One of the largest areas of contention in any home is the tricky matter of chores. When children are added into the mix, a simple discussion about who could do what can easily descend into an argument about what is fair, who does the most, and whose fault it is that you have a messy … Read more

Q: My baby seems to cry all the time—I feel completely useless. Why can’t I get anything right? A: New parents tend to set such high expectations for themselves that, unless everything is going perfectly well all of the time, they feel as if they are failing in their role at some time or other. … Read more

Keepsakes: creating memories When you are wrapped up in the day-to-day demands of caring for your baby and every new experience seems special and important, you think that you will never forget these times. However, children grow and develop so fast that, unless you take the time to record things in some way, you are … Read more

Baby blues & postpartum depression Why am I upset? Your baby has just arrived, and you’re feeling on top of the world. So why are you crying? You are simply at the mercy of your hormones as they adjust. Like the majority of new moms, you’re going through a tearful phase and may feel overwhelmed … Read more

There is no reason why your baby’s food has to be bland! Adding different types of herbs and spices will help her become accustomed to more sophisticated tastes. The younger she is when you start, the easier it will be for her to make the transition to family food. Q: Can I add salt or … Read more

Starting your little one on a diet of healthy, fresh food will encourage him to eat well in the future, and also improve his resistance to illness. Your baby may be reluctant to eat when he is feeling under the weather, but keeping him hydrated and offering small, nutrient-dense meals can help him to recover … Read more

Selecting your family’s mix of enrichment activities is an ongoing process, but as each decision to participate is made, you, of course, must complete the process of incorporating the activity into your family’s planner. Without this blueprint, you’ll quickly find your family being unprepared and missing events. And, as you’re fully aware by now, with … Read more

Toddlers tend to get a bad press—the “terrible twos” is a label they carry with them wherever they go. But for your child, months 24–36 are not so much a battlefield as a period of enormous adventure and personal transformation and for you, as a parent, they will be more rewarding than difficult. “I am … Read more

Your skillful toddler By the age of two your toddler will be far more steady on his feet, and as well as walking, will gradually discover new ways of getting around, such as running, climbing, jumping, and hopping. He is now able to hold a pencil in a writing position, can manage door handles, some … Read more

Q: Sometimes my baby cries and turns away when I give him a toy. What does this mean? A: Timing is everything when you introduce a new toy or game. If your baby is ready to sleep or has been playing for a while, a new activity is likely to be overstimulating, and he may … Read more

Best toys for babies Helping your child develop When your baby is born, you’re on a learning curve like no other. Alongside the focus on feeding and sleeping, you may also be wondering what she needs to learn and develop well. Toys to cuddle Every baby needs plenty of cuddles from you and they’ll love … Read more

Although your baby’s diet will be expanding dramatically over the coming months, his usual milk will remain a large part of his diet until he approaches his first birthday. It’s reassuring to know that if your little one is a slow weaner or a fussy eater, the nutrients in breast milk or formula will help … Read more

Finger foods are a wonderful way to introduce your baby to various tastes and textures, and will help to encourage independent eating. Your baby will enjoy the process of feeding himself as well as the new variety of foods that you offer. The more you encourage this process, the easier the transition will be. Q: … Read more

Oven-baked Sweet Potato Wedges These sweet potato wedges are a tasty and healthy alternative to fries. I have left the skin on the potato because it contains a lot of extra vitamins and fiber. To vary, sprinkle on some Parmesan; or, for babies over a year, make the wedges a little spicier. They are good … Read more

Some of the best family memories come from family vacations, when everyone put aside the routine tasks and “got away from it all.” And although some of us will feel nostalgic when we recall all-night packing sessions and mad scrambles to get a hotel room when the destination town was booked solid for a motorcycle … Read more

Hobbies Hobbies, activities we enjoy and can get absorbed in for hours at a time, can really help us to be more interesting and pleasant people. They can be something as neat and confined as doing crossword puzzles or as messy and far flung as playing paintball. Their common thread is that they relax us … Read more

Play and learning are very closely linked throughout the toddler years, and your child will love nothing more than to have your involvement. The hours you spend playing with him are never wasted time; he is learning from you all the time and needs as much attention as you can manage to give. “Overseeing toddlers … Read more

The importance of pictures Images play an important part in your child’s learning. His brain is developing at a rapid rate, enabling long-term memory and imagination to improve. Pictures are important triggers for both memory and pretend play, which is why picture books are so important for this age group. His skills have now developed … Read more

Q: My baby is crawling everywhere. Should I be worried about hygiene? A: When your child is on the move and putting everything he finds into his mouth, hygiene can be quite a challenge. It is best to try to prevent him from putting leaves and dirt into his mouth, especially in the playground or … Read more

Safety in the home Things to be aware of Try getting down on your hands and knees and crawling around your home from ground level to do a safety check space by space: From around six to eight months, as your baby’s physical development accelerates, his motor skills will start to match his burgeoning curiosity. … Read more