How much time do modern day parents have to spend with their children?  We constantly ask ourselves this question as we juggle the rigours of modern day living and all that life has to throw at us along the way.

We look around and measure ourselves against other parents who seem to be getting the work life balance right and we even feel envious of those who do seem to have more time –did they make better choices than us along the way or were they born with a silver spoon in their mouth?.  Is this sounding familiar?

The stark reality is that most parents have a lot to juggle whether it is home life, work life, relationships, childcare; the list seems to go on and on.  The stresses of modern day living are all around us no matter who you are. The real question is how “do you deal with them?”

Sometimes we find ourselves wondering if the situation will change in the very new future.  We drift off to dreamland where we have all the time in the world and we’ve become the world’s best parents overnight.  We don’t have to worry about paying the bills, they just pay themselves!

Okay, back to reality.  We’ve decided to enjoy every moment we have with our children instead of worrying about the time we don’t have.  Every second counts and the time you share can be very simple like:

• Talking about the day on your way home from school together
• Sharing family meal time together
• Reading, singing or dancing together
• Spending time playing together e.g. playing in the park, going swimming, playing games, doing creative art together
• Going on bike rides, or taking the scooters into the park

Setting up our own children’s furniture, toys, gifts and accessories business has given us the opportunity to explore what is good for our children and “mummy and daddy” time is the highest priority on the list. Whether you have a lot or a little time, it’s the time that you do have that matters.

We choose all of our games, toys and creative art sets with the intent of “maximising the time spent together”. We are great advocates for giving parents greater control over the time that they spend with their children.

Even when the going gets tough, make every day an opportunity to enjoy your children. We do.

This is a guest post by Mr & Mrs Kinderroom, owners of Kinderroom, a website of unique children’s furniture and creative games and art sets.

by Ashley Brady

Your baby's cold can be just as hard on you as it is on her. To keep your baby's infection and discomfort from getting worse, make sure she gets enough rest and liquids like formula if she's less than 4 months old or breast milk. Babies who are a little older can have some water and by 6 months they can have juice as well.

Try squeezing some over the counter saline solution drops into each nostril to relieve congestion, then after a few moments remove the mucus and liquid by suctioning with a rubber bulb syringe. This works well about fifteen minutes prior to a feeding if it's difficult for your baby to breathe nasally while nursing. A bit of petroleum jelly to the outside of your baby's nostrils can help reduce irritation.

Sitting with you in a steamy bathroom while the hot water's on in the shower for about 15 minutes, or using a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier to increase the moisture in your baby's room should also help provide some relief for her. Also providing additional comfort is a hot bath.

If you try to sleep at a slight incline, postnasal drip can be relieved. But using pillows in her crib just to accomplish this is a bad idea because the risk of suffocation is too great. You may want to allow her to sleep in her car seat in a slightly upright position or place a couple of rolled up towels between the crib springs and mattresses.

At the first sign of illness in a infant of under 3 months old, contact your pediatrician especially if your baby has a cold or has a fever of 100.4 degrees. Guidelines about what constitutes a fever in older infants can be given to you by your pediatrician. If baby's symptoms don't improve within five to seven days, her cough worsens, she's wheezing or gasping (possible pneumonia or respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV), or tugs at her ear (possible ear infection), your pediatrician should also be notified immediately.

For more information on coughs and cold in babies and young children, check out the articles we have published over the last two years.

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by Damian Papworth

Are you ready to be a father? The first year is always the toughest. It's incredibly challenging; but the rewards are well worth it. So, just what does it take to be the best dad you can be? If you're worried about navigating the ins and outs of fatherhood, don't. It may be hard at first, but a little love and care go a long way.

Of course, there are some incredibly hands on, practicable things you ought to know as a new father. Babies obviously aren't simply cute creatures who will be easy to handle. They cry an awful lot. In fact, babies may be finicky. They may cry for hours on end and often, at first especially, it can be hard to decipher the reasons why.

Babies sob and snivel for a huge variety of reasons. When you're a fresh, out of the box parent, so to speak, it can be quite difficult to figure out what to do and how to make it all better. It's times like that when you can feel overwhelmed and also unworthy of being a father. But don't let things like that get you down. It's all natural. Simply try your best; hold your child, comfort her (or him). Don't get caught up on all the rules.

There are no firm, set terms that are the be all and end all of parenting. There's no golden rule that will help you to become the best parent ever.

Being a good father simply takes some effort and a whole lot of TLC. Even if you're clueless or tend to be the more hands-off type, you can still become the father of the year with some practice.

The first few months are probably some of the toughest you'll know. Both you and your partner will be knackered. A new mother has a lot of work to do, what with feeding and tending to the new baby; but that doesn't mean that she has all the knowledge nor does it mean that she should bear the brunt of the work.

The most crucial aspect of being a father is to engage in team work. Don't simply hand off tasks that you don't know how to handle to your partner. Even if she offers to take up for your slack, hang in there, try to do it yourself. Most likely, both of you will be pretty clueless in the beginning, so take this initial period as a time for both of you to explore the joys of parenthood.

There will be a fair amount of fretting and worrying; taking care of a new baby is hard work, and it can be doubly stressing if it's your first time. Although you won't be perfect, everything takes practice, after all, don't let that fact overwhelm you.

Simply get involved. Don't sit out on the sidelines. Always make time for your children.

Spending quality time with your newborn child is crucial to developing a healthy relationship later on.

Damian Papworth is a dedicated father and husband. He recently took his wife shopping for women's shoes. He found some great information here on women's running shoes.

by Tiffany Windhurst

We all think our home is safe for our children, but until you get on your child's level you can't be sure. Even before your baby begins to crawl, walk and climb you should start looking for hazards. The best way to determine what may harm your baby is to get on the floor and crawl around at a toddler's level.

Some general things to look for are cords on blinds, chemicals in low cabinets, outlets, sharp edges on furniture, small toys or jewelry within a child's reach, and things to climb. There are lots of devices on the market today that you can use to protect your child against these hazards. However, nothing replaces proper supervision of your baby and child.

Chemicals and other toxic substances should be placed out of the reach of your child or cabinet safety locks should be installed. You can purchase specially made soft bumpers to place on the edges of sharp furniture, or simply tape a wadded cloth on the corners. Cords on blinds should hang individually or be rolled up out of baby's reach. You can also get child safety locks for drawers. Tall furniture that can be climbed should be anchored to wall to prevent it being pulled over on the child.

You should also make sure the areas where your child plays are kept picked up free of small objects. Cords for appliances should not hang down off counter within your child's reach. Keep handles on pots turned toward the wall to prevent accidental spilling. Sharp objects like knives and forks should be kept out of reach.

Your child's safety is very important and parents should take all the necessary precautions to prevent injury. A child does not know what will harm him and what will not, he is constantly learning and everything looks fun to him. You can never prevent every injury or protect against all hazards, but using common sense will prevent most injuries.

Learn more about baby shower centerpieces at our baby health care website.

by Tiffany Windhurst

Babies, toddlers and young children are constantly learning. A toddler, one to three years old, is learning to feed himself, to walk, to sleep on his own, to use the big boy potty, to play with other children, and assert his independence is some ways.

Basically, children are trying to figure out where they fit in the family, and where they fit in the bigger community as well. While a normal part of growing up, this can scary for the toddler, as well as the parents. Realizing how a child develops between ages one and three will help you understand his behavior and help you relate better to him.

Children love to play games, even when you as the parent don't realize you're playing a game. Children learn through games and discovering new things. Children ages 1 - 3 generally have short attention spans and will easily move from one activity to another all through the day. Organized games should be age appropriate and have fairly simple rules. Giving children some small responsibilities at these ages, which are age appropriate, will help them find a role in the family. It's never too early for children to learn simple chores like picking up toys when play is finished.

Toddlers will also begin asserting their independence by defying mom and dad. Often this defiance results in screaming, crying, and a very upset little boy or girl. It's important for parents to continue to show authority and stick to their guns. Giving in to fits only reinforces the behavior in the child, and tells the child that with enough crying he or she gets the desired outcome.

Gentle discipline (not punishment), lots of encouragement, and overflowing unconditional love are important at all stages of a child's life, but especially while the toddler is learning to relate to you, other family members, and society as a whole.

by Audrey Hegarty

Now that we are into November \ December, we can expect to see some grisly weather coming our way. There are stories being thrown about that this winter is set to be one of the coldest in history with night time temperatures to allegedly hit lows of -16. Not a typo I actually did say -16!! Who knows maybe Mr. Crosby's dreams will come true and we will have a white Christmas. This is all very well, but what about those little babies who have just left the warmth and security of their mother's womb, only to arrive in the cold winter world of torrid rain and biting winds and if we are to believe the gossip never before experienced cold snaps!

To prepare your baby for the cold days that are coming, I thought up of some tips for keeping your baby all cosy and warm this Christmas. The main thing we need to take into account is that we don't actually over heat the baby while trying to protect them. Babies can be very resilient in many different ways. They make look very vulnerable but we must be wary of over protecting them.

It's widely believed that its not cold weather that gives baby a cold, rather contact with people who have virus or infection. That doesn't mean that you have to hibernate until spring, rather avoid tightly crowded places for the first 3 months or so until baby has had a chance to strengthen his or her immune system.

It's probably best to avoid unnecessary close contact with persons who have a runny nose or appear to be snuffling greatly! It is best to keep baby's vaccines up to date also. Babies with underlying conditions or premature babies may need extra care, we recommend consulting with your health care practitioner in this case!

In terms of baby clothing your baby will need a pair of soft soled leather shoes or fur lined bootees. These baby shoes will keep a babies' foot warm and they will also prevent baby socks from falling off.

Visit Tiptoe Tots for great prices on baby shoes this winter. You can also purchase baby leggings and baby socks too.

Footnote: It is interesting to note that the UK and Europe are already receiving the heaviest snows in over a decade, and we're still not done with November just yet. Pundits are probably correct, this may well become a very cold winter. On this side of the world, we have the opposite to deal with. A hot summer and how to keep your baby in cool. Coughs and Colds in new born babies is still a worry, even in summer.

As watching long hours of television every day has become more common all around the world, it has raised some serious questions about the healthiness of spending too much time in front of the television. One of the main concerns is about babies who watch television; is there a limit that should be placed on how much they can watch?

It's been suggested by many experts that babies shouldn't watch television at all, but many infants are still allowed to watch it. Take a look at the video section in your local chain store and you'll see lots of videos targeted at babies.

The huge market for television shows for babies was only brought about because of the demand for it. Parents quickly realized that babies enjoy television and that they can become engrossed in it. The question still remains though: how much TV should a baby be allowed to view before it's considered unhealthy?

There are many factors that contribute to whether or not babies should be allowed to watch television. Before you discuss the amount of television a baby should watch, you should first consider the type of programming. Some shows completely fail to provide any kind of useful entertainment, such as cartoons.

Thankfully, there are many educational videos for babies as well. These programs can teach infants new skills that will benefit them throughout life. Some popular options include programs that teach babies how to read, speak another language, or recognize sign language.

In fact, it hasn't been proven that television is harmful to babies under two years old as long as the time spent watching television is controlled and the programs are educational. Many parents feel that their children have grown intellectually through educational programs for babies.

Even beneficial television shows don't provide a quality substitute for the interaction between parents and babies. Still, they can be useful when a parent just needs to get a few things done while the baby stays occupied with a television show. It's really something that a baby can expand his or her mind while the parent takes care of things around the house.

Of course, a baby's exposure TV should always be carefully monitored. Babies should watch no more than an hour of television in a day, with this time preferably split up between two half-hour segments.

The babies who are most harmed by television are the ones who are allowed to sit in front of the set all day. As with many things in life, moderation is the way to go.

author Arthur Goldberry - editing Les Scammell

Many parents are concerned about how to teach their baby to walk. It seems to come naturally, and in a way it does. However, there are things you can do to prepare your baby for walking.

You know, babies don't just wake up one day and start walking. There is a natural progression from rolling over, sitting up, scooting, crawling, and then pulling up to walk. If you want to teach your baby how to walk, it will depend on how he/she masters those steps. It should also be remembered that some babies skip steps, or seem to take sometime to progress from one to the next - in most cases, this is normal.

Once your baby has become mobile, providing a safe environment in your home is very important. If you're going to teach your baby how to walk, you need to inspect your home for dangers in order to prevent your child from getting hurt on sharp corners, stairs, and ledges etc.

You could also be tempted to buy a walker from the store. They are great playthings but they do not teach your baby to walk. Some specialists believe they hold your baby back. Occasional use of a walker is harmless, so don't leave your baby in it for hours.

You may also be tempted to buy your baby the perfect pair of shoes when you're teaching him/her to walk. Recent research suggests that babies actually learn to walk better when they're not wearing shoes. Here's a little known tidbit - babies are born without kneecaps. It is not until they are around 12 months that knee caps start to form. So initially, baby will be trying to walk without those knee caps and shoes can put pressure on the knees. When baby first starts to walk, watch them, they will be on tip toes rather than flat feet. Shoes interfere with this and so slow down the child's ability to learn to walk.

So save your money and teach your baby to walk without those pretty little shoes. If you want your child to wear shoes, just be aware that they won't make it easier for your baby to walk. Follow a few simple rules of thumb. When you teach your baby to walk, you must make sure that his shoes are going to help instead of hurt. Try looking for shoes that have soles that are flat and flexible. Pass up the high-tops and go for a shoe that allows your baby's ankle to move. You should frequently check your baby's shoe size if you want to make sure he/she hasn't outgrown them.

When it comes to teaching your baby how to walk, one of the most important things you can do is encourage their every achievement. Balance and coordination can be developed by playing physical games and toys that promote dexterity. Toys that allow your baby to push or pull are excellent to teach your baby to walk. You can also play by kicking and throwing balls. With the help of these activities, your baby can also achieve balance and eye-hand coordination.

Just have fun! Enjoy the process and try not to push your baby too hard.

by Melanie Grant

Did you know that there is a right way and a wrong way to potty train your toddler? Believe it or not there is. Any parent can use some advice when their child is in this stage of their lives; I could have for sure.

The most important thing to do when you potty train your toddler is to encourage, encourage, and encourage. It is best of you stay focused on the positive rather then the negative. You need to first get your toddler ready by getting your toddler used to the bathroom. When your toddler has come close encourage them by being positive some parents find it easier by having a sticker chart. Remember that there will be some accidents, but do not over react to this. If you over react the whole potty training process could drag on longer then it needs to.

It is a great idea to take your toddler with you when you go to the bathroom, this is because toddlers like to do everything that you do. When your toddler sees what you do in the bathroom they will also want to do it and feel more at ease when they try to go to the potty. Another idea is to use a stuffed animal or a doll and pretend that it is using the potty, some toddlers can learn from this also. Be sure that ever time that your toddler uses the potty and only of they do, reward them with praise, or stickers, whatever you have decided that the reward will be.

Potty training needs to be done in a stress free environment. Another thing is that your toddler will not potty train until they are ready and no sooner. If your toddler does not potty train right away, they may not be ready. Give up on the idea for a few weeks then try again they may get it the second try. Never be negative when potty training your toddler, they will pick up on it sooner or later.

Potty training is indeed important because it's a way of teaching discipline to your toddlers. But its not always easy, so you should have loads and loads of patience.

by Mary Roadings

Most babies have baby colic during their first year. It is something common to many toddlers, however doctors still can't pinpoint what is the actual cause. They do agree though that many times an upset stomach can often lead to colic, which makes the baby feel bloated as gas is gathered in the intestines. This gas needs to be let out and the best way to do it is by baby massage.

When the child has colic, he or she tends to cry a lot due to the strong pain felt. Many times parents experience a strong sense of panic because of this constant crying as they have no idea what to do, how to help their kid. And often times the cure is really a proper baby massage that stops the crying right away, it's that simple really.

One of the best ways to help your child get relief from stomach pains and colic is by learning how to do baby massage. This will relax the stomach muscles and will stop those nasty spasms that tend to come and go. The baby will be able to pass wind which is accumulated in the intestines.

For massage, use natural oils for best results. Avoid doing the massage right after feeding as this will upset the stomach and cause more pain. Lay your palm flat on the stomach and go clockwise in circling motions a few times over the abdomen. Then use your hand to make a circle around the belly button after which use your fingertips to do the same thing. Finally use again your flat palm to go around the stomach in a clockwise direction as a last exercise.

Next take the legs and do a bit of bicycle exercise with them, one after another one. This will push the wind from the intestines and stomach. After that stretch the legs with an easy pressure applied and then wobble the legs a bit. This will finally eliminate the last wind from the stomach for best results