food throwing. The Milestone section of the book goes through the developmental, social and emotional growth stages and problems by age. The checklist is great for parents to give them a better understanding of their toddler and where they are at.

This is, in my opinion, a very useful and must-have book for any new parent reaching the toddler stage...   Toddler 411
 

Eat What You Love:

More Than 300 Incredible Recipes Low in Sugar, Fat and Calories
Where to buy: www.amazon.com

As we all know and hear all the time, obesity is on the rise, even in young kids. Most of us like food and enjoy eating well. Eating well, however, doesn't mean that we have to consume lots of fat and sugar and thereby calories. If you have a family member that has a health condition or if you want to cook for your family healthy and delicious food, ‘Eat What You Love’ would be a fantastic cookbook to own.

In the cookbook, written by Marlene Koch, you'll find over 300 scrumptious, low-fat and low sugar recipes, even your pickiest eater and fast-food addict will enjoy. I like the fact that each of the recipes is fast and easy to prepare and cook; ideal for  working moms or dads to quickly whip something up at the end of a long working day.

The book starts with a very informative introduction on things such as fats (the good and the bad), sugars, carbs, calories, the issue with salt, fibers etc. It then goes on to talk about essential ingredients you will need for cooking healthy food. The recipes include chapters on smoothies and shakes, hot and cold drinks, muffins and coffee cakes, breakfast, appetizers, soups and chilis, pasta, fish and seafood, chicken, turkey, lean meat and even creamy desserts, cookies and cakes, as well as pies and fruit desserts. I am sure there'll be something for everybody.

Overall, this is a fantastic, informative and must-have cookbook for any family that wants to enjoy delicious and healthy food.

How to Sell your Digital Photography at Stock Photo Sites

Most people do not realize that many of our hobbies can be turned into a business idea that can make you money. As an amateur (or perhaps a would-be pro) digital photographer you can sell those beautiful photographs online. Here are some ways to do that.

Digital photography allows you to capture a variety of images in a variety of formats. For instance, remember when you used to visit the carnival or amusement park and they took those old-fashioned pictures of people? The pictures looked faded but that was simply a sepia tone. You can create the same effect on your digital camera when you edit a photo.

Stock photography is one of the best ways to break into the online digital photography market. You can sell your photos to others who need pictures for websites, newsletters, magazines and e-zines and other media. Surf the Web lately?  Many of the photos look the same. Your photos can add a new flavor to what is currently being offered. There is never any harm in seeing how your images will be perceived.

First, understand how the stock photography business works. On these sites, customers can purchase pictures or lease them for a certain amount of time. On some sites, photos are free to use when signing an agreement of use and including a link back to the site.

As a photographer, you will make more money if your photos are leased as opposed to being sold. The one time sale may net you some cash but the lease will provide a continuous source of income off of that one photograph. And, many people can pay to lease the photograph at one time. Through the leasing process, your work will be viewed by a large audience.

Start by researching current stock photography sites. Find one that offers the leasing option to customers and also has an easy-to-navigate site. Begin here and test the waters with your work.

Now, all you need to do is produce some quality work. Look at other stock photographs. What do they have in common? Are the pictures clear? Can you make out all of the features of the photo? At the least, your photographs need to be clear with the subjects in the foreground.

Another consideration is the type of digital photos you are trying to sell. More of the same that already exists won’t be received well. The stock photography companies are out to make money too. Don’t be afraid to try some new ideas for holiday photos or for everyday photos. They will let you know what does and does not sell.

In the meantime, create a website or blog with links to the stock photography sites featuring your work. This will send more people to view your photographs and may lead to other opportunities in the future.

Use tablecloth weights to help solve that problem!

Patriotic Tablecloth Weights
Where to buy: www.amazon.com

Ever had to man the table at your Sunday cookout because the wind kept blowing everything around? It can be a pain in the butt. After all of your hard work, your food and plates and the like end up on the ground. Use tablecloth weights to help solve that problem.

No one ever thinks about the tablecloth. When it flies up, so does everything on the table. This simple solution is both festive and easy to use. These decorative plastic red, white and blue stars come with clips that will adjust to affix to just about any table.

Attach them to the bottom of your table covering to keep it from moving once you have placed it. They are sold in packs of 12 so that you have enough for more than one table if you need it. Weights are easy to clean with water and a cloth. Reuse them every year for the patriotic holiday or use single colors as an accent for your table for other holidays as well.

Top Five Parenting Mistakes and How to Correct Them

Reality check - By now you would have realized your kids didn't come with an instruction booklet. But what does come is years of experience from those who have done it before. Making the most of the advice and assistance of experienced professionals, your parents and even other parents can help you avoid the most common parenting mistakes.

It is very difficult to admit that you may be a “bad parent.” But technically, we are all just feeling our way. In reality it could only be chalked up as being a "not-so-good parent" if we neglect to use the resources available to us in order to keep our children on the right track.

Common Parenting Mistakes
I have listed below five of the most common parenting mistakes we all make. But, don’t worry, we’ll also discuss what needs to be done to fix them.

#1 - “Do as I say but not as I do”

I'm sure you would have seen this one in other parents, but it gets a lot of parents in trouble. You scream at your arguing child not to do something or cursing is wrong, but then they catch you at it. For a young child, conflicting behaviors can be confusing. For a teenager, it just gives them more ammunition to throw at you during an argument.

The solution: Correct your behavior. Instead of defending your actions, follow the example you want to set for your children. Apologize for cursing and take steps to quit smoking. Children learn quickly and will understand that adults make mistakes too, but they also work to correct them.

#2 - Comparing one child to another

As children grow up they have enough pressure to “find” themselves without their parents adding fuel to the fire. Pointing out one child’s good points or lack of them in comparison to another sibling increases sibling rivalry. It can drive a wedge between them and cause problems all around in the family.

The solution: Kids need their parents to always be in their corner. Instead of comparing, point out what makes each child unique. Give praise to a child for who they are in their own right.

#3 - Doing nothing

When you see that a problem arises, resist the urge to bury your head in the sand. Ignoring an attitude problem or the fact that your child is still bed wetting at seven years of age could mask a serious issue that needs to be resolved.

The solution: Be proactive. Show you care and get to the bottom of the issue before it gets any worse. Talk to your child and set ground rules. Visit your pediatrician for a thorough check-up to make sure your child is fine.

#4 - Bribes

Every parent gives their child a piece of candy or lets them stay up late once in a while. The problem comes when you use bribes constantly to get them to follow the rules. Even a baby a few weeks old will learn quickly that they can manipulate parents.

The solution: Give privileges as a reward for good behavior instead of as a way to gain compliancy.

#5 - Great expectations

Each child is different. Just because the textbooks say that they should be forming words at 10 months doesn’t mean that your child is abnormal if they are behind that curve. Frustration leads to pushing your child too hard which can also lead to behavior and self-esteem issues.

The solution: Have a doctor evaluate your child. If there is nothing physically or mentally wrong, exercise patience and allow them to develop at their own pace.

Don't put yourself under un-necessary pressure. Just like children, parents aren’t expected to be perfect but we should learn from our mistakes

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Toddler Bedtime Made Easy With Simple Routines

How many times have you wondered, "Is it possible to make bedtime a pleasant experience for your toddler? " Adults look forward to it, but toddlers, on the other hand, avoid it, sometimes to the extreme!

Here are some tips and ideas that may help:

Routine Is Key

If you're looking for a doable bedtime routine, you're already on the right track.
Toddlers tend to respond really well to routines.
While it's impossible to arrange every day the exact same way, aiming for the same bedtime and routine can go a long way in making things calmer. Here are some suggestions for a bedtime routine with a 7:30pm bedtime goal:
* After dinner, around 6:00, let your toddler take a bath with some fun toys.
* Around 6:20, help your toddler dry off and get into his pyjamas. Then start preparing a snack.
* At 6:45 or so, have a healthy bedtime snack. Some toddlers have trouble sleeping because they are hungry. Try to choose low-sugar, high-protein foods like turkey, cheese, plain yogurt, and whole grain crackers or bread. If your toddler wasn't too hungry at dinner, now is a good time to offer leftovers.
* Brush teeth a bit after 7pm.
* Choose a favorite story and read only after your toddler is tucked into bed to listen.

This is just one example of a routine that might work. Adjust the times and activities accordingly.

The Right Motivation

Some experts and authors advise offering rewards and incentives for staying in bed. You can give your toddler play money or "tickets" at bedtime, and let her know that getting up will cost her a certain amount of play money or number of tickets. Keep it simple, though.

If she has all her play money in the morning, she can "cash it in" for a small prize.
Again, keep it simple.

The prize might be a sticker or a colored pencil. Or, depending on your toddler's comprehension level, she could cash in her play money or tickets for extra play time or DVD viewing.

Set Clear Boundaries

While it's probably not a good idea to be rigid, having clear boundaries helps keep things peaceful. Be clear about the limits - "We only read one story," or "No trips to the bathroom once lights are out."

This helps prevent your toddler from asking for that "one more" story or drink of water. Of course, make sure your toddler has a drink before bed (or put a toddler-safe cup of water by his bed) and make sure he uses the bathroom before bed.