Category: Toddler & Child (Page 4 of 6)

This category contains all articles related to the parenting of your toddler and child, with a focus on gentle attachment parenting.

Being an attachment parent (AP) doesn’t stop once your child turns one year old! In fact, in many ways it becomes even more essential to parent gently and positively. Your toddler will start to go through tantrums, nightmares and night terrors, as well as potentially weaning. They learn to walk (hence the term “toddler”) and are better able to communicate.

Working with your toddler and child is fundamental if you want to achieve the best results: namely, a child who is learning, safe, healthy, and emotionally intelligent.

A significant part of Real Simple Mama is helping parents with their toddler and child, after that child is out of the baby stage. Parents need to consciously make decisions related to discipline and limits, safety and well-being of their growing child.

Have unanswered questions? Not sure what to do? Real Simple Mama wants to help! Contact me or follow me on Twitter and Facebook, where I frequently give my free suggestions for how to help you – and your child – have an easier time together.

The Best Toys to Inspire Imagination!

June 19, 2017 / The Mama / 0 Comments

I think almost every parent at some point feels that they have too many toys for their kids. It seems like no matter how much cleaning and reorganizing, selling and donating, threatening and taking-away we do, we end up with multiplying toys.

As our family looks to downsize and simplify, we notice that our kids enjoy their imaginative toys the most. These are the toys which inspire open-ended, creative play. (And as a bonus, they rarely require batteries or make loud noises!) I’ve compiled my kids’ favorites and the smartest buys, so read on for the best toys to inspire imagination – and I hope that they help your family pretend, create, and play together! Continue reading

A Letter to My Son on His Fourth Birthday: Embrace Each Day

June 15, 2017 / The Mama / 0 Comments

Oh my child. A year ago I found myself in the position of writing your annual birthday letter and wondering where in the hell the time had gone. Now you’re turning four. And I feel the time is like sand running through my fingers, no matter how desperately I cling to it.

But instead of dreading the inevitability of you growing up, I am going to choose to be excited for what is to come. I want to embrace each day with you, marvel at everything you learn and do, and be grateful that I am your mother. Continue reading

How to Make Time for Your Oldest Child

June 12, 2017 / The Mama / 0 Comments

My son, my oldest child, is almost four years old, and he’s not the baby anymore. His toddler sister still breastfeeds and requires a lot more attention (and supervision) than her calm, obedient older brother. This is great for me as a stay-at-home mom; but it also means that my son gets left behind sometimes, just because he’s older and can be trusted, forgotten about while his sibling wreaks havoc left and right.

Lately I’ve made more of a conscious effort to get quality one-on-one time with my son. He needs it, and so do I. Here is how to make time for your oldest child. Continue reading

A Bedtime Routine for your Breastfeeding, Bedsharing Toddler - Real Simple Mama

A Bedtime Routine for The Breastfeeding, Bedsharing Toddler

March 27, 2017 / The Mama / 4 Comments

There are about one hundred ways to get your toddler ready for bed. And I bet you know them all: from baths to massage to lullabies and stories, everyone has the routine which works for their little one.

But when you breastfeed (which means that you probably nurse to sleep, and also possibly bedshare), your ritual can look quite different. So I thought I’d give some perspective to the parenting posts of the world, and show you what bedtime looks like at our house. Read on for a bedtime routine for a bedsharing toddler. Continue reading

What’s the Fuss with Amber Teething Necklaces?

March 20, 2017 / The Mama / 0 Comments

Many moms swear by amber teething necklaces for their toddlers, claiming that the amber drastically reduces fussiness and pain associated with teething. Others say that the concept of amber makes no sense and that the jewelry is a waste of money. So what’s the fuss with amber teething necklaces, anyway?

I’ve been secretly dying to get my daughter a teething necklace and I finally did it! Now I’m here to share everything I’ve learned and observed. Continue reading

Review: The Ultimate Teether Comparison!

February 23, 2017 / The Mama / 0 Comments

Teething sucks. It’s miserable for both parent and child. When I can tell my baby girl is hurting, one of the things I grab by default is a teether. They’re designed to let your baby gnaw away safely, providing comfort and a welcome distraction from teething pain!

I’ve collected quite a few varying designs and brands of teethers over the last few years and I decided it was time to do a comparison review! Here’s my honest opinion on several teethers of various styles, with photos included! Continue reading

Adventures in Potty Training My Son

December 12, 2016 / The Mama / 2 Comments

Ah, potty training. On the one hand, I’m ecstatic to be rid of giant preschooler poopy diapers. On the other hand, I’m not ecstatic about incurring giant preschooler poopy underwear. We’re in the trenches, y’all. The trenches of bodily fluids and peeing on cereal. This is potty training in all of its gross glory.

But as I trudge through the muck, I’ve learned quite a lot about all kinds of methods and tricks when potty training. Some of these tips are for any child, and some are specifically for boys.

So, without further adieu, I give you… the Adventures in Potty Training My Son. Continue reading

The Best Children’s Books You May Not Have Heard Of

December 1, 2016 / The Mama / 0 Comments

Books can be great gifts for children! But there are so freaking many to choose from, how do you know that you’re getting a quality book? There are some books whose titles are household standards, and those are obvious choices for growing your child’s library. But some of my favorite picks for kids are actually hidden gems: not-so-well-known books which are fantastic in their own way. Here are my family’s choices for the best children’s books, though you may not have heard of some of them!

I’ve got categories for authors, babies and toddlers, preschoolers and elementary kids, classics, and even a section for young readers’ first books!

Here are all of my favorites, as a teacher and a mom. Happy reading!
Continue reading

Be Thankful and Teach Gratitude to Your Children- Real Simple Mama

Be Thankful: Teaching Gratitude to Your Children

November 24, 2016 / The Mama / 2 Comments

Gratitude is a wonderful characteristic for a child to have. And sadly, many children these days don’t exhibit it well. But like most other emotions, gratitude must be taught. Here’s a quick list of suggestions for helping your child learn thankfulness this holiday season. Continue reading

Raising Your Child with Emotional Intelligence - Real Simple Mama emotion feeling toddler preschooler kid child parent

Raising Children with Emotional Intelligence

November 10, 2016 / The Mama / 5 Comments

I want my children to grow up with a healthy emotional intelligence. Simply put, I want them to have a healthy range of emotions, know the vernacular so that they can express those feelings, and deal with unpleasant feelings in a safe way. That emotional education begins when they are still quite young and must happen regularly. Let me give you some insight into what’s working beautifully for our family! Continue reading