My 3 year is starting to throw an occasional tantrum over not getting her way.  It would be so easy for me to avoid the tantrum and just give her what she wants, but if I do that,  I have lost my parental control.  For example,  the other morning my daughter wanted me to change the sheets on her bed.  I wasn't about to waste my time, effort, extra un-needed laundry and give in to her  request.  She then had the biggest meltdown ever.  The worst part of the ordeal was that my dad was visiting.  He (like most of us) dislikes screaming kids.  This is out of character for my daughter to behave this way.  Although I was embarrassed,  I wasn't going to let her have her way.  I let her throw her fit for ten to fifteen minutes.  I was so proud of myself for staying in control of the situation.  Really it would have taken 5 minutes to change her bed resulting in a lot less stress.  But I taught her a good lesson and it made me stronger.  As mothers,  we have to remember to be strong and not let our children run our lives.  It can be so easy to let our children control us.  These kids are smart, they know exactly how to manipulate us, and what are we teaching them if we acquiesce to their demands:  obnoxious future adults.  So, stand your ground!!   They will be glad you did (eventually

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I knew when I was pregnant that it was going to be difficult breastfeeding while watching a two year old.  Although, I had no idea how difficult.  I feel that my toddler looks at me and sees the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the situation.  I've tried a few different things while nursing to help her with this new transition.  All children are different, but this this seems to work for me.  I'm sure in a few weeks, or maybe even days,  I will have to change things up and find some new distractions for her. 
1.  Have your child sit with you while you are nursing.  Either you read them a book or have them read  book.  My daughter prefers reading to me.
2.  Feed them a snack right next to you.  (This works really well for me)
3.  Have them prepare a changing station to help change baby's diaper after the feeding
4.  Let them play with something unusual or different.  (I have a money jar we put coins in, she will empty it and fill it back up)
5.  Have your child play outside, you can sit in the shade and nurse
 
I've found that my daughter won't play with her regular toys.  She really wants to cause mischief or act out because I'm doing something new and different.  I'm not focusing 100% of my attention on her.  And who is this new baby my mommy is always holding?
 
Remember you can always walk around and nurse if need be.  Don't let your child control you.  It can be stressful in the beginning.  I was fortunate to have family here to help.  Once I was on my own, I realized how much of a challenge this was.  Your toddler desires their mommy's  attention, so you have to share yourself with your newborn and your toddler.

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Recently we transitioned our daughter into a "big girl bed."  Surprisingly,  it went extremely well.  I experienced much anxiety before this process because I thought it was going to be very difficult.   We prepared her for this transition weeks ahead of time and, as a result, she was quite excited about going from crib to big girl bed.   This is what worked for me:
 
1.  Make sure your toddler is on a strict routine for bedtime.  It may be bath, reading, song, prayer, discussing their day, etc.  Following with lights out around the same time every evening.  I highly suggest having them on a routine for at least 2 weeks before putting them in their new bed.  This way, they know when their bed time is and they are prepared for it.  I think this is what helped my daughter transition so well.  We have kept her on the same routine for a very long time. 

2.  We set up her bed next to her crib for 4-5 days before we actually put her in it to sleep.  We built up the excitement and got her ready.  We bought fun bedding and pillows to spike her interest.  The final touch was the bed rail.  Then I told her she could sleep in it that night.  She was so excited when it came to bed time.  I left her crib in her room for two nights just to make sure she was completely ready. 

3.  Build the excitement up and make your child feel like they are a big kid.  We told everyone about our new "big girl bed."  We started this before she even slept in it.  Every house guest was given a private tour by my daughter to check out her new bed.  This excitement makes them feel so special and independent.

4.  My husband and I are cuddlers with my daughter.  We have chosen not to cuddle with her in her bed.  The reasoning behind this, is because they won't want you to leave.  If you read to them or cuddle with them side by side, they want that comfort all of the time.  We tell her "this is Evie's bed, not mommy and daddy's."  This goes for pets too.  If you are okay with your animal sleeping in their bed, that's fine.  If not, don't start the urge by putting your pet on their bed during night time routine. 

5.  I did a lot of research to find her bed.  I wanted to make a good investment in a piece of furniture that she could have for many years.  I didn't want to get a toddler bed due to the fact that I would have to transition her into a twin or full bed at a later date.  I also didn't want to have to purchase another piece of furniture in a few years.  Going straight to a twin bed was a good investment.  After looking on line and stores for a while, I found this very affordable and great looking furniture store.  It is in Beaverton, OR.  Their website is  www.mykidzworld.com

6.  Lastly, take your time.  If your child is not ready, don't force them. 

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Moving can be very stressful not only for mom and dad but children as well; especially when they are at an age where they are familiar with their surroundings.  As a parent,  we have to help our children during this huge change.   By being positive and excited helps tremendously.  This makes the child feel comfortable and  excited.  There are many different challenges you may face with your children when moving to a new home or a new town.  The age of children makes a huge difference as well.  My best advice for any age  is to focus on your children.    Whatever issue they are going through, make it a priority of yours to work through it with them.  It may take time and a lot of effort, but change brings forth new challenges, new memories and new joy.

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I've never had a problem with my daughter sleeping through the night except when she was teething.   Now that she is a toddler, she is waking up and crying.  Typically she cries for a little bit, then goes back to sleep.  She is also waking up very early, which is a new thing.  Since our move, the new change has been a small challenge for her.  The first night in our new home,  she woke up in the middle of the night screaming and wouldn't fall back to sleep on her own.  My last resort to a screaming baby is to go into her room.  I'm a firm believer of letting her cry it out for a short period of time.  In this situation, I knew the move was upsetting her and I needed to soothe her.  I tried rocking her and putting her back in her crib.  She wouldn't allow that so we ended up sleeping together on the floor in her room.   It would have been so easy and much more comfortable to go into my bed; although I wasn't about to get that habit started.  Sometimes as parents we tend to give in to our rules when we are desperate.   I was so extremely physically, emotionally and mentally drained.  I needed my sleep so badly and being awakened at 1:00 am and having to sleep on the floor the rest of the night was the last thing I wanted to do.  I kept saying to myself:  "it's just one night, she can sleep in our bed, then I will get a good night's sleep."  But I knew I couldn't.  I know how my daughter's mind works.  You do something once and she'll want it again and again. 

As parents of young children, we need to choose our battles.  Sometimes we have to give in and break the rules and other times we need to be strong and set good examples for our children.  We are a lot stronger than we think we are.  When your toddler is having sleeping issues,  you have to work through them.  Sometimes it takes time.  Remember, whatever you do one night will set the tone for  the next few nights or weeks.   Keep in mind, it's okay for them to cry for a little bit.  It will actually wear them out.  Obviously if their cry is more desperate or they are coughing, then you pay attention to that situation. 

Keep in mind that any kind of change affects your child.  Light in their room, tempreature, new baby in the house, stress in the home, moving,  not enough food or too much food before bed, time change, not enough physical activity in the day, and teething are just a few things that can affect them.  Once you work through the issues, they will be back on track and sleeping well.

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My daughter got very excited for potty training when I introduced a sticker chart to her.  I went to the store and bought a big poster board that had a chart printed on it.  It was pink, of course.  I also bought a pack of smiley face stickers for $2.00.  There are over 600 smiley faces enclosed.  I sat down on the floor with her and wrote "Evie's Potty Training Chart" on top of it.  Then on each column I wrote a different accomplishment.   

Pulled pants down by myself

Went pee pee on the potty

Went poo poo on the potty

Flushed Toilet

Cleaned Up After Myself

Washed My Hands  

She was so excited that this was her potty training chart.  She would call it by its name and talk about it frequently.  We started giving her a sticker when she went pee pee in the potty.  We would put it on the chart together.  That part was fun and exciting.  For me, it was hard in the beginning to figure out when she had to go, or how to introduce her to it on a daily basis.  It took a few attempts to figure it out.  This chart really made the whole thing progress.  I'm suggesting this to everyone.  If it weren't for the chart, I do not think she would have been excited or grasped onto the idea.  After the stickers, she went potty all of the time.  This was in a 2 day span.  I introduced the chart, and she would not stop potting.  After each sticker, she would run back to the potty and go a little more.  She would actually get frustrated when there was no more to urinate.  I started leaving her diaper off because she was going in there to try so frequently.  The next day she was back at it again.  She had very few accidents on the floor.  She pooped once on the floor and was very grossed out.  The next time I caught her in mid action.  I grabbed her quickly and she finished pooping on her potty.  She was a little scared at first, but when I made a huge deal about it and flushing it, she got excited.  We called grammy and we told everyone wherever we went that day that "Evie poo poo'd in the potty."  She was very proud of herself.  The next day, she started pooping all by herself.  She doesn't even tell you when she is going to go potty or poo, she just goes right in there and does her business.  If your child is ready, I suggest leaving his/her diaper off, they learn very quickly that way.  Never scold them in any process of potty training.  It may be frustrating at times for you or your child, but constantly praise them.  Remember, if they are not ready they will not be interested.  It will make it difficult for both of you.  Just talk about it frequently and introduce it whenever you can.   

Potty books are a great addition to helping your child adapt to the new changes.  My daughter loves potty books. 

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 I love my active toddler!!  Did I say I love her?  I do, immensely.  Although, sometimes I want to put her outside with the dog in the pin and leave her there!  Lately I've been facing some challenges that have put me in a place of need and growth.  I often wonder if I'm cut out for motherhood?  Truly I think it's one of the hardest things you can do.  The challenges that we face daily are not only testing our patience but our physical, emotional and mental state of being. 

How do we deal with this every day without cracking?  For me, I have to take a break.  If it's piling everyone in the car and going for a ride, then we do it.  Even if we are in our pj's and bath robes.  Sometimes you have to get away from the situation.  It works well for me.  I laugh to myself wondering what I would say to a cop when he pulled me over wearing nothing but my bath robe and slippers?  I'm sure he would feel sorry for me! 

Another thing that helps me during my toddler challenges is to turn on some relaxing music in the house.  It changes the ambiance and is calming.  Praying with your toddler is a great outlet as well.  Even though they may be crying with an arched back, God is listening:)

Lastly, remember these challenges are only going to make us stronger.  One way or another we will grow and learn more than we ever expected.  It may not feel like it in the moment, but one day you will be giving parenting advice to your child. 

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 I've often pondered this question:  when does a baby transition into a toddler?  Is there a certain month that declares a baby an offical toddler?  Of course, your child will always be your baby.  But truly there comes a time when they are no longer a baby who eats, poops and sleeps.  They have blossomed, matured and become someone else.  The funny thing is you don't realize they are going through this change.  One day you wake up and say he or she is a toddler!  What exactly is it that determines this toddler stage?  Is it when they are kicking and screaming when you are changing their diaper?  Is it when they throw their whole bowl of food across the kitchen knowing that it's not ok?  Or is it when they repeat the darndest things??  I think I was oblivious to the toddler stage.   I thought my sweet little angel baby would be the same forever.  Then she turned!  She turned into a little girl with a mind of her own.  It's a wonderful, challenging and amazing experience.  Not only is it a learning experience for me but for her and my husband as well.  We are facing challenges that we thought only other parents had to deal with.  I never imagined going through all of this when I was pregnant for the first time.  You don't think of the challenges that a toddler or even a teenager will bring you.  You are solely focussed on your precious little baby who doesn't talk or make a move. 

I think back of when my husband and I were first married.  A lot of our friends had kids.  They would come over with their children, and we would always have a discussion after they left.  Typically we would say, " I would never let my kid do that"  or "Did you see how Johnny had a melt down?"  Then I would pick up my perfect house and place my candles back and wipe the little finger prints off the glass surface of the table.  It makes me laugh!  I've completely changed roles.  I'm now the mom with the active kid and one on the way!  My family room doesn't even have a table in it anymore.  The last time I lit a candle is when something was rotting in my laundry room.  I think it was a wet wash cloth that fell behind the washing machine!  What have I become?  A mother of a toddler!

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Having trouble getting your baby to sleep at night?  If you try these few simple tips, you will be on your way to a restful night. 

My daughter started sleeping through the night at eight weeks old.  At twelve weeks she was sleeping ten hours at night.  I credit it to these helpful tips:

1.  Getting your baby on a routine is essential.  Waking times, nap times, bathing times and going to bed at night should be a daily routine.

2.  Full meals.  Don't let your baby snack.  He/she should eat a full meal.  Snacking would be a 5-10 min. feeding.  Then they fall asleep or don't want to finish eating.  If they fall asleep after 5-10 minutes, wake them up.  Change their diaper.  Change their outfit.  Then start feeding them again.  You can try tickling or playing with their feet to keep them awake.  Full meals are the key to getting them on a routine and getting them to sleep regularly.  Even when my baby acts like she is done feeding, I play with her for a couple of minutes, and then I feed her on the other side.

3.  Breast feeding is the best for your baby.  If you can, I would suggest breast feeding.  It's the healthiest thing for your child.  Your milk has all the essential nutrients and vitamins that your baby needs. It also provides additional bonding and relaxation for both mother and baby.

4.  During the day don't let your baby fall asleep right after eating.  Keep them up for a little while by playing; even if they are a newborn.  Put a toy in front of them to help stimulate their brain.

Sometimes it is hard to maintain a routine or continue with breastfeeding when it is painful.  It's tempting to go off bedtime schedule for a special event or if a parent is arriving home late from work. But in the long run, it pays off when you have a healthy baby that is sleeping through the night.

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