I want to take a moment to extend my thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in NewTown, Connecticut.
I can't imagine what the parents of the children who were killed are going through. Anyone with kids will hug them a little tighter and kiss them a little more tonight. I know I will.
Because this is not a political blog, I'm not going to comment about gun control. This is not the place for it.
- Brad
Friday, December 14, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
5 Ways To Beat Cabin Fever With Your Toddler
It's that time of year again. Unless you're lucky enough to live in a warm climate, cold weather is here. This means it's getting harder and harder to go play outside with your little ones. And what happens when we stay inside too long? Cabin fever sets in.
This begs the ultimate question: How do we keep ourselves and our kids active during the winter months? Obviously, I'm talking about kids that are toddler age. Older kids are in school, and babies generally don't play outside.
I'm gonna give you some ideas. Though if you have your own ideas, please share them in the comments below.
Here's a few ways to beat cabin fever:
I take my son to Gymboree once a week and we go to Monkey Bizness a few times a month. It costs us less than $10 to go. But it still adds up.
Of course, there might not be a Monkey Bizness or Gymboree close to you, in which case your screwed.
Also, libraries usually have programs for kids, mostly story times. These usually require you to have a library card.
When my DS was a baby I used to take him to the mall and walk around for an hour or so while pushing him in his stroller. It's not the most exciting thing in the world, but it gets you out of the house and is good exercise - which you probably need anyway.
Also check for any kind of community center. They always have activities for kids. Some will probably cost money, but if you're a lucky cheapskate, you might find stuff for free.
These are the best ideas I can come up with at the moment. Finding stuff to do during the winter is very much determined by where you live. If you're in a metro area or city, then you don't have much of an excuse. But if you live out in the country and you have to drive to your neighbors house because they live so far away, staying active might be a little more challenging.
Photo Credit: NatalieMaynor via Creative Commons
This begs the ultimate question: How do we keep ourselves and our kids active during the winter months? Obviously, I'm talking about kids that are toddler age. Older kids are in school, and babies generally don't play outside.
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| If you live in a crappy place like this, you probably deserve cabin fever. |
I'm gonna give you some ideas. Though if you have your own ideas, please share them in the comments below.
Here's a few ways to beat cabin fever:
1. Find a local Monkey Bizness and/or Gymboree
Both places have great indoor activities and toys for little kids. The only downside is that both cost money, making it hard if you're on a budget.I take my son to Gymboree once a week and we go to Monkey Bizness a few times a month. It costs us less than $10 to go. But it still adds up.
Of course, there might not be a Monkey Bizness or Gymboree close to you, in which case your screwed.
2. The Library
Most public libraries have a kids department. The library we go to not only has a kids department, but also has little activities for the kids (mostly things like puzzles, games, etc). Even if you don't have a library card, you can still go, and it's free!Also, libraries usually have programs for kids, mostly story times. These usually require you to have a library card.
3. Embrace the Cold Winters
This means going out and enjoying the winter. If there's snow on the ground then go play in the snow. If it's not too cold, go to the park and run around. Cold weather doesn't seem to bother my son. In fact, he likes to take his jacket off after running around for a while.4. The Mall
Take your little one to the mall to walk around. And if your son/daughter is being good, dust off your wallet and buy them a toy, or something from the food court.When my DS was a baby I used to take him to the mall and walk around for an hour or so while pushing him in his stroller. It's not the most exciting thing in the world, but it gets you out of the house and is good exercise - which you probably need anyway.
5. Museums/Community Centers/Misc.
This is kind of a catch-all. If you live in a decent size metro area, chances are there will be places, like museums (especially ones for kids) you can go to. Beware though, if the only museum in your area is one for rare art or other expensive exhibits, you might want to keep your toddler away. Curators frown upon changing your kid's diaper next to multi-million dollar paintings.Also check for any kind of community center. They always have activities for kids. Some will probably cost money, but if you're a lucky cheapskate, you might find stuff for free.
These are the best ideas I can come up with at the moment. Finding stuff to do during the winter is very much determined by where you live. If you're in a metro area or city, then you don't have much of an excuse. But if you live out in the country and you have to drive to your neighbors house because they live so far away, staying active might be a little more challenging.
Photo Credit: NatalieMaynor via Creative Commons
Friday, November 30, 2012
Holiday Shopping Deals For Kids
I'm not above a little shameless promotion when it comes to sharing good deals from the various affiliate programs I belong to. And now that the holidays are here, why not? This is the first time I've done this here. I don't plan to do it often. Regardless, take a look at the links below. You might just find something you like.
20% off the LEGO® Star Wars™ advent calendar at shop.LEGO.com.
Merry Mint & Christmas Cookie Bear are now at buildabear.com!
New customer offer: Get 50 free prints when you sign up for Shutterfly.com!
Award winning free Internet Safety Software download
Print & iPad Subscription Discount N2027
Special Deals & Offers in Toys & Baby from Buy.com!
P.S. I don't know what those little white squares are at the end of each link. So don't ask.
Review: A Very Big Bean Bag (Updated 12/18/12)
UPDATE 12/18/12: Not long after writing this review, my son decided to feel sick and throw up a little on his bean bag. I saw it happen so I rushed into action by grabbing a wet cloth and wiping his poor little face off. I then grabbed another wet cloth and scrubbed the small area of vomitus on the bean bag. I managed to get it all off, so there was only a wet spot.
We figured we'd have to take the fuzzy cover off and wash it. But with a good scrubbing there is no sign that my son blew chunks. No smell. No little chunks of barf clumped around the fuzz. This means the bean bag cleans easily, and you don't have to take the damned thing apart to wash the cover.
Since it's my worldly duty to keep you informed about the latest and greatest in toys, I've written another review. This time the toy is a large bean bag. It's a very simple toy that's easy to overlook at your fancy toy stores. Best of all: No batteries required!
We bought this bean bag at Pier 1 Imports for $99. That's probably a little steep for a bag filled with beans. But can you put a price on your child's happiness? Hopefully the higher price will translate into lasting much longer. If we have to buy another bean bag in a month, I'll be very mad.
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Usually the first part of my review is about assembling the product. Bean bags don't require assembly, so I'm skipping this part. I suppose you might buy one that you have to manually fill with beans. That doesn't apply here.
Aside from jumping, he also likes to lay and roll around on it. And it's light enough that he can drag it around the living room, saving us a lot of time and effort.
Yes, I'd totally recommend this if you have a toddler. Just make sure you have plenty of room around it so if your little one takes a tumble, he/she will fall on the ground and not your medieval sword collection.
Like I said, you can buy these things cheaper than at Pier 1, I just can't attest to the quality or play fun of other ones.
We figured we'd have to take the fuzzy cover off and wash it. But with a good scrubbing there is no sign that my son blew chunks. No smell. No little chunks of barf clumped around the fuzz. This means the bean bag cleans easily, and you don't have to take the damned thing apart to wash the cover.
Since it's my worldly duty to keep you informed about the latest and greatest in toys, I've written another review. This time the toy is a large bean bag. It's a very simple toy that's easy to overlook at your fancy toy stores. Best of all: No batteries required!
We bought this bean bag at Pier 1 Imports for $99. That's probably a little steep for a bag filled with beans. But can you put a price on your child's happiness? Hopefully the higher price will translate into lasting much longer. If we have to buy another bean bag in a month, I'll be very mad.
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Usually the first part of my review is about assembling the product. Bean bags don't require assembly, so I'm skipping this part. I suppose you might buy one that you have to manually fill with beans. That doesn't apply here.
Durability
I'm not sure how to rate the durability of a bean bag. But this one seems like it's not going to explode the next time my son jumps on it. I'm not sure what kind of filling is inside of it. The fuzzy outer wrapping appears to be okay. There is a zipper, which I'm assuming means that you can refill the bag if it A) your child eats all the beans, or B) the beans get crushed down enough it starts to look like a rug.Playing Fun
My son loves it! We new we had a winner when we had to drag it out of the store with him on it. He likes to jump on it from the ottoman. This might sound dangerous, however, the bean bag is large enough for him to land safely. He has only hurt himself once, and it was just a minor bump on the ottoman. |
| Soft, fuzzy goodness! |
Aside from jumping, he also likes to lay and roll around on it. And it's light enough that he can drag it around the living room, saving us a lot of time and effort.
Yes, I'd totally recommend this if you have a toddler. Just make sure you have plenty of room around it so if your little one takes a tumble, he/she will fall on the ground and not your medieval sword collection.
Like I said, you can buy these things cheaper than at Pier 1, I just can't attest to the quality or play fun of other ones.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Bounce House Injuries On The Rise
If there's one thing my son loves, it's jumping on the bed. If there's one thing he loves more, it's jumping in those bounce house things.
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But a recent USA Today article caught my attention. Those bounce houses are causing more and more injuries. I'm not all that surprised. After all, anytime you have a bunch of really young kids bouncing in a confined area on a cushion of air, accidents are bound to happen.
In part, the article says:
The moonwalks, slides and bounce houses are popular entertainment at young children's birthday parties and carnivals, but the toll they are taking on the young is "epidemic," says lead author Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
In 2010 alone, 30 children a day were treated for these injuries in hospital emergency rooms, the report says. The number of injuries increased to 11,311 in 2010 from 702 in 1995. Falls were the most common cause, followed by stunts and collisions. Smaller kids are a greater risk.
I take my son to Little Monkey Bizness, and they have a large, multi-level bounce house with slides and everything. The biggest threat to my son, in my opinion, is the older kids who don't pay attention to what they're doing. But to be fair, little kids don't pay much attention either.
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| The fun is real, so are the broken bones! |
I'm not one to read an article like this and then not let my DS ever go in a bounce house again. I think it's worth noting and all parents should be a little extra vigilant.
Heck, if we banned all the toys and fun things kids have these days, they wouldn't have any toys or fun things. Getting a little roughed up builds character and is part of being a kid. Damnit, I used to drink water from a dirty hose and jump off the roof of my house, and I turned out fine (though some would beg to differ).
Photo Credit: JollyJump Creative Commons
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving!
My family and I want to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. I'm very grateful for every one of my readers who support Brad the Dad.
Enjoy your holiday and don't eat too much.
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Enjoy your holiday and don't eat too much.
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Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Review: Melissa & Doug Train Table
With the holidays right around the corner I decided I need to do the world a service by reviewing some more toys. After all, the measure of a good parent is proportional to the number of toys their kid/s have under the Christmas tree. Right? So I'm going to help you navigate those rough waters known as toy shopping.
Probably the most common toy I see toddlers have is trains. Whether it's a simple wooden set or a full-blown electric train set that makes all the other neighbor kids jealous, they seem to be popular with kids. Heck, even I love trains.
We got my DS a Melissa & Doug train set for his birthday. We set it up down in our newly finished basement, mostly because the upstairs living room is already overrun with toys.
But if you're like me and can barely change batteries without screwing something up, you might want to get help.
Honestly though, it's not too bad.
If you assemble the table correctly, there's no reason for it to break. The trains and tracks that come with it are wooden, so they're probably not going to break anytime soon.
With all the track pieces you can create different track patterns to run your wooden trains on. It's great! Instructions are included on some basic track set-ups, but I burned those directions because their track set-ups sucked.
When my DS wakes up from his nap we head to the basement to play. I usually sit at the train playing while he does something else.
Yes, I'd recommend this train to any parent. If your kids don't like it, then it's just more playing time for you.
Probably the most common toy I see toddlers have is trains. Whether it's a simple wooden set or a full-blown electric train set that makes all the other neighbor kids jealous, they seem to be popular with kids. Heck, even I love trains.
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| Hours of wooden track fun! |
Assembly
Compared to a lot of other toys, assembly of this train set takes some time and patience. I put it together with my dad (who is pretty good at this stuff) and it took us around an hour. As I recall, the parts are well labeled and the instructions are pretty straight forward.But if you're like me and can barely change batteries without screwing something up, you might want to get help.
Honestly though, it's not too bad.
Durability
It's very durable. I can't imagine how a toddler would break it unless they took an ax to the damn thing. And if you kid is chopping at a toy with an ax, you have bigger problems. |
| The chair I threw at the table after my train derailed. |
Playing Fun
I'll confess: I enjoy playing with it more than my son does. And I'll qualify that by saying he might still be a little too young to understand and appreciate trains.With all the track pieces you can create different track patterns to run your wooden trains on. It's great! Instructions are included on some basic track set-ups, but I burned those directions because their track set-ups sucked.
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| Used snack cup and sippy cup not included. |
Yes, I'd recommend this train to any parent. If your kids don't like it, then it's just more playing time for you.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
The Talking Game
My son is finally showing an interest in talking. He's quickly expanding his vocabulary and is starting to speak sentences of gibberish - which the doctor says is a good sign.
He's a late talker. With everything else he does great. He understands exactly what we are saying (well, sometimes it's "selective" understanding). He can communicate to us what he wants, usually through his own version of sign language and a lot of grunting. And he's great at figuring stuff out on his own.
My wife and I say that he's using his brain power for greater things than talking. I totally believe that it's true.
The most frustrating part about him not talking is that, well, he gets frustrated easy because he can't communicate what he wants. Like I said above he does pretty good at communicating what he wants, but there's still moments when it's chaos at our house.
I consider talking and potty training to be the last big milestones on the way to childhood-dom. Once toddlers have those down life becomes a little easier. I'm not saying it's smooth sailing, but a child's independence takes a big step forward.
For my own sanity, I pray my son gets there soon.
He's a late talker. With everything else he does great. He understands exactly what we are saying (well, sometimes it's "selective" understanding). He can communicate to us what he wants, usually through his own version of sign language and a lot of grunting. And he's great at figuring stuff out on his own.
My wife and I say that he's using his brain power for greater things than talking. I totally believe that it's true.
The most frustrating part about him not talking is that, well, he gets frustrated easy because he can't communicate what he wants. Like I said above he does pretty good at communicating what he wants, but there's still moments when it's chaos at our house.
I consider talking and potty training to be the last big milestones on the way to childhood-dom. Once toddlers have those down life becomes a little easier. I'm not saying it's smooth sailing, but a child's independence takes a big step forward.
For my own sanity, I pray my son gets there soon.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Does It Get Easier? Not Really.
The one question that I always tend to ask parents with kids slightly older than mine is: "Does it get easier?"The answers I get range from "yes" to "no" and everything in between. I've also been on the receiving end of that question.
My stock answer to other parents is that as your child gets older, it's just different.
But I was thinking about this yesterday when my son was being more of a pill than usual. I wanted to change my answer to the popular "does it get easier" question to "not really." I won't though, because it's too negative and isn't really an honest answer.
Let me explain. When you have a baby you have to deal with regular feedings, waking up several times during the night, crying, they need constant attention, etc. In other words, babies are a little more high maintenance than older children. Yes, you won't have to deal with those specific problems when your child gets older.
However, once he/she reaches toddler age, you have a whole new set of issues to deal with: Temper tantrums, potty training, child trying to push boundaries and exert their independence, etc. None of this is easy either.
It's ironic because when my son was a baby I kept saying I can't wait for him to be a toddler. Life will be so much easier. Now that he's a toddler, there are times when I wish he was a baby again.
So answering the question "does it get easier" with "it just gets different" is still accurate. However, I think it's kind of a round-about way of answering the question without really answering the question.
When a parent with a newborn asks me questions I always try to put a positive spin on things. When they talk about their baby's constant need to be held, I tell them it does get better. Same thing with late night feedings. I want to encourage parents as much as possible to give them hope. Those were the answers I took comfort in when my own DS was a baby.
If you were to ask me now if it gets easier, I'll answer by saying: "Each phase has it's own challenges, and I won't say any of them is easier than the last. But if you hate one phase (like the newborn), then you might love the toddler phase (for example)."
What do you tell parents who ask this question?
My stock answer to other parents is that as your child gets older, it's just different.
But I was thinking about this yesterday when my son was being more of a pill than usual. I wanted to change my answer to the popular "does it get easier" question to "not really." I won't though, because it's too negative and isn't really an honest answer.
Let me explain. When you have a baby you have to deal with regular feedings, waking up several times during the night, crying, they need constant attention, etc. In other words, babies are a little more high maintenance than older children. Yes, you won't have to deal with those specific problems when your child gets older.
However, once he/she reaches toddler age, you have a whole new set of issues to deal with: Temper tantrums, potty training, child trying to push boundaries and exert their independence, etc. None of this is easy either.
It's ironic because when my son was a baby I kept saying I can't wait for him to be a toddler. Life will be so much easier. Now that he's a toddler, there are times when I wish he was a baby again.
So answering the question "does it get easier" with "it just gets different" is still accurate. However, I think it's kind of a round-about way of answering the question without really answering the question.
When a parent with a newborn asks me questions I always try to put a positive spin on things. When they talk about their baby's constant need to be held, I tell them it does get better. Same thing with late night feedings. I want to encourage parents as much as possible to give them hope. Those were the answers I took comfort in when my own DS was a baby.
If you were to ask me now if it gets easier, I'll answer by saying: "Each phase has it's own challenges, and I won't say any of them is easier than the last. But if you hate one phase (like the newborn), then you might love the toddler phase (for example)."
What do you tell parents who ask this question?
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
How I Protect My Son's Online Privacy
If you have been reading this blog for any length of time you know I don't mention my son's name, nor do I post his picture. When referring to him I usually write "my son" or "DS" (dear son).
Why do I do this? After all, I post a picture every now and then on Facebook, but only close friends and family can view those pictures. We even have an online photo album for our family to see him in all his glory and cuteness.
This blog is a little different though because I talk about him differently than on Facebook. The photo album we have of him is just that, a photo album.
Why am I so protective here? Because when he's older and is going to school, I don't want his friends/classmates to find all these embarrassing posts about him pooping, diaper rash and running naked through the house on this blog. That's a recipe for a good ass kicking.
In other words, I share more personal details here than on Facebook. If someone were to Google his name, the results wouldn't bring up this blog.
I don't post pictures here for the same reasons. Only with pictures, I always worry about some pervert or other sicko using them for their own nefarious purposes. I also don't want people using his picture without my permission (which I'd never give) for their own website or other online use. It might sound like a longshot, but I've read horror stories of parents who did see their child's picture being used online in a not-so-clean way.
Is that an irrational fear? Maybe. I'd rather be safe than sorry. I love him like crazy and don't want any to hurt him, and if they do, they'll have to answer to my steal-toed boots.
How do you protect your toddler's privacy online?
Why do I do this? After all, I post a picture every now and then on Facebook, but only close friends and family can view those pictures. We even have an online photo album for our family to see him in all his glory and cuteness.
This blog is a little different though because I talk about him differently than on Facebook. The photo album we have of him is just that, a photo album.
Why am I so protective here? Because when he's older and is going to school, I don't want his friends/classmates to find all these embarrassing posts about him pooping, diaper rash and running naked through the house on this blog. That's a recipe for a good ass kicking.
In other words, I share more personal details here than on Facebook. If someone were to Google his name, the results wouldn't bring up this blog.
I don't post pictures here for the same reasons. Only with pictures, I always worry about some pervert or other sicko using them for their own nefarious purposes. I also don't want people using his picture without my permission (which I'd never give) for their own website or other online use. It might sound like a longshot, but I've read horror stories of parents who did see their child's picture being used online in a not-so-clean way.
Is that an irrational fear? Maybe. I'd rather be safe than sorry. I love him like crazy and don't want any to hurt him, and if they do, they'll have to answer to my steal-toed boots.
How do you protect your toddler's privacy online?
Friday, October 19, 2012
Don't Hold A Grudge Against Your Toddler
One of the hardest parts of parenting is when your child acts up and does something bad. It puts you on the spot to get your kid under control and can lead to a full blown temper tantrum.
When my son does something bad like pull on the curtains (he's pulled a few down!) or try to hit mommy or I during a tantrum, it's easy to lose our temper. While we both seem pretty good at keeping ourselves under control during these situations. The hardes part, though, is not holding a grudge.
In other words, I don't stay mad at him in the afternoon for something he did in the morning. It's not fair to him and it's just that much more stress for me. I'm not even sure if a 2-year old can remember why they were in trouble to begin with after several hours.
How long should we stay mad at our kids? It really depends on the situation and what the child did. In most cases, I don't think staying mad does any good for an extended period of time does any good (for the reasons cited above).
My rule is that if he stops, settles down, listens to me and starts being good, I'll forget about the incident and resume play or whatever. And I try to make a little lesson out of it by telling him that when he's good, we can have fun. It also helps to let him know that when he cooperates, it's much easier on both of us.
For example, he's gotten into the habit of throwing tantrums when I'm changing his diaper. He wiggles and tries to stand up. He cries. He does everything in his power not to get his diaper changed. To try to avoid this, I tell him that the sooner we change his diaper, the sooner we can go do (fill-in-the-blank). It's starting to work.
Not holding a grudge is hard to do, especially when it's been a stressful day or your tired or your child has really been acting up. I'll be the first to admit I've stayed mad at my son longer than I should have. It's easy to do.
If you feel yourself holding a grudge against your toddler, try to remember something cute they've done in the past, or back to when they were helpless little babies. Remembering stuff like that tends to put you child back into perspective, making it easier to be forgiving and move on.
When my son does something bad like pull on the curtains (he's pulled a few down!) or try to hit mommy or I during a tantrum, it's easy to lose our temper. While we both seem pretty good at keeping ourselves under control during these situations. The hardes part, though, is not holding a grudge.
In other words, I don't stay mad at him in the afternoon for something he did in the morning. It's not fair to him and it's just that much more stress for me. I'm not even sure if a 2-year old can remember why they were in trouble to begin with after several hours.
How long should we stay mad at our kids? It really depends on the situation and what the child did. In most cases, I don't think staying mad does any good for an extended period of time does any good (for the reasons cited above).
My rule is that if he stops, settles down, listens to me and starts being good, I'll forget about the incident and resume play or whatever. And I try to make a little lesson out of it by telling him that when he's good, we can have fun. It also helps to let him know that when he cooperates, it's much easier on both of us.
For example, he's gotten into the habit of throwing tantrums when I'm changing his diaper. He wiggles and tries to stand up. He cries. He does everything in his power not to get his diaper changed. To try to avoid this, I tell him that the sooner we change his diaper, the sooner we can go do (fill-in-the-blank). It's starting to work.
Not holding a grudge is hard to do, especially when it's been a stressful day or your tired or your child has really been acting up. I'll be the first to admit I've stayed mad at my son longer than I should have. It's easy to do.
If you feel yourself holding a grudge against your toddler, try to remember something cute they've done in the past, or back to when they were helpless little babies. Remembering stuff like that tends to put you child back into perspective, making it easier to be forgiving and move on.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
5 Lessons Learned While Flying With A Toddler
Having recently returned from a cross-country trip with my DS to see family, I think this is a good opportunity to share some realities of traveling on a plane with a toddler.
Before I begin I should add that it was just my son and I. My wife was busy with work. So I had the monumental task of flying with a toddler that can't sit still.
If you and your partner are flying with you child together, the trip will be a little easier. If you're on your own, however, you'll be in for the challenge of your life.
I had everything I needed: Diapers, wipes, plenty of snacks, toys and an iPad filled with games and a full season of his favorite show, Yo Gabba Gabba. Guess what? The iPad held his attention for probably 10 -15 minutes of the entire flight.
The snacks and other toys didn't do much good either. He spend a majority of the 3-hour flight moving around (including a few kicks to the seat in front of him), standing up on the seat, fussing because I kept trying to keep him in his seat.
Like I said: Prepare for the worst.
Other passengers want a smooth flight without the annoyance of a fussy toddler. I'm the same way when I travel alone. But I felt especially bad for those who were unlucky enough to sit in front of us. I say the gentleman sitting in front of my DS shake his head in despair several times throughout the flight. I should've bought him a drink.
Some passengers, especially older ones, will smile and comment about how cute your child is, but that's as far as it will go. No one will volunteer to help you keep your child occupied or sit with your child so you can sleep. It ain't going to happen.
Try to stay sane by reminding yourself you will probably never see these people again. Also, the experience will make you more sympathetic to parents in the same situation.
I was awake and running on full energy the entire flight. No naps. No time for reading. Nothing. If you're lucky your child might stay occupied with a game. And if you're really lucky your child might fall asleep. Cherish those rare moments and consider yourself lucky.
This is one area you can take comfort in. Chances are there will be other small children on your flight. And they might even be more fussy than your own child. The other parents with toddlers will more likely be more sympathetic. Heck, you might even strike up a conversation with them!
This didn't work for me, but I've talked to a lot of parents who say it has worked for them. The key is to bring newer toys that your toddler hasn't played with yet so he/she will be less likely to be bored with them. Bring a variety of toys. If you have a smart phone or tablet, load it with games.
Bring a lot of snacks. Don't count on getting any food on your flight. On my flight we got water and/or soft drinks. That was it. Not even a bag of peanuts. In fact, the flight attendants made us give them our food!
A nice selection of your child's favorite snacks will help when they get fussy. Don't forget to bring something to drink. Keep in mind that whatever drink your child likes, you will have to buy it at the airport after going through security. This means you will overpay for all food/drinks you buy. That $10 bottle of water I bought didn't even taste all that good.
There's no doubt that traveling with a toddler is a challenge. A lot of people say it's the hardest age to fly with your child because they have a hard time sitting still for so long. Remember that it won't last forever. The flight will end. And when you finally get off the plane you will be a better person for it. These things build character.
Finally, I should add that my son did great while on vacation. I couldn't have asked for a better son and I love him like crazy. And despite the challenge I dealt with on the 2 flights we were on, my love is unwavering.
Plus, I know that as he gets older flying with him will get easier. At least, I hope.
Before I begin I should add that it was just my son and I. My wife was busy with work. So I had the monumental task of flying with a toddler that can't sit still.
1. Flying with toddler is NOT easy - Prepare for the worst.
If you and your partner are flying with you child together, the trip will be a little easier. If you're on your own, however, you'll be in for the challenge of your life.
I had everything I needed: Diapers, wipes, plenty of snacks, toys and an iPad filled with games and a full season of his favorite show, Yo Gabba Gabba. Guess what? The iPad held his attention for probably 10 -15 minutes of the entire flight.
The snacks and other toys didn't do much good either. He spend a majority of the 3-hour flight moving around (including a few kicks to the seat in front of him), standing up on the seat, fussing because I kept trying to keep him in his seat.
Like I said: Prepare for the worst.
2. Don't expect sympathy/understanding from other passengers.
Other passengers want a smooth flight without the annoyance of a fussy toddler. I'm the same way when I travel alone. But I felt especially bad for those who were unlucky enough to sit in front of us. I say the gentleman sitting in front of my DS shake his head in despair several times throughout the flight. I should've bought him a drink.
Some passengers, especially older ones, will smile and comment about how cute your child is, but that's as far as it will go. No one will volunteer to help you keep your child occupied or sit with your child so you can sleep. It ain't going to happen.
Try to stay sane by reminding yourself you will probably never see these people again. Also, the experience will make you more sympathetic to parents in the same situation.
3. Don't expect to relax or sleep unless your toddler does.
I was awake and running on full energy the entire flight. No naps. No time for reading. Nothing. If you're lucky your child might stay occupied with a game. And if you're really lucky your child might fall asleep. Cherish those rare moments and consider yourself lucky.
4. You probably won't have the only child on the plane.
This is one area you can take comfort in. Chances are there will be other small children on your flight. And they might even be more fussy than your own child. The other parents with toddlers will more likely be more sympathetic. Heck, you might even strike up a conversation with them!
5. Carry plenty of snacks and a lot of extra toys.
This didn't work for me, but I've talked to a lot of parents who say it has worked for them. The key is to bring newer toys that your toddler hasn't played with yet so he/she will be less likely to be bored with them. Bring a variety of toys. If you have a smart phone or tablet, load it with games.
Bring a lot of snacks. Don't count on getting any food on your flight. On my flight we got water and/or soft drinks. That was it. Not even a bag of peanuts. In fact, the flight attendants made us give them our food!
A nice selection of your child's favorite snacks will help when they get fussy. Don't forget to bring something to drink. Keep in mind that whatever drink your child likes, you will have to buy it at the airport after going through security. This means you will overpay for all food/drinks you buy. That $10 bottle of water I bought didn't even taste all that good.
Final Thoughts
There's no doubt that traveling with a toddler is a challenge. A lot of people say it's the hardest age to fly with your child because they have a hard time sitting still for so long. Remember that it won't last forever. The flight will end. And when you finally get off the plane you will be a better person for it. These things build character.
Finally, I should add that my son did great while on vacation. I couldn't have asked for a better son and I love him like crazy. And despite the challenge I dealt with on the 2 flights we were on, my love is unwavering.
Plus, I know that as he gets older flying with him will get easier. At least, I hope.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Potty Training Begins!
My son has officially started potty training! Even better, he did it with no coaxing from mommy and I. He started taking his pants and diapers off and begging to go into the bathroom. It took a few tries for him to actually go pee-pee in the potty, but now he's doing it. Even better, he knows when he has to go. This means he'll pee in the potty and not in his diaper (not always, but a few times a day).
I'm not saying it's totally easy. For example, he likes to flush wads of toilet paper down the toilet. Generally, after he sits for a while and tries to go pee-pee or poo-poo we let him flush a little toilet paper down. Now he'll sit on the toilet for a few seconds then go right to wanting to flush toilet paper down. He's on to our little tricks!
Another problem we face is that he loves running around the house with no pants or diapers on. So he uses the opportunity to use the bathroom as a way to run around the house half naked. Yes, on a certain level it is cute. But it's also a pain because as soon as I take him to his room to get him dressed again he gets really fussy.
Regardless of the challenges, this is a big milestone. I count it as 1 on of the big 3 milestones. The first being walking. The second is talking. And the final one is potty training. Once your kid has those 3 down they're ready to be booted out of the house and on their own. Okay, I'm kidding about that.
My wife and I weren't expecting him to start potty training him this early, so we had to scramble to buy a little toddler potty (which he refuses to use) and some basic potty training books (Everybody Poops being one of them).
Just because my DS started early doesn't mean I'm expecting a quick and painless transition from diapers to a fully potty trained toddler. I'm expecting a long and hard road ahead. If it turns out easier, then great, I'll be ecstatic. If not, then it will be just what I expect. I pray it's the former though. It'll be easier on my sanity.
I'm not saying it's totally easy. For example, he likes to flush wads of toilet paper down the toilet. Generally, after he sits for a while and tries to go pee-pee or poo-poo we let him flush a little toilet paper down. Now he'll sit on the toilet for a few seconds then go right to wanting to flush toilet paper down. He's on to our little tricks!
Another problem we face is that he loves running around the house with no pants or diapers on. So he uses the opportunity to use the bathroom as a way to run around the house half naked. Yes, on a certain level it is cute. But it's also a pain because as soon as I take him to his room to get him dressed again he gets really fussy.
Regardless of the challenges, this is a big milestone. I count it as 1 on of the big 3 milestones. The first being walking. The second is talking. And the final one is potty training. Once your kid has those 3 down they're ready to be booted out of the house and on their own. Okay, I'm kidding about that.
My wife and I weren't expecting him to start potty training him this early, so we had to scramble to buy a little toddler potty (which he refuses to use) and some basic potty training books (Everybody Poops being one of them).
Just because my DS started early doesn't mean I'm expecting a quick and painless transition from diapers to a fully potty trained toddler. I'm expecting a long and hard road ahead. If it turns out easier, then great, I'll be ecstatic. If not, then it will be just what I expect. I pray it's the former though. It'll be easier on my sanity.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
My Son is Hooked On The iPad
My son, who recently turned 2, has discovered the wonders of the iPad. My wife has downloaded a dozen or so children's games for him, and they can keep him occupied for long periods of time.
Further, he knows how to use the iPad. He knows how to turn it on and off. He can swipe between pages. Adjust volume (which he always has on full blast). He knows his favorite games, and how to use YouTube.
Before you berate me for letting my son become addicted to mindless iPad games, I should add that we do try to limit his time on the device. I make sure we go outside to play and that he plays with his other toys. And we still go to Gymboree and all the other activities we have him signed up for.
My trick is to hide the iPad from him when I don't want him playing with it. Out of sight, out of mind. That way, he won't try to reach for it and get all fussy when he can't have it.
His mastery of the iPad makes me happy. It shows he's growing, getting smarter and is a little less useless. Sometimes I forget that he won't be a baby/young toddler forever. Right now it's a big celebration every time he says a new word (his newest words is "fold," which he says when I have laundry to fold). But a time will come when he won't shut up. Every parent with older kids tells me that.
Luckily for me, he has shown little interest in the TV. I keep it on during the day, mostly for background noise, and he ignores it. When he starts watching for more than a few minutes at a time I'll have to come up with a different strategy.
It's all about balance. I need to make sure he spends a lot of time playing and running around, time playing with his toys and time on the iPad/watching TV. I'm guessing as he gets older, balancing his life will become more difficult.
Further, he knows how to use the iPad. He knows how to turn it on and off. He can swipe between pages. Adjust volume (which he always has on full blast). He knows his favorite games, and how to use YouTube.
Before you berate me for letting my son become addicted to mindless iPad games, I should add that we do try to limit his time on the device. I make sure we go outside to play and that he plays with his other toys. And we still go to Gymboree and all the other activities we have him signed up for.
My trick is to hide the iPad from him when I don't want him playing with it. Out of sight, out of mind. That way, he won't try to reach for it and get all fussy when he can't have it.
His mastery of the iPad makes me happy. It shows he's growing, getting smarter and is a little less useless. Sometimes I forget that he won't be a baby/young toddler forever. Right now it's a big celebration every time he says a new word (his newest words is "fold," which he says when I have laundry to fold). But a time will come when he won't shut up. Every parent with older kids tells me that.
Luckily for me, he has shown little interest in the TV. I keep it on during the day, mostly for background noise, and he ignores it. When he starts watching for more than a few minutes at a time I'll have to come up with a different strategy.
It's all about balance. I need to make sure he spends a lot of time playing and running around, time playing with his toys and time on the iPad/watching TV. I'm guessing as he gets older, balancing his life will become more difficult.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
I'm Finally Back!
When I checked my stats for this blog earlier today, I almost fell over after realizing I haven't posted anything in almost a month. Time got away from me.
August has been a busy month. My son turned 2. I had family visiting from out of town. I've been busy selling stuff online via Ebay. I just didn't have the time to sit down and write a few posts.
I also shut down my Brad's Reader blog. After 6 years of writing about literature, writing, ebooks, eReaders and self-publishing, I decided that the blog had run its course. I lost the passion for what I was writing about. And it showed in my posts.
However, I am going full steam ahead with this Brad the Dad blog. I want to eventually get off this Blogger platform and move to something a little more professional looking. I also want to write more toy reviews. After celebrating a 2-year old birthday, I have plenty of new toys to review!
I will be back to posting regularly soon.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Sometimes The Simple Toys Are The Best
We have a lot of toys for my little DS. Actually, I should say, we have A LOT of toys. Sometimes we feel like our house is being overrun with toys (which it probably is).
I've noticed something with toddler toys: It's always the toys that are most simple that my son seems to take pleasure in the most. A lot of our toys have all kinds of cool lights, buttons, things that spin, things that make very annoying sounds (all of them) and take batteries (all of them).
Yes, he has fun with those toys too. But they break. The batteries die. We have to hide them because they are too annoying. But he still plays with those simple toys we bought when he was younger and less toddler-ish.
For example, the toy below:
I can't remember when we bought it, but he still plays with it. We also have a wooden train set that he plays with.
The cool part is that these toys are very durable. He throws them around like rag dolls and they never break.
Most importantly though, they are very inexpensive. Without all the bells and whistles (and batteries) that a lot of toys come with nowadays, the price on the basic ones can be great.
My point is to not feel bad about getting these classic wooden toys. Kids love them (at least, my son does) and they'll last longer than most newer toys. And you can easily pass it down.
I've noticed something with toddler toys: It's always the toys that are most simple that my son seems to take pleasure in the most. A lot of our toys have all kinds of cool lights, buttons, things that spin, things that make very annoying sounds (all of them) and take batteries (all of them).
Yes, he has fun with those toys too. But they break. The batteries die. We have to hide them because they are too annoying. But he still plays with those simple toys we bought when he was younger and less toddler-ish.
For example, the toy below:
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| Add caption |
I can't remember when we bought it, but he still plays with it. We also have a wooden train set that he plays with.
The cool part is that these toys are very durable. He throws them around like rag dolls and they never break.
Most importantly though, they are very inexpensive. Without all the bells and whistles (and batteries) that a lot of toys come with nowadays, the price on the basic ones can be great.
My point is to not feel bad about getting these classic wooden toys. Kids love them (at least, my son does) and they'll last longer than most newer toys. And you can easily pass it down.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Review: Step 2 Lifestyle Custom Kitchen
One of the many cutest things my son does is stand on his little stool in the kitchen and help mommy cook dinner. He likes to play with the measuring cups and spatulas and bang the pots and pans together.
We decided he was ready for his own toy kitchen. So we bought this Step 2 Lifestyle Custom Kitchen. Here's the scoop.
Assembly
Because I'm horrible at putting anything together, including my outfits in the morning, my wife took on this task. She did have a few problems some problems, made worse by the fact that the instructions left out a very important step. However, it was still easier to put together than the Cozy Coupe.
A few of the kitchen parts require batteries, which, like every other child's toy, are not included.
Perhaps the toughest part of the whole thing was figuring out where to put it in our living room. It is on the big side and a little awkward.
Durability
There's not much to say here except this is a very durable product. My son plays with it every day, and he can treat it pretty rough. Nothing has broken, fallen off or exploded. Even the accessories that come with the kitchen (like plates) are pretty durable as well.
Playing Fun
My son loves it! It has all the same features a real kitchen has, only these don't work. The little microwave does make noise, as does a little wireless phone. The fridge opens and closes. There are drawers the pull all the way out. He has put a lot of his small toys in those drawers.
And in typical bachelor male fashion, the sink is always full of dishes.
The only real problems we've had is that sometimes our DS gets fussy because he can't put his water bottle in the fridge (for example). But that's really about it. The kitchen does keep him occupied for good chunks of time.
Verdict
Yes, I'd definitely go for it. Whether you have a son or daughter, this is a toy worth the money. It retails on the Step 2 website for $89.99. You can also buy more accessories. This is a great investment, especially for those toddlers who are exploring more and try to imitate what mommy and daddy do.
Disclaimer: I did not receive this product for free to review. Further, I did not receive any other for of compensation (monetary or otherwise) for a favorable review. We purchased this product at retail price and this post represents my unbiased opinion.
Photo Credit: Me
We decided he was ready for his own toy kitchen. So we bought this Step 2 Lifestyle Custom Kitchen. Here's the scoop.
Assembly
Because I'm horrible at putting anything together, including my outfits in the morning, my wife took on this task. She did have a few problems some problems, made worse by the fact that the instructions left out a very important step. However, it was still easier to put together than the Cozy Coupe.
A few of the kitchen parts require batteries, which, like every other child's toy, are not included.
Perhaps the toughest part of the whole thing was figuring out where to put it in our living room. It is on the big side and a little awkward.
Durability
There's not much to say here except this is a very durable product. My son plays with it every day, and he can treat it pretty rough. Nothing has broken, fallen off or exploded. Even the accessories that come with the kitchen (like plates) are pretty durable as well.
Playing Fun
My son loves it! It has all the same features a real kitchen has, only these don't work. The little microwave does make noise, as does a little wireless phone. The fridge opens and closes. There are drawers the pull all the way out. He has put a lot of his small toys in those drawers.
And in typical bachelor male fashion, the sink is always full of dishes.
 |
| A kitchen Gordon Ramsey would be proud of. |
 |
| Of course, the box the kitchen came in occupies him even more. |
Verdict
Yes, I'd definitely go for it. Whether you have a son or daughter, this is a toy worth the money. It retails on the Step 2 website for $89.99. You can also buy more accessories. This is a great investment, especially for those toddlers who are exploring more and try to imitate what mommy and daddy do.
Disclaimer: I did not receive this product for free to review. Further, I did not receive any other for of compensation (monetary or otherwise) for a favorable review. We purchased this product at retail price and this post represents my unbiased opinion.
Photo Credit: Me
Monday, July 16, 2012
We Got Another Word!
My son is rapidly approaching 2. He appears to be developing great as a toddler, except in one area...talking. You can imagine then, that when he does say a new word, my wife and I are ecstatic.
Within the last week he finally learned how to say "car." He pronounces it as "caw" but he's definitely referring to the cars he sees around him.
He already says "go," which of course he pronounces as "gaw." We're hoping the soon he'll put those words together and say "car go" or "go car."
The word "go" is his favorite. As soon as I get him up in the morning he'll start saying "gaw." Even when we're driving somewhere, he'll keep repeating it. I think he likes saying it as much as he likes getting out of the house and going places.
I should add that while my DS isn't talking all that much, he understands a lot. If I tell him to go get socks, he'll go into his room and grab a pair of sock and bring them to me. I can also give him something to give to mommy, and he'll do it.
And yes, he is saying "mamma" and "dadda." Sometimes repeating them over and over again.
In the next month or two we'll be taking him to the doctor for his 2 year check-up. Hopefully she can shed some light on whether or not we should be worried about his speech development.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the words will come more frequent.
Within the last week he finally learned how to say "car." He pronounces it as "caw" but he's definitely referring to the cars he sees around him.
He already says "go," which of course he pronounces as "gaw." We're hoping the soon he'll put those words together and say "car go" or "go car."
The word "go" is his favorite. As soon as I get him up in the morning he'll start saying "gaw." Even when we're driving somewhere, he'll keep repeating it. I think he likes saying it as much as he likes getting out of the house and going places.
I should add that while my DS isn't talking all that much, he understands a lot. If I tell him to go get socks, he'll go into his room and grab a pair of sock and bring them to me. I can also give him something to give to mommy, and he'll do it.
And yes, he is saying "mamma" and "dadda." Sometimes repeating them over and over again.
In the next month or two we'll be taking him to the doctor for his 2 year check-up. Hopefully she can shed some light on whether or not we should be worried about his speech development.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the words will come more frequent.
Monday, July 9, 2012
One Overlooked Cause Of Temper Tantrums
A lot of parenting is trial and error. I learn the most, not by reading books, but by figuring out what works and what doesn't with my little DS.
The one issue every parent of a toddler can identify with is temper tantrums. They're those awful few minutes where you child acts as if the world is coming to an end. Parents really earn their stripes by dealing with tantrums on a daily basis.
The Cause Of The Tantrum
Most of the time, this can be easy to figure out. With my own son, it's when he can't have something he wants or we take something away from him. He'll even throw tantrums when we're about to leave somewhere he wants to stay (like coming inside after playing outside).
Sometimes, however, there are tantrums with no identifiable cause. They just come out of nowhere. These are the toughest to deal with because they are the most frustrating for a parent.
I've figured out one reason for these tantrums-out-of-nowhere:
Boredom!
Toddlers are people too and they get bored, just like the rest of us. When we get bored we get fidgety and restless. We'll seek out something to end our boredom like watching television or surfing the internet (for example).
A toddler can't communicate what he or she wants very easily. So they get frustrated, which leads to a temper tantrum.
When my son is throwing a tantrum and there is no obvious reason why, I get on the floor and start playing with some of his toys. 9 times out 10 it's enough to stop his crying and he'll come over to play with me. He was just bored.
The next time your toddler is throwing a temper tantrum try playing with him or her. It's a simple, but very effective way of calming them down while keeping your own sanity.
The one issue every parent of a toddler can identify with is temper tantrums. They're those awful few minutes where you child acts as if the world is coming to an end. Parents really earn their stripes by dealing with tantrums on a daily basis.
The Cause Of The Tantrum
Most of the time, this can be easy to figure out. With my own son, it's when he can't have something he wants or we take something away from him. He'll even throw tantrums when we're about to leave somewhere he wants to stay (like coming inside after playing outside).
Sometimes, however, there are tantrums with no identifiable cause. They just come out of nowhere. These are the toughest to deal with because they are the most frustrating for a parent.
I've figured out one reason for these tantrums-out-of-nowhere:
Boredom!
Toddlers are people too and they get bored, just like the rest of us. When we get bored we get fidgety and restless. We'll seek out something to end our boredom like watching television or surfing the internet (for example).
A toddler can't communicate what he or she wants very easily. So they get frustrated, which leads to a temper tantrum.
When my son is throwing a tantrum and there is no obvious reason why, I get on the floor and start playing with some of his toys. 9 times out 10 it's enough to stop his crying and he'll come over to play with me. He was just bored.
The next time your toddler is throwing a temper tantrum try playing with him or her. It's a simple, but very effective way of calming them down while keeping your own sanity.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Brad's Quick Parenting Tip #75: Keeping Toddler Awake In Car
I cherish my son's nap time. It's a few hours a day I can have to myself. It also means he won't be cranky in the evening before bed.
But his naps are a delicate thing. It doesn't take much to throw him off schedule, to the point where he won't take a nap at all.
For instance, when we go out and do something in the morning, where he's getting a lot of exercise, he sometimes falls asleep in the car on the way home. And if it's close to lunchtime (noon-ish) I can count on him not taking a nap that afternoon. He just won't be tired enough to fall asleep.
So I've figured out a surefire way to keep him awake in the car: His snack cup, sippy cup, and a toy or two. These three things will keep him occupied and awake. Never fails.
I've talked about the snack cup before in an earlier post. They can be lifesavers.
I try my best to keep his schedule consistant, which is why I can count on his nap times to be my break every day.
How do you keep your little one awake?
But his naps are a delicate thing. It doesn't take much to throw him off schedule, to the point where he won't take a nap at all.
For instance, when we go out and do something in the morning, where he's getting a lot of exercise, he sometimes falls asleep in the car on the way home. And if it's close to lunchtime (noon-ish) I can count on him not taking a nap that afternoon. He just won't be tired enough to fall asleep.
So I've figured out a surefire way to keep him awake in the car: His snack cup, sippy cup, and a toy or two. These three things will keep him occupied and awake. Never fails.
I've talked about the snack cup before in an earlier post. They can be lifesavers.
I try my best to keep his schedule consistant, which is why I can count on his nap times to be my break every day.
How do you keep your little one awake?
Monday, June 25, 2012
The "Sharing vs. Not Taking" Toy Dilemma
One of the fun things about letting my DS play with other kids is watching how they interact. Toddlers don't really play with each other, they play next to each other.
There's something I've noticed with parents too. It's the "sharing vs. not taking" toys dilemma. It goes something like this:
My son is playing with a toy. Another toddler comes up wanting to play with the toy and starts to grab at it. I tell my son to share, while the parent of the other child says to not grab and wait his/her turn. It's a no-win situation for the kids.
Every parent wants their child to learn good manners and to play well with others. Yet you have these opposing forces - to learn to share, and to learn not to take things.
Usually these situations end in a toss-up. The kid with the toy relents (usually at the urging of their parent) and the other kid gets the toy.
I still find it awkward. How do you handle this dilemma? I'd love to hear your answers.
There's something I've noticed with parents too. It's the "sharing vs. not taking" toys dilemma. It goes something like this:
My son is playing with a toy. Another toddler comes up wanting to play with the toy and starts to grab at it. I tell my son to share, while the parent of the other child says to not grab and wait his/her turn. It's a no-win situation for the kids.
Every parent wants their child to learn good manners and to play well with others. Yet you have these opposing forces - to learn to share, and to learn not to take things.
Usually these situations end in a toss-up. The kid with the toy relents (usually at the urging of their parent) and the other kid gets the toy.
I still find it awkward. How do you handle this dilemma? I'd love to hear your answers.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Sign Up For The Brad-the-Dad Monthly Newsletter
I'm starting a monthly newsletter to better connect with other parents out there. Right now, I plan to make the newsletter an extension of this blog - meaning it will highlight some of the popular posts over the last month, have exclusive content not available to non-subscribers, and a few other goodies.
You can sign up right now:
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While I plan to make this a once-per-month newsletter, I might send something extra out every once in a while. However, these will be few and far between.
Thanks for subscribing!
You can sign up right now:
While I plan to make this a once-per-month newsletter, I might send something extra out every once in a while. However, these will be few and far between.
Thanks for subscribing!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
There's No Business Like Monkey Bizness
Today I took my son to Monkey Bizness, a place for little kids to run and play around. They have different types of indoor playground equipment, including a huge jumping castle with slides and other fun things inside.
My DS isn't even two yet but he holds his own among the bigger kids (3-5). I still followed him around, just in case, but I didn't stick on him like glue like I used too. He's becoming very independent.
Monkey Bizness is a good place to go if the weather is bad, or you just want to let your kids blow off some steam for a while. They also have an arts and crafts room and a room you can rent out for parties.
For parents, there is an area with tables and chairs. You can buy some little snacks and drinks at the front desk, but if you want a full meal, you're on your own.
Overall it's a good spot if you want to kill some time without dragging your kid/s through the mall or visit your local Target store for the 10th time that day.
Disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with Monkey Bizness in any way and I'm not being compensated for this post. It is my personal, unbiased opinion.
My DS isn't even two yet but he holds his own among the bigger kids (3-5). I still followed him around, just in case, but I didn't stick on him like glue like I used too. He's becoming very independent.
Monkey Bizness is a good place to go if the weather is bad, or you just want to let your kids blow off some steam for a while. They also have an arts and crafts room and a room you can rent out for parties.
For parents, there is an area with tables and chairs. You can buy some little snacks and drinks at the front desk, but if you want a full meal, you're on your own.
Overall it's a good spot if you want to kill some time without dragging your kid/s through the mall or visit your local Target store for the 10th time that day.
Disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with Monkey Bizness in any way and I'm not being compensated for this post. It is my personal, unbiased opinion.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
The Number Of Stay-At-Home Dads Is Increasing
Sometimes it's hard to remember that this a stay-at-home dad oriented blog. A lot of my posts are about other things, like temper tantrums, or talking about the sleeping habits of my son.
If you're a dad reading this, which I hope you are, you should embrace your job and wear it as a badge of pride.
However, those are the things stay-at-home parents (mom or dad) deal with daily. So I think I'm still in the loop. I just don't emphasize that I'm a dad.
Yesterday there was an article on Yahoo! News that caught my eye. It's called Is Dad The New Mom? The Rise of Stay-At-Home Fathers.
I don't want to rehash the entire article, I'll let you read it for yourself. But there are a few things worth highlighting. Like:
According to the most recent Census, the number of stay-at-home fathers in the United States has tripled in the past 10 years up to 154,000. Yet, these at-home dads are still the exception to the traditional household and many treading in unchartered parenting waters.
I've known about the incredibly low number of stay-at-home dads there are out there because of the research I'm doing for a secret project I'm working on. As a percentage of the US population, us dads are a rare breed. That means sticking together.
Which brings me to my next point:
Many at-home dads across the country have turned to the Internet for guidance and support from each other, and now there is a growing online community. Some at-home dads set up get-togethers.
"They talk about sports and politics, but if you go in there right now they will be talking about diaper changes, sleeping challenges, so we're really talking about a lot of the stuff that moms are talking about," said Matt Schneider of "NYC Dads Group."I've mentioned in a previous post that I joined a dad's group when my DS was about 2 months. The other dads were great. The only problem was that their kids were toddlers. So why they were playing with their kids on the playground, I was stuck sitting on the bench giving my son a bottle.
If you're a dad reading this, which I hope you are, you should embrace your job and wear it as a badge of pride.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Review: Gymboree Play & Learn Revisited
I've been taking my son to Gymboree Play & Learn since early February. I thought I'd write an update to my previous Gymboree post to tell you how it's working out.
First, my son is getting used to it. For the longest time he was very hesitant to participate in any of the activities. Now, he's pretty enthusiastic about it. I still have to coax him along. Overall though, I think he gets the idea.
His favorite activity is the parachute. At first, all the kids sit in the middle and we drag them in a circle. Then, the kids go under the parachute while the parents stand on the edges and bring the parachute up and down. He loves it! I can always count on him playing with the parachute without any coaxing from me.
Second, there is a social component to Gymboree. While the kids don't actually play together, they still interact. My son is learning to share and wait his turn. He also watches other kids and sees what they're doing. Since my wife and I will not have any more children, it's important he gets a lot of social interaction.
Third, from a parent's point of view, it can be exhausting. It's not one of those things where you take your kid there, drop them off, then fall asleep and drool all over yourself. No, the parents also participate. Further, parents are responsible for keeping their kids safe.
Don't get me wrong, Gymboree is set up to be a very toddler-friendly environment. But I still need to be by my little DS in case he loses his balance on some of the activities, falls down, etc. Don't expect the employees there to be babysitters.
One of the best parts about Gymboree is that it gets us out of the house. And it wears my son out enough that he takes a really good nap on Gymboree day.
The only downside is that Gymboree is a bit pricey. I think we pay something like $70 +/- a month.
Yes, I'd recommend Gymboree to anyone looking for something to do with their toddler besides sit at home and watch TV. If there's one close to you and you can afford the price, go for it!
Disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with Gymboree in any way (other than being paying customer), nor am I being compensated for writing this post. This is my personal, unbiased opinion.
First, my son is getting used to it. For the longest time he was very hesitant to participate in any of the activities. Now, he's pretty enthusiastic about it. I still have to coax him along. Overall though, I think he gets the idea.
His favorite activity is the parachute. At first, all the kids sit in the middle and we drag them in a circle. Then, the kids go under the parachute while the parents stand on the edges and bring the parachute up and down. He loves it! I can always count on him playing with the parachute without any coaxing from me.
Second, there is a social component to Gymboree. While the kids don't actually play together, they still interact. My son is learning to share and wait his turn. He also watches other kids and sees what they're doing. Since my wife and I will not have any more children, it's important he gets a lot of social interaction.
Third, from a parent's point of view, it can be exhausting. It's not one of those things where you take your kid there, drop them off, then fall asleep and drool all over yourself. No, the parents also participate. Further, parents are responsible for keeping their kids safe.
Don't get me wrong, Gymboree is set up to be a very toddler-friendly environment. But I still need to be by my little DS in case he loses his balance on some of the activities, falls down, etc. Don't expect the employees there to be babysitters.
One of the best parts about Gymboree is that it gets us out of the house. And it wears my son out enough that he takes a really good nap on Gymboree day.
The only downside is that Gymboree is a bit pricey. I think we pay something like $70 +/- a month.
Yes, I'd recommend Gymboree to anyone looking for something to do with their toddler besides sit at home and watch TV. If there's one close to you and you can afford the price, go for it!
Disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with Gymboree in any way (other than being paying customer), nor am I being compensated for writing this post. This is my personal, unbiased opinion.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
The Best Father's Day Gift My Son Gave Me
I just want to wish all the dad's out there a Happy Father's Day. I know the day is pretty much over, but I figured better late than never.
My son decided to make me a present to celebrate today. It means so much more when they do something themselves, even at 22-months. I know he doesn't understand the concept of Father's Day. Yet this little drawing, complete with stickers, really made my day.
I watched him and mommy working on the table as I sat on the couch. I could see he was really enjoying this craft project. That also makes me feel good - to see him doing something that makes him happy.
I'm planning on keeping all his drawings and craft projects in a box so he can see them when he's older. My parents did that with me and it's fun to see all the things I did when I was so young.
How did you celebrate Father's Day?
My son decided to make me a present to celebrate today. It means so much more when they do something themselves, even at 22-months. I know he doesn't understand the concept of Father's Day. Yet this little drawing, complete with stickers, really made my day.
I watched him and mommy working on the table as I sat on the couch. I could see he was really enjoying this craft project. That also makes me feel good - to see him doing something that makes him happy.
I'm planning on keeping all his drawings and craft projects in a box so he can see them when he's older. My parents did that with me and it's fun to see all the things I did when I was so young.
How did you celebrate Father's Day?
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
My Son Discovered Street Running
My son's new bad habit is running into the street when we're outside playing. Luckily, our street is very quiet with only residential traffic, and, we have a lot of kids on our street so cars generally go slow. But it's still something we're very strict about.
Before I get into that though, I should say it is kind of cute. He has a little toy lawnmower he likes to pull around and takes it with him into the street. He usually runs towards our neighbors house. He looks like he's proud of himself. I guess he probably is. He's escaping from mommy and daddy.
Cute or not, it is dangerous. Since he can run fast for having such little legs, I have to run to catch up to him. Once I have him in my grip, I lead him back to our yard.
I go by the strike system. Three strikes, your out. Each time he goes into the street is one strike. After we hit three we go inside.
It seems to be working. Now he'll run to the edge of the driveway and stop. I still panic when he does that, but at least he's not actually in the street.
I told my wife we should get one of those 'invisible fences' that people use for their dogs. The dog wears a collar and if they go outside the fence, they get a little shock. I'm kidding of course. If you really did that, you can expect a visit from your county's child protective services.
This is just one more hazard of nice weather. When toddlers play outside more and more, they will get into more mischief.
Does your toddler run into the street? If so, how do you handle it?
Photo Credit: Nina Matthews Photography via Creative Commons
Before I get into that though, I should say it is kind of cute. He has a little toy lawnmower he likes to pull around and takes it with him into the street. He usually runs towards our neighbors house. He looks like he's proud of himself. I guess he probably is. He's escaping from mommy and daddy.
Cute or not, it is dangerous. Since he can run fast for having such little legs, I have to run to catch up to him. Once I have him in my grip, I lead him back to our yard.
 |
| "Olympics, here I come!" |
It seems to be working. Now he'll run to the edge of the driveway and stop. I still panic when he does that, but at least he's not actually in the street.
I told my wife we should get one of those 'invisible fences' that people use for their dogs. The dog wears a collar and if they go outside the fence, they get a little shock. I'm kidding of course. If you really did that, you can expect a visit from your county's child protective services.
This is just one more hazard of nice weather. When toddlers play outside more and more, they will get into more mischief.
Does your toddler run into the street? If so, how do you handle it?
Photo Credit: Nina Matthews Photography via Creative Commons
Friday, June 1, 2012
What Books Do I Read To My Son?
Reading is probably one of the best things you can do for your child (besides feeding, of course). I read to my DS every day when I'm putting him down for his nap.
Sometimes I read long stories, sometimes I read shorter stories. I'm not sure if he even pays attention while he's laying in my arms, drinking his bottle. I don't think it matters, though.
With some books, especially the tactile ones that have stuff for kids to touch, he reaches his hand out to play with the book. This can complicate things a little. It's hard to read while I'm holding him in one arm, holding the book in the other and keeping him from grabbing it. There have been a few times I've just given up and put the book down.
What do I read? Good question. There's no shortage of children's books. I like to relive my own toddler years and read stuff I remember my parents read to me.
Here's a short list of my favorite children's books:
Okay, I'll confess that I don't read Everybody Poops to my son, at least not yet. When it comes time to potty train him though, it will be all poop all the time!
When we go to the library to check out more books, I'm often overwhelmed by the large selection. I usually look for board books that are short, but still have some substance to them (i.e. don't have just one word per page).
I try to avoid books from the library that have pop-ups because my son will rip them right off the page. I also avoid the tactile books because I don't his hands where other germy toddler hands have been. Like I said above though, tactile books are fine when we buy them from the bookstore.
I'm hoping to instill good reading habits. My parents taught me a lot by example by reading every night before bed. I still do this, and often have a hard time sleeping if I don't read before bed. If my own DS does this when he's older, I'll be more than happy.
What books do you read your child before bed?
Photo Credits: smoorenburg Used under the Creative Commons License
ABCmouse.com - Over 3,000 Educational Activities - First Month Free - Click here!
Sometimes I read long stories, sometimes I read shorter stories. I'm not sure if he even pays attention while he's laying in my arms, drinking his bottle. I don't think it matters, though.
With some books, especially the tactile ones that have stuff for kids to touch, he reaches his hand out to play with the book. This can complicate things a little. It's hard to read while I'm holding him in one arm, holding the book in the other and keeping him from grabbing it. There have been a few times I've just given up and put the book down.
What do I read? Good question. There's no shortage of children's books. I like to relive my own toddler years and read stuff I remember my parents read to me.
- Miss Nelson is Missing By Harry Allard, James Marshall (illustrator)
- Best Nest By P.D. Eastmon
- Goodnight Moon By Margaret Wise Brown
- Guess How Much I Love You By Sam McBratney
- Everybody Poops By Taro Gomi, Amanda Mayer Stinchecum
Okay, I'll confess that I don't read Everybody Poops to my son, at least not yet. When it comes time to potty train him though, it will be all poop all the time!
 |
| "This book is a pretentious piece of crap." |
When we go to the library to check out more books, I'm often overwhelmed by the large selection. I usually look for board books that are short, but still have some substance to them (i.e. don't have just one word per page).
I try to avoid books from the library that have pop-ups because my son will rip them right off the page. I also avoid the tactile books because I don't his hands where other germy toddler hands have been. Like I said above though, tactile books are fine when we buy them from the bookstore.
I'm hoping to instill good reading habits. My parents taught me a lot by example by reading every night before bed. I still do this, and often have a hard time sleeping if I don't read before bed. If my own DS does this when he's older, I'll be more than happy.
What books do you read your child before bed?
Photo Credits: smoorenburg Used under the Creative Commons License
ABCmouse.com - Over 3,000 Educational Activities - First Month Free - Click here!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Review: Intex Ocean Play Center
Sometimes a simple water table just won't do, especially when the temperature begins to hover around 90 degrees (F). I want my DS to be able to play outside and stay cool. So we got him what I generically refer to as a kiddie pool.
More specifically, we bought an Intex Ocean Play Center inflatable pool. It retails on Amazon for about $37. It just arrived this morning, so this afternoon we whipped it out and had some good old fashion backyard fun.
Assembly
It's a blow-up toy. If you can't figure it out, then you probably shouldn't be having kids. I'd use an electric air pump on this thing or you'll collapse one of your lungs trying to blow it up by mouth.
It also comes with some blow-up toys, which I used a small hand pump with relative ease.
Durability
It feels cheap. There's no real 'bottom' to the pool which makes it flimsy. This also means that unless you place it on a very level surface, the water will collect in the lower parts.
And if you have a windy day (like the Chicago-area is notorious for), make sure you either have the pool filled with water or have some other way of holding it down. Because of the flimsiness, it catches the wind like a sailboat.
I'm not expecting much out of this pool as far as durability goes. I'll be happy if this thing lasts the entire summer.
Playing Fun
I should start off by saying we didn't fill the pool up all the way. My son didn't quite know what to make of this pool. He sloshed around a little at first, though not much.
On a side note, water coming out of a garden hose is very cold. I'd fill it up an hour or two before your child's going to play in it and let the sun beat down on the water for a while to warm it up.
The pool has a feature where you can attach a hose to it and it sprays water up along the sides. No matter how you adjust the garden hose water pressure, it's either spraying ten feet into the air or not spraying at all. When I first turned it on, my son started crying.
Once he figured everything out I think he had a pretty fun time. We put sandals on him because the bottom gets very slippery.
While he played I pumped up the additional toys that come with it (you can see them in the back of the pool). He liked those a lot. Just be careful if there's wind because they have a bad habit of blowing away.
There's also a little pool in one corner where they can climb up onto a little slide. The bad thing is there's really nothing to help the kid get up on the slide, which is made worse by the wet plastic (or whatever it's made out of) being very slippery. You're going to have to put your kid on the slide yourself.
My son didn't really venture into this part of the pool until we put him there. He tried to climb up the slide a few times with no luck. Yeah the slide looks cool but it's not as exciting as you'd think.
We placed our little plastic slide inside the pool - combining two toys to make one super, awesome fun toy.
My son loved this. He loves his slide anyway. When he slid down into the water, he was in watery-slide heaven. He liked this much more than he like the slide that is attached to the pool. The other great thing is that this slide has steps going up to it, which the pool slide lacks.
Verdict
Meh! I'm neutral on this one. I think this pool is a little overpriced, especially given the "cheapness" of it. On the other hand, it is a pool of water, and most kids could care less how much it costs. They just like to get wet.
If you're in the market for a good kiddie pool, I'd shell out some more money and get a better one. Some of the fancier pools are upwards of $100 or more.
I think what makes this pool seem so flimsy and cheap is the low sides. It's not very deep. That's probably a good thing, especially for toddlers. Though if the sides were a little taller I might have better things to say.
If you also have this pool, let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.
Safety Note: Regardless of how deep a pool is ALWAYS stay with your child while they are playing in any pool. It doesn't take much for a toddler to drown. Sadly, it happens all too often.
More specifically, we bought an Intex Ocean Play Center inflatable pool. It retails on Amazon for about $37. It just arrived this morning, so this afternoon we whipped it out and had some good old fashion backyard fun.
 |
| "Forget the pool, look at my bulging bicep!" |
Assembly
It's a blow-up toy. If you can't figure it out, then you probably shouldn't be having kids. I'd use an electric air pump on this thing or you'll collapse one of your lungs trying to blow it up by mouth.
It also comes with some blow-up toys, which I used a small hand pump with relative ease.
Durability
It feels cheap. There's no real 'bottom' to the pool which makes it flimsy. This also means that unless you place it on a very level surface, the water will collect in the lower parts.
And if you have a windy day (like the Chicago-area is notorious for), make sure you either have the pool filled with water or have some other way of holding it down. Because of the flimsiness, it catches the wind like a sailboat.
I'm not expecting much out of this pool as far as durability goes. I'll be happy if this thing lasts the entire summer.
Playing Fun
I should start off by saying we didn't fill the pool up all the way. My son didn't quite know what to make of this pool. He sloshed around a little at first, though not much.
On a side note, water coming out of a garden hose is very cold. I'd fill it up an hour or two before your child's going to play in it and let the sun beat down on the water for a while to warm it up.
The pool has a feature where you can attach a hose to it and it sprays water up along the sides. No matter how you adjust the garden hose water pressure, it's either spraying ten feet into the air or not spraying at all. When I first turned it on, my son started crying.
Once he figured everything out I think he had a pretty fun time. We put sandals on him because the bottom gets very slippery.
While he played I pumped up the additional toys that come with it (you can see them in the back of the pool). He liked those a lot. Just be careful if there's wind because they have a bad habit of blowing away.
There's also a little pool in one corner where they can climb up onto a little slide. The bad thing is there's really nothing to help the kid get up on the slide, which is made worse by the wet plastic (or whatever it's made out of) being very slippery. You're going to have to put your kid on the slide yourself.
My son didn't really venture into this part of the pool until we put him there. He tried to climb up the slide a few times with no luck. Yeah the slide looks cool but it's not as exciting as you'd think.
 |
| Pump Up The Jam! |
This is the air pump I used to blow up the little toys that came with the pool. Why is it pictured here, immersed in water? Because my son played with it more than anything else. He figured out if you suck water into the pump, you can spray it out all over your parents.
One thing about toddlers that always amazes me is they love to play with the most mundane objects. It takes so little to make them happy. There's probably a lesson in there somewhere for us adults.
To make things a little more exciting, we did something that no parent should ever do:
 |
| This is a lawsuit waiting to happen. |
We placed our little plastic slide inside the pool - combining two toys to make one super, awesome fun toy.
My son loved this. He loves his slide anyway. When he slid down into the water, he was in watery-slide heaven. He liked this much more than he like the slide that is attached to the pool. The other great thing is that this slide has steps going up to it, which the pool slide lacks.
Verdict
Meh! I'm neutral on this one. I think this pool is a little overpriced, especially given the "cheapness" of it. On the other hand, it is a pool of water, and most kids could care less how much it costs. They just like to get wet.
If you're in the market for a good kiddie pool, I'd shell out some more money and get a better one. Some of the fancier pools are upwards of $100 or more.
I think what makes this pool seem so flimsy and cheap is the low sides. It's not very deep. That's probably a good thing, especially for toddlers. Though if the sides were a little taller I might have better things to say.
If you also have this pool, let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.
Safety Note: Regardless of how deep a pool is ALWAYS stay with your child while they are playing in any pool. It doesn't take much for a toddler to drown. Sadly, it happens all too often.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
What Causes Most Temper Tantrums (And How I deal With Them)?
99% of my son's temper tantrums are caused by things he can't have, or things that we take away from him. Take yesterday for example: I had to go somewhere and I had my water bottle (he LOVES my water bottle) because it was pretty freakin' hot outside. When he realized I wouldn't give him my bottle he completely broke down into a full-blown classic temper tantrum, right in the driveway.
I left before he quieted down. My wife was with him. I've dealt with plenty of tantrums to know the best way to deal with them is to not give in. In other words, ignore it.
Toddlers are trying to get a reaction that will eventually lead to getting what they want. If we give in, then they'll learn that "Hey, this crying and screaming and rolling around on the ground thing gets me anything I want. Cool!".
Sometimes it takes a lot of guesswork on my part to figure out what he wants. Since he's not talking yet, he relies on vague hand signals. If he reaches up to the kitchen counter, and there's a million things on the counter, I could spend hours trying to figure out what he wants. I'll offer him his water bottle (the one thing I'll never take away). And if nothing works, I scoot him out of the kitchen and shut the children's gate.
Usually my strategy is to keep him out of the kitchen in the first place. There's too many dangerous things in there. He tries to turn the stove on. He opens drawers were knives are kept. He's a tall toddler so a lot of things are within his reach.
Slowly I'm learning what objects he wants and will cause him to break down if he doesn't get them. I keep those things out of sight. In parenting, prevention really is the best method.
How do you deal with your toddler's temper tantrums? And what causes the most tantrums?
Photo Credit: Mindaugas Danys Used under the Creative Commons license.
I left before he quieted down. My wife was with him. I've dealt with plenty of tantrums to know the best way to deal with them is to not give in. In other words, ignore it.
 |
| "Give me your iPad or someone is getting hurt!" |
Toddlers are trying to get a reaction that will eventually lead to getting what they want. If we give in, then they'll learn that "Hey, this crying and screaming and rolling around on the ground thing gets me anything I want. Cool!".
Sometimes it takes a lot of guesswork on my part to figure out what he wants. Since he's not talking yet, he relies on vague hand signals. If he reaches up to the kitchen counter, and there's a million things on the counter, I could spend hours trying to figure out what he wants. I'll offer him his water bottle (the one thing I'll never take away). And if nothing works, I scoot him out of the kitchen and shut the children's gate.
Usually my strategy is to keep him out of the kitchen in the first place. There's too many dangerous things in there. He tries to turn the stove on. He opens drawers were knives are kept. He's a tall toddler so a lot of things are within his reach.
Slowly I'm learning what objects he wants and will cause him to break down if he doesn't get them. I keep those things out of sight. In parenting, prevention really is the best method.
How do you deal with your toddler's temper tantrums? And what causes the most tantrums?
Photo Credit: Mindaugas Danys Used under the Creative Commons license.
Friday, May 18, 2012
My Son's Mystery Cough
 |
| Let's not overreact. |
My DS has a weird cough that's been going on for over a week now. It only seems to manifest itself at night when he'll have these coughing fits for upwards of 10-minutes. And then during the day he's fine.
The only other symptom we have noticed is that we can hear some phlegm rattling around sometimes when he breathes.
The symptoms are common and probably are nothing to worry about. I'm taking him to the doctor on Monday, and hopefully we'll get a diagnosis.
It's not surprising that he picks up these little bugs considering we're always going to Gymboree, play groups, library story time and other public activities.
If anything, it's building up his immune system. And he's building character.
Photo Credit: AndyBullock77 Used with permission from the Creative Commons.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Review: Fisher Price LP Stand 'N Play Rampway
I'll start off by saying I think I have more fun playing with this toy than my son does. It was given to us by a friend from my playgroup.
Enough talk. Here's my review:
Assembly
I didn't have to assemble it so I can't honestly say if it's hard, easy, comes assembled or what. Based on past experience with other toys, it might very well be a pain in the you-know-what.
Durability
It's a solid product. It looks like it's been played with a lot and it isn't falling apart. When I'm playing with it (which is quite a lot), it feels sturdy. My son can probably throw it around a little and no important parts would break.
Playing Fun
Awesome! You can send little cars down one of two tracks. Each track has it's own cool end. At the end of one track, the car rolls over a button that makes honking noises. There's also lights and buttons to push. At one end there's a little elevator (manual) that will take the cars back up to the top. We only have one car, which is still a lot of fun. I imagine the more cars, the better.
The cool thing about this toy is that at first glance it looks a little complicated for a toddler, but it's very easy to play with. My son had no problem figuring it out and he's not even 2-years old yet. This morning he was playing with it quietly by himself while I sat on the couch reading (okay, I wasn't reading, I was watching TV. Sue me).
Best of all, it doesn't make a lot of noise. If there's one thing that drives me nuts is overly noisy toys - and that's about 99% of toddler toys. Yes, it does make some honking and beeping sounds, but nothing that will make you pull your hair out and jump out the window.
This is definitely a toy that can keep a kid occupied for a while. For parents, that's like the holy grail.
Verdict
Yes, I'd buy this (even though I didn't). It's durable enough to withstand the abuse from a toddler, yet fun enough to keep them occupied while you have a few drinks.
FYI: It is a rather big toy. My son is just barely taller than it is. So keep that in mind when setting it up in your play area.
Shameless Plug: You can buy this at buy.com. This is an affiliate link, so I get a small percentage of the price.
LP STAND PLAY RAMPWAY
Photo Credit: Me
Enough talk. Here's my review:
Assembly
I didn't have to assemble it so I can't honestly say if it's hard, easy, comes assembled or what. Based on past experience with other toys, it might very well be a pain in the you-know-what.
Durability
It's a solid product. It looks like it's been played with a lot and it isn't falling apart. When I'm playing with it (which is quite a lot), it feels sturdy. My son can probably throw it around a little and no important parts would break.
Playing Fun
Awesome! You can send little cars down one of two tracks. Each track has it's own cool end. At the end of one track, the car rolls over a button that makes honking noises. There's also lights and buttons to push. At one end there's a little elevator (manual) that will take the cars back up to the top. We only have one car, which is still a lot of fun. I imagine the more cars, the better.
 |
| Dangerous electrical outlet (left) not included. |
The cool thing about this toy is that at first glance it looks a little complicated for a toddler, but it's very easy to play with. My son had no problem figuring it out and he's not even 2-years old yet. This morning he was playing with it quietly by himself while I sat on the couch reading (okay, I wasn't reading, I was watching TV. Sue me).
Best of all, it doesn't make a lot of noise. If there's one thing that drives me nuts is overly noisy toys - and that's about 99% of toddler toys. Yes, it does make some honking and beeping sounds, but nothing that will make you pull your hair out and jump out the window.
This is definitely a toy that can keep a kid occupied for a while. For parents, that's like the holy grail.
Verdict
Yes, I'd buy this (even though I didn't). It's durable enough to withstand the abuse from a toddler, yet fun enough to keep them occupied while you have a few drinks.
FYI: It is a rather big toy. My son is just barely taller than it is. So keep that in mind when setting it up in your play area.
Shameless Plug: You can buy this at buy.com. This is an affiliate link, so I get a small percentage of the price.
LP STAND PLAY RAMPWAY
Photo Credit: Me
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
5 Ways To Keep Your Child Safe During The Summer
Now that warm weather is here we can finally take our kids outside for a little fresh air. If you have a toddler like I do, you'll probably find your self chasing him/her around your yard instead of sitting on your deck drinking beer. But that's okay because we all need the exercise.
As fun as going out in the sun is, there are some precautions you should take to protect your little one. These might seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised. Think of this as a pre-summer refresher course.
Here are a few tips to enjoy your time with your kid outside:
There are hundreds of more tips on keep your toddler safe during the summer months. I just touched on the few that I've been following with my own son so far.
If your toddler has any medical conditions you should check with your doctor before playing outside. Better safe than sorry.
Enjoy the summer!
Photo Credit: bengrey Used under the Creative Commons license.
As fun as going out in the sun is, there are some precautions you should take to protect your little one. These might seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised. Think of this as a pre-summer refresher course.
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| "I'm actually pooping right now. Ha ha!" |
Here are a few tips to enjoy your time with your kid outside:
- Use plenty of sunblock on you and your child. Toddlers still have sensitive skin so you want to protect them the best you can.
- Never leave your child alone in a kiddie pool. It doesn't take much for a small child to drown. Always stay within arms reach of your child. Give them your full attention. This is not the time to be playing around on your smartphone.
- NEVER leave your child unattended in your car. When the sun is shining it can get fatally hot inside a car. Even with the windows down, the temperature can get dangerously high. Don't even leave your child if you're just running in for "a minute or two." It can get hot fast! And if a bystander sees your child alone in a car on a hot day, you'll probably get a visit from the police.
- Make sure your child drinks plenty of water. They can get dehydrated very fast, especially if they're running around. I always have a sippy cup filled with water easily accesible to my DS.
- Watch out for hot metal on playground equipment. I've gotten more burns from things that have baked in the sun than I care to count. Always check to make sure the playground equipment is cool enough for your child to play on.
There are hundreds of more tips on keep your toddler safe during the summer months. I just touched on the few that I've been following with my own son so far.
If your toddler has any medical conditions you should check with your doctor before playing outside. Better safe than sorry.
Enjoy the summer!
Photo Credit: bengrey Used under the Creative Commons license.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
How Do You Punish A Toddler That Can't Be Punished?
I don't expect that my toddler son will be a perfect angel all the time. He has his moments where he just won't behave. It's frustrating, but it's part of being a parent.
However, this begs the question: How do you discipline a toddler?
My DS doesn't understand that he's being punished. He doesn't make the connection between what he did wrong and how we (my wife and I) react to it. For example, if we give him a time out, he'll just sit there and laugh and move around, thinking it's a game.
Today when he and I were playing outside he kept running into the street, which is a huge no-no. I gave him 3 chances, and then we'd go inside. He used up those 3 chances pretty fast and we went inside. Yet it didn't bother him in the least.
The only punishment that has any effect on him is taking things away. He likes cups of ice. He'll chew on the ice, suck on it and play around with it. No big deal. But he also likes to dump the ice out on the floor, which is also a no-no. I give him a chance not to do it anymore and let him keep his ice. Then he does it again and I take it away. He then goes quickly into full temper tantrum mode.
However, most the stuff he does cannot be taken away. So how do you punish a toddler that doesn't respond to punishment.
I don't know. If someone figures it out, please tell me.
But I do know that it's important to be consistant. Hopefully as he gets older he'll begin to make the connection between being bad and being punished.
However, this begs the question: How do you discipline a toddler?
My DS doesn't understand that he's being punished. He doesn't make the connection between what he did wrong and how we (my wife and I) react to it. For example, if we give him a time out, he'll just sit there and laugh and move around, thinking it's a game.
Today when he and I were playing outside he kept running into the street, which is a huge no-no. I gave him 3 chances, and then we'd go inside. He used up those 3 chances pretty fast and we went inside. Yet it didn't bother him in the least.
The only punishment that has any effect on him is taking things away. He likes cups of ice. He'll chew on the ice, suck on it and play around with it. No big deal. But he also likes to dump the ice out on the floor, which is also a no-no. I give him a chance not to do it anymore and let him keep his ice. Then he does it again and I take it away. He then goes quickly into full temper tantrum mode.
However, most the stuff he does cannot be taken away. So how do you punish a toddler that doesn't respond to punishment.
I don't know. If someone figures it out, please tell me.
But I do know that it's important to be consistant. Hopefully as he gets older he'll begin to make the connection between being bad and being punished.
Friday, May 4, 2012
What 5 Things Should Parents Never Say To Their Kids?
Everyone knows that communication is important. This is especially true with our children. We even communicate with infants by talking to them, reading them stories, and so forth. As kids age, communication becomes more and more important.
According to experts, there are some things you just shouldn't say. I should qualify that by saying "Duh!" but these are phrases we use often without a second thought.
I'm just going to list the phrases here, taken from this Yahoo! article:
According to experts, there are some things you just shouldn't say. I should qualify that by saying "Duh!" but these are phrases we use often without a second thought.
I'm just going to list the phrases here, taken from this Yahoo! article:
- "I don't care."
- "Act your age."
- "Say you're sorry!"
- "Don't you get it?"
- "I'm going to leave without you."
People say these things to me every day. So what's the big deal?
Seriously though, the gist of the article is that words can hurt, and they can't be taken back. Personally I think some of these phrases are harmless, like "Say you're sorry." I hear it all the time in my playgroups, Gymboree and story times my DS and I attend.
Yes, I agree that we need to be careful what we say to kids, especially as they're learning to talk and repeat everything we say. On the other hand, telling your kid that you're going to leave without them will hardly scar them for life - unless you actually do leave without them. No matter what you say, don't leave without your kids. The law looks down on it.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Review: Step 2 Waterwheel Play Table
Now that warmer weather is here it's time to start thinking about outdoor activities. And since the temperature in the Chicago area is hitting the 80s, it's perfect weather for water sports.
Since we don't have a pool, or even a koi pond, we had to get creative.
We decided to get the Step 2 Waterwheel Play Table. It's just that, a table that holds water. Here's my review:
Assembly
I didn't assemble this toy, my wife did. It didn't take her very long so I can only assume it went together easily. So I don't have much to say here.
Durability
After only about an hours worth of use it seems to be very durable. No leaks. No legs broke off. It didn't explode. Nothing. It feels solid. And considering it holds water (which gets heavy very fast) it's some pretty strong plastic.
I'm not worried about this water table falling apart anytime soon. If I was a betting man, I'd say that my DS will outgrow it before it falls apart.
Playing Fun
My son loved it. He loves taking baths and splashing around. The water table comes with little sailboats (that do fall apart easily) and a cup. He spent most of the time splashing in the water and playing with the sailboats.
He also like taking cups of water and dumping them onto the pavement. I guess the weeds in the pavement cracks need some watering.
The thing I like about this toy the most is that it keeps my son in one area. I was actually able to sit on the steps of my deck and watch him play, instead of chasing him all over the lawn (and sometimes down the street). This is a big plus in my book.
Verdict
I'd certainly recommend this product, especially if you live in an area where it tends to be hot and humid during the summer months.
The only downside (and it's not a very big one) is that it has no plug to empty the water out. So you have to dump the thing on its side. Not a deal breaker, but still a minor annoyance.
I don't think this will make your toddler the coolest kid on the block. But it will keep him cool!
Since we don't have a pool, or even a koi pond, we had to get creative.
We decided to get the Step 2 Waterwheel Play Table. It's just that, a table that holds water. Here's my review:
 |
| Kids on the box not included. |
Assembly
I didn't assemble this toy, my wife did. It didn't take her very long so I can only assume it went together easily. So I don't have much to say here.
Durability
After only about an hours worth of use it seems to be very durable. No leaks. No legs broke off. It didn't explode. Nothing. It feels solid. And considering it holds water (which gets heavy very fast) it's some pretty strong plastic.
I'm not worried about this water table falling apart anytime soon. If I was a betting man, I'd say that my DS will outgrow it before it falls apart.
Playing Fun
My son loved it. He loves taking baths and splashing around. The water table comes with little sailboats (that do fall apart easily) and a cup. He spent most of the time splashing in the water and playing with the sailboats.
 |
| Yes, that is my son's arm you see. |
He also like taking cups of water and dumping them onto the pavement. I guess the weeds in the pavement cracks need some watering.
The thing I like about this toy the most is that it keeps my son in one area. I was actually able to sit on the steps of my deck and watch him play, instead of chasing him all over the lawn (and sometimes down the street). This is a big plus in my book.
Verdict
I'd certainly recommend this product, especially if you live in an area where it tends to be hot and humid during the summer months.
The only downside (and it's not a very big one) is that it has no plug to empty the water out. So you have to dump the thing on its side. Not a deal breaker, but still a minor annoyance.
I don't think this will make your toddler the coolest kid on the block. But it will keep him cool!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Brad's Quick Parenting Tip # 137: Snacks
When I take my DS somewhere (except for quick trips to the store) I usually give him his snack cup and his sippy cup of water. This not only keeps him happy, but holds him over until lunch, dinner, etc.
For example, if I'm taking him to play group, it might be a good 30 minute drive, depending on where it is that particular week. In that 30 minutes, he'll eat his entire snack cup. This means on the way home, after running around for an hour, he'll have nothing to eat - and he's always hungry after play groups.
My solution: I put some extra snacks in a little baggy. When we get in the car to go home, I pour those snacks into his cup. He's happy. I'm happy. And we go on our merry way.
Now, some of you will say: "Brad, does your son really need all those snacks?" Not always. But when he's been really active and it's not quite lunchtime yet, he does need a little something to eat.
Hopefully this tip will help some of you parents, as obvious as it may seem. Sometimes it's the easiest things we tend to overlook.
Monday, April 30, 2012
My Son's First Trip To The Zoo
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| "I want to throw my feces at you." |
On Saturday my family and a good friend spent the morning at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo. It was my son's first trip to the zoo.
I think he like running around more than looking at the animals. But he did like watching the monkeys swing around and do funny things. And for some reason, he really likes ducks. He's probably a little too young to appreciate seeing all the cool animals.
For me, I couldn't wait to see the tigers and lions, pictured above. They are my favorite.
Fun was had by all, which was the most important thing.
Photo Credit: Me. Taken with my Blackberry.
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