Archives for October 2014

Getting ready to become a parent is an exciting time, but it can be difficult and daunting too. As well as putting up with morning sickness and mood swings, you have to prepare your home for the impending arrival. Top of your list of priorities may be getting your nursery ready.

Knowing exactly what to buy for this room can be tricky. There are so many products available these days and unless you’re careful you can end up spending a fortune. To help ensure you cover all the basics without busting your budget in the process, take a look at this guide to must-have nursery items.

Storage

For such small things, babies sure do have a lot of stuff. It’s amazing how many clothes, toys and accessories tots need. To ensure your nursery doesn’t descend into chaos, you’ll need storage – and plenty of it! Don’t worry if you’re lacking square footage in this part of your home. By being savvy, you should be able to cram enough storage into the room.

Full-height shelving will help you to make optimal use of all the vertical space on offer. You can also get storage boxes that double up as seating.

A Crib

Image by Valentina Powers  

Of course, no nursery is complete without a crib. This is possibly the most important item you’ll get, so it’s important that you make the right choice. If you’re unsure which model to go for, simply check out a good pregnancy resource online.

Any crib you select should conform to current safety standards. You’ll also need to think about special features. For example, some of these items come with a storage drawer. It’s also possible to get convertible versions that turn into toddler beds. These may cost more upfront, but they could save you cash in the long run.

Mattress

A crib mattress is an essential item too. This should be firm and comfy for your little one. Ideally, it will be lightweight too. After all, you’ll find yourself manoeuvring the item at all times of the day and night in order to change the sheets. For safety, the mattress should fit snugly up to the rails of the crib.

Monitor

Another must is a baby monitor. These products make it much easier to know when your tot is stirring and in need of attention. They also offer peace of mind. You’ll need to decide whether to go for straightforward audio versions or to get monitors with video functions too.

Changing Mat

If you have the space and your budget will accommodate it, you might want to get a special changing table for your nursery. At the very least though, you’ll need a mat. Changing babies can be a messy business, so these items are essential.

Once you’ve got your storage, crib, mattress, monitor and mat, you can rest assured you’ve covered the basics for your nursery. Of course, there are lots of extras you can get too. Always bear in mind though that when you become a parent, your friends and family will swamp you with baby gifts.

There is no rule book when it comes to parenting. When you find yourself pregnant, everybody will want to give you advice. The majority of the tips and tricks people tell you will be worthless. Smile and nod when they give you advice, but don’t take anything too seriously. When it comes to parenting, it’s all about finding your way. Different people adopt different parenting styles. What works for one person, might not work for you. There will be a certain amount of trial and error when you first become a parent. That is okay. You don’t need to take everybody’s advice. Instead, stick to a few certain rules and you’ll be fine. Here are nine amazing tips to successful parenting. The rest is up to you.

1. Set boundaries for your children

You must set boundaries early on in your children’s lives. Letting your children do whatever they want and trying to make rules later will not work. Children learn habits in their early years. That means that you need to make sure you set out boundaries for your children before they grow too old. Remember to present a united front. If you say they can’t do something, but their dad says they can, you will look weak. Instead, talk to your partner about the rules and make sure you agree on things first.

2. Give your children space

Some parents make the mistake of smothering their children with attention. Doing so means that your children will end up relying on you for everything they need. You are raising a person. One day that person will need to survive alone. Showing your children how to be alone now, will help them in their future lives. Give your children time and space away from the family when they can read or relax. Doing so will teach your children to be comfortable in by themselves.

3. Make the communication easy

When your children come to you with a problem, don’t get mad. You want to encourage your children to talk to you about things. If your children have made a mistake, but choose to talk to you about it, you should be happy. Many children try and hide things from their parents. They fear what their parents will say, and so avoid telling them bad news. You need to encourage your children to talk to you. Let them know that you are always there to talk to and that you won’t judge them if they need help.

4. Be affectionate and loving

You can never be too loving when it comes to your children. Sure, you need to give them space, but you also need to make sure that they know you love them. There is nothing worse for a child than wanting affection. If your children feel like you don’t want them, they will feel lost in the world. You are their parent. As such, you need to show them all the love they need. Having a healthy relationship with you will help them to establish good relationships as they get older.

5. Learn from your mistakes

If you are a first-time parent, you will make mistakes. Don’t beat yourself up when you make a mistake. Instead, learn from the mistake and move on with your life. Many parents berate themselves when something goes wrong in the family. Remember, you can’t change the past, but you can change the future. Move forward when you make a mistake and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

6. Trust your children

If you raise your children well, they will be trustworthy. It is as simple as that. Make sure you show your children that you trust them and know they will do the right thing. When you give your children a level of freedom, they are more likely to do the right thing. When your children feel that you trust them, they want to maintain that level of trust. They know that without that trust, you will stop them doing certain things. Making sure that you give your children a chance to make the right decisions in life. Doing so will mean that they have a strong relationship with you.

7. Find a stable babysitter

Stability is essential in your children’s lives. You should make sure that everything from daily routines to babysitters is stable. Changing your sitter every week, will confuse your children and make them uncomfortable. Instead, try and find a babysitter that you’re comfortable with, who you can rely on all the time. When you find someone who you can trust, you will feel more comfortable leaving your children. Your children will create a bond with the sitter, and so they will feel comfortable with them. That means that when the babysitter comes over, there will be no arguments and no fuss.

8. Befriend your neighbors

You need to know who your neighbors are when you have children. Knowing who is living next door to you will help when you have a problem. If your neighbors get to know you and your children, they will be likely to look out for your children. That means that if there is an emergency, you can trust your neighbors to step in and help out. Having that level of social support will make a world of difference. Knowing that the neighbors are watching out for your children will mean that you feel safe and content.

9. Presents are not important

One mistake that every new parent makes is trying to buy their children. Buying loads of fancy presents and gifts is not important. What is important is spending quality time with your children and showing them that you love them. You can, of course, get your children gifts now and then. The point is not to rely on giving gifts to make your children behave. Instead, take an active role in your children’s lives. Show up to sports games and take an interest in their school work. As they grow up, your children will remember the time you spend with them, not the gifts you bought them.