Baby deedee Blog

Every day with your toddler feels like an adventure. The way their eyes light up when they see something for the first time, the way they laugh when they find the most mundane thing funny, and the way they touch, smell, and taste everything that comes across their path. And let’s face it, as parents, we really can’t get enough of watching them grow up — just so long as they do it slowly. If you’re looking for a few places to take your toddler to brighten their day and expand their world, check out these five outings your toddler will love! The Beach Kids just love exploring the beach. That’s because there’s so much to see, feel, and do. Bring your little one here, and you’ll spend all day watching them enjoy playing with the pails and shovels, squishing the sand between their hands and toes, and splashing their feet in the cool water. Just make sure you put sunscreen on all their exposed parts, a hat on their head, and keep them hydrated throughout the day. Zoos & Aquariums You’ll get a kick out of seeing your little one’s eyes light up when they step into the zoo or aquarium. Everything is brand new to them here — all the different animals and fish and their unique habits, and also the smells and sounds. It’s a world of wonder for your toddler. Be sure to bring a stroller on your adventure, as they’ll likely need a place to rest every few stops. The Local Park Childhood is all about playing in the park. And your toddler will create wonderful memories playing on the jungle gym and in the sandboxes, especially if there are other kids there too. Playing at the park can also help them to develop their gross motor skills, physical strength and also their problem solving and communication skills. Kiddie Pools The kiddie pool is an excellent place to take your toddler. Most children are highly fascinated with the features of water — it’s unique colour, temperature, movement, and fluidity are all very captivating to them. Also, don’t be afraid to get in there with them and show them how to splash, blow bubbles, and push around the fun and colourful water toys to add to their experience. Children’s Museums & Libraries While there are many all-ages museums and libraries that your children will love as well, taking them to children-specific venues is sure to bring smiles to their faces. Children’s libraries and museums are full of activities, books, and things to do that are meant to entertain and engage your children specifically. If you like to see your children marvel at new ideas and learn new things, look no further! Sing-alongs Children love to sing, whether they’re at home on the couch singing along with their favourite TV show or singing along with you in the car. But did you know that you can likely find children’s sing-along events in your community? These are an excellent way for your children to have fun and meet new friends! When it comes to finding outings your toddler will love, sometimes the most ordinary places for us are what delight them the most. Don’t be afraid to take them around and show them the world!

Choosing a sitter can be quite a daunting and nerve-wracking task – in reality, you are hiring a stranger to take care of your baby. So when it comes to hiring a sitter for your child, you should be picky. That’s why you need to take a little more extra time and care when finding the right person. To ensure you find the best fit for you and your family, check out these seven tactics. Use Personal Recommendations The best place to start is by asking friends, family, and coworkers which sitters they’ve used and would recommend. This should at least give you a couple of names to work with. But you shouldn’t feel pressured to hire someone just because your best friend recommended them, that doesn’t mean they will be right for your family. Check Sitter Agencies You should also consider doing a little online work to scope out a few other potentials using a sitter website like sittercity.com., care.com or local facebook babysitting groups. You can easily browse through the online profiles and find a sitter that meets the specific requirements you have. Many agencies also do background checks and provide information on their relative experience, which can help you save time on the scouting process. Ask For References When it comes to your child’s safety due diligence is crucial. We recommend asking for a list of references and giving each a call. And don’t feel bad about asking lots of questions - the more you know about the potential candidate, the better. Any parent you are calling will understand that. Look For Qualifications You wouldn’t hire an inexperienced daycare provider to take care of your child so why would you hire an under-qualified babysitter? Certifications like First Aid training and experience working with children in the past can demonstrate that they take their job seriously and are prepared for anything that might arise. While every babysitter, of course, needs to land their first gig at some point, it’s up to you whether or not you choose to hire someone inexperienced. Watch How They Interact The interview is the only time you get to analyze the sitter in person. So try not to spend the entire session asking questions. Allow the sitter to interact directly with your child during this time. This will give you the time you need to see if you like the way they talk, play, and respond to your little one before you hire them. Try Them Out A test run can really weed out the bad sitters from the good ones. Give each potential candidate a short babysitting session. Call them over to take care of your child for a few hours and then come back earlier. If you come home early and see a scene that you shouldn’t see (like the sitter playing on their phone absentmindedly), they probably aren't serious about the job. Show up unannounced This is a great way to see what is really going on, particularly if you have a baby who cannot tell you what is happening while you are away. Definitely stop by the playground or home when you know your child is there to see how your sitter is interacting with your baby. Trust your instincts We all have instincts that we sometimes ignore in favour of more rational arguments. When it comes to the most precious people in your life, go with your gut. Even if a sitter has a perfect resume and references, if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

There’s no doubt that being a parent isn’t easy. It can be incredibly stressful at times.  If you’re not carefully managing your stress levels, you could be putting your own health at risk. By taking a few moments every day to work on your coping skills, you can get the stress relief you need to be the best parent possible to your children. So how do you get there? Try these five tactics for dealing with parental stress to help you get back to enjoying those precious moments. Deep Breathing When your body is in a state of constant stress, it can take a toll on your health and emotional well-being. One way your body reacts to stress is through your breathing. Tension and stress cause your breathing to quicken, which deprives your body of the oxygen it needs to properly function. By learning to relax through deep breathing techniques, you can calm your body and improve your mental state.  Take a few moments every day to sit still and inhale deeply through your nose, hold, and then exhale as long as you can through your mouth. Repeat this for at least a minute or two. This will help calm your entire body and mind. Exercise More Most parents feel they are too busy to exercise. Yet, without adequate physical activity, your body becomes low in energy and pent-up with emotion. You need to find a healthy outlet to relieve your frustrations and deal with your parental stress. Physical activity can bump up the production of your feel-good hormones, shed your tension, and significantly improve your mood. Try joining a yoga or fitness class twice a week to gain some relief.    Play Music Listening to relaxing, happy music can be one of the most enjoyable ways to reduce stress and strain. Studies have shown that music has a direct link to our emotions and can be a useful tool for coping with stress. Playing peaceful music like jazz or classical tunes can help to slow our pulse and heart rate, reduce blood pressure and decrease our stress-inducing hormones. So when the kids are driving you a little mad, take in twenty minutes of soothing music to bring you back to normal. Prepare Your Day the Night Before Stress often enters our lives when we’re feeling overwhelmed. And when you’re a parent, it’s hard not to feel this way on a daily basis. One way to combat these feelings is to prepare your day the night before. Plan out what needs to get done, make the lunches, set the table, get your briefcase ready, and arrange to get up a little earlier. Preparing for the morning will help cut that stress in half as soon as you wake up. Be Grateful It’s easy to get lost in the craziness of everyday life and forget how lucky you are. Try taking a moment every morning to think about all the things you are grateful for. Do you have an incredibly loving partner? Healthy kids? Supportive parents? Whatever you’re happy about in your life, make sure you give it some thought to start off your day. Parental stress affects every parent differently. Some people get headaches, others become irritable and moody, while many have difficulty sleeping and eating. If you feel you can’t gain control when dealing with your parental stress, just know you are not alone. There are many support groups, counsellors, and advocates you can turn to when you need help and support.

A night out on the town sounds extremely exciting for the homebound parents of a small baby. However, a night out also means that someone else will be watching your baby.