It sometimes seems that toddlers do mortifying stuff at the worst moments just to drive you crazy, but the truth is that kids this age are naturally uninhibited. The good news is that these publicly humiliating moments get a lot easier to deal with once you understand why they happen. And you can encourage better behavior without making your child feel ashamed in the process. Read on for tips on managing the most common offenses.
The Nose-Picker
Your child plunges a finger into his nostril whenever the mood strikes, even when all eyes are on him.
Why he does it: Toddlers are fascinated with their body and its functions, and they won't put off self-exploration simply because other people are around. And since kids this age have limited self-control, they tend to act on every immediate physical urge.
The fast fix: The second you see your toddler's finger near his nose, offer him a tissue and say, "It looks like you need to blow your nose. Here, you can use this." Be nonchalant about it -- if you act disgusted or angry, he may keep picking just to provoke you.
What to say later: Talk about the difference between public and private behavior in simple terms. "Say that private is what you do by yourself at home, and public is what happens at preschool and at the store," says Jay Hoecker, MD, of the Mayo Clinic's Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, in Rochester, Minnesota. Explain that public nose-picking is rude because it makes other people feel uncomfortable. Remind him that if his nose is clogged or itchy, all he has to do is ask you for a tissue.
The Bigmouth
No topic is off-limits to your toddler. If you and your spouse have an argument, your child will make sure everyone from Grandma to the pharmacy cashier knows about it.
Why she does it: Two- and 3-year-olds love to jump into a conversation just to be part of a social situation and to test out their growing verbal skills.
Unfortunately, they have a natural urge to share things that made a big impact on them -- like when Mom and Dad yell and scream at each another.
The fast fix: Squat down to your child's level and calmly say, "That's not something we need to talk about right now. Why not tell Grandma about our trip to the zoo?"
What to say later: Don't just lecture about taboo topics. "Tell your toddler what she can talk about," says William Coleman, MD, professor and specialist in child behavior and development at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Explain that she can share happy family news, but info that may not make people feel good, like a fight, should be kept to herself. (Also, you may want to argue in hushed tones next time!)
The Critic
Your child doesn't hesitate to tell people what he really thinks about how they look or what they're wearing.
Why he does it: The world is still new to toddlers, and they're very observant. They use their growing language skills to express what they see -- very honestly!
The fast fix: Apologize to the offended person without going overboard. If you can get your child to apologize too, great, but don't turn it into a power struggle -- you don't want to make a bigger deal about the apology than the insult itself.
What to say later: Toddlers don't yet realize how powerful words can be, so use the incident as a teachable moment. Say, "Sometimes words can hurt people's feelings, so you need to use words to make other people feel good." If his insult was spurred by curiosity ("Mommy, why is that man so fat?"), assure him that he can always come to you with questions in private.
The Pottymouth
Just when a hush falls over a public area, your child yells "%$#@!"
Why she does it: As your toddler's vocabulary expands, she'll naturally repeat words she hears -- bad ones included. But are you encouraging her R-rated chatter? "Toddlers can learn how to push their parents' buttons," says Dr. Coleman. If you freaked out in the past when she blurted a bad word, she may be curious to see what happens when she does it again.
The fast fix: Don't overreact. A simple "excuse us" to everyone in earshot is enough. Calmly tell her, "We don't use those words," then drop the subject.
What to say later: If you've cursed in the past, explain that you shouldn't say those words any more than she should. Then, brainstorm some funny words you can both use in place of the bad ones, like "bananarama" or "monkey toes."
Little Exhibitionists
Of all the embarrassing quirks toddlers have, few are as bizarre as their love of randomly stripping down. Disrobing at home is one thing, but what do you do when your child decides that grocery shopping is a clothing-optional event?
Distraction is key, says Dr. Jay Hoecker. "Toddlers sometimes strip in public when they're frustrated or bored," he explains. If your child starts lifting up his shirt in the middle of the produce aisle, for example, he may be trying to tell you that he's sick of shopping. Give him a task, such as holding your coupons or picking out apples, to occupy him. If he does doff his clothes, try to be matter-of-fact about it. Focus on the behavior you do want instead of lecturing ("I liked it when you were keeping your hands in your pockets before").
Teaching Kids to Say "Excuse Me"
It's never too early for kids to learn the magic words -- just don't stop at "please" and "thank you"! "Excuse me" is a must-know phrase for gaffe-prone toddlers. Here's how to make it stick.
Cover all its uses. Tell her to say "excuse me" if she accidentally does something private in front of others (like burping), as well as when she interrupts or bumps into someone.
Don't forget to excuse yourself. It's much easier for your child to learn manners if you always use yours.
Include the phrase in pretend play. For example, have a stuffed animal excuse himself if he behaves inappropriately at your child's next tea party.
Don't force an "excuse me." It's more effective to praise your child when she says it than to argue when she doesn't.
Source : Parents Magazine
29 July 2009
Waiting to Walk
Why do some toddlers take their time before taking their first steps?
Worry #1: Every other kid in our playgroup is walking, but my child seems perfectly happy to crawl.
Lots of factors affect the timing of first steps, from heredity to body size. And though half of all kids are toddling by their first birthday, most pediatricians don't consider a child to be a late walker until he's 15 months old. Even then, one in ten children takes his first steps between 15 and 18 months. "Every milestone has a range, and for walking, the healthy range is very wide,"
Worry #2: Late walking means she'll have serious developmental problems.
It's natural to fear the worst. But if your little one has met her other milestones, such as turning over and pushing up into a crawl, don't sweat a walking lag. "Ask yourself, 'Has there been an ongoing pattern of delays?'" If so, or if your child isn't walking by 15 or 16 months, talk to your pediatrician. She'll want to rule out conditions such as poor muscle tone, hip displacement, and cerebral palsy. a not-for-profit treatment facility for children with special needs. Still, if your child is already 15 months old, don't take a wait-and-see attitude.
Worry #3: He'll turn out to be a poor athlete.
Good news for soccer-moms-in-training: "There's no connection between how successful a child will be as an athlete and how early he learned to walk," a pediatric physical therapist. "Motivation, practice, and, to some degree, body type are what count the most in sports." Similarly, research suggests that there's no link between late walking and the eventual IQ of a child with otherwise typical physical, linguistic, and social development.
Worry #4: She's just plain lazy.
Your tot doesn't know the meaning of the word lazy. Some 1-year-olds are simply fascinated by their environment. Others are focused on their fine motor skills, and they're busy putting shapes in the shape sorter.
What's more, your baby could be prepping for her big debut without your noticing. She could be building her strength, learning to rotate her trunk, or planning her next move. "She has to figure out how to keep her balance, how high to lift her feet, and even how to adjust to slippery floors," Girolami says.
Worry #5: Not only is he a late walker, but he's also never crawled.
About 7 percent of all kids take their first steps without ever crawling. Many of these babies scoot forward or backward; some pull themselves across the floor. One theory suggests that noncrawlers tend to walk later than crawlers do because they don't gain upper-body strength as fast. However, the jury is still out on this notion. Contact your pediatrician if your 1-year-old isn't mobile at all, or if you've seen backsliding instead of progress.
Worry #6: We haven't spent enough time teaching our child to take steps.
Don't pressure yourself. When pediatricians say, "Your baby will walk when she's ready," they mean it. Still, a little encouragement goes a long way. Here's how you can help.
Rise and shine. Gently support your child from behind as he places his hands on a low surface and pulls himself up to a standing position. Or put his favorite toy out of his reach on the far end of a couch, so he can support himself as he retrieves it. Cheer his efforts.
Get pushy. Give your child an empty waist-high box or a lightweight child's chair that she can push around and hang on to for balance.
Let her roam. Don't plunk your toddler into a stationary activity center and keep her there for long stretches. Two 15-minute sessions a day are plenty. Avoid walkers altogether.
Make it fun. Turn practice into a game; clap and tell him, "You did it!" Most important, try not to dwell on the milestone date. Instead, appreciate his relative lack of mobility while you can. Remember, when he's finally walking, you'll be chasing right behind.
Choose the Right Shoes:
Your baby doesn't need shoes until he can walk. At that point, here's what you'll want.
A perfect fit. The heel should be snug—not too tight or too loose. The toe should offer 1/2 inch of wiggle room.
A flexible shoe. The sole should give when you bend it, but not so much that you can fold it in half. Your tot may trip in stiff or thick-soled shoes.
A breathable material. Leather or canvas moves with the feet; plastic doesn't.
Source : Parents.com
Worry #1: Every other kid in our playgroup is walking, but my child seems perfectly happy to crawl.
Lots of factors affect the timing of first steps, from heredity to body size. And though half of all kids are toddling by their first birthday, most pediatricians don't consider a child to be a late walker until he's 15 months old. Even then, one in ten children takes his first steps between 15 and 18 months. "Every milestone has a range, and for walking, the healthy range is very wide,"
Worry #2: Late walking means she'll have serious developmental problems.
It's natural to fear the worst. But if your little one has met her other milestones, such as turning over and pushing up into a crawl, don't sweat a walking lag. "Ask yourself, 'Has there been an ongoing pattern of delays?'" If so, or if your child isn't walking by 15 or 16 months, talk to your pediatrician. She'll want to rule out conditions such as poor muscle tone, hip displacement, and cerebral palsy. a not-for-profit treatment facility for children with special needs. Still, if your child is already 15 months old, don't take a wait-and-see attitude.
Worry #3: He'll turn out to be a poor athlete.
Good news for soccer-moms-in-training: "There's no connection between how successful a child will be as an athlete and how early he learned to walk," a pediatric physical therapist. "Motivation, practice, and, to some degree, body type are what count the most in sports." Similarly, research suggests that there's no link between late walking and the eventual IQ of a child with otherwise typical physical, linguistic, and social development.
Worry #4: She's just plain lazy.
Your tot doesn't know the meaning of the word lazy. Some 1-year-olds are simply fascinated by their environment. Others are focused on their fine motor skills, and they're busy putting shapes in the shape sorter.
What's more, your baby could be prepping for her big debut without your noticing. She could be building her strength, learning to rotate her trunk, or planning her next move. "She has to figure out how to keep her balance, how high to lift her feet, and even how to adjust to slippery floors," Girolami says.
Worry #5: Not only is he a late walker, but he's also never crawled.
About 7 percent of all kids take their first steps without ever crawling. Many of these babies scoot forward or backward; some pull themselves across the floor. One theory suggests that noncrawlers tend to walk later than crawlers do because they don't gain upper-body strength as fast. However, the jury is still out on this notion. Contact your pediatrician if your 1-year-old isn't mobile at all, or if you've seen backsliding instead of progress.
Worry #6: We haven't spent enough time teaching our child to take steps.
Don't pressure yourself. When pediatricians say, "Your baby will walk when she's ready," they mean it. Still, a little encouragement goes a long way. Here's how you can help.
Rise and shine. Gently support your child from behind as he places his hands on a low surface and pulls himself up to a standing position. Or put his favorite toy out of his reach on the far end of a couch, so he can support himself as he retrieves it. Cheer his efforts.
Get pushy. Give your child an empty waist-high box or a lightweight child's chair that she can push around and hang on to for balance.
Let her roam. Don't plunk your toddler into a stationary activity center and keep her there for long stretches. Two 15-minute sessions a day are plenty. Avoid walkers altogether.
Make it fun. Turn practice into a game; clap and tell him, "You did it!" Most important, try not to dwell on the milestone date. Instead, appreciate his relative lack of mobility while you can. Remember, when he's finally walking, you'll be chasing right behind.
Choose the Right Shoes:
Your baby doesn't need shoes until he can walk. At that point, here's what you'll want.
A perfect fit. The heel should be snug—not too tight or too loose. The toe should offer 1/2 inch of wiggle room.
A flexible shoe. The sole should give when you bend it, but not so much that you can fold it in half. Your tot may trip in stiff or thick-soled shoes.
A breathable material. Leather or canvas moves with the feet; plastic doesn't.
Source : Parents.com
14 July 2009
Chocolate Muffins
Ingredients
150g dark chocolate
70g butter
2 large eggs
80g caster sugar
80g all purpose flour
1 tsp baking power
50g chocolate chips
Method:
Preheat oven to 170'C
Break chocolate into small pieces and put them in a mixing bowl together with butter.
Melt the chocolate and butter in a pot with low heat, stir well and set aside.
In a medium bowl, beat eggs lightly and add in sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
Slowly add eggs mixture into melted chocolate till well.
Fold in sifted flour and baking powder.
Spoon batter into each muffin case and sprinkle with chocolate chips.
Bake for 20 mins.
Source : http://mykitch3n.blogspot.com
Treasure Soup
Ingredients400g can chopped tomatoes
1/3 cup pasta
220g can salt-reduced baked bean
1/2 small carrot, sliced
1/4 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup corn kernels
Method:
Empty chopped tomatoes into the saucepan. Fill the empty can with water and add to pan. Bring to the boil. Add pasta and cook for 5 minutes.
Add baked beans, carrot, peas and corn and cook for 5 minutes more until pasta is soft.
Spoon into bowls and look for the treasure.
1/3 cup pasta
220g can salt-reduced baked bean
1/2 small carrot, sliced
1/4 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup corn kernels
Method:
Empty chopped tomatoes into the saucepan. Fill the empty can with water and add to pan. Bring to the boil. Add pasta and cook for 5 minutes.
Add baked beans, carrot, peas and corn and cook for 5 minutes more until pasta is soft.
Spoon into bowls and look for the treasure.
07 July 2009
The Safe Nursery
Designing your dream nursery isn't just about choosing a cute theme and poring over paint colors. While it's easy to get caught up in all that fun stuff, you need to spend just as much time making sure it's a safe space for your baby. Home accidents send nearly 2 million children under the age of 4 to the emergency room every year, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. So before your new baby moves in, use these tips to inspect the big potential trouble spots in your nursery.
Take Careful Crib Notes
Make sure yours meets current government safety standards. The slats shouldn't be more than 2 3/8 inches apart (about the width of a soda can) so your baby can't get her head stuck in them. (Cribs with cutout designs on the end panels pose a similar threat.) Check out the corner posts too -- they shouldn't have any decorative knobs or other elements on top, which could snag your baby's clothing and lead to strangulation or other serious injuries.
Check (and regularly recheck) the screws, bolts, and mattress supports to make sure they're not loose or broken.
Be Cord-Cautious
Arrange the nursery so that the crib, playpen, and other low-standing pieces of furniture are away from the windows. If they're too close, your baby could reach the window cords -- a major strangulation hazard. He could also climb up to the window and fall through the screen, says Martin Eichelberger, MD, Parents advisor and founder of Safe Kids Worldwide. Install window guards, and buy cordless window coverings if possible (both shown here); otherwise, visit windowcoverings.org to order free repair kits.
Store Toys the Smart Way
The Home Safety Council recommends storing toys in bins or boxes without lids. If your toy chest does have a lid, it should also have a spring-loaded mechanical arm that prevents the lid from falling on your baby's hand or trapping him if he manages to climb inside. Don't have one? Retrofit your toy box with a kit from the hardware store.
Don't Overlook Outlets
Always put plug protectors in unused electrical outlets. Look for the type that covers the entire outlet plate, since a determined toddler can wiggle individual protectors out of the sockets. (Some models require that adults use two hands to get to the socket, so it's especially hard for kids to remove them.) Keep electrical cords out of your little one's reach by tucking them behind furniture or investing in cord shorteners.
Keep Your Eye on the Door
Buy a gate that screws into the wall or doorjamb (pressure-mounted gates may not stand up to a determined toddler). Never use accordion-style gates with V-shaped or diamond-shaped openings -- kids could be strangled by them, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Go for MinimalismThere should only be two things in your baby's crib: a firm, tight-fitting mattress and a crib sheet. "It's tempting to make it look cute and cozy with lots of blankets, stuffed animals, and pillows, but they're all suffocation hazards for kids under 1 year old," says Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. It's wise to avoid crib bumpers as well -- a recent research review in the Journal of Pediatrics found that the suffocation risk of bumper pads outweighed their benefits.
Jim Franco
Avoid Changing-Table Dangers
Store baby powder, lotion, alcohol-based hand gel, and other supplies in a drawer or on a shelf beyond your baby's reach. They're more dangerous than you might think -- ingesting cosmetics and personal-care products is the most common form of poisoning in kids under age 6, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Another surprising hazard? Assuming that the table's safety strap is fail-safe. "Kids can wiggle out of it and fall when you're not looking," says Nychelle Fleming, public-affairs specialist at the CPSC. Keep one hand on your baby at all times.
Get Savvy About Decor
Stick to lightweight artwork -- mirrors or heavy picture frames could seriously injure your baby if they fell. Avoid decorations with long strings, ribbons, or anything else that could pose a strangulation hazard. That includes mobiles: Take yours down before your baby can pull herself up (usually around 5 months) and possibly get tangled up in the strings.
Healthy-Decorating Tips
Do be picky when it comes to these potentially hazardous elements.
Paint: Choose water-based paint, ideally one that contains low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or none at all. Always paint in a well-ventilated room and air it out for two to three days after you're done to allow any harmful vapors to diminish.
Furniture: Avoid pressed wood, particleboard, and plywood. They may contain formaldehyde, which can cause nose and throat irritation, breathing trouble, and other health problems.
Wallpaper: Choose a paper-based or natural-fiber variety; vinyl may give off VOCs and encourage mold growth.
Floors: Any new carpet will emit some VOCs; however, synthetic rugs often contain more of them than those made of natural fibers.
Prevent Furniture Tip-Overs
Use braces or anchors to secure tall or heavy pieces of furniture to the wall, no matter how stable they seem to be -- the results could be deadly if they topple over onto your baby. Putting anything heavy on top of a dresser (such as a TV) just adds to the danger. Install safety latches on low drawers so your child won't be able to open them and use them as "stairs" for climbing.
Did You Forget These Safety Steps?
Installing a smoke and carbon-monoxide detector outside bedrooms and on each level of your home. Consider upgrading to an interconnected system that activates every smoke alarm in the house regardless of the fire's location. And you definitely need a carbon-monoxide detector. "Children are more susceptible to carbon-monoxide poisoning because the gas enters their bloodstream faster than it enters an adult's, cutting off oxygen to the brain and heart," says Meri-K Appy. Since carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, it's difficult to know you have a leak without a detector.
Buying an escape ladder for second-floor or higher nurseries. Look for one you can install underneath the window so you're not searching for it in an emergency. Try to keep an infant carrier in the nursery at all times -- it'll make the climb down the ladder much easier.
Putting up a wall thermometer. Sleeping in an overheated room can put a baby at greater risk for sudden infant death syndrome. Keep the nursery at 68 to 72 degrees F.
Installing finger-pinch guards on doors. In kids ages 4 and younger, the majority of finger amputations happen because the child's fingers are caught in a door. Install the guards high enough so your child can't pop them out of place.
Source : parents magazine, January 2008 edition
Take Careful Crib Notes
Make sure yours meets current government safety standards. The slats shouldn't be more than 2 3/8 inches apart (about the width of a soda can) so your baby can't get her head stuck in them. (Cribs with cutout designs on the end panels pose a similar threat.) Check out the corner posts too -- they shouldn't have any decorative knobs or other elements on top, which could snag your baby's clothing and lead to strangulation or other serious injuries.
Check (and regularly recheck) the screws, bolts, and mattress supports to make sure they're not loose or broken.
Be Cord-Cautious
Arrange the nursery so that the crib, playpen, and other low-standing pieces of furniture are away from the windows. If they're too close, your baby could reach the window cords -- a major strangulation hazard. He could also climb up to the window and fall through the screen, says Martin Eichelberger, MD, Parents advisor and founder of Safe Kids Worldwide. Install window guards, and buy cordless window coverings if possible (both shown here); otherwise, visit windowcoverings.org to order free repair kits.
Store Toys the Smart Way
The Home Safety Council recommends storing toys in bins or boxes without lids. If your toy chest does have a lid, it should also have a spring-loaded mechanical arm that prevents the lid from falling on your baby's hand or trapping him if he manages to climb inside. Don't have one? Retrofit your toy box with a kit from the hardware store.
Don't Overlook Outlets
Always put plug protectors in unused electrical outlets. Look for the type that covers the entire outlet plate, since a determined toddler can wiggle individual protectors out of the sockets. (Some models require that adults use two hands to get to the socket, so it's especially hard for kids to remove them.) Keep electrical cords out of your little one's reach by tucking them behind furniture or investing in cord shorteners.
Keep Your Eye on the Door
Buy a gate that screws into the wall or doorjamb (pressure-mounted gates may not stand up to a determined toddler). Never use accordion-style gates with V-shaped or diamond-shaped openings -- kids could be strangled by them, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Go for MinimalismThere should only be two things in your baby's crib: a firm, tight-fitting mattress and a crib sheet. "It's tempting to make it look cute and cozy with lots of blankets, stuffed animals, and pillows, but they're all suffocation hazards for kids under 1 year old," says Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. It's wise to avoid crib bumpers as well -- a recent research review in the Journal of Pediatrics found that the suffocation risk of bumper pads outweighed their benefits.
Jim Franco
Avoid Changing-Table Dangers
Store baby powder, lotion, alcohol-based hand gel, and other supplies in a drawer or on a shelf beyond your baby's reach. They're more dangerous than you might think -- ingesting cosmetics and personal-care products is the most common form of poisoning in kids under age 6, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Another surprising hazard? Assuming that the table's safety strap is fail-safe. "Kids can wiggle out of it and fall when you're not looking," says Nychelle Fleming, public-affairs specialist at the CPSC. Keep one hand on your baby at all times.
Get Savvy About Decor
Stick to lightweight artwork -- mirrors or heavy picture frames could seriously injure your baby if they fell. Avoid decorations with long strings, ribbons, or anything else that could pose a strangulation hazard. That includes mobiles: Take yours down before your baby can pull herself up (usually around 5 months) and possibly get tangled up in the strings.
Healthy-Decorating Tips
Do be picky when it comes to these potentially hazardous elements.
Paint: Choose water-based paint, ideally one that contains low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or none at all. Always paint in a well-ventilated room and air it out for two to three days after you're done to allow any harmful vapors to diminish.
Furniture: Avoid pressed wood, particleboard, and plywood. They may contain formaldehyde, which can cause nose and throat irritation, breathing trouble, and other health problems.
Wallpaper: Choose a paper-based or natural-fiber variety; vinyl may give off VOCs and encourage mold growth.
Floors: Any new carpet will emit some VOCs; however, synthetic rugs often contain more of them than those made of natural fibers.
Prevent Furniture Tip-Overs
Use braces or anchors to secure tall or heavy pieces of furniture to the wall, no matter how stable they seem to be -- the results could be deadly if they topple over onto your baby. Putting anything heavy on top of a dresser (such as a TV) just adds to the danger. Install safety latches on low drawers so your child won't be able to open them and use them as "stairs" for climbing.
Did You Forget These Safety Steps?
Installing a smoke and carbon-monoxide detector outside bedrooms and on each level of your home. Consider upgrading to an interconnected system that activates every smoke alarm in the house regardless of the fire's location. And you definitely need a carbon-monoxide detector. "Children are more susceptible to carbon-monoxide poisoning because the gas enters their bloodstream faster than it enters an adult's, cutting off oxygen to the brain and heart," says Meri-K Appy. Since carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, it's difficult to know you have a leak without a detector.
Buying an escape ladder for second-floor or higher nurseries. Look for one you can install underneath the window so you're not searching for it in an emergency. Try to keep an infant carrier in the nursery at all times -- it'll make the climb down the ladder much easier.
Putting up a wall thermometer. Sleeping in an overheated room can put a baby at greater risk for sudden infant death syndrome. Keep the nursery at 68 to 72 degrees F.
Installing finger-pinch guards on doors. In kids ages 4 and younger, the majority of finger amputations happen because the child's fingers are caught in a door. Install the guards high enough so your child can't pop them out of place.
Source : parents magazine, January 2008 edition
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