Potty Training

It seems like just yesterday that I changed my toddler's first diaper, and now I am wondering if it's time to start potty training. There's no magic age at which children are ready to start learning how to use the potty, but some develop the necessary physical and cognitive skills between 18 and 24 months of age. Many parents don't start potty training until their children are 2 1/2 to 3 years old, when daytime bladder control has become more reliable. And some children aren't interested in potty training until they're closer to 3, or even 4.

Use the checklist below to measure your toddler's progress toward readiness, and keep in mind that starting before your child is truly ready doesn't mean you'll finish sooner — it's more likely that the process will just end up taking longer.

You don't have to wait until you've checked off every item to start training. Just look for a general trend toward independence and an understanding of what it means to go to the bathroom like a grown-up.

Physical signs
Is coordinated enough to walk, and even run, steadily.
Urinates a fair amount at one time.
Has regular, well-formed bowel movements at relatively predictable times.
Has "dry" periods of at least three or four hours, which shows that his bladder muscles are developed enough to hold urine.

Behavioral signs
Can sit down quietly in one position for two to five minutes.
Can pull his pants up and down.
Dislikes the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty diaper.
Shows interest in others' bathroom habits (wants to watch you go to the bathroom or wear underwear).
Gives a physical or verbal sign when he's having a bowel movement such as grunting, squatting, or telling you.
Demonstrates a desire for independence.
Takes pride in his accomplishments.
Isn't resistant to learning to use the toilet.
Is in a generally cooperative stage, not a negative or contrary one.

Cognitive signs
Can follow simple instructions, such as "go get the toy."
Understands the value of putting things where they belong.
Has words for urine and stool.
Understands the physical signals that mean he has to go and can tell you before it happens or even hold it until he has time to get to the potty.

TV Can Be Good For Children

Where kids are concerned, TV and movies get a bad rap, but with healthy viewing habits and parental supervision, “screen time” can be a positive experience for children. For one thing TV can help kids learn about a variety of subjects. If there’s a subject your child enjoys, more likely than not, there is a TV show, movie, or educational DVD that explores the subject in detail. You might be even be surprised to find out how many kids watch and love educational shows aimed at adults. Most kids are not able to visit the rain forest or see a giraffe in the wild, but many have seen these things on TV. Thankfully, educationally minded producers have given us many shows and movies that allow viewers to see amazing footage of nature, animals, society, and other peoples. Kids and adults alike can learn from this type of media and gain a greater appreciation for our world and the animals and other people who inhabit it.

Talking about TV programs, you may not know it, but if you have Charter digital, you have On Demand and it’s free to access. Your kids probably don’t understand or have the patience for TV schedules. When they want their Little Einstein or WorldWord, they want it right then. This On Demand also helps me to arrange TV time for my children so it won’t collide with their nap time.

You can learn more at charter.net/ondemand or get updates and fun extras on Charter’s Facebook page.

How do I answer my toddler's questions about genitals?

As parents, we can get anxious when children ask about anything remotely sexual. But your child's curiosity about genitals is no different than her questions about eyes, ears, feet, noses, and other less private parts. And genitals are pretty interesting, as body parts go. Her questions are only natural — after all, she has to learn about private parts from someone, and it's best for that someone to be you.

How should you respond? Be direct, and stay matter-of-fact. Follow the rule of thumb: "Is this how I would tell her about elbows or knees?" Give her the anatomically correct name for the body part and avoid baby talk — using funny or silly words will just confuse her and, if anything, makes the discussion a bigger deal. If she asks what they're for, you can say that genitals are for going to the bathroom. If you feel comfortable mentioning that they're also used for making babies, that's okay, too. She may not get it, but a child this age has no understanding of sex and won't make that connection.

She may also ask why Daddy's or her brother's genitals are different from hers. Point out that each person is unique: Her best friend's eyes are blue while hers are brown, and Grandma's nose is smaller than Grandpa's. In the same vein, boys' private parts look different from girls'. Keep it simple, and if you don't act embarrassed, she won't be, either.

Top 5 things doctors wish you'd do for your toddler

1. Don't turn the car seat around on your child's first birthday
Many parents eagerly do, since some kids like the car better once they're facing forward and it's easier to see the child that way. But it's safer to hold off. Studies show it's safer for kids all the way up to 4 years old to sit rear-facing, thus it's better to keep your toddlers facing backward until they outgrow the height and weight limits of their convertible car seat (meaning one designed to face either backward or forward), usually sometime around 15 to 18 months.

2. Know this life-saving number
Make sure everyone who cares for your toddler knows this number: 1-800-222-1222 (for US only).
That's the nationwide number for Poison Control, and once you have a mobile, curious toddler, it's important to display it someplace prominent. Everyone caring for your child should have easy access to this number, including grandparents and babysitters. Program it into your cell phone, too, in case your toddler swallows something while you're out of the house.

3. Go easy on the juice
Many kids are getting way too much of it. It's leading to weight problems and cavities, among other nutrition and health issues.
Your toddler doesn't necessarily need juice at all, but if you do offer it, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 4 to 6 ounces a day for kids age 1 to 6 so it doesn't replace other foods. A lot of toddlers start to fill up on liquids – they drink mostly milk or juice – and they have no appetite for meals. To prevent tooth decay, don't let your toddler wander around with a sippy cup of juice for too long, and don't serve it at bedtime.

4. Stay strong during food battles
Just continue offering healthy foods rather than just catering to your child's preferences. Food jags are normal, but that doesn't mean you should cave in and start serving, say, only white foods. If kids are hungry, they'll eventually eat at least some of what you serve. And remember, at this age, one day they'll love zucchini and one day they won't. Just because they reject it once doesn't mean they won't eat it the next time.

5. Drink a glass of milk

How to protect your family from swine flu

•Get yourself and your children vaccinated as soon as a vaccine becomes available. It takes a while for immunity to develop after you get the vaccine.

•Wash your hands and your children’s hands frequently, including immediately before eating, after sneezing, and after going to the bathroom. Use proper hand-washing techniques, rubbing both sides of your soapy hands for at least 15 seconds and rinsing with plenty of water. When soap and water aren’t available, use alcohol-based gel sanitizers that contain at least 60 percent alcohol or disposable hand wipes.

•Don't cough or sneeze into your bare hands. That puts the virus is all over your hands, where it can easily spread to others. Instead, cover your mouth with your arm and cough or sneeze into your sleeve or cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue and throw it away after using. (Many experts say the sleeve method is better than using a tissue, because handling a tissue can contaminate your hands and spread illness.) If you inadvertently use your bare hands, wash them right away.

•Don't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. You may think your hands are clean, but if your hands have touched a door knob, a cup, a refrigerator handle or any other item that someone else has touched with a virus-covered hand, your hands carry the virus and can infect you.

•Viruses and bacteria can live two to eight hours on hard surfaces. Wipe down surfaces at home such as toys, bedside tables, doorknobs, telephones, and bathroom and kitchen counters with a disinfectant, following directions on the label.

•Keep your children at least 6 feet away from people who are sick, including anyone in your household who is sick. Know the symptoms of swine flu and seek medical care if illness is severe. If you catch it early, antiviral medicines may help.

Say It Again and Again

Up to today my 14-month-old toddler still hasn't talk yet. I heard that Rhymes, jingles, and silly songs are big hits with toddlers. If your 14-month-old is already speaking several words, encourage her willingness to repeat after you by singing silly or repetitive songs, such as "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." As she becomes familiar with the refrains she'll chime in one word at a time and before you know it she'll be singing the whole song right along with you.

If your 14-month-old isn't speaking many words at this point, you can help her with the other two elements of language acquisition. When talking to your child, vary your tone, facial expressions, and hand gestures, all of which will help her understand the meanings of your words. Maintain eye contact when you talk to her so she learns to listen to you. And don't rush her when she is trying to use words — listen patiently and look her in the eye.

My Baby is 14 Month Old

Observe a group of 14-month-olds at the park and you'll note that they're basically loners. Socializing isn't really toddlers' thing, and at this age a child is unlikely to do anything more than engage in parallel play, during which he/she and his/her companions play side by side but don't interact — unless it's to grab whatever object another child is playing with. While this may be frustrating for you, it's completely normal behavior. At this age a child doesn't think of his/her playmates as friends, or even people; they're objects. Since a 14-month-old is very much the center of his/her own universe, he/she thinks other children can be pushed, pulled, and poked the way a toy can. The only thing that really matters — to her/him — is what she/he wants. It's not selfishness — it's just the way everyone sees the world at this age.

Gifts for 1-Year-Olds

A baby's first birthday calls for a celebration. And while 1-year-olds are likely to be as thrilled by the ribbons and wrapping paper on their gift as they are with the present itself, it's fun to pick something out — whether it's a silver keepsake (such as a cup or spoon) or the perfect toy for this age.


BLOCKS Stack and smash fun
Nothing encourages a child's innate creativity (not to mention his fine and gross motor skills) like classic wooden building blocks. Pick up a plastic bin and fill it with blocks of all shapes, sizes, and colors. (Remember to keep an eye out for sharp corners and small shapes that can be dangerous for young children.) As the toddling recipient discovers the joy of building towers as tall as he is — and then knocking them down — your gift will be an instant favorite.

PUSH TOYS
A little "push" is all she needsAnother great choice for the momentous first birthday is a push toy, one the baby can use to help hone her new walking skills. Choose from perennial favorites such as a child-sized grocery cart or the vacuum-like toy that "pops" when a child rolls it around. Some push toys come equipped with an extra activity tray, but when it comes down to it, anything she can propel with her own two feet is a winner in this category.

TOY PHONE 1-800-CALL-BABY
Most 1-year-olds will delight in having their own toy phone, especially since the one Mom and Dad use is probably off limits. While the telephone you played with as a child probably featured a rotary dial and a tinny "ding" when you hung up, today's models sport touchtone buttons and beep like the real thing. When the baby picks up his phone, grab yours as well and have a conversation; he may not be saying more than a few words just yet, but he'll love it anyway.

NESTING TOYS
Seeing how things fit togetherFor many 1-year-olds, nothing's more fascinating than taking a bunch of empty containers and stacking them so they nestle one inside the other. Nesting toys help teach kids spatial relations, and many today combine sturdy construction with stimulating colors and patterns. Of course, most children will be equally fascinated by a spare set of measuring cups, but for a birthday it's nice to splurge.

FEEDING SUPPLIES Set a place for the baby
Now that their diets include solids and finger food as well as breast milk and formula, 1-year-olds are ready for plates, bowls, cups, spoons, and other feeding paraphernalia. Choose a set that features a favorite cartoon character like Winnie the Pooh or one from the baby's favorite book (Peter Rabbit springs to mind). Look for baby-safe silverware and crash-friendly plastic plates, cups, and bowls — all will be making several trips between the highchair tray and the floor. For a nice touch, bundle several items together in a gift basket.

SHAPE SORTERS Trial and error helps him learn
Mastering the challenge of matching a round peg with the circular hole is a big accomplishment for toddlers. Toys that encourage them to match and sort shapes help them develop essential problem-solving skills. Even better, they're tons of fun. Choose from classic wooden "peg in the hole" toys and soft, squishy models with bold black-and-white patterns; either way, the 1-year-old recipient will be happy.

NOISEMAKER TOYS The louder the better...
Toddlers love making noise, period. It gets them attention and it lets them make a less-than-subtle impact on the world around them. So if you want to delight a 1-year-old, give her a toy that rattles, clangs, beeps, or plays music. Several high-tech options are available these days, but you can always go the low-tech route instead — give her a tambourine or a couple of metal pots and a wooden spoon, and she'll be on cloud nine.

SAVINGS BOND /STOCKS A nest egg for the little one
When it comes right down to it, you just can't go wrong with money. Investing in a savings bond or buying a few shares of stock for a child now can mean she'll have a tidy little nest egg when she's older. Consider making it an annual (or semi-annual) birthday gift — she and her parents will appreciate the gift even more when it comes time to pay for college.

BATH TOYS Playthings that make a splash
By the time a baby is a year old, it's high time to turn bath time into fun time (or even zoo time!). Transform any toddler's tub into a pool of delights with a basket full of water-friendly bath toys. Stock up on everything from hippo bath mitts and soap fish to cheerful terrycloth animals and the requisite rubber ducky. As she gets older, her bath time friends will be an outlet for pretend play and other imagination-driven adventures.

BOOKS There's nothing like a good read
Kids can never have too many books, and birthdays are a great time to add to a toddler's library. The 1-year-old on your list is likely to get a kick out of titles such as Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?, by Dr. Seuss, and Noah's Ark, by Lucy Cousins. In general, you should still focus on getting board books with big bright pictures, which will stimulate the child's eyes and hold up under vigorous "reading."

3 Questions About: The 1-Year Checkup

What can I expect at my child's 1-year checkup?

Expect the doctor to weigh and measure your child, check his eyesight and hearing, give him a head-to-toe, front-to-back physical exam, and vaccinate him. She'll also ask you questions about your child's overall health and nutrition and his physical and cognitive development, and give you some feedback based on your answers and her observations. She may also check your child's hemoglobin level (to look for anemia) and lead level (if there's a risk of environmental lead exposure), if these haven't been checked already.

How can I prepare?

Decide ahead of time whether you want your toddler to get the varicella vaccine (to prevent chicken pox) and the hepatitis A vaccine, both of which are optional but recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Be ready to answer questions about your child's sleeping, eating, teething, motor skills, communication skills, social skills, vision, and hearing. It also helps to bring a list of any questions you'd like to ask the doctor — and your child's immunization record if you have one, so that it can be updated.

What questions should I ask?

Consider asking about whether you should give your child vitamins or supplements and about treating health problems that may come up (like colds or injuries). Ask about any worries you may have about your toddler's health, development, or behavior, and about how to stimulate his development.

Finally, ask about what you can expect in the coming months.

How to Handle Public Tantrums

The best thing you can do is stay calm. Unlike that kicking, screaming child in your shopping cart, you have the ability to control your emotions and restore the peace.


You can't bring your toddler to his senses by raising your voice or making threats. Getting mad will only escalate his emotions. You don't want to cave in, either. If your child is screaming because you passed up the candy aisle, don't make a U-turn just to calm him down.


Instead, tell him firmly that he has to stop throwing a fit. If he keeps it up, it's time to use your most potent weapon: the exit door. Even if you're in the middle of a big shopping trip, you can always whisk your child out of the store. Children like to shop, and there's a good chance he'll calm down once he understands the consequences. If he continues throwing a fit, take him home, if possible. The shopping can probably wait.


Keep in mind that children are more likely to lose their tempers when they're hungry or tired. If you're about to embark on a marathon shopping trip, try to make sure your child is tanked up and well-rested. It's also a good idea to establish the ground rules before you reach the store. If he's likely to lobby for a new toy, you can explain ahead of time that you're only there to buy groceries.


Frustration is also a big tantrum-producer. If you know your child is going to insist on visiting the pet store when you go to the mall, make sure you have time to do it or think twice about the trip. Thinking through his probable reactions, the consequences, and the alternatives isn't really "giving in" to him, it's being a wise parent.


Because he's out of control, a tantrum can be scary for a child. Once it subsides, give your toddler hugs and reassurance. It's fine to acknowledge his feelings. You might try to make leaving less painful by offering to read a favorite story when you get home.


Keep in mind that your child's tantrum is nobody's business but yours. Your toddler will have tantrums, and some of them are bound to happen in public. It doesn't mean you're a bad parent, only that you're the parent of a toddler.


If you handle the situation with calm and grace, expect to see a lot of knowing glances and sympathetic smiles. Regardless of any looks you get, remember that your child doesn't understand your embarrassment. Public tantrums aren't meant to humiliate parents, so you should treat your child the same way as if the tantrum happened at home.

TV-Watching Guidelines for Toddlers

The best way to handle how much television and video your toddler watches is to think of them as refined sugar: You want your child to enjoy this seductive stuff without consuming too much. So you'll need to stay on top of the time your toddler spends in front of the television. The average American child watches three to four hours a day, despite recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics that children should watch no more than an hour or two a day, and that children under 2 should watch no television at all.

Starting out tough from day one is the key to keeping viewing time under control. It's a lot easier to relax your standards later than it is to wean an 18-month-old from a three-times-a-day Dora or Blue's Clues habit.

Here are tips on how to use television as a learning tool:

Limit the amount of TV your toddler watches

Watch programs, not television

Choose calm, quiet programs

Watch with your toddler

Help your toddler watch with a critical eye

Extend the show's content with activities or books

The Latest on Children and Allergies

Doctors used to recommend waiting until age 1 or even much later to introduce solid foods that are common allergens, especially with kids at risk for allergies. But the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has changed its tune, because studies show that these delays probably don't help keep allergies from developing.

It's still a wise idea, though, to introduce new foods gradually, waiting several days after each new menu item to make sure your child doesn't react to it. And if you believe that your child is likely to have food allergies -- for example, if allergies run in your family -- check with his doctor to determine the best strategy for introducing allergenic foods like eggs, milk, peanuts, wheat, soy, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.

Do Babies Need Discipline?

You bet. Not as in punishment, which babies don't understand, but using another definition of the word: "training that corrects, molds, or perfects," according to Merriam-Webster.

You may have noticed your baby increasingly "tests" what he can do and how things work. This is how older babies and toddlers learn about the world around them. It's your job to set some limits on that exploration to keep your baby within the bounds of what is acceptable and safe.
It helps, though, not to overdo it on the rules. One way to decrease the number of limits you'll need to set is to provide fewer opportunities for your baby to get into trouble. Babyproof (and later toddler-proof) your home so that it's a "yes" environment to play in rather than one full of no-nos. If you wind up saying "no" a lot, your baby may become desensitized to it and start to tune it out altogether.

Use simple language when you communicate a rule: "Hot." "Not safe." Let your tone of voice — firm, not frightening — help convey your message.

Whenever possible, make an effort to redirect his attention to something more acceptable. Be prepared for it to take many times for your baby to stop testing a particular limit. Babies learn through repetition and practice. Parents survive this phase through patience.

Cholesterol Screening in Children

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has a new policy on testing cholesterol levels in young children. Most surprising and interesting to parents is the recommendation that some kids ages 2 to 10 have their cholesterol tested, and that some kids as young as 1 drink low-fat (2 percent) milk instead of whole milk.


If you think these recommendations might apply to your child, read the policy statement below and ask your child's doctor.


Here's the AAP's announcement about its new recommendations. The policy was published in the July 2008 issue of Pediatrics, the AAP's peer-reviewed journal:


New AAP Policy on Lipid Screening and Heart Health in Children


The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued new cholesterol screening and treatment recommendations for children. The policy statement, "Lipid Screening and Cardiovascular Health in Childhood," recommends cholesterol screening of children and adolescents with a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease. It also recommends screening patients whose family history is unknown or those who have other factors for heart disease including obesity, high blood pressure or diabetes. Screening should take place after age 2, but no later than age 10. The best method for testing is a fasting lipid profile. If a child has values within the normal range, testing should be repeated in three to five years. For children who are more than 8 years old and who have high LDL concentrations, cholesterol-reducing medications should be considered. Younger patients with elevated cholesterol readings should focus on weight reduction and increased activity while receiving nutritional counseling. The statement also recommends the use of reduced-fat dairy products, such as two percent milk, for children as young as 1 year of age for whom overweight or obesity is a concern.

Foods to avoid: 12 to 24 months

Low-fat milk: Most young toddlers need the fat and calories of whole milk for growth and development. Once your child turns 2 (and if he doesn't have any growth problems), you can start giving him lower-fat milk if you like. (If your child is at risk for obesity or heart disease, however, the doctor may recommend introducing low-fat milk before age 2.)

Choking hazards to watch out for:
Large chunks: Pea-size pieces of food are safest — they won't get stuck in your child's throat. Vegetables like carrots, celery, and green beans should be diced, shredded, or cooked and cut up. Cut fruits like grapes, cherry tomatoes, and melon balls into quarters before serving, and shred or cut meats and cheeses into very small pieces.
Small, hard foods: Nuts, popcorn, cough drops, hard candies, raisins, and other small dried fruit and seeds are potential choking hazards.
Sticky and soft foods: Avoid chewing gum and soft foods like marshmallows and jelly candies that might get lodged in your child's throat.
Peanut butter: Be careful not to give your toddler large dollops of peanut butter, which can be difficult to swallow. Instead, spread peanut butter thinly on bread or crackers. You might want to try thinning it with some applesauce before spreading it.

More choking prevention:
•Avoid letting your child eat in the car since it's hard to supervise while driving.
•If you're using a rub-on teething medication, keep a close eye on your toddler as it can numb his throat and interfere with swallowing.

Sleepless Nights

Last week my younger daughter was down with flu. She was having high fever (almost 40C). Even after the fever medicine, the fever still could not went back to normal (still 38C +). To make it worse, only after 3 hours eating medicine, the fever started to hike up again. Thus, since I had to wait another 1 hour before I could give her another dose of medicine, I had to sponge her with water to cool her down. I had to keep doing it for 2 x 24 hours. Only the third day her temperature went back to normal and I could take a rest with relieve.

I guess you can predict that in those long nights, I had very little sleep (close to none). I was very tired and worried. My eyes was swollen because lack of sleep. I think I had a worse dark eye circles ever. I wish that I have those eye creams that you can buy at eyecreamreview.net. I hear that these creams can to improve the look of their eye area, including wrinkles, dark circles and bags. I would like to try it on my eyes to see whether the creams works or not.

Anyway, I am glad that my baby is OK now although she still has not got her appetite back.

Arts and Crafts Storage Solutions: In The Kitchen or Other Room

Stash it. If you're dealing with limited storage space, clear out a kitchen cabinet or a couple of drawers to dedicate to art supplies. This is a good idea even if you have more supplies in a playroom. Preschoolers like to be where you are, so having some crayons and paper in the kitchen will come in handy. Drawer dividers, which you can make yourself or buy in discount department stores, keep materials neatly separated. Other options: a corrugated cardboard chest of drawers placed in a closet or a wire rack unit with plastic drawers.

Look to the walls. A door-mountable canvas shoe holder, which you and your child can decorate with fabric markers or acrylic paint, is a simple way to display and store smaller-sized art supplies that might otherwise find themselves underfoot. Use half the pockets for collage materials (kids this age like gluing things together and working with different textures), such as colored glue sticks, feathers, cut-out shapes, vacation postcards, pipe cleaners, Popsicle sticks, and pom-poms. Keep potential choking objects like beads and buttons up high, out of reach. Use the other half of the pockets for miscellaneous supplies: scissors, brushes, clear and colored tape, a hole puncher.

Before hanging, decorate and code the front of each collage pocket by gluing a sample of the inside contents on the outside. (If you're using a glue gun, keep small children away from it. The glue dries immediately, but it's extremely hot to the touch for the first few seconds.) For the miscellaneous pockets, you might glue or stitch on letters of the alphabet in felt appliqués, using the first letter of each supply to designate what goes where: "S" for scissors, "B" for brushes, and so on. Mount the art-supply holder near your child's arts-and-crafts nook (and low enough for him to reach it) by using hooks or by looping a length of string, ribbon, or shoelace through three or four holes in the top of the canvas and then suspending the loops from picture hooks.

The Ultimate Road Trip Activity Bag

Nothing derails a family road trip faster than bored backseat passengers. A well-stocked activity bag can mute the "Are we there yet?" melody from the rear and help you log some serious miles in peace. How elaborate your activity bag should be depends on the length of your trip, how many children you'll need to entertain, and their ages and attention spans. These parent- and kid-tested supplies will help you motor without meltdowns.


Books on tape or CD: Nothing makes the miles fly by faster. Fairy tales and other familiar stories are your best bet for keeping toddlers' attention. Starting at about age 3, most kids can follow a more complex story line, and books-on-tape become a great way to pass time on the road. You can all listen together to family favorites like Harry Potter, or the kids can listen on individual portable audio players with headphones, allowing the adults in the car to rock out or listen to something more sophisticated. Check your local library for free rentals.


Portable CD or tape player(s): Remember headphones and plenty of AA batteries.A cheap 9" x 12" baking sheet: Use as a playing surface so crayons, Matchbox cars, Legos, and other small items don't roll away. (Repeatedly retrieving dropped toys gets old really quickly.)


Magnetized letters, numbers, and shapes: Use these with the baking sheet to make words, spell names, or create pictures.


Sticker books, activity books, and stick-on plastic picture sets: Particularly great for toddlers — they allow your child to express creativity without using pens on the upholstery.


Crayons or markers: Markers are best for kids 3 and up, crayons for kids under 3.A trip notebook: A great way to capture memories of your family's road trip. Your child can draw and place stickers en route, and you can help by adding a few notes about the trip at the end of the day.


Sticker cameras: These zippy little cameras (like the I-Zone) spit out miniature instant photos with adhesive backing. You can really burn some rubber while your kids wait for their photos to develop. They can add these images to their trip notebook.


A few gift-wrapped surprise presents: Hint: if you wrap them in several layers, they take longer to open. You can even recycle old toys — several months before a trip, find a few small toys that your child enjoys, but hasn't played with in a while and pack them away. Then wrap them and give them to your child on the road.


Colored pipe cleaners: Make animals, people, jewelry, or just crazy shapes.


Soap bubbles: Don't worry about the upholstery; you can wipe it down later (with soap!). Blowing bubbles keeps kids of all ages busy. Blow them out the window and have one person keep watch for the reactions in other cars.


A small flashlight: Useful for rest stops at night, but also fun to shine out the window (as long as it's not pointed at other drivers). Can also make it easier to read or draw in the back seat without bothering the driver.


A miniature battery-powered clip-on reading light: Absolutely essential for older kids, allowing them light for reading, card games, and other activities without distracting the driver.


Educational "talking" toys: Be careful not to bring along anything with too many annoying sounds.


Portable electronic games: Keeps older kids occupied for hours on a long trip.


A portable DVD/video player: A surefire sanity-saver on a long trip. If your car isn't equipped with one, you can rent a portable player online and they'll ship it to you.


Restaurant fun box: Put crayons, pens, and coloring books or paper and some plastic animals, cars, or blocks in a separate box or giant sealable plastic bag that you can bring into restaurants with you to make wait time go faster

Arts and Crafts Storage Solutions: in a Playroom

Budding artists thrive on a variety of art materials to fuel their creative juices. One day, their creations revolve around scotch tape, the next day markers are the medium of choice. The only problem is, all these supplies need to be stored and organized in a way that allows for easy access to most materials (but not the glitter or permanent glue) and easy cleanup, too. Check out these storage solutions, some of which can become crafts projects in themselves.

Shelve it.

Start with some sort of shelving system — a wall unit you find on sale at a furniture store, a pair of short bookcases picked up at a flea market, or even a stack of inexpensive and easy-to-clean synthetic melamine shelves attached to a playroom wall. Open shelving allows you and your child to see at a glance what's where and to grab it — and put it back — easily.

Give each medium its own home. Invest in a variety of colorful, lightweight plastic bins (Rubbermaid makes some good ones) to line up on shelves. This is money well spent because these bins will house supplies neatly and prevent shelf chaos. Other storage container ideas: hat boxes, cardboard photo/video boxes, straw baskets, shoe boxes, diaper-wipe containers.

Give each home a name. Label the front of each bin with an index card showing a picture of what's inside, so that even a preschooler can see where something goes. If drawing isn't your strength, clipped magazine ads, a piece of the original packaging, or a photo of the item(s) can do the job. It doesn't hurt to add the appropriate word to the picture label — these words will soon look familiar to your pre-reader.

Store it sensibly and safely. Store kid-safe, frequently used supplies (modeling clay, crayons, washable markers, construction paper) within easy reach on the lowest shelves. Sure, things would stay neater if you were the only one who had access to the art supplies, but what's the point of frustrating your child or yourself unnecessarily? Besides, you want to encourage independent play and cleanup. Reserve higher shelves for supplies that could be dangerous in the hands of a 3-year-old (scissors with pointed tips, permanent glue ) or that have major mess potential (glitter). Consider using stackable boxes with lids to conserve space and put these materials out of sight — and out of mind. Don't place anything heavy on top shelves; it could fall and injure your child.

Fun Activities to Promote Math Skills: For The Auditory Learner

Listen to counting rhymes and songs. "Three little monkeys jumping on the bed; one fell off and bumped his head. Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, 'No more monkeys jumping on the bed!' Two little monkeys jumping on the bed..." Any variation on this counting rhyme introduces basic subtraction. Look for children's games and music activity tapes such as the Wee Sing series that features songs about numbers.

Make a recipe with your child. Give your child the measuring cups and bowls and let him measure out the ingredients while you read the directions out loud. An easy — and delicious — way to introduce concepts such as volume and weight.