St. Patrick’s Day is less than a week away. If you’re looking for an excuse to go green or need a deadline to jumpstart an eco-friendly lifestyle, give St. Patrick’s day a new purpose. Go Green! Whether going green means recycling that pile of old magazines in your house, stocking the shelves with organic baby food (better yet making your own!), teaching your children about climate change, or shopping for Bispenol-A free baby bottles, use March 17th to motivate change.

What better day to go green, anyway? Even one small lifestyle change can have a huge impact on the world around us–and on the lives of our children and future generations.

What small change will you make next week?

Looking for a fresh approach to handling your toddler?  Harvey Karp, M.D., creator of the Happiest Baby on the Block parenting methodology, might just offer what you seek:  solutions to toddler temper tantrums.  Curious about Dr. Karp’s approach, I picked up a copy of his Happiest Toddler on the Block DVD at my local library.  In the video, Dr. Karp works like a magician, teaching parents how to communicate with their toddlers in a way that lets the toddler (a.k.a. caveperson) know that you hear them–effectively eliminating most temper tantrums. 

Although somewhat silly in parts, the video offers key learning points and provides parents with real solutions (although perhaps slightly embarrassing at first to do in public) to dealing with frustrating toddler behavior.  I’m already having good luck trying these techniques with my toddler.  And, given that Dr. Karp’s approach has been highlighted on Dr. Phil, I’m definitely not the only one who thinks there is potential value in the Happiest Toddler approach.

Here’s a sample YouTube clip, thanks to Parents.com: 

Have you used the The Happiest Toddler on the Block approach? If so, is it working for you and your child?     

I happened to find myself “window shopping” in a super pricey, albeit totally chic, brick and mortar baby store the other day.  I discovered two things (although the first I already knew, but reminders are ALWAYS useful):  (1) you generally get so much MORE bang for the buck when you shop online, and (2) there are some uber cool play baby photo albums (a.k.a. developmental photo toys) on the market.

Wondering why you’d ever give your baby a chewable photo album toy?  Well, for development purposes for starters.  Baby friendly photo albums or toys help baby develop familiarity with the displayed faces.  Baby and Mom (Dad, Grandma or the sitter) will find endless joy in playing “who’s that?” or peek-a-boo–and of course, in watching baby give ”kisses” to her favorite photos.  Photo albums or toys also encourage baby talk and giggles.  Colors, designs, and textures also captivate baby’s interest.

baby-Wise.com has a fabulous selection of baby photo albums, toys and cubes.   

Like this one, the Hello Baby Photo Cube by Sassy ($11.49), which introduces baby to fun noises when photos are pressed.  

And this one, the Whoozit Photo Album by Manhattan Toy ($15.95), which holds 5 4×6 images and has special flaps for peek-a-boo fun.

As I ripped apart a closet today looking through storage totes for a particular item, I came across an envelope of old photos.  By old, I mean…hmm, uh…a lifetime ago…sometime long before kids.  Those photos contained images of a college-aged me. 

Wow, I can’t believe that person is–was–me.  When I think about the then-me, I feel like the same person, just with a lot more life experience.  Me sans a husband or three children.  Sometimes, when I’m stressed out by the zillion things I have to do each day to keep the family ball rolling, I find myself longing for her.  Missing her. 

But, today when I looked at the photos of my younger self, for the first time I realized I didn’t long for her.  Sure, I felt a dose of nostalgia thinking about years past, but it hit me hard that I don’t want to be her–or wear her smile.

You see, as happy as that smile staring back at me in those photos looks, that smile knew nothing about the happiness that comes with motherhood.  She knew nothing about the pains or challenges of birthing babies or raising children.  She didn’t have a clue that in becoming a mother she would actually discover herself along the way.

I couldn’t have had better timing in discovering these photos today, given that a blogger at one of my favorite blogs posted a hilarious bit on “How things Change in 10 Years“–that is, once kids come into the picture!  Would the YOU 10 years ago have envisioned the YOU now sharing a bathroom with ”1,000 brightly-colored bath toys“?

Would you go back 10 years if you could–to a time when your closets weren’t jammed packed with baby & kid stuff?

That’s what my preschooler wants to know.  Now that I think about it, I remember wondering the same thing when I was her age.  Hmm… maybe unicorn curiosity is genetic.  Regardless of where a child’s interest in unicorns originates, my preschooler has discovered an absolutely beautiful book, perfect for pre-K to second graders, on the subject.     

Neil Reed’s The Midnight Unicorn (available at Amazon.com for under $15) is a magical story about unicorns and a girl’s love for them.  Millie, the story’s curious main character, embarks on a memorable adventure with a beloved unicorn statue that comes to life, along with her dog.     The watercolor illustrations look almost like photographs.  The pages feature spot-lamination which gives shine and texture to the illustrations–like illumination to Millie’s hair.  My preschooler loves running her fingers over the pages as I read. 

This book is definitely a bookshelf keeper.  In fact, my preschooler likes the book so much, I wouldn’t be surprised if I wind up buying copies of the book for “girly” birthday party presents–speaking of which, I can’t believe the number of birthday party invites a preschooler receives!

Does your child love unicorns, too?  If so, what are your child’s favorite unicorn books and accessories?

I just returned from a family cruise vacation.  Cruising with a preschooler, toddler, and a baby was a blast, really.  My kids loved the constant buzz of ship activity.  My toddler (slash on the verge of becoming a preschooler) especially loved looking for Spiderman among the waves.  Betcha didn’t know Spidey hangs out in the Ocean when he’s not in the city saving people?  Don’t worry if you didn’t know that.  I didn’t either, until I intercepted a throw of my toddler’s baseball hat destined for the water far, far below the deck.  My toddler explained, “Spidey will save my hat.”

Spidey has become a permanent fixture in my little guy’s brain–to the point of obsession which doesn’t even compare to my preschooler’s former love of Dora.  My house is even overflowing with Spiderman.  Spiderman band-aids, plates, utensils, cups, towels, clothing, slippers, sneakers, pencils.  Thank goodness, I haven’t yet stumbled upon a Spidey car seat or Britax superhero replacement cover.  But it’s probably only a matter of time until one makes its way into my household.  After all, Graco already makes a Dora booster. 

Curious about superhero obsession, I undertook a bit of online research on the subject.  Is this normal almost preschooler behavior?  Here’s what I learned, thanks to an informative Superhero case study:

* Superhero or pretend play (a.k.a. ”good guy vs. bad guy”) is normal and important in social development.  Dramatic play rules!  

* It’s normal for preschoolers to show intense interest in superheroes, usually around age four or five

* Superhero imitation helps children form their own identity, figure out differences between good and undesired behavior, and understand rules

* Superhero play helps children learn empathy

* Children can gain confidence through superhero play

Gee, I had absolutely no idea how important or healthy superhero obsession could be for kids’ social and moral (even physical) development!  I just might now need to start setting a place for Spidey at the dinner table.     

Has your child fallen for a superhero, too?  If so, who?        

This evening while walking with my children through an airport terminal to catch a flight, I overheard a woman making much ado about the assortment of restaurants at the airport. She was truly ecstatic about the variety. I can still see her waving her hands at the eatery display board and hear her voice reciting the list to her child. Subway. Pizza Hut. McDonalds. Starbucks. Yada Yada…. I couldn’t help but wonder “what’s the big deal?” Even my two year old wouldn’t get this worked up about these places–okay, I admit most of them are old hat–especially Starbucks.

Then while on the plane, I found myself thinking again about that woman’s reaction. Maybe she simply never eats out–with or without her child. I know there are plenty of families who don’t eat out much, if at all, due to finances or food allergies, among other reasons. Maybe I just eat out way too much. After all, my preschooler already recognizes the differences between Caribou’s cocoa and Starbuck’s, and the differences in sub preparation at Quiznos and Subway. My toddler even knows what restaurant tables work best with the Phil & Teds Me Too Chair.

So, now I’m really curious. How often do you eat out with your children? And…what’s “normal”?

Have you ever wondered about the differences between humidifiers, dehumidifiers and vaporizers?  Or tried to figure out why other parents get so pumped up when they talk about their child’s adorable animal or Thomas the Train character humidifier?

Until the pediatrician suggested I pick up a humidifier a couple of years ago to relieve my child’s congestion, I didn’t really understand the value of a humidifier.  In fact, I didn’t even think they were safe, especially around children.  That’s when I did a little homework to figure out what I didn’t know.

I learned that humidifiers and vaporizers add moisture to the air.  Dehumidifiers do the opposite.  They take moisture out. When your little one is congested due to a cold and has trouble sleeping comfortably, infusing moisture into the air can be a good thing.  Moisture even helps ward off dry skin and chapped lips.   

The notable difference between humidifiers and vaporizers is the temperature of the released mist.  Humidifiers tend to release cool or warm mist, but vaporizers (i.e. steam vaporizers) release hot mist. 

Hot mist poses a burn danger to children.  That’s why cool mist humidifiers are the choice for children’s rooms or when children are around the house.      

Cool mist humidifiers can provide instant relief from stuffiness and are often useful throughout the year–they can even eliminate those static electricity zaps!  Given the number of colds children will likely have in just the first few years alone, a cool mist humidifier is practically an essential.       

Wondering what to look for in a humidifier?  Here are a few features to look for:

–cool mist

–variable humidity control

 –quiet motor

–auto shut-off

–energy efficiency

–if special filters are required, ease in finding “replacements”

It’s that time of year.  Preschool registration.  Whether you’ve had your child on a waitlist for months (or years!) at a particular preschool or you’re just warming up to the idea of sending your child to preschool this fall, there’s a lot to think about. 

Choosing the right preschool program for your child can be tough.  I lost many hours of sleep agonizing over the “right” program for my first born, only to move right before she started the program–agony again! 

Preschools have unique philosophies (e.g., play-based, Montessori), which may or may not mesh with your own views or ideals, or even be compatible with your child’s personality.  Schools are as unique as people.  Some offer highly structured programs and orderly classrooms.  Others are chaotic at every step–from the administration to carpool pick up. 

When it comes to picking a preschool there are so many considerations it’s really easy to become overwhelmed or even discouraged, especially if you find out that you’re “late” in the application game. 

I’m not kidding.  Selecting a preschool ranks near the top of my ”most effort needed” mom projects–definitely tons more work than finding sock mates in the morning in the mad rush to get to preschool on time (and finding matching socks in my household is no easy chore).  If you’re in the preschool application boat right about now, Wondertime has a feature which is worth a read. It’s a preschool checklist, which goes over the basic things you need to think about in selecting a program for your child.

Thankfully, my firstborn’s preschool also seems like a great fit for my rising preschooler, so I get to skip a lot of the hard work this time around.  And…I just learned today that he’s been accepted into the fall preschool class.  Now, that’s icing on the cake.

What advice do you have for parents of rising preschoolers who are thinking about preschool? 

How do you plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day?  Eating chocolate? Shopping?  Giving gifts?  I’ll be baking for part of the day.  According to my preschooler, Valentine’s Day is the one day of the year reserved for baking a heart cake.  Since preschoolers know everything, so they think, a heart cake is my number one priority on Valentine’s Day–along with exchanging a ton of love, laughter and giggles with my kids, of course.

What’s your Valentine’s plan?