Welcome

Parenting toddlers can be a daunting task...yes, most of them have settled into  a regular sleep pattern, and most have some sort of rest period during the day.....and it is no wonder.....after all, their waking hours are spent in a constant flurry of activities...both mental and physical.
It is during these years that they learn the most, and grow the fastest.  

Recipe Tips for the Toddlers

Toddlers are among the pickiest people on earth....and what works for one child, may or may not work with another...but most children love it when their food is displayed in a fun manner....Try making sandwiches in different shapes with cookie cutters.
And those yucky green peas are just right for "making faces" in a pile of creamed potatoes...macaroni and cheese makes wonderful yellow hair,as does green beans for a more *far out* look.....Baked potatoes can be made into wonderful sailboats...just stick a straw "mast", complete with a slice of cheese for a "sail" in it, and bon voyage!
Another good way to hide those veggies the kids say "no way" to, is to chop them up very fine, and put them on a pizza. My kids have eaten broccoli, cauliflower, greenbeans, etc this way, and they never even knew it...*Smile*

Activity Tips for Toddlers

The Playground
might seem like an obvious choice, but many moms fear their toddlers will be bored frequenting the same playground again and again. Not so! It is actually one of the best activities for your toddler (and a great way for you to meet new people!). All you have to do is bring different things for him to play with, and you'll be considered Supermom! Some favorites are bubbles, a ball and sidewalk chalk (if the little one doesn't put everything in his mouth).
The best part about going to the playground is that tots "can be destructive in environments other than your home." Your child can get out her extra energy outdoors where nobody will be disturbed.

Bicycle Riding
is a welcome change from the stroller. If you have a proper tot seat, you can take your toddler on the back of your bicycle (be sure she is wearing proper protective gear -- a helmet, elbow and knee guards), or you can get her a tricycle or similar riding toy and just go around the block.

A Picnic
can be turned into an activity for the whole day. You can explain the activity to your toddler the afternoon before. In the morning, he can decide what he wants to eat and be given special jobs to help prepare it. Pick out a special basket (or bag) and pack it up together. You can even let your toddler help pick spot to spread your blanket. Bon appetit!

The Zoo
is a classic, and still a favorite. It's the perfect fun learning experience. Practice animal sounds and check out the petting zoo, too! This is great to do with friends or just the immediate family.

Outdoor Fairs
can be a lot of fun -- just make sure there are rides for toddlers and that they pass safety regulations.

"Keep it simple" should be your motto when planning an outing. Don't prepare too much, and don't bring too much. Remember that toddlers can be fascinated by just about anything they see. If preparation becomes a burden to you, you'll choose to stay home. This will be bad for you and your toddler. You should be able to just pick up and go at the drop of a hat. One great way to motivate yourself to get out is to arrange outings with a friend a couple of times a week.

                                             Safety Issues

Dr. David Fay, a pediatrician and iParenting expert, suggests a few rules to follow when dealing with outdoor safety for toddlers:
Observation. "God did not intend for toddlers to explore the world alone. Try to anticipate unsafe situations, rather than reacting to them. The only real way to give toddlers the freedom to explore without danger is to stay close, especially near hazards like water or heights," Dr. Fay says.
Dress for the weather. Make sure that your toddler is adequately protected from the sun with clothing, sunscreen and a hat. Clothing will also serve as protection against allergic reaction to plants. Finally, and most importantly, make sure your little one is wearing good shoes with non-slip soles.
Watch for animals. Both wild and domestic animals can be dangerous. Most wild animals will bite if pursued by humans. Domestic animals, such as dogs, will "play" with a toddler the only way they know how, with their mouths. This can lead to a severe bite.
Dr. Fay's first aid kit:
Sterile gauze
Tape
Scissors
Bandaids
Antibiotic ointment
Aspirin and/or Tylenol (Acetaminophen)
Money for a payphone (or a charged battery for your cellphone)
Emergency phone numbers
Extra car key (in case you're locked out)
Always keep your first aid kit stocked, Murphy's law says that you will actually need the one thing you forgot to replace. The best way to be worry-free is to make sure you re-stock right after you use something.

The bottom line? Get out of the house! Your toddler will thank you for it with a changed mood and those sweet smiles that make you melt. You'll be refreshed and able to deal with the rest of the day with a lot more energy and positive thinking.

When it is Raining...

At first, it's fun to pull out the rain boots and umbrellas. For toddlers, the change in weather can be very exciting. By day two, the novelty wears a bit thin and the inside of the house seems to be shrinking by the hour. On day three, the children are restless and want to see the sun again. The weekend weather report predicts more rain. What is a parent to do?
For parents of young toddlers, these rainy, stormy, days can be especially challenging. In a child's mind, the weather presents no limitations. Rain, sleet or snow -- these little bodies are up and ready to go.
Elizabeth Pantley, an iParenting expert panelist and author of Perfect Parenting, The Dictionary of 1,000 Parenting Tips, says, "Look at the bright side. There is beauty in being trapped in the house with no escape. Honest! This can be a wonderful time to strengthen your family relationships. In other words, make lemonade out of lemons!"
Typically, toddlers are not old enough to understand how to use their own creative energy without some help. Pantley has some wonderful ideas when boredom is lurking, the kids are antsy and the bickering has begun:

Have a dance contest.
Move the furniture aside, turn up the music and dance 'til you drop. Give awards, dress up and make a stage if you are feeling creative.
Enjoy an indoor picnic.
Pack a lunch and spread a blanket in a rarely used corner in the house. The more unusual the location, the more fun the picnic.
Let the kids build a mega-fort
using tables, chairs and blankets. Keep the fort up for days and let them play in it, eat in it and sleep in it too!
Have an "Easter Egg" style hunt.
Hide small toys all through the house and let the kids hunt for them. Be prepared to re-hide them many times, as kids really enjoy the hunting process.
Have a game-a-thon.
Bring out the board games. Order pizza for dinner and relax. You might even pull out the sleeping bags and have a camp-out in the family room.
Additional ideas that can work for the toddler set include:
Write and color stories
by folding paper into a "mini-book." Ask your child to tell you a story. Write the words, whether they make sense or not. Write "The End" on the story and it's a book. Let them color away for the final touches. Children usually take great pride in the finished product.
Collages
are simple and can be made with old magazines, newspapers, or photos. A toddler can easily handle a glue stick to paste the picture on a piece of construction paper.
Make snowflakes.
Have your child color a piece of construction paper. Help him fold the paper into smaller and smaller squares, then cut out pieces at your toddler's direction. Let the child open the paper to its original size -- and the magic appears.

Links and Resources

Parenting is the hardest, most rewarding job in the world. There is just too much to cover in these pages alone, but the internet is a wonderful wellhouse of knowledge and information. Please visit our Parenting page for  links on activites, advice,for parenting toddlers, and other aged children.

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