MumOfTwoBoys
02-06-2006, 11:36
Just thought I might put together tips and suggestions that I've come up with while raising my 2 boys. May be someone will find them useful.
1. When you start shopping for a baby please remember that baby/kids market contains 3 category of goods: very cheap+terrible quality, cheap-medium priced good quality, very expensive+good quality mainly parents-oriented. I prefer the second category for the following reasons: kids clothing must be durable, easy to wash and require easy/no ironing. It musn't fall part after first wash and should look nice on a child. At the same time young children don't care about brand names and babies in particular don't care whether they have a ducky on their bodysuit or Donald Duck. Although your wallet will cirtanly know the difference. The same applies to bottles and dummies. Look for quality, durability and suitability, not the brand. Choose bottles with wide opening for easy washing.
2. Don't be afraid to buy second hand items. If you don't like them and really want everything new for you bub (the first one especially; some people do) try buying the items (cot, tollboy, etc) from display. As long as it mechanically in excellent condition, the scratches don't matter, because your dear child will add many of his own.
3. Bibs - for my DS#2 I found a pack of 3 PVC ones in Safeway (Woolworth). They have a pocket for spills, they are soft unlike plastic ones and YOU DON'T NEED to WASH them. Wipe - and you are done. I just wish I knew about them with my DS#1.
3. Toys - try buying ones that "grow" with your bub.
4. If your children refuse to eat fruit try take them to the playground and take a box of chopped apple/strawberies, mandarines, or whatever fruit you want. Matter-of-factly try to put a piece of fruit in child's mouth while they sit on the slide, or just finished climbing. Children tend to eat much better outside and because food is not the main thing but rather happens "along the way" it works better. Usually a friend with a child at the same plyaground helps as there is a competition for the fruit. Another way is to offer a bowl of chopped fruit while your child watches the TV. Some people might be against the idea of offering food at TV time but my 2 y.o. watches TV for no more than 20 min and manages to eat half an apple during that time. Anyway, just sharing some ideas.
5. My DS#1 is a fussy eater. I found a good way of feeding him meat and vegetables - soup. I make my own, a country style one. Without knowing it he eats 7-9 varieties of vegetables with each spoonful.
6. Some poor sleepers sleep much better during the day if you put them to sleep in the backyard in a pram (given the weather is warm and the pram is good and backyard is securely locked). They sleep longer and spend time in fresh air. Also gives you an opportunity to perfom some noisy jobs inside the house, like vacuuming or using a foodprocessor. Just put an extra layer of clothing on a child.
Hope that helps.
1. When you start shopping for a baby please remember that baby/kids market contains 3 category of goods: very cheap+terrible quality, cheap-medium priced good quality, very expensive+good quality mainly parents-oriented. I prefer the second category for the following reasons: kids clothing must be durable, easy to wash and require easy/no ironing. It musn't fall part after first wash and should look nice on a child. At the same time young children don't care about brand names and babies in particular don't care whether they have a ducky on their bodysuit or Donald Duck. Although your wallet will cirtanly know the difference. The same applies to bottles and dummies. Look for quality, durability and suitability, not the brand. Choose bottles with wide opening for easy washing.
2. Don't be afraid to buy second hand items. If you don't like them and really want everything new for you bub (the first one especially; some people do) try buying the items (cot, tollboy, etc) from display. As long as it mechanically in excellent condition, the scratches don't matter, because your dear child will add many of his own.
3. Bibs - for my DS#2 I found a pack of 3 PVC ones in Safeway (Woolworth). They have a pocket for spills, they are soft unlike plastic ones and YOU DON'T NEED to WASH them. Wipe - and you are done. I just wish I knew about them with my DS#1.
3. Toys - try buying ones that "grow" with your bub.
4. If your children refuse to eat fruit try take them to the playground and take a box of chopped apple/strawberies, mandarines, or whatever fruit you want. Matter-of-factly try to put a piece of fruit in child's mouth while they sit on the slide, or just finished climbing. Children tend to eat much better outside and because food is not the main thing but rather happens "along the way" it works better. Usually a friend with a child at the same plyaground helps as there is a competition for the fruit. Another way is to offer a bowl of chopped fruit while your child watches the TV. Some people might be against the idea of offering food at TV time but my 2 y.o. watches TV for no more than 20 min and manages to eat half an apple during that time. Anyway, just sharing some ideas.
5. My DS#1 is a fussy eater. I found a good way of feeding him meat and vegetables - soup. I make my own, a country style one. Without knowing it he eats 7-9 varieties of vegetables with each spoonful.
6. Some poor sleepers sleep much better during the day if you put them to sleep in the backyard in a pram (given the weather is warm and the pram is good and backyard is securely locked). They sleep longer and spend time in fresh air. Also gives you an opportunity to perfom some noisy jobs inside the house, like vacuuming or using a foodprocessor. Just put an extra layer of clothing on a child.
Hope that helps.