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photo credit: crimsong19

It’s the end of the school year, summer time is almost here, do you know what that means?  It means it’s time to think about getting teacher gifts!!
I realized the other day that the end was fast approaching and it was time to get moving on finding my kids wonderful teachers a special gift to show
how much we appreciate all the work and care they have given them.  I wanted to share some teacher gift ideas for those of you who may be struggling with
what to get.

10 teacher gift ideas:

• A plant, like a cactus that is easy to care for.

• A dunkin donuts (or local coffee shop) gift certificate.

• A gift certificate to a book store

• A staples gift certificate

• A flower pen bouquet (this is one of my favorites!   I have ordered from this site and loved the pens!)

• A Home made Picture from your child and framed

• A lotion/spa basket

• A fragrant Candle

• A nice box of choclates

• A summer basket- sun lotion, bug spray, ice packs, picnic blanket etc

What are your favorite teacher gifts?

This is a another great video from Dad Labs!  They tackle how to make a fun family night free of bickering amongst siblings!

photo credit: phil41dean

This is a guest post by Alan Murray.  Alan is a parent of two boys and runs a baby names website. The site cover more than just baby names, it has sections on Pregnancy tips, Baby health, Breastfeeding and more.

What is the best time to put your toddler down at night?

There is no right or wrong on this. Suit the time to your child although most toddlers are in bed by 8pm. One of the most important things is to decide on the most suitable time and stick to it. Get your toddle into a routine at bedtime – read them a book – brush their teeth – all things that will help calm them down and get them ready for sleep. The last hour before bed should be a calm hour – especially if you do have a restless sleeper.

Naps during the day.

Naps during the day are important and I also recommend putting them down at the same time every day if possible. Depending on what time you toddler gets up in the morning then putting them down anytime between 11 am to 1pm should work. It does vary considerably from child to child. Basically you need to work out what suits you and your child the most. Some children may also go for a second nap around 3pm to 4pm.

Toddler an early riser?

Toddlers are never the same and that goes for sleep patterns as well! Some toddlers like to sleep past 8am and some like to get around 5 or 6 am! This can cause serious problems because of you the parent not getting your full allowance of sleep making you irritable and more likely to be less patient with your child.

Putting them to bed later is not always the answer – they tend to wake at the same time but because they have slept less, they tend to be irritable and more difficult to deal with. Cutting out the afternoon sleep again can just make them irritable during the day and night.

Toddler waking during the night

Some toddlers wake during the night and often want to play with toys. Parents need to be aware this will happen and make sure the dangers are limited as much as that is possible. Ensure all the toys within the cot are child friendly. Ensure there is nothing nearby the cot that your child can reach out to and grab. Damage limitation is the name of the game here!

Cot in the parents’ bedroom.

Most young children are kept in the parent’s bedroom till there are more than 6 months old. Safety and ease of feeding being the main reasons for this. Keeping them in your bedroom will of course break up your sleep. Some parents choose to keep their children in their room for longer and this can sometimes be forced onto parents if there is a lack of rooms in the house. I certainly would recommend moving your child to another room after 6 months but not before. Getting woken up repeatedly during the night is never the answer and also by this point your child will be moving themselves during the night.

If you leave moving them till later then this, it may cause anxiety in your baby and they will not be able to sense your presence and may not settle until they are back in the same room as you. 6 months is an ideal time for the transition for both of you so look forward to an unbroken sleep…not unless your other half snores of course!

Escaping from the cot!

Children even before they reach their first birthday are already working on their climbing skills! Escaping from cots is a popular thing with a child and one that you need to prepare for. Making sure the cot is high enough to prevent them getting out and if you can’t do this give them a soft landing by putting down cushions or a mattress.

It is when your child breaks a bone or hurts themselves that another solution has to be found such as moving them to a kid’s bed near to the ground. One that worked for us was to keep our son in a grow bag until he was 18 months old. The grow bag prevented him from climbing or indeed any real movement.

This is a great video on how to save money on natural products at your local CVS. I have always loved CVS!  They have the best sales and extra care bucks are the best!

There are many great natural green products out there now, and they don’t have to be expensive either! If you are interested in some more resources on green products and going green you can check this free webcast out.

Do you enjoy shopping at your local pharmacy?  Do you like to get natural products for cleaning?

photo credit: Thiane

This is another guest post is brought just for you by veterinarian Dr. Susan Wright.  She is a writer for Dog Fence DIY which is the leader in helping you choose the right system for you and your furry family member.  They will also help with installation and training.   Dog Fence DIY carries the Small Dog Electric Fence system for dogs under 15 lbs. For more dog fence information click here.

Dogs are so good for our children. They’re good for their physical health, in that children who grow up with dogs have fewer allergies. They’re good for their emotional health in that a dog can be a companion for a lonely child, and someone to share secrets with. They’re also good for teaching children responsibility, empathy and how to care for another living thing.

On the other hand, the newspapers are full of stories of children who have been attacked by dogs. How can we allow our children to develop a relationship with dogs, while preventing injury to either of them?

Here are my tips to helping children and dogs enjoy each other safely.

1. Don’t let your child tease your dog. He isn’t able to tell your child when he’s had enough, the only thing he can do is growl and walk away. If he can’t escape, or if your child persists, your dog may bite. Teach your child how to pat and stroke your dog appropriately; a bear hug around your dog’s neck is not likely to be very welcome.

2. Give your dog an escape, a place that is his alone, where he can go for some “time out”. A crate is a great idea for this. Teach your child that when your dog is in his crate, he is not to be disturbed.

3. Encourage your child to help care for your dog. Depending on their age, they may not be a great help, but they can still participate. Younger children can help to brush the dog, and as they get older, they may want to help with bathing, feeding and exercising him.

4. Children older than ten years can help to train your dog. They can teach him to sit, drop and stay. If they’re particularly keen, they can also teach him tricks such as “roll over” and “high five”. Your dog will enjoy this immensely, and your child will take a great deal of pride in his clever pet.

5. Teach your child that just because your dog is friendly, it doesn’t mean all dogs are the same. Before they pat an unfamiliar dog, they must always ask the owner’s permission. Some dogs just don’t like children, and don’t want to be patted.

6. Watch what your children are feeding your dog. Some human foods are not good for dogs at all, and may make them very sick. Examples are grapes, onions and chocolate. There’s no problem with your child giving your dog leftovers, just make sure you supervise what he is being given.

7. Be aware that even the calmest, most even tempered dog will bite if the circumstances are right. Don’t leave younger children unsupervised with a dog, or they both can get hurt.

Many of us have fond memories of our childhood dogs, and the adventures that we shared with them. Give your children the same opportunity, and they too will enjoy the love and companionship of a loyal dog.