Category: Baby & Toddler

Parenting a baby or toddler can be both rewarding and challenging. On one hand, it’s wonderful to see your child taking their first steps or uttering their first words. But on the other hand, you may also find yourself feeling exhausted from all the feeding, changing, and rocked-to-sleep sessions. If you’re a parent of a baby or toddler, here are a few tips to help you make it through the early years. First, remember to take breaks when you can. It’s okay to hand off your little one to a trusted family member or friend so you can have some time to yourself. Second, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s another parent who can offer advice or a babysitter who can give you a night out, accepting assistance can make parenting a bit easier. Finally, cherish the small moments. From gummy smiles to belly laughs, these moments are fleeting and will soon be replaced by new milestones. If you can take a step back and appreciate the joys of parenting a young child, the more challenging moments will become manageable.

How Dads Can Help with Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression is a mental illness that affects roughly 1 in 5 pregnant women. It can be challenging for mothers to recognize and handle on their own, but dads can play an important role too!

According to the CDC, postpartum depression affects an estimated 10-20% of new mothers during their first year after giving birth. This might be because moms experience a massive change in hormones and moods that can interfere with bonding with their babies.

This post will offer some tips on how dads can support moms during this time and answer some common questions about what PPD looks like.

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Find out how to help your wife or partner manage postpartum depression. There are physical, emotional, and social factors that dads can support during this time! #PostpartumDepression #mentalhealth” quote=”Find out how to help your wife or partner manage postpartum depression. There are physical, emotional, and social factors that dads can support during this time! “]

Signs of Postpartum Depression

A postpartum depression diagnosis requires that a mother experiences at least five of the following symptoms for two weeks or longer.

-Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, hopelessness, guilt, or shame that’s more than just the baby blues (feeling down after having your child).

-Crying episodes that are out of the norm.

-Being distant with family and friends

-A feeling of disconnection or not being able to love the baby like you thought you would.

-Not enjoying anything (not even things that were enjoyable before).

-Anxiety, agitation, trouble sleeping, or other unusual behaviors.

Offer Emotional Support

Your wife is likely feeling really down. Your support and positive encouragement will go a long way to help her through postpartum depression.

Make time for one on one conversations, give hugs, offer compliments when she does anything around the house (even if it’s just folding laundry), tell jokes or funny stories that might put a smile on her face.

It’s important to try and be understanding, non-judgmental, and supportive. Try to talk about some of the emotions they might be feeling and reassure them that it is normal.

Encourage Rest and Exercise

Postpartum depression can make new mothers feel like they can’t do anything right. Offer to hold the baby, so she can sleep or take a nap, and don’t pressure her to do things too much for her (like taking on all of the housework). Ask what you can do to help around the house while she rests.

She would also benefit from light exercise, even if it’s just going for a walk. It may feel impossible to have the energy, but postpartum depression is much worse without sleep and exercise—and both can help with her anxiety, too!

Give Her Space

Sometimes she may want to be alone, and that’s okay. Her hormones have changed, and she’s going through a big life change. She needs space so she can recover from childbirth and breastfeed the baby.

However, it’s important to encourage her to keep up with her medication and seek out mental health professionals who can provide support and talk through her feelings.

Many postpartum depression sufferers have said that their husbands’ support helped them manage postpartum symptoms better than they would have been able to on their own.

Final Thoughts

We all want to help our loved ones, which is why it’s so important for new dads to know the signs of postpartum depression and be able to provide emotional support. You might not think you can do much but your love will go a long way in helping her get through the tough days ahead.

Do you know anyone who has experienced postpartum depression?

January 5, 2022
Gender Neutral Toddler Boy Room Paint Ideas

Is it time to redecorate your son’s bedroom? Depending on your son’s age decorating his space can sometimes be challenging. Here we discuss two toddler boy room paint ideas that we know he will love. These would even work well for a girl’s room since they are gender-neutral. Let’s get into it!

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Picking a color scheme for a toddler’s room can be a lot of fun. Here are two ideas that would work for a boy or girl! #toddlers #interiordesign” quote=”Picking a color scheme for a toddler’s room can be a lot of fun. Here are two ideas that would work for a boy or girl! “]

Toy Story Paint Color Schemes for Boys’ Bedroom

The Toy Story room theme is a safe theme that most toddlers would enjoy. After all, it’s filled with toys which is the essence of most toddler bedrooms.

Also, it’s the perfect theme if your child hasn’t picked a favorite character quite yet.

All of the main characters are toys that could be in any child’s bedroom. They only have names if you introduce your child to the Toy Story movies.

Otherwise, it’s just a space guy and a cowboy.

We did a two-toned wall approach with a border in the middle. Lime green and dark blue are the two hues we used to make the orange accent pieces pop.

However, you could easily use shades of yellow (if this happens to be for a girl) or two shades of blue.

Just remember to put the darker color on the bottom and the lighter on the top to heighten the ceiling visually.

To add to this toddler boy room theme, Toy Story decor is used throughout the room. Bedding, stuffed animals, a rug, clock, artwork, a lamp, and decals complete the look.

The best part about this boy’s bedroom idea is that all the extra toys make it even better!

Creative Ideas for Painting Kids’ Room an Outer Space Theme

My son was introduced to the wonders of the universe during an outer space unit at school. Ever since, he was hooked on anything dealing with planets, the stars, and the sky.

When we moved to a new house, and it was time to paint over the Mario mural in his old room, we cried a little. That mural took months to do. It was so neat but very time-consuming.

Other the other hand, an outer space themed bedroom is super easy to accomplish.

We painted the ceiling a dark blue to complement the sky blue walls. To the ceiling, we attached glow-in-the-dark stars and hanging inflatable planets.

Planets aren’t anything without a sun. So, we found a sun light fixture and a remote control moon wall hanging to make the planetary system complete.

Again, we used orange as an accent color for his bed skirt, curtain tie backs, fabric bins, bean bag chair — you get the idea.

You can also add additional items that feature anything outer space like we did with the bedding, lamp, and curtain tie backs.

His bedroom had a little plant ledge, so there we added space-themed Lego creations. It was nice to have him create something for his personal space!

Both of these kids’ bedroom themes are very versatile and would work for nearly any child. Most importantly, they’ll have a space that’s truly theirs!

What toddler boy room themes do you like?

July 12, 2021
How to Be More Involved With the Baby as a Dad

Babies can be a bit daunting to even the best dad, so we have some great tips for helping you become more involved in the daily work of raising your children.

Being a parent is tough to adjust to, no matter if you are the mom or dad. With a lack of sleep, stinky diapers, and not communicating clearly with your baby, it can feel impossible.

Mothers tend to be more natural at adjusting when a baby arrives, but even they can struggle. These tips are not just for the father but also for moms who may feel a bit trapped when the baby first arrives.

[click_to_tweet tweet=”When a new baby is born, it’s common for everyone’s attention to be on both the mom and the little one. Here are some ways dads can be more involved with their babies! #parenting #fatherhood” quote=”When a new baby is born, it’s common for everyone’s attention to be on both the mom and the little one. Here are some ways dads can be more involved with their babies!”]

Purchase User-friendly Supplies

Finding a terrific diaper that will work for both mom and dad doesn’t have to be hard if you put some thought into it first.

Invest in some supplies that are gender-neutral.

For instance, this CiPU Diaper Bag is a great choice. It is definitely husband and father-friendly, being black. Yet it’s still great for moms, too.

This CiPU tote features everything you might want in a diaper bag. It is large yet extremely light-weight and can hold a ton of things in its 13 large compartments.

We all know babies come with a lot of gear and every outing seems like you are packing for a vacation.

With this CiPU bag, you don’t have to worry about space and keep it all organized without feeling like you are carrying a suitcase. It’s also great for any trips or adventures you may share.

There’s even a secret compartment to keep dirty diapers and clothes separated from everything else. That way, their stench doesn’t seep into other items.

The water repellent/quick-dry fabric seems to wipe easily, which is great when the inevitable leaky bottles and spills happen.

You can also look for strollers, blankets, and car seats that are gender-neutral for getting out and about with your new baby.

The key is to find things not covered in flowers, girlie prints, and oozing pink. Lord knows you’ll be lugging everything around when you go out as a family.

Handle Some Feedings And Nap Times

Most dads are great at handling nap time. This can be a chance for mom to take a nap or even to do some cleaning, reading, or relaxing.

Dads are great at holding the baby and rocking them or feeding them until they fall asleep.

Even if your baby is breastfed, mom can easily pump milk for you to feed your baby. This is a great easy to manage task that will help you bond with your child.

Babies Are Not As Breakable As You Think

One of the biggest struggles men have around a baby is the fear that they are too fragile for them to handle. While babies are fragile in many ways, don’t fear they will break by picking them up or holding them.

Be part of playtime.

When your baby is little, lie on the floor by them during tummy time and help them giggle over rattles and toys. When they are older, help them learn to crawl, walk, or pull themselves up.

Baby Wear

Babywearing is a fantastic thing that has been around for decades but has become more popular in recent years. A great baby carrier or sling is an amazing way to bond more with the baby.

With so many fun options out there for you to carry the baby hands-free, it is sure to be an excellent bonding experience.

Getting involved with your baby is easier now than ever before. With so many dad-friendly items out there for children, it is much easier today to become fully involved with the baby.

What are some of your favorite baby bonding activities?

March 30, 2021
Determining If Your Child Needs Glasses
Do you suspect your child needs glasses? When children are going through vital developmental in their early childhood, they get about 80% of their learning through visual stimuli. Therefore assessing and testing their eyes during these early years is vital to ensure that they reach social and intellectual milestones.

Plus, it gives them the self-confidence to go out into the yard or playground and explore.

As parents, there are tell-tale signs that can be picked up during infancy and early childhood that point toward vision problems. Generally, the more serious the problem, the earlier it’s picked up.

During the first few months, a baby has very poor vision, with little visual acuity, and seeing mostly in black and white. After six months, their sight should naturally sharpen, and they should have better hand-eye coordination.

At this point, you should take your child for their first eye exam. After this, an eye exam should happen from the age of three onwards every year.

A simple, well-proven surgery can restore sight to millions, and something even simpler, a pair of glasses, can make millions more see.

Thulasiraj Ravilla

Signs of Poor EyeSight
- Constantly sitting too close to the television or holding a book close to their face
- Squinting to see clearly
- High sensitivity to light and shielding the eyes
- Avoiding certain things like close activities (reading, coloring), or distant activities (playing with a ball or tag).
- Frequent rubbing of the eyes
- Complaining of a headache or tiredness in the eyes
- Watery eyes
It never gets old watching someone receive their first pair of glasses and regain their vision and their life.

Neil Blumenthal

What’s Wrong?

The typical problems that young children experience are:

Farsightedness

Common with kids and can lead to crossed eyes. This can easily be corrected in the early years by wearing glasses or contact lenses.

In very rare cases, surgery is needed. However, left untreated, crossed-eyedness or strabismus can lead to permanent and irreversible vision loss.

Nearsightedness

It is also called myopia and means that children can’t see the blackboard and other faraway objects.

Astigmatism

This is when your child has blurred or distorted vision at all distances. In most cases, these common conditions can be treated with correctly prescribed glasses or contact lenses.

The Immovable Mountain

Your child may be as stubborn as a mule and refuse to wear glasses (let alone contact lenses). If you run into opposition, try some of these methods:
- Let them select their own glasses.
- Explain the advantages of wearing glasses. Like you will be able to play sports now, or you will be able to see the computer better to play video games.
- Some children are worried they will be teased or feel different with glasses. Calm their worries by giving them an example of a superhero, cartoon character, or famous person with glasses who they can look up to.
- Don’t visit the optometrist to select glasses when they are grumpy, sick, or hungry.
- Make sure that the glasses fit correctly and are comfortable for them.
12% of people with glasses wear them as an attempt to see better. 88% of people with glasses wear them as an attempt to appear smarter.

Mokokoma Mokhonoana
January 17, 2020
Parenting Decisions and Open Communication
You should never make your parenting decisions alone. Remember that you and your spouse are a team; you are the core of your family group, and you need to approach every decision that you make about that family as a team.

When you have open communication, and you discuss choices before you make them, you will both feel:
- Like you are valued and trusted
- Happy with the direction that your family is moving
- Like your opinion was important
- A strong bond that comes from making these decisions together
Parents who work together and who are always on the same page often provide better homes for their children since they reduce stress and prevent disagreements. They also set an excellent example for their own children of what they should be like when they grow up, helping to give them a strong foundation.

What Types of Decisions Should You Discuss?

There are many different decisions that face parents over the years, some of which have legal ramifications and some that do not.

For example, you will need to talk about:
- Which school you want your children to attend
- How many children you want to have and how many you can afford to have
- What activities your children will be allowed to participate in as they grow up, such as school sports or similar groups
- Where you want to live and what your goals are in this regard for five or ten years in the future
All of these things, along with many more topics, can have a massive influence on your family life and the lives of your children. You need to get them all sorted out on time so that you and your children can be happy going forward.

What is Open Communication?

One of the first things that you should think about is what it means to have open communication. It does not just mean telling your spouse what you are going to do before you do it. In reality, it goes much deeper than that.

What you need to do is to take the time to present your ideas and viewpoints before deciding what you are going to do. Then you need to stop and listen to what the other person has to say.

Many couples make the mistake of jumping right over this second step. They are great at talking, but not at listening. However, half of the process is listening, so you need to do this for communication to move in both directions.

Communication with Growing Children

When you set a standard of open communication in your household, it will then spread to your children as they grow up and begin to think for themselves. They will feel like they can come to you for advice and answers. When they start to make the big decisions in life, such as where to go to college or what to be when they grow up, they will turn to you.

A family lawyer will tell you that many teens who lead troubled lives often do not feel like they can talk to their parents. They may be intimidated by their parents, or they may think that their parents will not understand. They can make many poor choices, even some that could lead to legal ramifications because they do not have the guidance that they need.

Make sure that you provide them with this guidance as much as possible.

What Happens When Open Communication Fails?

If your family does not communicate well, it can lead to arguments, disagreements, and fights. In the end, it could even push you to divorce since you will not be on the same page.

A family lawyer will tell you, a divorce often affects children even more than adults. They may also think that the split was their fault, and they can carry this guilt around with them for the rest of their lives.

So work to promote communication and keep the family together. Give your children a safe, warm environment in which to grow up. It’s something they deserve, and you should provide.
January 17, 2020