How appropriate is the bumper sticker that reads, “If a mother’s place is in the home, why am I always in the car?” Here are ways to make car travel pleasant and safe: Rules for the Road Always wear a seat belt yourself and insist that all other passengers do as well. Always use a […]
Settling Traveling Tummies
Road trips to visit family over the vacations and holidays can upset sensitive tummies and become a dreaded part of family trips. Motion sickness results when the brain receives confusing messages from the senses. For example, when your baby is buried in the backseat, his eyes see only the stationary seat back, but the motion […]
Becoming a Dad: Dr. Bill’s Journey
Becoming a Dad Dads, let me share with you how I blew it with our first three children. Becoming a dad to our first two came at a time when I was learning to be a doctor, and the third as I was beginning a practice. I bought into the philosophy of putting my career […]
Father Involvement
Father Involvement for Better Discipline Fathers become disciplinarians in much the same way that mothers do. The more we are exposed to both well behaved and poorly behaved children, we realize that fathers don’t start becoming disciplinarians early enough. More father involvement helps dads to become strong disciplinarians. 1. Start Early Spending time with your […]
A Daughter’s Letter to Her Father
Hi Daddy: It’s Hayden. I have wanted to write, or talk, to you about this for a few months, but the time has never seemed right. And, it will probably come out better on paper, so here we go. A while ago at church, I heard a sermon that struck me in an awesome way. […]
We Approach Discpline Differently
Mothers and fathers often approach discipline differently – not better or worse, just differently. If used wisely, this difference is good for kids. Moms and dads should complement each other’s discipline, not compete to be “right.” It’s a question of balance. When toddlers begin to explore their environment, mothers tend to be protectors and fathers […]
Helping Out a Stressed Out Mom
How Dads Can Relieve a Stressed Out Mom There are times when Moms put on their supermom cape, and if they wear it for too long, they can end up feeling stretched thin. This is where Dad needs to be aware of how his wife is feeling. A stressed out mom can lead to a […]
Father Worry: Wife’s too Attached
Dads, to help you understand why your wife may have difficulty saying “no” to your toddler, consider this analogy. Suppose your wife is browsing in a “parenting store” and she finds an elixir called Attachment Parenting Tonic that, if used properly, will make parents sensitive, giving, and intuitive toward their baby. So you both take […]
7 Ways to Build Healthy Sexuality
7 Ways to Build Healthy Sexuality How a child learns to treat the other gender, and how the child feels about his or her own sexuality is an important part of his or her self-image. We prefer to talk about “building healthy sexuality” rather than “teaching sex.” Schools, for better or for worse, teach sex; […]
Toilet Training Tips
13 Toilet Training Tips to Know Before You Start 1. Parent and child must work together Toilet training is a partnership, with proper roles assigned to each person. You can lead a baby to the bathroom, but you can’t make him go. 2. Don’t be in a hurry You have not failed Parenting 101 if your […]
6 Steps for Toddler Toilet Training
Toddler Toilet Training to get to Diaper Free Day Step One: Be Sure Baby is Ready Watch your baby, not the calendar, for the following toddler toilet training signs: Imitates your toileting Verbally communicates other sensations, such as hunger Understands simple requests, such as “go get ball” Begins to pull diapers off when wet or […]
Toilet Training in Two Days: The Weekend Training Camp Method
Most parents prefer gradually training their babies over several weeks or months and progressing at baby’s own rate. Some, however, would rather plunge right into an intensive course during the weekend or on vacation. A crash course in toilet training does work for certain parent-child pairs, but we don’t advise this method for all babies. […]