Welcome to Mom Motivation Mondays where weekly contributing writers share their motherhood experiences to encourage you to find the joy in being a mom. {This week: Post by Lisa} No parent is exempt from the wrath of a tantrum, and it’s not unusual to feel totally defeated. Tantrums are a typical behavior for toddlers and three-year old’s. I know how it feels to parent an … [Read more...]
‘Sticky Ball’ Fine Motor Activity for Infants
In 5 minutes, you can prep this fine motor activity for infants and toddlers. Around 6 months old, infants can grasp and handle toys and balls pretty well. They may even be rolling or lightly tossing a ball to you during playtime. Infants develop so much over the course of their first year, but it is fun to see all the changes. This activity can be done with infants as young … [Read more...]
Simple Activities to Encourage Infant Development
Are you looking for activities to do with your infant? As a former early childhood teacher, I can vouch for the importance of developmentally appropriate interactions with infants and how it benefits their growth. It helps them thrive physically and mentally. As a mom, being able to use activity ideas with my children when they were infants was a great way to spend quality time … [Read more...]
Is Preschool Worth It?
I have been asked frequently by readers, “Should I send my child to Preschool? Is preschool worth it?" Having taught Preschool and also waited to send my son to school until much later than most moms I know, I can offer a few factors to consider when deciding to homeschool or enroll your child in a preschool program outside of your home. Of course our children need to … [Read more...]
When Your Child Has Developmental Dysplasia of the Hips
Guest Post by: Jamie The past month has been a whirlwind of emotions in our household. My youngest son was a late walker-16 months and a few days. He has the cutest little toddler walk; he looks like he’s just got a bounce to his step. That bounce, however, is caused by a difference in leg length, which is a result of his hips not being in the proper … [Read more...]
Infant Language Development Tips and Activities
At the intersection of playful babble exchanges, shared book experiences, and singing yourself silly you will find a great destination. It’s called language competency. Try to imagine a solid foundation of conversational and linguistic competence as the launch pad for infant language development, academic success, and social skills. Let’s pack that little bag of tricks for … [Read more...]
The Female Brain-Part 2: Parenting through the Teen Years
For a time, I tutored Middle School students and volunteered as a youth leader for the Middle School ministry at my church while I was in high school. I have been a teenage girl and I will have two teenage girls in a few years. From what my friends who have teenagers tell me (as well as my own mother and father) I should prepare now! ALL SAHMs have been female teens at one … [Read more...]
The Female Brain: Mothers and Children
I remember a friend posting on his Facebook status that he wished there was a book that would help him understand women. I commented that even being a woman did not mean that I understood many! We are a unique breed of person. Our bodies are not constant or steady; we live with a roller coaster ride of hormones and therefore thoughts, feelings, emotions, etc. coursing … [Read more...]
Crash Course in Child Development: Preschool
Having a preschooler has opened my eyes to how quickly children can learn new concepts. It also taught me how fast a bad example can develop into bad behavior. This crash course in child development: preschool will help us navigate parenting preschool aged children. This stage is the time to be sure you have a strong sense of what your parenting philosophy is, and have … [Read more...]
Discipline Is Not a Dirty Word
We were at a playgroup with a few children. It was not a large group. My son-at that age-was a total follower. He wanted to follow the big kids. They made him laugh and looked like fun. The problem was, he was about 16 months old. He was not at a stage where he could think about his actions. He only saw the big boys running and making messes and thought since they looked … [Read more...]
How Parents Teach Socialization
Socialization is the most over-used term in the parenting world-and early childhood education world-these days…and often the most misinterpreted. We stay-at-home moms are not depriving our children of proper socialization, we are actually providing the best form of it. The definition of socialization, from dictionary.reference.com is: … [Read more...]
Maximize Your Time As A Stay-at-Home Mom
I used to get bored as stay-at-home mom. Those days made me question whether being a stay-at-home mom was worth it. As a former teacher, and a child who had a stay-at-home mom, I knew that what I was doing was valuable, but I needed to add things into my day to feel more successful. This quick tip helped guide my interactions with my son and helped encourage me to see the … [Read more...]