Wordless Wednesday-My babies

Wordless Wednesday-Easter 2011

Potty Training

So, I've been thinking about subjects to write about lately to get the juices flowing again. Not blogging for awhile can do that to you! One subject I've read about lately and talked about is potty training.

I'm not about to say I'm an expert on this, I'm not about to tell you how to do it. I think what I want to write about is personal experience. Primarily when it comes to the child. My daughter is a first born and pretty headstrong. I had wondered often what it would be like to potty train my first. Would she be difficult and take a long time? Would she be afraid? Would she regress at all?

I think most first time mama's really start to get nervous when major milestones are approaching. There's so many variables. So and so did this, such and such happened with this one's child, etc. The number one thing I would say to any mom being nervous about any milestone or teaching step is that you know your child better than anyone!

You know how they react to certain things, you know how to calm them if they do react, and you know how to coax them when needed. I've known people that try and potty train at a year old and some that wait until 3 years old before even beginning. Why I chose to potty train my daughter and when was a personal preference for both my daughter and I.

She seemed to be ready around the time I started training her. She knew what was going on down there and started being ready for diaper changes fairly quickly. I didn't want her to be afraid or think that I was just forcing her to go all of the sudden so I started making a game out of putting her on the toilet with no expectation. My step-son, whom I didn't potty train, was terribly afraid of the toilet and the water and wasn't poop trained until he was 4 years old. I didn't want my daughter to be scared. She enjoyed the time sitting on the pot with a book and thought it was fun.

I bought underwear instead of pull ups because in my mind, they are glorified diapers. They are convenient when you want to rush out the door or have to be doing something in the car, etc. but, I didn't want to use them for training. I bought the thick training underwear and put them on my daughter. I took her to the bathroom about every 20 minutes and still she would wet or go poo in the underwear.

It was time to change tactics after that. I think that if you get stuck or something isn't working, change it up and see how your child responds. I went to the dollar store and bought stickers for my daughter's reward. I'd heard of candy as reward but, my daughter wasn't even two and she wasn't getting candy every day. I had heard about naked training through a friend that did it with her boys and it worked well with them. Off went her underwear and I stayed up on taking her often and asking her. She wasn't very verbal at the time but, she would get a certain look on her face when she had to go and would say "ew" to me. With the naked training, she was able to feel the sensations of going and wonder what to do with it. When I saw those signals, I would take her quickly to the bathroom. When she saw that she went to the bathroom and got a sticker, she was excited and starting putting the pieces together.

Over a few weeks time, she was completely potty trained including leaving the house. It can be done with patience and if you have a very head strong child, sometimes you have to change tactics. Sometimes you have to be patient and do a lot of coaxing but, don't be discouraged! It's a rewarding task to help your child to learn and grow and it's rewarding to have them out of diapers!!

Safety Tat Review

Safety Tat's are another invention brought on out of necessity. A Mother, Michele Welsh, was concerned for her children while going to an amusement park. She decided to write her phone number on each child as a safety precaution. She became frustrated that she had to re-write the numbers over the course of the day and a few times she was stopped and asked if her children had her phone number on them, and that day an invention was born.


I had a chance to check out both the standard temporary Safety Tat tattoos as well as their newer type, which is the Quick Stick. I was intrigued by the idea of the Safety Tat's purpose, and wanted to see what they were like. I was really impressed that I was able to get a pack of original Safety Tat's pre printed with my phone number. That means that I don't have hurry up and stick it on my daughter with the water, and then write my phone number down on each one.


The pack I received contained a permanent black ink marker, 18 safety tats, a few quick stick safety tats to check out, and a sticker. There are gender specific tats, allergy alerts, and multiple designs. The allergy alerts were genius. If you are going to have a sitter, or someone that isn't familiar with your child, they are a great way for them to know and remember. I think it would be a great idea to even add the medical alerts to their line for children with diabetes, etc.

My main thoughts

At first glance, I wasn't all that interested. After reviewing their site, thinking about the situations that I will be in that would require something like this product, I quickly jumped on the bandwagon. This is definitely a need regarding safety. The only downside is that these stick on really well. So well that the quick stick was pulling my daughter's skin a bit. It stuck like an amazingly sticky bandaid and she wasn't too pleased with my husband taking it off. As with normal temporary tattoos, these will be on for a few days.

Buy It

If you are interested in purchasing some safety tats soon, you may use this code offerd up by Safetytat.com. My readers will receive 10% off an order of $15 dollars or more.

Expires December 23, 2009

Code is case sensitive

RofaWBR

See Kai Run Wins iParenting Outstanding Product!

See Kai Run® Wins iParenting Outstanding Product Award For 2009
Seattle, WA (August 2009) -- See Kai Run, popular manufacturer of the perfect first shoe for new walkers, has been chosen as one of the outstanding products for 2009 by iParenting. The iParenting Awards, part of the Disney Interactive Media Group, is the leading family products evaluation program that is committed to helping parents make informed decisions as they choose products for their families.
The iParenting Awards’ method for testing and evaluating products requires review by leading experts, parents and childcare providers, and each product is evaluated on numerous attributes such as quality, durability, age-appropriateness and play value, among many others.
The award-winning product tested and honored in the 2009 Awards is the Cameron Sky sandal, which represents See Kai Run’s first walker line for kids 6 months to 3 years old. Features include:
· Quality construction for healthy development of children’s feet – flexible soles, padded collars, wide toe box.
· The use of quality, safe materials – butter soft leather which meets the most stringent U.S. and international guidelines available.
· Creative, fun, styling that appeal to children and their parents.
iParenting Awards, a Disney Interactive Media Group property, is part of the Disney Online Mom and Family Portfolio, which includes Disney Family.com, FamilyFun.com, PregnancyToday.com and BabiesToday.com.
About See Kai Run
See Kai Run and Smaller promote healthy development of babies' and children's feet with their ultra-flexible soles, butter-soft leather and wide toe box. Our footwear meets the American Podiatric Medical Association's rigorous standards for foot health and functionality and has been awarded the APMA's prestigious Seal of Acceptance. Retail prices starts at $32.

See Kai Run is a family-owned and operated business located outside of Seattle, Washington. The idea was born when owner Cause Haun was on a quest for the perfect first pair of shoes for her son, Kai. Unable to find shoes in fun styles that still promoted the healthy development of little feet, Cause and her husband created their own line of shoes that satisfied all of these needs. In almost 5 years, See Kai Run has seen sales expand from a few boutiques, mostly in the Seattle area, to stores all around the country and worldwide. Please visit http://www.seekairun.com/ for additional information.

Freaky Friday-Breastfeeding Doll

So, here I am. Jumping on the bandwagon of the "breastfeeding doll". It was just too good not to post for my freaky friday segment.(Thanks Alesha) Here is my take and then I'll show you what the advertisement for the doll looks like.

I don't have a problem with it. The doll makers, which incidentally are in another country, sought out opinions from child psychologists and reviewed the doll with children to see how they interacted. I don't think it sexualizes a child, or makes them favor more or less breastfeeding to bottle feeding. There have been plenty of "bottle fed" dolls for years and some of those young girls grew up to later breast feed their own children.

The only issue I would have with this doll, is an issue that some experts have as well. This limits imagination. Many little girls are born nurturing, my daughter is a great example of that. She loves to bathe, clothe, and feed her baby dolls. She is empathetic, etc. Having a toy that does only one thing can limit a child's imagination since it's telling the child what to do and the child may become bored with a one dimensional toy and stop playing with it after the fascination wears off.

Either way, I'm much more apt to buy my daughter a doll that teaches her what her body can do and is nurturing than buying her a slutty Bratz doll that teaches her how to dress inappropriately and how to become a lover of all things material.

Great American Bake Sale-Press Release

We all could help out our community a little more. I know I'm guilty of not helping as much as I used to. Please view the press release and see if this is something you think you could do to help give back.

2009 Great American Bake Sale

Why You Should Get Involved

By signing up to host a Bake Sale, you are taking the first step to end childhood hunger in America. Bake Sale proceeds will be donated to after-school and summer feeding programs in your community and across the country.

Hunger: An American Issue
Problem: 500,000 more children live in poverty now than a year ago and 16 million children rely on food stamps.

Solution: Last year Great American Bake Sale funds helped feed 2.1 million children through summer and afterschool food programs. Host a Great American Bake Sale. Sign-up now.

Why Support Great American Bake Sale?

100% of the funds you raise help feed kids.
Funds you raise from your local bake sale stay local, supporting afterschool and summer feeding programs in your community food programs that hundreds and thousands of kids depend on.
You can host a bake sale based on your schedule and in your community. You don’t have to run a marathon or make a large donation to make a huge difference!
It’s a fun solution with a large impact.
Ways You Can Get Involved
Hold a Bake Sale
Sign up to hold a bake sale.

Looking for Other Creative Options?

If you don't want to bake, you can still get involved by holding other activities. This year, participants have held BBQs and invited friends. Others connected with their local 4-H club, baked treats for pets and sold those. The possibilities are endless.

Hold a "Bakeless" Bake Sale

Have a blog? Like to email or use social media? A "Bakeless" Bake Sale is a great way to engage your friends and family. Sign up to hold a bake sale and use the online tools to raise funds to help hunger organizations in your community.

Kidshoos Review & Giveaway *CLOSED*

I've come across a wonderful source for kid's shoes of all different styles and want to tell you about it. It's a new site and they are committed to offering quality, low priced footwear called Kidshoos. Kidshoos are also committed to providing a safe work environment, fair wages, and being environmentally conscious. There's an assortment of athletic, urban, dress, sandals, etc. My daughter got to try these funky, fun, new styles called Edgie Veggies. They are super soft, and made 100% animal free.

They carry brands like Birki's kids, Graffeeti, and Rocket Dog. There's plenty to choose from for boys and girls. Their prices are reasonable and mine came quickly! Kaia was sent the Edgie Veggie in Simba Pink. This shoe has "playful" written all over it. The first thing I thought of when I saw them was that they were very playful and kid friendly.

The sole of the shoes are white. They are scuff, slip, and water resistant. The toe is covered with the rubber to prevent tearing and scuffing. The material on the shoe has a slight pattern to it and it is really stretchy. There are no laces, which is wonderful to me. This makes these shoes easy to slip on and off my two year old.

I had a lovely experience with them customer service wise and would definitely recommend you checking them out. You may find something you just have to have.

Buy It

You can buy the Edgie Veggies and more directly from their site, kidshoos.com. They are offering free shipping on all orders through the end of June!

Win It

Kidshoos has been gracious enough to offer one winner their choice of Edgie Veggie brand shoes.

Rules

Please go to kidshoos.com and tell me which pair of (Edgie Veggies) you would choose And size. Please only pick from this selection. People are picking from ineligible shoes!!

Extra Entries

-Follow my blog to the right

-follow me on twitter @kaiasmommy and tweet about this contest. Leave the link to the tweet.

Anyone can enter this contest, please leave me a separate entry for each item you complete. Also, if there is no email address or way to contact you I will be forced to pick another winner. And, if you don't read the rules you are disqualified!!

This contest ends 11:59 PM Arizona time on May 27,2009

Freaky Friday-8 year old wins divorce

Yep, you read this correctly. An 8 year old Saudi girl was awarded a divorce from her 50 something husband on Wednesday. The girl was sold by her father last year in exchange for a dowry.

At least her Mother, who found out after the fact, petitioned to get a divorce granted. The sad part is that a judge rejected the case twice, even though he stated that the marriage couldn't be consummated until puberty. Do you really think that the men that marry these little girls are going to wait? Some may have at least that respect but, why even marry them if you can't be with them? There have been disputes by children's rights activists, UNICEF, and international rights groups but, they have been mostly quiet. This isn't widely done in Saudi but, there are some that are for this because it's within Islamic teachings.

I know I'm American and christian and part of the modern world as far as marriages are concerned but, this is just absolutely GROSS! I don't wanna hear about how this is OK because it's someones religion, culture, blah blah. This is a child and no cultural, religious, or law stamp is gonna change that. I just feel so blessed that I live in a country that has laws to protect children from something like this. Not all can be protected but, at least it's a start.