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If you have been reading Toddler Crafts for a while then you have seen a recurrent theme, I am always having to tackle the closets!  It seems that every month or so, each closet needs a tackle again!  My daughter loves to pull all of the things out onto the floor when she is looking for something, making it an immediate mess!!  I feel so much better once it is organized and put back together!

What have you tackled this week?  Share your tackle with us here, it doesn’t have to be house work, it can be a project, report, job etc.

Before the tackle!

After the tackle!

You can get inside and find things, Yeah!

photo credit: rengel134

This guest post is brought to you by Dog Fence DIY’s staff veterinarian Dr. Susan Wright. Dog Fence DIY is a site that will help you choose the right system for you, help you install it, and help train your pet to use the new system. Dog Fence DIY has a variety of  dog fence systems to choose from at the best available prices. For more dog fence information see here.

Owning a dog is a big responsibility. Your new family member needs to be fed, bathed, groomed and exercise. As a busy parent, it’s important to include the whole family in caring for your dog, and this includes your children. Caring for the dog can be part of their home duties, but your expectations should vary, depending on the age of your child.

Children from the age of 7 years can easily manage the job of feeding your pet. Spend some time training your dog to wait for his dinner, and to not eat until he’s told. Show your child how much kibble to put in your dog’s bowl. When she puts the food down, tell your dog to wait, so she can put the bowl down safely. An untrained dog will often jump up to get to the food in the bowl, which can injure your child.

Make sure you spend some time with your child discussing foods that aren’t safe for dogs. Most children know that their dog loves bones; they may not know that cooked bones are dangerous. They may also not know that chocolate isn’t safe for dogs, and excessively fatty table scraps can make their pet very ill.

Older children can bathe your dog, and brush the loose hair from his coat. The size of your dog will determine at what age your child can manage this. Small placid breeds will be easy to bathe, but large dogs that don’t like water can be a handful for even an adult. You may find that your child isn’t able to bath your dog until she’s in her early teens. Your younger child may be able to help by lathering the shampoo into your dog’s coat, while your teen wields the hose.

Similarly, it’s not safe for your child to take your dog for walks on their own until they are a teenager. Your dog may pull free from her grasp, or he may be involved in a dog fight.

Your children can also take responsibility for some of your dog’s regular maintenance.

Younger children can learn that it’s their job every morning to make sure the dog’s water bowl is full. Older children can be responsible for checking the calendar to see when their dog’s monthly flea control or three monthly worming tablets are due.

It’s a great idea to include your child in caring for your dog. Not only does it relieve you of some of your domestic duties, but it allows them to learn to be responsible for caring for another living thing. Many children become quite proud of the fact that they are the ones who care for the family dog

photo credit: inucara

It’s almost impossible to recommend a specific breed or breeds as being the best dog for a family. There are so many variables that need to be taken into account. However, here are some generalizations you may want to take into account when choosing a breed of dog for your family.

Firstly, how much space do you have? If you live in an apartment, a smaller breed of dog may be most suitable for you. Large dogs can thrive in a small space, but you need to be committed to exercising them, and that’s not always possible with a young family. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are small dogs, with charming personalities and lovely natures. They’re known to be gentle and not at all aggressive. If your home has a large backyard, then certainly consider a bigger dog.

Consider a dog’s training and exercise needs before choosing your new family pet. Herding breeds such as Border Collies need not only physical exercise, but mental stimulation, or they become bored and may develop behavioral problems. They’re a great choice for an active outdoors family with older children, but when you have young ones who need lots of attention, it may be hard to find the time to burn up their excess energy. Perhaps a Greyhound or Whippet would be a better choice. These breeds enjoy a walk every day, and then are quite happy to curl up on the couch for a snooze.

How often do you want to groom your dog? If you have to wrestle your children into the bath each evening, the last thing you want to deal with is a dog that also needs a lot of hair care. In that case, choose a breed with a short coat that’s easy to care for.

Should you choose a pup or an adult dog? There are pros and cons to both. Puppies are hard work in the early months, as they need to be trained, and they need to learn to toilet in the appropriate spot. Adult dogs are usually past this, but you may not know the dog’s history, and whether he is comfortable around children.

Lastly, consider your family budget. It’s not cheap raising a family these days, and you do need to take this into account when you select your dog. Firstly, make sure there is room in the budget to provide for a dog. If so, then keep in mind that with increasing size, you usually have increasing expenses. Large breeds eat more, and cost more in worming tablets and flea control. Should he become ill, veterinary medicines are also dosed according to body weight. Any surgical procedures, including neutering, are more expensive for heavy dogs.  If your dog needs regular haircuts, those visits to the grooming parlor can add up, unless you learn how to do it yourself. If finances are a bit tight, you may be better off choosing a small breed of dog that doesn’t need much in the way of hair care.

Don’t rule out choosing your dog from a shelter or humane society. These dogs have usually been checked by a vet, and if you decide to buy an adult dog, the shelter staff may be able to give you a good indication of his temperament. Not only that, but you’ll be saving a life.

Choosing the wrong dog can be so stressful, not only for you, but for the dog. Do your homework before you choose your dog, and your child will have the perfect best friend to share adventures with.

Getting young children to go to bed can be a challenge.  One important step to get them to go to sleep more easily is to create

a routine for them.  When my oldest was about 2 I created a special bedtime book (with the help of my mother in law) about his

bedtime routine.  Creating a book about the bedtime routine can be beneficial because it reminds them about what they are

going to do, it prepares them and also relaxes them as they get ready to start the night time rituals.   This book was really helpful

because we had velcro pictures that he would help me put in the correct part of the story and he loved being engaged in the

process.

To make your own bedtime book with your child:

1. Write down the main parts of your night time rituals, for example, brushing teeth, reading story, having a drink, kisses.
2. Then take pictures of anything that signifies those parts of the routine, for example, for tooth brusing-the tooth brush, for reading a story, a book.
3. Get the pictures printed out.
4. Get some Velcro, that will stick.
5. Get some lamination and construction paper
6. Write out the routine, each step per page, leave a spot for the picture
7. Laminate pages
8. Cut out pictures and laminate pictures
9. Put velcro on the back of each picture and on the spot you want it to go in the book
10. Bring the book to staples and they can bind it for you, or hole punch it and tie ribbon to keep it together.

Enjoy!!

This is a video about the value of money and kids. It discusses Allowance and chores.  It is important to teach our kids about the value of money and help them understand that they can’t just “get” things.

How do you work allowance with your kids? Do you give them a weekly allowance? Are there chores linked to the allowance?