Wondering What Gift To Give For A Baby Boy?
May 26, 2010 by Edie Mindell
Filed under Pregnancy
So, you’re scouting for a suitable gift for a cuddly baby boy and you don’t know where or how to start especially if you can just spare a limited time of your busy world. There’s no need to panic because shopping for a baby boy gift is easy as long as you know what to look for. Below are a few gift ideas to make your shopping a trouble-free one:
1.Educational Baby Toys: If your objective is to keep the baby entertained while he learns; then, these toys are a great option. There’s a wide variety of educational toys available. There are learning activity and puzzle toys available for you to choose from that helps stimulate the child’s mental ability and growth development. Surely, the parents and the child will have a wonderful time bonding with each other through these toys.
2.Baby Booties: With the emerging fashion trend in shoes today, baby booties are of no exception. Baby booties are designed to keep the baby toes warm no matter what the temperature is. Look for designs that match with the personality of the baby or his aura.
3.Baby Hats: Baby hats that have attractive designs are hard to resist especially those that resemble like that of a baby animal. With ear flaps, eyes, and nose attached on the hat, it sure is very appealing to the child’s tastes.
4.Baby Hooded Towels: Cute hooded towels are fitting for an after bath or dip in the pool time. Made with quick-drying fabrics, these towels are safe for the baby’s sensitive skin and are very cuddly to use. The baby will surely enjoy these.
5.Baby Animal Slippers: These funky animal slippers are must-haves for cute baby boys. They are perfect in keeping the baby’s feet warm inside the house. Youll be sure the baby will have fun wearing these adorable slippers.
6. Bodysuit: A baby bodysuit is the basis for nearly every baby outfit. It offers an easy way to give your baby an extra layer of warmth during cold weathers. There are wide selections of bodysuits available in the market today. Basic, solid colors are perfect for the baby boy.
7.Mini-Playground: If you’re that extravagant, you can purchase a mini-playground or a mini-gym. Although they can be pricey, baby boys will surely love this one. As we all know, boys are very active and they love to run and play around. Mini-playgrounds and mini-gyms provide a lot of activities for small boys. These minis are complete with stairs, slide and sometimes, a steering wheel. They also have small doors that the baby could open and close as frequent as he wants for his enjoyment.
8.Ride-on Toys: Ride-on toys are very popular for baby boys even at a very young age. Baby boys love being behind the wheel while parents love the durability. Riding toys include wagons, rocking toys, pedal toys and a lot more variety. Baby boys and their parents will certainly enjoy playing with these wonderful toys.
Tips brought to you by SimplyUniqueBabyGifts.com. Free shipping (lower 48 states) and lowest price guarantee on baby favors and unique shower presents.
Share The Fun With New And Exciting Baby Shower Games
May 25, 2010 by Edie Mindell
Filed under Pregnancy
Although traditional baby shower games never fail and are always a success, new baby shower games are emerging and spreading across the United States. These cool, unconventional activities are different than the classics but with all the fun and more. If you are aiming for a hip, edgier baby shower with a twist from the classic, all-American baby shower, include a few of these new, trendy games that are sure to be a hit at your shower.
The “Dirty Diaper” game is one of the most clever and unusual, yet surprisingly sweet games out there. For this game, fold white cloth napkins or square pieces of white fabric into small diapers. Inside one of these mini diapers, place an unwrapped Hersheys kiss or any other chocolate bonbon. Fasten all the diapers with a baby diaper safety pin.
When guests arrive to the baby shower, hand one mini baby diaper to each person. Tell the guests to keep them closed and to not open them until instructed to do so. Then, when the time comes for all your games and activities, tell your guests that one of them has a dirty diaper. Tell them to open the diapers all at once, and whoever has the “dirty diaper,” or the chocolate bonbon inside of their diaper, wins a prize.
Another game with a meaning is the “umbilical cord.” For this game, you will need two spools of string or yarn, and two spoons. Choose volunteers and set up two or more teams of about eight to ten people. Attach each spoon to the tip of each string or yarn. The point of the game is to pass the “umbilical cord” through all the members of each team, by passing the string in through the neck seam and out through the opening of the skirt of each team player. This is very humorous, as you can imagine. The first team that passes the cord through all of the members wins.
A game that is becoming increasingly popular among baby showers is “Guess Whose Baby Picture?” For this game, make sure to tell guests on the invitations, and remind them before the shower, to bring in a baby picture of themselves when they were infants. Number each picture and put them up on a big bulletin board. During the games and activities session of your baby shower, give each guest a paper and pens or pencils. Have each paper numbered with the amount of pictures posted on the bulletin board.
When the game begins, tell the guests to fill in the numbers on the paper with the names of the people who they believe correspond to the baby picture. For example, if I think that baby picture #1 corresponds to Katie, I would write “Katie” after the number one on my paper. The guest that has highest number of right answers wins the challenge. If there is more than one guest with the same highest number of right answers, issue a tiebreaker.
Remember, all of these new games started as an idea. Try to come up with a few clever, never before used games. Who knows, they could potentially become a hit by the end of the year!
Tips brought to you by SimplyUniqueBabyGifts.com. Free shipping (lower 48 states) and lowest price guarantee on unique shower presents and baby favors.
categories: pregnancy,babies,toddlers,children,parents,parenting,shopping,toys,gifts,grandparents,holidays,baby showers,birthdays
A Mother’s First Gift To Her Baby That Strengthens The Bond Between Them
May 21, 2010 by Edie Mindell
Filed under Pregnancy
I have no idea with other countries, perhaps I should research on this later, but in my country, the Philippines, since 1995, the last week of September each year is dedicated to the family, the Filipino family, for clarity. Although specifically, the celebration is a FAMILY WEEK, activities are spread over the entire month thus, sometimes the event is referred to as the Family Month. Organizers highlight the event with activities consistent with the main objective of strengthening the Filipino unity, solidarity and stability, in view of its socio-economic contribution to national development.
Among the many activities conducted for this event, the one that strikes me most is the premium placed on wellness of children particularly in the babyhood age. Perhaps, these could be measures undertaken to reverse the malnutrition situation in the country. One of the effective though simple measures is breastfeeding. In 2006, the Philippines, as reported by UNICEF, landed in the Guinness Book of World Records, when almost 4,000 mothers ” along with their babies ” have helped to set a world record for simultaneous breastfeeding beating the previous Guinness world record set by 1,135 women in Berkeley, California.
Why do I discuss about breastfeeding when I am supposed to tackle gifts for babies? Simple ” I find breastfeeding the best first gift that a mother must and need to give her baby. I dont need to narrate the importance and the benefits of feeding the little angel from the breast of her own mother ” there are millions of references on this readily available on the websites of medical and nutrition experts.
Besides, I am not an expert who can explain the specific vitamins, minerals, etc . that the breast milk offers ” I will leave that to you childs pediatrician. What I know and greatly appreciate is that the act of breastfeeding promotes physical and emotional bond between a mother and a child. A special bond which grows beyond boundaries of time and age. Picture out a baby clothed in a mothers embrace while getting her sustenance from the mothers breast. Is it not awesome? Will you yourself not revel in the experience of caring for a baby in similar manner?
While we are on the subject of physical and emotional bond between a mother and her baby through breastfeeding, I am inspired to share with you a poem which although does not literally speak about breastfeeding, it universally captures the reasons why we must care for children. This is written by Mary Botham Howitt, and it goes:
God sent children for another purpose than merely to keep up the pace ” to enlarge our hearts; and to make us unselfish and full of kindly sympathies and affections; to give our souls higher aims; to call out all our faculties to extended enterprise and exertion; and to sing round our firesides bright faces, happy smiles and loving, tender hearts.
To mothers I say, whatever your circumstances, whether or not caring for a child led you to metamorphose into a woman with ill-fitting shirt and jeans – thanks to extra pounds gained or lost – remind yourself that these are just fleeting trappings of slipping into motherhood.
Just keep on holding your baby with her soft head a perfect fit under your chin, her tiny hands splayed out like small pink starfish against your arms, her wispy curls lifts with the breeze, and her face creased and rosy in the morning. Laugh at how the sunshine makes your baby sniff and squint ” LAUGH OUT LOUD!
Tips brought to you by SimplyUniqueBabyGifts.com. Free shipping (lower 48 states) and lowest price guarantee on baby favors and unique shower presents.
Keep Your Babies Safe With These Educational Baby Gifts
May 21, 2010 by Edie Mindell
Filed under Pregnancy
Nowadays, mothers not just fathers have to go out from their nest to find food for the family. Gone are those days where only the father will work while the mother will stay home and take care of the husband’s and children’s needs. Prices of goods, not to mention the basic needs of a person demands mother’s not just father’s to leave their babies behind and look for job to make a living. This situation means, babies are to be left only with the electronic baby-sitter or television and the nanny.
Note that babyhood is a critical period. It is a period when physical, intellectual, and emotional components are basic in this developmental stage. You will observe a totally dependent baby learning to roll over, to sit up, to stand tall and then to take the first step that presages the power of mobility.
Nannies then are supposed to respond to little being who at first was completely at the mercy of other people’s interpretation of his wants as he learns to communicate with tears, with smiles and eventually with miracle of words. Rapid emotional, social development is prevalent and so with the attitudes and behaviors of the growing baby. So again, the question is, what would be the best gift to buy for this helpless-growing infant, left in the mercy of the baby-sitters?
Psychologists had specifically warned on giving toys which are violent in nature such as guns and other objects or toys used for fighting and killing. One must take caution also in the kind of shows that the baby is watching since parental guidance is not possible for they are out for work.
You can observe especially in the rural-urban areas, where babies are placed in their crib in front of a television set. Thus, cribs then when you plan of buying one should be movable and adjustable at the same time, in accord with the motor and physical development of the baby. You have to consider adjusting it when he starts to crawl and slowly began to stand on his feet. Choose to buy pillows that have a fine fabric that will not cause skin irritation and suffocation. Buy also some crib decorations with black, red and white accents to aid the development of visual senses of the baby.
As to the kind of shows that they are watching, well, everything in the tube is moving…their eyes are set on it while the nannies are satisfied for they can attend to other household chores. But have you even considered the possible effects that it has on the baby? Or is it helpful on the developing baby? Gift-giver should think from this perspective. Consider highly educational CDs or interactive CDs. Violent films or aggressive films are discouraged. Films that will reinforce positive behaviors and attitudes are to be chosen. Buy Walt Disney film movies, magic english or Barney. These are some of the few which are available in the market. You just have to look for what is appropriate.
This is not to say that the presence of parents can be replaced with electronic devices or toys but rather, this will aid the parents in making their babies grow in the right directions… and for you dear parents… quality time is the best gift you can give to your children!
Tips brought to you by SimplyUniqueBabyGifts.com. Free shipping (lower 48 states) and lowest price guarantee on baby personalized gifts and unique baby shower presents.
Sticking to a Budget When Planning a Baby Shower
May 2, 2010 by Edie Mindell
Filed under Pregnancy
Nothing can be more exciting, and nerve-wracking, than knowing you are going to be a mom. One of the ways by which you can share your joy as well as seek support during this milestone in your life is to host a baby shower.
In the past, the baby shower was usually hosted by friends, never by relatives. However, due to changing times, even the parents-to-be can host their own baby shower. Baby showers are a good way of making the new mom share the joy of motherhood as well as making her feel that there are people around her who are willing to support her and the new dad along the way. Baby showers do not have to eat up all your budget. In fact, you can host one even if you are on a budget. You just need to plan everything and let your creative juices flow.
One of the first things that you need to consider is your schedule. This would help you determine when and where you can have your baby shower. Oftentimes, baby showers are done on the 7th or 8th month of pregnancy. There are also some who hold their baby shower a month after the birth of the child. This makes the baby shower a, sort of, welcome home party at the same time. Baby showers are also, most often than not, done in the afternoon. If you are on a budget, the best place to hold your celebration is at your home.
You would also need to set your party’s theme. Although this is not required, setting a theme can make your party more exciting. Think of the things that you like best and then use that to come up with your own theme. For example, if you like teddy bears or gardening, you might want to set that as your theme. Keep your invitations, decorations and favors in line with your theme.
There’s no need to call a caterer when you are having a shower. If you would be having yours in the afternoon, snacks that are easy to prepare would do. Celery or carrot sticks plus canape’s, marshmallows and M&Ms are a good place to start. For drinks, make sure you have a good mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Since you would be serving only simple snacks, there’s no need to bring out the china. You can settle for plastic cups and small paper plates.
To make your shower more exciting, make sure that you have a number of games lined up. Match your games with the personality of the people you would be inviting. Have a separate set of party favors that you can give away as prizes.
Lastly, make sure that you show your creative side by making your own party favor and invitation. Not only can this make the party more personal, it also allows you to stay on your budget. You can have tin cans with mints inside or boxes with various candies within.
If you want to make your party even more memorable, you can even pass around a signature frame for the guests to write any messages that they may have for you. You can then have this alongside with your first ultrasound picture, or your baby’s first picture, framed and hang on your wall.
Tips brought to you by SimplyUniqueBabyGifts.com. Free shipping (lower 48 states) and lowest price guarantee on unique personalized baby shower favors and baby gift baskets.
Making Learning a Game
January 30, 2010 by Edie Mindell
Filed under Pregnancy
Being a parent is the greatest journey one could ever take in her life. There are certain facts in life that we need to know when it comes to parenting: Parenting is a tough job; everyday is a learning process for both the parents and their children; and children usually have short attention spans.
Knowing these facts in life, as a parent, you need to be in full control of your children and to think of ideas on how to work your way to their world. Here are some of these effective ideas:
1. Teaching through games
Because children have short attention spans, they are likely to be bored every now and then especially with boring tasks. As a parent, you want your children to learn fast, and the way to get their attention to focus is to incorporate games when teaching and reviewing their lessons, so they won’t get bored easily. Teaching through games helps the child to not only understands and comprehends his lessons, but to enjoy while learning.
2. Patience is the best virtue
When disciplining your baby, since he has yet to understand what is right from wrong, or what’s proper and what’s not acceptable, patience always works wonders. Every parent must learn how to practice patience when dealing with children, and not to mix anger with discipline.
3. Setting the mood
When you need to give your child a new routine from what he has been accustomed to, you need to set the right mood for him to easily adjust to new settings. For example, if your baby used to stay awake until way past midnight, and you think you need to change that sleeping routine. Say, you want him to sleep at 8 pm, you need to prepare him to sleep by 6 pm or after he finishes his dinner. By 7 pm, you need to turn off all the lights and set a dark atmosphere to make him feel sleepy. It would surely work on your baby!!!!!
4. Consistency is the key
Most of the times, moms are so easy to convince because they can’t stand being angry with their children for a period of time. And because of this, children are so used to work their way convincing their moms to say yes every time they need it. You should correct this false belief of your children. Be strict and consistent when the situation calls for it. When you say no, always mean it and never be easily persuaded by your children. If your child has done something wrong, punish him in a proper way. Be firm when giving him a choice: either he does the right thing or he has to endure your punishment.
5. Surprise them!!!!
Experts say that rewards, when unexpected, work better than bribing. Kids are more delighted when surprised and they appreciate the gesture more. They have their moments, but they learn form their mistakes. Also make sure that you are enforcing these rules because you love them. Kids will appreciate it more.
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