Parenting & New Baby Advice Blog

Archive for June, 2007

Give your child a blast from the past when they open the carefully constructed time capsule that you put together for them when they are born. They (and you) will have a scream looking through all the fun and practical items in the capsule. First, you need to find a container to hold all the goodies that you plan to include. Some companies online sell a Time Capsule Kit that includes a container as well as some of the memorabilia suggestions. If you want to use your own container, use something that is airtight such as a coffee can with a lid or a brand new gallon-size paint can with the lid. Next include some or all of the items listed below. Be sure not to include things that are perishable or could smell (like food or drink) or things that have liquids that could burst or break such as batteries. You also should think twice before throwing in things that require technology to play them such as VCR tapes because who is going to have a VCR in 18 to 20 years? Once, you’ve got the capsule filled to the brim with mementos, photos and letters, be sure to seal it up tight and put a ‘Do Not Open Until’ date on it. Many people choose the child’s 18^th or 21^st birthday as the open date. Store the capsule in a cool, dry place until the opening date. Do not bury it! Many a time capsule has been lost or forgotten during a move when they are buried.

1) Photographs

a. Pregnant Mom & her growing tummy

b. Ultrasound picture

c. Newborn baby photo

d. Family photo with baby

e. Photo of the house where you lived when baby was born

f. Photo of the baby nursery

2) Current Events

a. Newspaper From The Day Baby Was Born

b. Newspaper clippings and headlines

c. Current Event information

d. Fashion Trends

e. Parents favorite movie, favorite TV show, favorite band and song

f. Political leaders and how parents felt about them

3) Letters

a. From Mom & Dad talking about their dreams for the new baby

b. From Friends & Family discussing current events, giving advice, etc.

c. From Mom & Dad talking about the pregnancy announcement like how they felt, who they told first and how they reacted. Also include all the names you were considering for boys and girls.

4) Factoids & Items from the birth year

a. Include a stamp (that shows price)

b. Include a coin from that year

5) Cards & Notes

a. Include a copy of the birth announcements

b. Cards that people sent congratulating you on the birth

c. Have each sibling make a birthday card and note for the new baby

6) Baby Footprint or Handprint from a kit

If you work in an office or have a group of friends that want to go in and buy a shower gift for the new baby, here are some great ideas.  Many baby items can be quite pricey for gift-givers to buy on their own.  However by pooling your money, you can purchase some of the more expensive items without breaking the bank.  These days many parents have a baby gift registry somewhere like Target or Kids R' Us.  Normally, the registry store is included in the shower invitation.  If not, just ask the shower hostess if the parents-to-be are registered somewhere.  Baby registries make selecting an appropriate and useful gift much easier.  In addition most of these registries will have price breakdowns so that you can select a gift based on how much money your group has pooled together.  Of course if your group has something in mind that isn't on the list, don't feel that you must buy from the registry.  No matter what your group decides to give the parents-to-be, it will be greatly appreciated.

Consider a high-ticket baby gear item such as a stroller or high chair as your group baby gift.  When it comes to strollers, there are many choices ranging from lightweight to jogging to Bugaboo strollers and more.  High chair selections seem to be just as complicated these days.  Choices include contemporary, space-saving, wooden high chairs and more.  When it comes to baby gear, we recommend checking the registry, relying on the opinion of Moms in the group or visiting a site such as the Baby Center Store which has recommendations and a parent's picks section.

Cribs, rocking chairs, changing tables and bassinets are also great group baby gifts. There are many styles and color choices for baby furniture so make sure that you coordinate with someone that knows the parents-to-be well.  You don't want to buy something that they already have or something that doesn't match the nursery.  Most parents have a theme and color scheme in mind so if you can manage to wrangle that information out of the parents without ruining the surprise, furniture would be an excellent gift to give from the group.  Again, we recommend visiting baby gift sites such as the Baby Center Store to get furniture opinions.

Finally, consider giving the parents-to-be a housecleaning or diaper service gift certificate.  New parents can utilize any gift that will save them time.  Parents need to spend free time sleeping rather than cleaning house or washing diapers.

Give your son or daughter the gift of reading to them daily. Taking the time to read to your baby is a great way to bond and help stimulate your child’s intellectual development. As the child grows and learns to read on their own, these daily sessions can help cultivate of love of reading that can last a lifetime. Reading is one of the best tools a parent can use to teach their children about life and the world around them. Get started today by following these fantastic tips.

1)      Newborn babies are comforted by the sounds of Mom & Dad’s voice. So soothe your 0 to 6 month old by singing favorite lullabies such as Rock A Bye Baby or Hush, Little Baby when you are doing daily activities such as changing their diaper, feeding them or bathing them.

2)      Babies in the 6 – 12 month age range benefit greatly from a scheduled reading activity with Mom & Dad. This age is also a critical time in their motor skill development. So schedule a daily time like before or after naptime or bedtime when you read to your child. They will enjoy cuddling up on your lap and listening to the rhythmic sound of your voice as you read them one of your favorite books or nursery rhymes. Most importantly, don’t get discouraged if you can only hold the child’s attention for a few minutes at a time. They are just at the age when they get easily distracted. One way to help baby stay focused is to buy one of the many books on the market that offer interactive experiences where baby can touch and feel textures or push buttons to hear sounds like fire engine sirens or cows mooing. For classic and traditional books, involve baby by making faces and sounds or substituting their name for characters in the book. Be sure that they can easily see the pictures in the book while you are telling the story. Before you know it, the child will be playing with the books even when you aren’t reading to them. Of course, this means chewing and throwing will provide wear and tear on the books so Baby Einstein has developed a fabulous line board books that are extremely durable.

3)      Toddlers in the 1 – 3 year age range will likely look forward to their daily ritual of reading if you’ve already established a routine that they can look forward to. If you haven’t yet started reading to them, there is no time like the present to get started. Let your child pick the books that he or she wants you to read so that they feel involved. Of course, this means that you might be reading the same book over and over again which can be extremely tiring, but it will allow them to start recognizing words and the storyline as they test their memory. Use books to introduce colors, shapes, textures, letters and so forth in a fun way. Kids will love turning the pages and interacting with the talking books that are on the market today. And remember if your son or daughter is feeling anxious, antsy or is simply in a bad mood, they may not want to read right then so just try again later when they are well rested and a bit happier. The last thing that you want is for your child to have a negative reading experience.

4)      As your child gets to preschool age (four and up), their reading skills will likely be good enough for you to take turns reading to each other. Encourage their cognitive skills and imagination by asking questions about the book they just read or what would make the book more fun, etc. Their imagination will go to work and they’ll be telling all kinds of great stories. Use books to introduce concepts like being nice to other kids and not talking to stranger. Maria Shriver has written a couple of books like ‘What’s Wrong with Timmy?’ and ‘What’s Heaven?’ that help children get through difficult family situations like death or a child born with a disability. Continue with your routine of having regular reading sessions and watch your child become a fabulous reader. Even better, watch your child grow a love of reading that you’ve cultivated over the years.

Giving a baby book gift basket is a great way to help Mom create baby’s first library and deliver your congratulatory wishes on the arrival of the new bouncing baby boy or girl. Baby Gifts & Gift Baskets offers numerous gift baskets and gift sets featuring durable board books, classic books such as Pooh or Dr. Seuss, and pop-up books to encourage interaction and visual stimulation for baby.  Be sure to share your own baby reading tips on the book and toy discussion board sponsored by Baby Gifts & Gift Baskets.

If you are on the hook to throw a baby shower for a friend, family member or co-worker, you know how overwhelming it can be to get the event planned and make it fun. Relax! You’ll be the talk of the party when you use a baby shower diaper cake as the show piece of the shower. Not only will you have a great gift to give Mom after the party is over, but you’ll have the most unforgettable and unique centerpiece they’ve ever seen. A baby shower cake is a fully useable non-edible cake that is constructed from disposable diapers that are rolled up to form layers. Each layer is stacked on top of the previous one to form the tiers of the cake and tied with ribbons to hold the diapers and layers in place. Then, essential baby items like lotions, powders, manicure sets, teething rings and little toys are tucked in amongst the diapers. Often times the layers are wrapped or accessorized with themed receiving blankets, bibs, clothing and layette items, booties and more. These cakes make excellent gifts for a first time Mom who needs all the essentials or the Mom who is a pro because after-all, what Mom couldn’t use a few more diapers?

When it comes to diaper cakes, there are two options – make it yourself using instructions from somewhere like wikipedia.com or purchase one online from a reputable gift company such as Baby Gifts & Gift Baskets. This company offers cakes ranging in size from small cupcakes that can be used as centerpieces on individual shower tables to 5-tier masterpieces that look beautiful when displayed on the gift or buffet table at the shower. In addition to the various sizes, the baby cakes are available in numerous themes and color schemes for Mom’s expecting baby boys or girls (and even neutral for Mom’s who are waiting for the delivery). For boys, the most popular designs are Sports, Little Prince and Froggy themed cakes. For girls, Little Princess, Ladybug and Flowers tend to be the most popular choices. Just choose something to coordinate with your shower color scheme or theme. Better yet, choose a design to coordinate with the nursery if you know what Mom is planning. Cakes are even available personalized or designed for twin babies. Generally, prices range from around $20 for the cupcake size diaper cakes to upwards of $200 for the ultimate 5 tier cakes that are packed with diapers and tons of baby essentials.