Single Parenting: Coping and Rearing

In this modern era of ours, having a complete family is getting rarer. Single parents are becoming more common and accepted as time goes by. A single dad means a male parent who does the cooking, cleaning and the laundry. Same with the mom - she change the lights, repair furniture and paint the fence.

No matter how it happened - by choice or by fate - being a single parent is a tedious role but at the same time challenging.

One of the challenges is having to balance career and child rearing. A traditional set up where house chores are divided will not work the same in a single-parent household.

So how do we deal?

Many parents have chosen to have a home-based career - which is most of the time is to their advantage. You get to work and compensated for it, and at the same time, take care of the household.

Some involve help from relatives while others send their kids in special classes to buy some time to do work.

Others start a family business that make kids involved in a good way - they bond and they learn.

How about you? How do you cope?

Palm-Palms Baby Bath Grips

At times you will find bathing your baby a stressful activity not to mention that you may eventually have to worry of that toddler slipping when he is in the tub. Baby bathing is important and to make sure that safety as well as the need to get a hold of the baby especially if he becomes unruly, parents today may want to consider this Palm-Palms Baby Bath Grips for safety and a more fruitful baby bathing experience for their child.

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Are You A Helicopter Parent?

This is a new term in the world of parenting. As Wikipedia defines it:

A helicopter parent is a term for a person who pays extremely close attention to his or her child or children, particularly at educational institutions. They rush to prevent any harm or failure from befalling them or letting them learn from their own mistakes, sometimes even contrary to the children’s wishes. They are so named because, like a helicopter, they hover closely overhead, rarely out of reach whether their children need them or not.

Source

We all love our kids. If given the choice, we do not want to be harmed by anyone. Most parents today go as far as being at their side no matter what their age may be. But there is a fine line of keeping your distance at a parent. Your child may be your baby but he or she will not be a baby forever.

In modern day terminology, a helicopter parent can be summed up as being overprotective. This results in spoiling the child and depriving them of their craving to learn on life on their own.

Avoid being a helicopter parent and allow your child to grow up on his own. The outcome will eventually be a cause of incomplete personal development and in the long run, you will be the one to blame for it.

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Give Healthy Snacks to your Baby

Your older baby or toddler may seem constantly hungry—how do you satisfy a never-ending need to eat? Remember their stomachs are only the size of their fist, and they can stretch to fit more food. Snacks are important, but it is especially important to make them healthy since they will have at least as many snacks as meals. Here are 15 ideas.

1. Cheese. Give the older baby grated cheese and the toddler cheese sticks or cubes.
2. Whole Wheat Bread. Cut a slice of bread into four pieces. For each snack tear one piece into bite-size bits. Occasionally put a thin layer of butter, jam or other spreads on the bread.
3. Whole-grain Cheerios.
4. Cut grapes. Cut the grape in half, and then slice each half in the opposite direction so you have very thin half-moon-shaped pieces. Expect the peels to come out in the baby’s diaper.
5. Yogurt.
6. Whole-grain crackers.
7. Diluted Juice. Mix equal parts of grape juice (or orange or apple juice) and water for your baby over 12 months old. Un-diluted juice has too much sugar.
8. Dried peaches (or any other fruit). Remember to give your baby lots of water with dried foods.
9. Freeze-dried strawberries. These are often available at Wal-marts or online. Again remember to give your baby water.
10. Unsweetened applesauce.
11. Whole-wheat tortilla pieces. Break the tortilla into four pieces. For each snack tear one piece into bite-size bits.
12. Apple slices.
13. Orange slices. Cut each orange slice in 3-5 pieces.
14. Milk. Give your baby whole milk if he or she is over 12 months old, and formula if not.
15. Jello. Use fruit juice to flavor your jello.

Whenever possible let your baby feed him or herself. Do not force your baby to eat if he or she doesn’t want to. Most importantly, always make sure that what you are feeding your baby is safe—if it is a choking hazard (like grapes) you can cut it small enough to be safe. Let snack time be a fun and healthy time for you and your baby!

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Babyproofing Parenting Tips

When people talk about baby-proofing a home, they really mean toddler-proofing it! No newborn is going to stick their finger in a plug outlet or swallow toxic cleaning supplies, but as soon as your baby starts crawling, make sure your home is a safe place to explore! Here are a few major points to keep in mind:

1. Use plug outlet covers. Fingers are not the only things that fit in those little holes in the wall–forks, coins, and food are all problems too!
2. Use cupboard locks. These make getting into drawers and cupboards much more difficult (though not impossible!).
3. Move all cleaning supplies, perfumes, and other chemicals out of the bottom cupboards and drawers.
4. Keep your toilet lids and bathroom doors closed.
5. Keep coins and other small objects out of reach.
6. Make sure all magnets on fridge and freezer doors are large enough to NOT be swallowed.
7. Finally, if there is anything you absolutely don’t want your baby pulling out of the drawer or cupboard, move it out of reach!

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