They can be if they are ridiculously cheap! Should you buy the genuine original product from a reputable brand or get the cheap knock-off on bargain sites? When confronted with this online shopping dilemma, especially for baby products that your kid may only use for a couple of years, the significant discrepancy in price is alluring. However, the head-spinning risks of buying cheap baby toys online should be considered. When the cheaper alternative looks like a little too good a bargain to be true, you know it’s a gamble. Sometimes you get a jackpot; more often you get something like a phone charger that catches on fire or a plastic sack instead of a silk shift dress directly from China…. [Read More…]
“Who Am I?” The Answer Starts During Infancy!
Our self-concept, or the way we see ourselves as an individual, becomes more defined as we live and grow. It is an ever-evolving idea that begins in infancy.1 Although your baby may be less than one year old, he is already developing the idea, “I am me!” This is an exciting—and frightening—time for your child. He still needs to turn to you for support, but he also wants to assert his independence more than ever. During this time, you will get to see just how much he has been watching and learning from you, too. He’ll start to imitate the daily routines he has seen you do and begin to explore and complete tasks on his own, too.2,3 How can… [Read More…]
Otteroo Baby Siblings!
Otteroo fans know that bath time is double (and triple!!) the fun when it’s shared with siblings! And can we say major photo op…moms!? Check out these five adorable sibling sets who are sharing the tub together!
It’s Time to Exercise Hands and Fingers!
Is your 3- to 6-month-old baby grabbing everything she can get her hands on? Your necklace? Your hair? Your earrings!? While this may be bad news for your ears, it’s exciting news for your child! She is now developing enough dexterity and fine motor control to grab things that interest her. Because your child is better able to hold things, it will be more important than ever to be aware of the objects she can get her hands on. Her curiosity will have her grabbing for everything, and as we all know, babies love to explore items with their mouths! So, you need to be especially aware of choking hazards.1 How can I help my baby improve dexterity and fine… [Read More…]
Do I Really Have to Invite the Whole Class?
“Was your son invited to Wyatt’s birthday party?” I was asked by a mom I ran into at the playground. “Yeah, a pool party, should be fun,” I naively responded. She quipped back with, “We won’t know. My son wasn’t invited.” Oh. Didn’t see that coming. “Do you know why?” she awkwardly asked me. “Ummmmmmmmm……..,” was literally the only thing my sleep-deprived brain could come up with. “I thought they were friends,” she went on. “Ummmmmmmmm……..,” is all I could say. (And I used to be a “professional talker” for a living. Baby brain, forever.) Fortunately, another friend, who had obviously had more sleep, interjected, and saved me with, “It’s probably just an issue of space.” “I just don’t see… [Read More…]
Boost Your Baby’s Brain Connectivity with Bilateral Movement
We often hear how some activities are “right brain” and some are “left brain.” But it’s actually the connection between these two sides of the brain that determines our abilities to do many activities. The stronger his connection between the two halves of his brain, the better your child will be able to process information and perform tasks.1 Developing bilateral skills is the key to success in performing many cognitive tasks, such as reading, and physical tasks, such as jumping, too.2,3 Bilateral skills require coordinated movement and action from both sides of the body. You can help your baby develop these skills by performing cross-the-midline activities event right from birth! Cross-the-midline activities encourage your baby to reach from one side… [Read More…]
Top 10 Signs You Don’t Want Any More Kids
After four kids in five years, I’m done having babies and can say that without an ounce of sadness. Here are the telltale signs that affirms you are absolutely done having kids: You see a glowing, radiant pregnant woman walking across the parking lot, rocking her maternity jeans and cute, little baby bump… and the only feeling you have is sympathy for her hemorrhoids, bacne and uncomfortable sleep. You have convinced your husband that it’s only fair that he gets a vasectomy. But, then you secretly get an IUD. Just in case. You find out your neighbor’s cousin’s co-worker is pregnant, and you race to her house, barely introduce yourself, and drop off your baby gear faster than your postpartum… [Read More…]
Speaking Your Child’s (Love) Language
“OMIGAAAWWSH, will you please come home and wrestle with our son!?!,” I huffed to my husband over the phone. My husband had been out of town for two weeks, and my son kept coming at me with his foam sword. When my husband travels, I feel like I pretty much have this solo parenting thing down. Except, I always notice my son gets more aggressive when my husband is gone for a while. My son hits me with his sword, wants to battle me with his light saber, and is constantly on the verge of being able to take me down in some 1980s-era-off-the-ropes-Hulk-Hogan-move. “I don’t want to wrestle,” I whine to my son, as I dodge his blows, and… [Read More…]