My son is an amazing child: he’s considerate, kind, and sensitive. And I knew early on that I would never spank or hit him. But he’s at an age where we need to have an effective, consistent way to correct him and teach him. I’m here to tell you: attachment parenting does not mean that you let your kids do whatever the hell they want. We have high expectations, we are consistent, and we mean what we say. But how we discipline our kids may look quite different from what you’re used to. We use what’s called “natural consequences.” And let me say, it works beautifully. Continue reading
Category: Toddler & Child (Page 5 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.
Turn on the news and you will see: it’s a dangerous world out there. While we try to surround ourselves with good people and safe experiences, our children will one day be out on their own. We must prepare our kids for all kinds of situations. And the dialogue to keeping our kids safe starts when they’re still young and innocent.
Here I’ll give you some suggestions on how to begin those essential conversations. Continue reading
I am begging with you. Pleading. Please quit wishing that your kids would grow up. Please quit being annoyed that they want to be held, that they can’t reach something, that they ask for you in the night. Please, for your motherly heart and for the sake of your child… let your kids just be kids. Continue reading
Do you have an open relationship with your kids? Do you feel that you have mutual trust and respect? Are you comfortable talking to your kids about anything, and do you feel that they would come to you if they had a problem or a question? Whether you’re just starting out with your young child, or you have a teenager, here are my researched, tried-and-true, usable suggestions for how to talk to your kids. Continue reading
Having a baby is a glorious, life-changing event which leaves you breathless and teary-eyed. Your body has done something miraculous! You’ve housed another human being, growing them from a cluster of a few cells to a living breathing person. That’s pretty damn cool, Mama.
But then you look in the mirror, try to wear your favorite pre-pregnancy jeans or think about swim season. Your hair starts falling out and – what the hell? – you have acne all over again. The cost of making this beautiful little life just took an insane toll on your body, and potentially, on your self esteem.
It’s totally normal to have a woe-is-me phase, but here are some things to keep in mind as your children grow and look to your example of a positive body image. Continue reading
Kids are back to school, the weather is changing… That means that it’s the season to get sick! Everyone is going to start exchanging germs, from teachers to toddlers. Here are my best tips to keep your whole house well by eliminating or minimizing illness. Continue reading
I’m a mom. And a teacher. So I’m basically a seasoned professional kid watcher. And honestly, I’ve seen some behaviors from parents lately which make me angry and upset. To help spread the word and help you earn some good parent karma, I’ve put together my four biggest tips for you to follow when your child is going to be playing with others.
Whether your child will be in daycare, a Mother’s Day Out program, preschool, or just randomly playing with kids at the park or library, you need to be aware of these things. Your child’s happiness, health, and safety depend on it. Continue reading
Ain’t it always the way life goes: you finally think that you have everything figured out, and you get a good routine going with your first child… and then Life throws a curveball at your face. That’s what happened to us when we were expecting our second child. My husband and I were so ecstatic to see that positive pregnancy test! But we were shoved out of our comfort zone all over again. In many ways, it felt like being a new parent for the second time.
Now that my hindsight is 20/20, I’d like to tell you about how our lives changed the second time we became parents. Continue reading
My kid has had an iPad hand-me-down since he was about one and a half. My husband and I agreed that Kiddo could have limited technology usage, provided that it was educational and interactive. Now our son is three, and we continue to find new and exciting apps to keep him engaged and exploring. We got the Kidloland full app a few months ago, and our son is still entertained. Here’s my honest review of the Kidloland app for toddlers – plus a video of Kiddo playing! Continue reading
I admit it. I got into a power struggle with my three year old the other day. I know it’s the “easy way out” and it doesn’t really help anyone, but I was tired and looking for the quick fix. Plus… he was being such a jerk! …There I go. Making excuses for not parenting the best way I know how. I just KNEW that trying to corner him into doing what I wanted wouldn’t work. But I did it anyway. It lasted about six minutes before my fatigued mind and exhausted heart said, “Enough. Choose kindness.” Continue reading
