Mother's Day Cards - Gift Guide for Dads

You can always run down to the drugstore and buy a $3 Mother’s Day card. Few of us are poets and the cards often say in words what we can only feel in our hearts about the special moms in our lives. On the other hand, it’s sometimes hard for moms to feel those sentiments written in someone else’s hand. For this reason, you may want to create your own card. It doesn’t have to look like it came off a printing press. This is truly a case where your effort and imagination will make the strongest impression. Here are a few ideas to get started.

1. In the simplest version, stop at a stationery store and buy a nice off-white card and envelope. You can simply write “I love you Mom” and sign your name. If it’s for your partner, say something like, “I love you. Thank you for our beautiful children.”
   


2. If the above idea sounds too simple, write or copy of few verses of poetry. While poetry takes a bit more effort, it will evoke a smile for your hard effort. Simple poetry schemes like ABAB are easy to do and can finish in four lines.
   Consider:
   

   Roses are red, Violets are blue,
   You’re the best mom in the world,
   What would I do without you?
   Simple and sweet and from the heart.
   

3. Take that nice and simple off-white card and paste a family photo on the front and on the inside, write something simple like “I love you and our family.” I guarantee this card will go into a memory box.
   


4. Search “how to make a Mother’s Day card” on the internet for plenty of Martha Stewart style ideas for cards. I don’t recommend this, but you’ll find thousands of ideas.

Baby Names - Do's and Don'ts

Here is a list of some of the important do's and dont's related to selecting the right baby name. One example would be - Don't name your baby with terms that have slang meanings related to parts of the human anatomy.

Dont's

• Don't call the fetus Jellybean or Ladybug. Such names stick even after the child is born.
• Don't name your baby after someone you hate or dislike.
• Don't name your baby with terms that have slang meanings related to parts of the human anatomy.
• Check your baby name initials together with your surname. Initials of names like Christopher David Player (C.D. Player) or Annie Sue Stiles could be embarassing.
• Don't make your baby name sound like a tongue twister.
• Consider the confusion involved in naming your child after yourself or someone in the family.
• Make sure to fully research your chosen name, especially if it seems unique and foreign. It would be embarassing to discover later that your child has the name of an infamous character from history or a foreign country.
• Avoid involving your friends in your name search. Their input will only complicate a process that is already difficult with two people. And, in the worst case, someone might 'steal' your perfect name for their baby before you have claimed it.
• Don't wait until the delivery to decide on the name if you want to have any say in the matter. If you do, make sure you're ready to give in to whatever your wife decides. When the baby is handed to you, the doctor or nurse will ask what you have decided for a name. At this point, it is very difficult to argue with a woman who has been in labor for eight hours. Forewarned is forearmed.

Do's

• Use online naming engines to help you throw a wide net for your name search.
• Select the top 5-10 names you like. After your baby is born, you might find the fifth name more suitable to his or her appearance.
• Let the baby's appearance dictate the final choice. Of-course, you wouldn't keep terms like Toothless Wonder or mashed potato in your list.
• Meaningful names or names of historical personalities you admire can help children gain direction in their lives.

Stand Up Toilet Training

Finally, a dad has invented a stand-up child-size urinal for toilet training little boys. The inventor, Scott Rote, is a dad who easily toilet trained two little girls but was hesitant about the upcoming battle he might go through with his third child – a boy.

In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics confirms the common wisdom that boys take longer to train than girls: the average toilet training age for boys is 35 months – a full 3 months later than girls. Rote wondered if there wasn’t a better way and researched potty training accessories on the market, all of which encouraged training boys in a sitting position. This seemed odd, particularly since the majority of educators and practitioners say that the best way to teach children is to “model behavior.”

With this in mind, Rote, an industrial designer set out to find a potty training accessory to train boys by allowing them to stand. Rote’s invention, the Peter Potty is a familiar shaped kids-size urinal, made out of lightweight hard plastic. It is not a toy, but a flushable stand-up toilet.

Quantitative research conducted independently of over 400 children shows that boys trained in a standing position reached success two months earlier. Since the majority of these ‘standing boys’ were trained with a step stool/toilet method, the Peter Potty may make earlier success possible because of the features of this potty training accessory. Anecdotal evidence suggests perhaps as much as six months faster.

Whatever potty training accessory you may consider, look for the following characteristics:

• Appealing to kids
  


• Correct size—kids shouldn’t be able to fall in
  


• Easy to use and clean
  


• Stable and secure

We like the Peter Potty because:

• It’s unique and interesting to kids.
  


• The ‘real water flush’ can be appealing and offers a reward for success.
  


• There are no steps to climb, no fear of “falling in.”
  


• The size is right, adjustable for 18 months to 4 years and beyond.
  


• It’s simple to use and requires emptying only once per day.
  


• It mimics dad’s behavior and prepares kids for urinals in public facilities.

The Peter Potty also comes with hardware to secure to a wall to eliminate any fear of it tipping over. We would recommend this or keeping it in a safe spot, such as between toilet and wall to lessen the chance of spilling the contents. We also recommend emptying more than once per day for the same reason.

The Peter Potty is supported by several leading pediatricians and we expect it to quickly gain traction. If you’re the kind of guy who always wondered why you can’t have an easy to use urinal with no stupid seat to put down, you’ll buy the Peter Potty just to stimulate conversation in the house. My wife always tries to hide it when guests come over, but I proudly keep ours in the first floor guest bathroom so everyone knows the boys in the house are standing up for their rights, at least in the bathroom.

As for the dad in the story, Scott Rote was able to quickly train his son Kyle at 2 ½ years. The Peter Potty is sold by Visionaire Products, of which Scott Rote is a founding partner.

Important Child Development Stages

Social and emotional development

Learning through play

Your baby tries to play with everything. And everything she plays with teaches her something new. She learns from toys, books and household items. She also learns from interactions with people.

If your baby has older brothers and sisters, she will watch to see how they play with toys. Your baby will want to play the same way. She imitates and copies what other people do.

If your baby is with another child of the same age, she will watch the other child. Sometimes she will copy that child’s play. The children may play side by side. But they probably won’t interact except to mimic one another.

Your baby will learn most from her interactions with you. Your patience and support will teach her independence. Your encouragement will help her learn that she is unique and has special skills. Your guidance and consistency will help her feel safe. In return, she will share her learning and success.

Language development

Working on words

Your 12-month-old is probably working hard on her language skills. She shows that she understands many words even though she can’t say them. This is called receptive language. For example, when you ask her to hand you a toy or point to a picture in a book, she can do it.

Continue to go slowly with requests. Break activities down into many parts. Your baby will be able to follow simple requests. For example, if you are looking at a picture book, don’t say, “Where are the farm animals?” Instead, say things like, “Point to the cow.” “Show me the pig.” “Do you see a chicken?” Give your baby time to think and respond before you move on to the next animal.

Expressive language—saying words—is developing, too. Your baby makes conversation-like noises, following your speech rhythm. She may say a few words clearly. She will point and gesture to help you understand the words she doesn’t pronounce well. Clearly say the word she is trying to use. She will try to imitate you. In time, her speech will become clear and easy to understand.

Remember your baby is working on many skills at the same time. For example, she may be putting a lot of energy into learning to walk. If so, her language development may slow down for a bit. Or she may be trying to get used to a new child-care center. If so, her physical and social skills may stall. Usually, with your support, all areas of development will level out. Remember, if you become worried that her development is delayed, talk to her doctor.

Toileting (or using the potty) is one of the most basic physical needs of young children. It is also one of the most difficult topics of communication among parents, child care providers, and health care professionals when asked to determine the "right" age a child should be able to successfully and consistently use the toilet.

Most agree that the methods used to potty train can have major emotional effects on children. The entire process—from diapering infants to teaching toddlers and preschoolers about using the toilet—should be a positive one. Often, and for many reasons, toilet learning becomes an unnecessary struggle for control between adults and children. Many families feel pressured to potty train children by age two because of strict child care program policies, the overall inconvenience of diapering, or urging from their pediatricians, early childhood columnists, researchers, other family members, friends, etc.

The fact is that the ability to control bladder and bowel functions is as individual as each child. Some two-year-olds are fully potty trained, and some are not. But those that aren’t should not be made to feel bad about it. There are also many cultural differences in handling potty training, therefore it is important that families and program staff sensitively and effectively communicate regarding these issues.

The purpose of toilet learning is to help children gain control of their body functions. If a child is ready, the process can provide a sense of success and achievement. Here are some helpful hints on determining when young children are ready to begin the potty training process and suggestions on how to positively achieve that task.

Ready, set, go!

Children are most likely ready to begin toilet training when they:

• show a preference for clean diapers—a preference adults can encourage by frequent diaper changing and by praising children when they come to you for a change.
• understand when they have eliminated and know the meaning of terms for body functions. For example, "wet," "pee," "poop," and "b.m." are words commonly used by children to describe bladder and bowel functions.
• indicate that they need to use the potty by squatting, pacing, holding their private parts, or passing gas.
• show that they have some ability to hold it for a short period of time by going off by themselves for privacy when filling the diaper or staying dry during naps.

Become a cheerleader

• There may be times during the learning process when children accidentally go in their diapers or training pants. This can be very distressing and may cause them to feel sad—especially if they have been successfully using the chair for some period of time. When this happens, change the diaper without admonition—a caring adult can then try to pick up the child’s spirits with encouragement that she is doing well and will get better with practice.
• The most common cause of resistance to potty training occurs when children have been scolded, punished, or lectured too often about using the potty, or have been forced to sit on it for too long. This learning process usually is not fast or consistent. Children need your patience and support.

Have a plan

• Parents and child care providers should decide together when a child is ready and then negotiate a plan that will be consistent and manageable in both settings. Some questions may include the following:
  1. Is special equipment needed—step stool, toilet seat deflector, potty chair?
  2. Are extra clothing items needed?; and
  3. Are good hygiene practices in place, for example, handwashing for children and staff, a system for handling soiled clothing, and a routine for disinfecting equipment?
• It’s a good idea for families and child care professionals to exchange information on the words for body functions most preferred by each child in order to avoid confusion and provide a consistent message for everyone engaged in the process.

Successfully learning to use the potty is a major accomplishment for young children, and patience and praise from the adults who care for them is an extremely important component to their healthy emotional and physical development. Each child will individually provide signals as to when he or she ready to make that leap. Good communication, appropriate expectations, and a consistent plan on the part of parents and caregivers make it easier to support this process and is the surest route to success.

Did You Know? - Dads as parents

A father tends to:

• Bond with children in short bursts of connection, both physical and emotional ("short-touch" bonding, rough-and-tumble play).
• Focus on teaching children order, pattern thinking, and ritualized action, (Dads will tend to care less about the minutia of the child’s needs, but care more about larger structures and tools the child might need for future survival.)
• Downplay emotion, even at the risk of hurt feelings, in order to "up-play" performance. (Males are chemically and neurally directed toward immediate rewards from performance, and they prod children in this direction.)
• Promote risk taking and independence in the growing child. (Many moms promote independence, but in general, dads push children toward separation from caregivers and encourage them to "grow up!" faster than moms do.)
• Expect and enforce discipline and provide contests and tests of skill. (Dads tend to be more competitive than moms, especially in their assertion to children that being able to compete in tests of skill against others is the key to future success.)
• Teach the child to fight against personal and group vulnerability. (With less of the male brain's blood flow devoted to emotional processing than the female, fathers tend to deny any emotional vulnerability or try to problem-solve quickly to avoid such vulnerability.)
• Guide the child to sacrifice his or her own thinking in deference to "authority thinking" until the child has proven his or her own core nature to be mature enough to become authoritative. Although there are certainly exceptions to this, fathers tend to employ more authoritarian parenting styles than mothers and retain that authority well into the child’s adulthood, waiting for the child to prove himself (this generally applies more to sons) worthy of being respected as an adult.
• Direct the child’s search for self-worth toward the larger society (that is, encouraging less introspection and more immediate action).
• Try to help the child feel stronger in the long term even if the child does not feel better in the moment. Fathers tend to care less than mothers about whether a child "feels good." Fathers tend to want obvious shows of strength from children. This is especially true in their attitude toward sons.

- By Michael Gurian

Excerpted with permission of the publisher John Wiley & Sons, Inc. from NURTURE THE NATURE. Copyright (c) 2007 by Michael Gurian. This book is available at all bookstores, online booksellers and from the Wiley website at www.wiley.com, or call 1-800-225-5945.

Michael Gurian is a social philosopher, family therapist, corporate consultant, and the New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books. A parenting and family expert, he is co-founder of The Gurian Institute, a training organization that provides schools, homes, workplaces and community agencies with crucial understanding of how boys and girls learn differently, and how women and men work and lead differently. Blending brain-based theory with practical application and cultural relevance, the Institute conducts research internationally, launches pilot and training programs, and trains professionals.

His groundbreaking books on child development and education that have sparked national debate include The Wonder of Boys, Boys and Girls Learn Differently!, The Wonder of Girls, and The Minds of Boys. He has pioneered efforts to bring neuro-biology and brain research into homes, workplaces, schools and public policy. A sought-after speaker and consultant, he lives with his wife and two daughters in Spokane, Washington.

Mother’s Day Gifts for All Types of Moms

Here are some great gift ideas divided into categories of moms:

• For the new mom, think of stuff that’s all about comfort: robes, slippers, candles, soaps and lotions are all good ideas for the mom-to be or new mom.


• Working moms need to be super-organized, so find gifts like planners and agendas that add an extra touch of fine leather or theme tied to her personality. Quality items that are meant for work but also show her good eye and taste are always a hit. Think of items like laptop bags, a fancy pen, or a business card case that says she’s all about business, when she’s not at home with you, that is.


• If the mom in your life is eco-conscious, buy her eco-friendly bath goods, or a gift certificate to an organic market. Or go to an organic market and make a custom gift basket for her.


• For the stylin’ mom, don’t even try to pick out the right thing. Here’s where a gift certificate might come in handy.


• If your mom loves music and entertainment, buy concert DVDs. They are an often-overlooked alternative to simple music listening. Instead of listening to a concert, why not let her watch it instead.


• For grandma, think of personalized gifts that include her grand kids. Try the photo sites or consider a Pandora bracelet featuring birthstones of all her grand kids.

The best thing about a lot of these gifts is that you can order them online and have them delivered straight to your mom.

What a Healthy Newborn Looks Like

Newborn babies don't usually look like the cute babies in diaper ads. Newborns' heads are often more pointed than round. Their skin may be wrinkly and reddish in color. This is normal.

In the center of your baby's head is a “soft spot” where the skull bones have not yet joined. This allows your baby's head to be flexible during the birthing process. The skull bones will grow together to cover this spot as your baby grows. Meantime, the soft spot allows your baby's brain to grow.

Sometimes there are dark red patches on the baby's eyelids. They can also be on the bridge of the nose or back of the neck. No one knows what causes these. They usually go away during the first year.

Some babies are born bald, some have thin hair, and others are born with thick, dark hair. For many babies, this first hair rubs off. For others, the color may change.

Eye color can also change after birth. Eye color is usually set by the end of the first year.

The umbilical cord that is left on the navel at birth will drop off in five to 10 days. The place where it falls off will become your baby’s belly button.

Sometimes baby girls bleed from the vagina. Sometimes boys or girls will have swollen breasts. They may even produce a few drops of milk at birth. Hormones from the mother cause this. The discharge is harmless and will soon disappear.

Baby Nursery Setup Tips

For most parents it can be an enjoyable experience to set up a baby nursery. A baby nursery will provide a safe corner for your baby to romp and play. For this reason, it is important that you put in adequate thought and care into setting up your baby's nursery.

Here are some things you will require to furnish a baby nursery:

• To start with, the most essential thing your baby's nursery will need is a crib. Ensure that the crib you invest in subscribes to safety standards. Ensure that the bars are not too wide apart—2 and 3/8 inches. The rails should be high enough to prevent your baby from crawling out. Also, buy a mattress and linen for the crib.



• A changing table will be another essential item for your baby nursery. Again, safety should be paramount—safety belts and a guardrail will prevent your baby from falling off. The changing table should always store clean diapers, powder, baby creams, and other accessories you require to change your baby's diapers. Having the garbage can (or diaper genie) for dirty diapers and a laundry hamper nearby will be convenient for you.



• Have a soft night-lamp in your baby nursery. Lamps with adjustable brightness are best as they allow you to brighten the light if required.



• A mobile hung over the crib will not only keep your child engrossed, but also help to develop your baby's senses.



• You can decorate the walls of your baby nursery with bright pictures, toys, or stuffed animals.



• A glider chair will be an added asset to your baby's nursery. It can be used to rock the baby to sleep at night and is safer than a rocking chair.



• You can even buy special closets and baby coat hangars in the baby nursery to hang some of your child's clothes.

Baby Name Meanings

There are a number of reasons why parents select the baby names they do. It could be because they admire someone who has the same name. It could also be because a name is popular at a given time. On the other hand, unusual baby names can be chosen precisely because they have novelty value. Sometimes, parents may even pick a baby name simply because they like its 'sound'.

Baby name meanings, thus, are not always the primary consideration while selecting a baby name. Having said so, it is important to realize that most baby name meanings also have a definite historic or cultural meaning and significance. Here is a list of some popularly chosen baby name meanings.

• Andrew is a Biblical name, which means 'brave' or 'courageous.' Andrew is also the name of the first apostle.
  
  
• Anna is a Native American name that stands for 'mother.'
  
  
• Christopher is Latin for 'one who bears Christ in his heart.' According to an ancient belief, Saint Christopher carried the infant Christ across a river.
  
  
• Daniel is a name meaning 'God is my judge.' It is also the name of the prophet from the Old Testament.
  
  
• David in Hebrew stands for 'beloved.' According to the Old Testament, David was a king of Israel.
  
  
• Elizabeth stands for 'oath of God.' In the Bible, it is the name of the mother of John the Baptist.
  
  
• Ethan is a Biblical name that occurs in the Old Testament. It stands for 'strong,' 'constant,' or 'enduring.'
  
  
• Grace means 'God's favor.'
  
  
• Isabella is a Hebrew name that means 'devoted to God.'
  
  
• John stands for 'mercy of the Lord.' John the Baptist and John the apostle are two Biblical instances of the name.
  
  
• Michael is a Biblical name that stands for 'one who is like God.'
  
  
• Natalie is a Latin name that stands for 'born at Christmas.'
  
  
• Samantha is the female version of Samuel. It can be translated as 'listener.'
  
  
• Sarah is a Biblical name that means 'princess.' In the Bible, Sarah was Abraham's wife.
  
  
• Sophia is a Greek name meaning 'wise.'
  
  
• Victoria stands for 'victorious.' It was the name of a Roman goddess.

Ten Parenting Tips for New Twins

A new baby in the house means a whole lot of fun. On the flipside, it also means a whole lot of work. In the case of twins, this means not just double the fun but also double the work.

Here are some parenting tips especially meant for parents of twins:

• Work as a pair: Generally, one of the parents—typically the mom, but it could be the dad—takes over the majority of parenting chores. With twins however, it often becomes necessary for both parents to share duties more or less equally.
  
  
• Alternate between both: Do not go in for an arrangement where each spouse looks after chores related to only one of the twins. Alternate, so both parents get to handle both of the twins.
  
  
• Determine a schedule: Juggling 'sleep, eat, and play' routines for two new babies can be both, chaotic and exhausting. Getting your twins accustomed to a fixed routine makes your work easier—and is good for them too.
  
  
• Have names that sound distinct: This is an obvious point that often gets overlooked. Parents often give twins similar sounding names. While this sounds cute, it can lead to confusion.
  
  
• Dress them differently: Not just identical twins, all infants can look startlingly similar. Dressing twins differently helps to tell them apart and, at times, may help prevent unnecessary, or even grave, confusion.
  
  
• Be vigilant for infections: Twins spend most of their time together and thus are more than likely to contract infections from each other. If either of your twins seems unwell, be on your guard against the likelihood of the other one catching the 'bug' too.
  
  
• Accept friendly help: As parents of twins, you may receive well-meaning offers of help from relatives, friends, or well-wishers. If so, accept them, at least some of the time.
  
  
• Employ professional help: Employing a nanny is one way you could make the job of bringing up twins a bit easier.
  
  
• Interact with them: Parents often assume that twins can be safely left together to play with each other. While this is largely true, it does not mean that you can do away with the need for parental interaction. Remember to find the time to interact and play with your twins.
  
  
• Identify their individuality: Your twins do not necessarily have to share a lot between them—apart from their birthdays that is. Learn to know them as individuals and treat them so.

Parents as Role Models

Most parents want their children to be like just them. The good news is that children too, at least when they are young, want to be like their parents. Parents are, after all, their earliest role models. While this makes it easy for parents to mold children's behavior, it also confers a significant responsibility on them.

Here are things you can do to become a role model for your child:

• Practice rather than preach: Infants instinctively pick up behavioral clues by watching their parents. Your actions influence them more than your sermons. By always doing yourself what you expect them to do, you can ensure that your children will naturally follow desired norms of behavior. This is often easier and more effective than forcing children to obey rules by instilling fear in them or even by enticing them with rewards.
  
  
• Obey your own rules: If you want your child to obey the rules of the house, obey them yourself first. This is important because your child will learn to respect these rules as innately inviolable, rather than grudgingly obey them out of fear.
  
  
• Teach by example: Children often find it difficult to understand abstract concepts such as courtesy or respect. One way of teaching your children how to be respectful or courteous, is to emulate these qualities in your own interactions with other people.
  
  
• Convey right emotions: Children often tend to be confused about emotions. For instance, they may construe anger on your part as meaning that you do not love them. It is up to you to always let them know, through your actions and responses, that though you may scold them when they do something wrong, it does not mean that your love for them has reduced.

Mother's Day Cards Gift Guide for Dads

You can always run down to the drugstore and buy a $3 Mother's Day card. Few of us are poets and the cards often say in words what we can only feel in our hearts about the special moms in our lives. On the other hand, it's sometimes hard for moms to feel those sentiments written in someone else's hand. For this reason, you may want to create your own card. It doesn't have to look like it came off a printing press. This is truly a case where your effort and imagination will make the strongest impression. Here are a few ideas to get started.

1. In the simplest version, stop at a stationery store and buy a nice off-white card and envelope. You can simply write "I love you Mom" and sign your name. If it's for your partner, say something like, "I love you. Thank you for our beautiful children."

2. If the above idea sounds too simple, write or copy of few verses of poetry. While poetry takes a bit more effort, it will evoke a smile for your hard effort. Simple poetry schemes like ABAB are easy to do and can finish in four lines. Consider:

Roses are red, Violets are blue,
You're the best mom in the world,
What would I do without you?
Simple and sweet and from the heart.

3. Take that nice and simple off-white card and paste a family photo on the front and on the inside, write something simple like "I love you and our family." I guarantee this card will go into a memory box.

4. Search "how to make a Mother's Day card" on the internet for plenty of Martha Stewart style ideas for cards. I don't recommend this, but you'll find thousands of ideas.

Mothers Day Poems and Poetry Collections

The poet can often sum up the words stuck deep in our hearts better than we can. If you need a poem for Mother's Day or another occasion, consider these classic and timeless poems:

To My Mother

You too, my mother, read my rhymes
For love of unforgotten times,
And you may chance to hear once more
The little feet along the floor.
- By Robert Louis Stevenson

Women know

The way to rear up children (to be just),
They know a simple, merry, tender knackOf tying sashes, fitting baby shoes,
And stringing pretty words that make no sense,
And kissing full sense into empty words.
- By Elizabeth Barrett Browning

No painter's brush, nor poet's pen,
In justice to her fame,
Has ever reached half high enough,
To write a mother's name.

Life is the fruit she longs to hand you,
Ripe on a plate.
And while you live,
Relentlessly she understands you.
- By Phyllis McGinley

Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the wide world over.
- By George Cooper

Who fed me from her gentle breast,
And hushed me in her arms to rest,
And on my cheek sweet kisses prest?
My Mother.
- By Anne Taylor (excerpt from "My Mother")

Eight Best Mother's Day Activities

Perhaps the traditional Mother's Day is breakfast in bed or brunch at a nice restaurant, but those don't need to be the only choices for a Mother's Day tradition. Consider the following ideas, that is of course, if it's what the mom in your life wants to do on her special day:

1. Take time, real time, to get out scrapbooks and photo books and look over old memories with mom. This is a simple thing, but most people don't take time to do it with their own family. Don't wait until you are all alone to relive happy family memories.

2. Write a letter. Write letters to your own kids about what it's like to be a parent and what they have brought to you. Save these letters for your kids to read later when they are parents.

3. Create a Mom's Day memory jar. Each year, have everyone write a favorite family memory and put in the jar to give to mom.

4. Use Mother's Day as a day to give back. Not all moms want flowers or expensive food. Yours might prefer that the family is together doing something for the community.

5. Have a mom's party. Who said Mothers Day has to be about just one mom. Make a real party out of it and invite lots of moms. Read poetry about moms. Celebrate the mothers in your life.

6. Interview your kids on video and have them say what they love about their moms. As much as a mothers day gift, any chance to record little kids is a gift to the future.

7. Take a walk or go on a picnic. If your mom or spouse loves the outdoors, this is a lower cost alternative to a restaurant meal, and the May weather is usually perfect for it.

8. Take her out the weekend before, to dinner, the theatre, or to the movies. There will be fewer people, lower prices, and you'll all enjoy yourselves more without the feeling of "should do" event that sometimes clouds "Hallmark style" holidays.

Dads Guide to the Ages of Kids for Starting Sports

A lot of the fun of being a dad is helping kids discover their passions, and that starts with sharing what turns you on. If you love to play golf, you'll hope that you and your child will one day be walking the links together. For others, it's basketball or baseball. Here's a quick look at when many kids are ready to experiment with different sports:

Swimming
Since babies swim in the womb, this is the most natural sport they can do. And, it's one you can do with them. Many baby swim classes exist. Check out your local Y, around one year old. Aggressive swim coaches will suggest that all kids can learn to swim; be aware that kids learn on their own schedule and that some can't actually swim until around five, no matter how many lessons you force on them. Swimming is a basic life skill though, and one all dads should help their kids learn.

Downsides: Poop in pool (never let your kid in the pool without swim diapers), long prep time with showers and locker rooms.

Football
Fast and furious, this is a good game for active energized kids, beginning around five. Don't allow anything other than flag football until around eight though.

Downside: Depending on how protective you are, it may create safety concerns.

Tennis
While little kids can bat the ball around, watch for the kind of hand/eye coordination need to develop around eight years old.

Downside: While tennis elbow may not be the greatest danger, watch out for flying racquets.

Soccer
The love of parents everywhere since kids can run and kick very early on. Some classes start at four, but wait until five if you want to see kids learn to play as a team.

Downside: Do you really want to become a "soccer mom?"

Baseball
The great American pastime is also hard to learn until the kindergarten years, though T-Ball can be fun for pre-schoolers around four.

Downsides: Seen as very slow and boring, and often requires a major time commitment for parents as well.

Gymnastics
Start on gymnastics as early as three. Kids at this age show no fear and can learn things older ones just won't try.

Downside: Strenuous and requires good coaching to prevent injuries.

Basketball
You can try basketball earlier, but little kids may find dribbling and especially, shooting frustrating until age six. Basketball is a great game for cardiovascular exercise throughout life.

Downside: Kids who are not as tall or fast may feel left out of the game.

Shattering the Teens Hate Parents Myth

"Teens Don't Like Adults" Myth

As a father of two teenage daughters (15 and 17) I have continually heard the comment that goes something along the lines of "Whoa, that's a tough age. I guess you'll get to talk to them again in six years!"

I have also run into numerous dads (moms too) that say, "Yeah, my kids don't even want to be around me these days. They are so into their friends."

The first comment is a myth. The second is a cop out.

Granted, teenagers want their independence, but they still want their parents in their lives. More on this later.

What I believe happens is that parents get intimidated and busy and stop taking the time to ask children simple, conversational questions about their lives.

Nothing can be more intimidating than walking into a room of seven teenagers talking about music or anything, and feeling completely outnumbered, out-cultured, and out of sorts. It is easier to walk away than say, "What's going on?" It is easier to walk away than ask that new pimply-faced boy you haven't seen before, "Where do you go to school? "How are the grades going? Where did you go to middle school?" This starts the dialogue. Walk into the teenage fray we must. Take a deep breath, walk in, and ask away!

Let's face it: we parents are human beings too. And half the time these kid's parents have stopped talking to them and their teachers are basically time police. You may be the first adult who has asked them a considered question in the last month. People, even teenagers, love to talk about themselves. So if you give them half a chance they will. You can become an oasis of freedom to talk about themselves. This goes for your own children as well. It doesn't have to be an interrogation. Just a question about school, about a friend, about music. You don't have to be cool or "in the know." "Who is that group? Are they popular?" You don't have to know that Eminem is back with Kim. The key, I believe, is to not give up on the initial push back - or non-push back in the case of teenagers. They won't be forthcoming. They won't answer. They may shrug and say "Oh, nothing." But believe me they want to talk. They are dying to talk. Even if they don't.

Some how to's:

1. Be the house they can come to. Let kids gather at your house. Anytime.
2. Food. Have lots of food. Kids (especially boys) love food. Don't take, "I'm not hungry," for an answer. Teenagers are always hungry. Food is the lubricant for talk.
3. Don't be judgmental. I am not saying to let them have drugs in your house. But don't let the disapproval of a little tattoo or funky hair on your kids friends show on your face.
4. In and out. Don't hover. Come in, ask a few questions. Then get out. Let them breath.
5. Rules are OK. I like to keep them reciprocal. I respect you. You respect me is my favorite. I don't talk to you that way, you don't talk to me that way.

One last word on kids wanting you in their lives: Have you ever met a thirty year old that said, "I sure wish my parents hadn't been in my life when I was a teenager." I haven't. Mostly we hear the opposite. Kids might be confused, they might even be angry. They may even be embarrassed by you - but then again everyone's parents are an embarrassment. But, you are like the old best friend that you haven't seen in ten years. Even though they would never tell you, your kids want to see you and most importantly, talk to you.

"Teens Don't Like Adults" is a Myth. Don't buy into it. Read a compilation of all the great parenting advice that received from readers over the years.

Tips on Choosing Childbirth Options

This may be a good time during the pregnancy for your spouse to give a thought to the manner of delivery she wishes to opt for. The options-natural, induced, or cesarean-all have their pros and cons.

Natural delivery

• This is the most common method of childbirth.
• It does not involve an extended stay in a hospital.
• The risks associated with major surgery are avoided.
• This method of delivery makes breastfeeding easier.
• The mother can actively participate in the childbirth.

Induced delivery

• In this method, labor is artificially induced rather than spontaneous.
• It avoids complications in post-term babies.
• The pregnant mom, or her doctor, can decide when to go in for labor.
• Studies report that women who have induced labor are less likely to develop chorioamnionitis, an infection of the placental membranes.

Cesarean section

• In this method, delivery is surgically carried out through an incision made by the doctor in the abdomen and uterus.
• It is required if labor does not progress normally.
• It is also required in case of a complication in the pregnancy.
• It is useful in cases where the fetus has been diagnosed with a developmental problem.
• It is helpful in cases of women carrying twins, triplets, or multiples.
• Cesarean is also used in the cases where the mom has herpes or similar infections, to prevent the baby from contracting these infections.

What to Include in a Babysitter's Checklist?

A babysitter checklist is a list of instructions for the babysitter to follow to ensure a safe time with your child. It is a simple way for you to feel more at ease when you leave your children alone with a caregiver. Providing a babysitter checklist which includes emergency medical information is crucial in the rare case of an emergency. And, it can help with your peace of mind and make the babysitter's job easier.

Basic Checklist: The following details should be included in all checklists:

Personal Information: Always provide your cell phone number and number of the restaurant, theatre or home where you will be. Also, provide a number of a nearby friend or relative.

Child's Details: Include your child's full name and date of birth of your child, as well as your doctor's name, address and phone number.

Medical History: If your child suffers from allergies or any other medical problems then list the required treatment. If your child needs medication, give full and specific details about when and how much should to be given.

Medical Emergencies: As a precautionary measure, list phone numbers for poison control and other emergency medical services, including the nearest hospital. List your medical insurance information (plan and policy number). If you are going away overnight, you should authorize the babysitter to seek medical attention by writing an Emergency Treatment Release.

Here are a few more tips to make an easy babysitter checklist:

Tip 1: Make up a form and make plenty of copies to keep on hand, leaving blanks for information particular to the your time away.

Tip 2: Ask your babysitter to arrive early so that you can explain the checklist in detail and answer any of the babysitter's questions.

Tip 3: Place multiple copies of the list around the house, and ask the babysitter to put one in his or her pocket or purse so that the list is there in case of a trip to the hospital or out of the house.

A babysitter checklist is a good step to organizing important information and feeling safer when your babysitter is alone with the baby. With a good babysitter checklist, both you and the babysitter can feel more comfortable.