Happy Thanksgiving

From my home to yours, I pray many blessings on you this holiday weekend. I am truly thankful for all of my wonderful readers. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Crib recall: 2.1 million deemed unsafe

Consumer safety officials say drop-side cribs made by Stork Craft can cause suffocation or other injuries.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The federal agency in charge of product safety announced the recall of 2.1 million cribs Monday, citing defective hardware that can cause toddlers and infants to suffocate.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said parents should immediately stop using Stork Craft drop-side cribs, which are made by Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc., of British Columbia, Canada.

About 1.2 million of the cribs have been distributed in the United States and 968,000 units distributed in Canada.

The recall includes about 147,000 Stork Craft drop-side cribs with the Fisher-Price logo, the CPSC said.

The cribs were sold at major retailers including Sears and Wal-Mart and online at Amazon.com and Target.com between January 1993 and October 2009.

The CPSC said the cribs' drop-side, which is attached with plastic hardware, can detach unexpectedly and create a space between the crib wall and the adjacent mattress. Infants and toddlers can become trapped in the space and suffocate or fall to the floor, the agency said.

There have been 110 documented incidents of drop-side detachment, including 67 in the United States and 43 in Canada. Among those, four resulted in suffocation and 20 resulted in falls that caused injuries ranging from concussion to bumps and bruises.

It was the second time Stork Craft cribs were recalled this year. In January, about 535,000 were recalled amid safety concerns.

Safety advocates have urged federal regulators to impose tougher standards on companies that make drop-side cribs and some have called for an outright ban. "CPSC is working on new federal rules to make all cribs safer," said agency spokesperson Scott Wolfson.

Before Monday's announcement, more than 5 million cribs, bassinets and play yards had been recalled since the beginning of 2007, according to CPSC.

This includes the recall of 400,000 drop-side cribs by manufacturer Simplicity in July, as the result of some fatalities, according to the CPSC. The agency also said that 600,000 drop-side cribs were recalled by Delta Enterprise in October. The recalls were prompted by concerns that infants and toddlers could get trapped by the mechanism of the crib and suffocate.

"This has certainly been a hazard that we've been aware of for some time," said Nancy Cowles, director of Kids In Danger, a Chicago-based advocacy group. Drop-side cribs have been associated with "dozens of deaths" over the years, she added.

Toys "R" Us, one of the largest retailers of nursery furniture, said it has decided to stop placing orders for drop-side cribs and expects to stop carrying them by the end of 2009.

Jennifer Albano, a Toys "R" Us spokesperson, said the company supports proposed standards that would, among other things, require that cribs no longer be manufactured with a drop-side.

Albano said a consortium of crib manufacturers, consumer safety advocates and a products standards organization met with the CPSC in March to discuss the possibility of changing voluntary production standards for cribs as part of ongoing efforts to improve safety.

However, no official decision has been made and Toys "R" Us does still have some drop-side cribs in stock, Albano said.

Major retailers in the United States and Canada sold the recalled cribs including BJ's Wholesale Club, J.C. Penney, Kmart, Meijer, Sears (SHLD, Fortune 500), USA Baby, and Wal-Mart (WMT, Fortune 500) stores and online at Amazon.com (AMZN, Fortune 500), Babiesrus.com, Costco.com, Target.com (TGT, Fortune 500), and Walmart.com from January 1993 through October 2009 for between $100 and $400.

The cribs were manufactured in Canada, China and Indonesia.

Meanwhile, the legislature in Suffolk County, N.Y., at the eastern end of Long Island, banned sales of the drop-side crib in October.

How to do Time Outs Correctly.

There is a lot of confusion in the world about Time Out. What it is, how to do it, and how to make it work. I am here to help demystify the time out.

Here are my qualifications – I’ve got an almost-two year old, I worked for two years in a residential facility for kids with Mental Retardation and Behavioral Disorders (the toughest behavior cases out there) and lived to tell about it, and I went to school to be a Special Ed teacher (and took Applied Behavioral Analysis and other courses to learn how to deal with kids).

The most common misconception I read/see/hear is that a time out is for punishment. It is not. The time out serves two purposes.

1. It removes the misbehaving child from whatever stimulus or situation is causing the misbehavior (so, if little Sally is hitting little Johnny, it removes Sally from Johnny’s presence, which interrupts the hitting behavior).
2. It reestablishes parental authority (in other words, it reminds the child who is in charge).

I think a lot of people think that the time out is a punishment because it has been touted as an alternative to spanking (which is a punishment). However, if you use Time Out incorrectly, as a punishment, you’re defeating the actual purpose of the time out and making your job, as parent, much harder.

The recommended guideline for the duration of a time out is one minute for every year of age. So, a two year old gets a two minute time out. (I recently saw a time out bear, which I refuse to link to because it’s a bad idea, but it had a timer that went up to 60 minutes, and I kept wondering if there were parents out there giving their kids’ grandparents time outs, too… Then I thought it might not be a bad idea. You hear that Dad? I’m coming for you with the time out bear if you don’t behave yourself… Nevermind that you’re 56 years old. The timer will work for you for 4 more years!!)

Anyway, we started with time outs for MG when she was one. This also happened to be when she started needing them. We reserve time outs for egregious behavior – in the beginning it was only for things that could hurt her or someone else (i.e., tormenting the dog, jumping on the couch, biting, etc.). Now we’ve started to use it for property destruction infractions, too, but I’ll get to that.

This is how it should work

Child is misbehaving. Parent says, “Child, if you do not stop doing X, you’re going to get a time out.” Child continues to misbehave. Parent says, “I’m sorry you’re choosing to do X, you need to come take a time out.”

You then remove the child to the time out area. We started with the crib, but now we do them at the bottom of the stairs (on the lowest step or on the rug in front of the stairs – and you all just thought I was weird for having a bath mat at the bottom of the stairs!!). I don’t believe in having a single place (like a “Naughty Chair”) to take time outs. First, because if you say, “You will sit THERE” you get into a power struggle. If you say, “You can take your time out here or there,” you’re still allowing the child choices, and you’re less likely to get into a senseless power struggle. Second, because if the child is used to a single chair, what do you do when you go out? Take it with you? Stairs and rugs are common enough, though, that you can find them virtually anywhere, and having multiple locations makes it easier for the child to generalize when you’re at Grandma’s, say, and you have to do time out on a chair instead of a step.

Assuming that the child goes willingly (I’ll get to unwilling children in a second), you start a timer and say, “Good job. You’ve got two more minutes.” If the child wants to scream and cry and freak out, that’s ok. In addition to removing them from the situation that causes the misbehavior, allowing them to scream and holler allows them to release some of the frustration/tension that the situation has caused. This is healthy. The place where I worked required the children to be “calm and compliant” before the time out countdown started, but I think that’s crazy. I don’t care if MG cries the whole two minutes, as long as she is on the step or the rug.

Anyway, you sit there for the two minutes with them, giving comfort with your presence but not talking to them (except to maybe remind them to stay in the time out area, or say, “It’s ok,” or “You’re doing fine,” or “Calm down,” occasionally). This is not the time to have a discussion about what happened. Just give them that two minutes to get control of themselves. Be encouraging and supportive, but not too much. A word or two here or there is all you need. A lot of parents talk too much, in general. That’s another post…

When the timer beeps, get down on the child’s level and give her a hug. She needs reassurance that you still love her, no matter what she did. Then you explain, in terms that she can understand, why she got the time out. “Child, you did X, so I had to give you a time out. Next time when you feel Y, instead of doing X, you could try doing Z instead.” (Next time you feel frustrated, instead of hitting your sister, you could try walking away, instead.) You are Teaching here, not punishing. You want them to understand what you expect. So tell them, and use small, understandable words. “You got a time out because you ran out into the street without looking both ways. Next time you want to cross the street, you need to wait for me to hold your hand, and look both ways.” You don’t need to use scare tactics “A big truck could squash you!!!” You don’t want to create fear. You simply want to instruct the child on what’s expected. If the child is old enough, have them repeat back the situation and the behavior to you. Say, “Now, next time you get frustrated, what are you going to do?” and encourage the child to say, “Walk away.” This may take time to get right, and is over the head of little kids, but you can ask the question and then answer it for him. Eventually he’ll understand what you want to hear. Repeating it to you will help him internalize the correct behavior.

You always want to end a time out positively. “I love you,” or “Good job,” and then, the most important step, “Let’s go do something else!” Redirect the child to an appropriate activity, NOT the activity that caused the problem to begin with. If the kid threw a block at his sister’s head, you don’t want to send him back to play with the blocks. Give him something soft! :)

Just as it takes a dozen exposures to a new food before a child will like it, it often takes a dozen time outs for the same offense before a child “gets it.” This is why parents everywhere have said, “I’ve told you a thousand times….” (and then groaned because they sound just like their own parents!)

It will also take more than a dozen tries before your child understands what a time out is. That’s ok. You’re teaching. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

What do you do if the child won’t take his time out? You suspend all attention, fun, and most interaction until he does. If he talks to you, you say, “I will talk to you after you take your time out.” If he says, “I want some water,” you say, “You can have a drink of water after you take your time out.” If he says, “I need a clean diaper,” you say, “You can have a new diaper after you take your time out.” I’m not kidding. The universe stops until the time out is over. If the child goes off and plays by himself, fine. The greatest currency you have with your kids is your attention. So you withhold it until he’s taken his time out. We’re only talking about two minutes, here. It isn’t child abuse to sit in a wet diaper for two minutes. It isn’t child abuse to withhold dinner for two minutes. If the child CHOOSES to make it two hours instead of two minutes, well, fine. That’s his choice. Children aren’t harmed by one missed (or delayed) meal or drink. Oh, and try to keep it positive. You CAN have X after you take your time out, instead of, you can’t have X until you’ve taken your time out. I’m not sure why, but it makes a difference.

Try to be as neutral as possible. You’re going to be frustrated. You’ll want to say, “It’s just two freaking minutes, will you take your time out already so we can GO???” Don’t show it. If you say that, he’ll know that you want to go, and that by not taking his time out, he can needle you. He can “win.” Don’t show your hand. Don’t let him know what your currency is. Be as calm and neutral as possible (always, not just with time outs). I know this is impossible. Just last night, MG was driving me crazy, and I lost my cool. Luckily her Dad was home, so he could be the good cop while I chilled out. (It’s a natural reaction when your toddler sticks her hand onto the cutting board where you’re cutting carrots to freak out a little. She’s really lucky I didn’t cut off her fingers… Argh.)

I didn’t think that Time Outs were working with MG, because she screamed like a crazy person every time I gave her one at home. Then we were at Grandpa Ben’s farm, and she colored on the TV with a crayon (property destruction). I gave her a time out and braced myself for one of those scenes that you don’t want your kids to have in front of your in-laws, no matter how cool and understanding they are… But damned if she didn’t march right over and sit down on the step and take her time out like a little angel. I was absolutely stunned. It was one of my proudest parenting moments.

I would be happy to elaborate or answer any questions you may have about time outs, or discipline in general. I hope that this has helped you understand how to use the time out correctly and effectively!

Works for me!

Amy is the mother of Mary Grace, 4, and Claire, 2, as well as Maxine the Dog, 9, and Kona the Cat, 13. When she isn’t taking the mommyblogosphere by storm, she’s doing rocket science with her husband, BJ, in the business that they own.

What To Do When You Think Your Child Might Have AD/HD

by Terry Matlen, ACSW of "Mom with ADD"

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AD/HD (attention deficit disorder) is one of the most common mental health disorders seen in childhood. Studies estimate that between 3-7% of all children have AD/HD: approximately 2 million children in the USA alone, or one child in every classroom.

The main symptoms seen in this condition are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, however, it’s important to note that not all children with AD/HD have hyperactivity. Many have the inattentive sub-type; these are the children who are often over-looked because they rarely present with behavioral problems. Rather, they are the dreamers who find it difficult to pay attention and who may instead, seem withdrawn or even depressed. It is far more likely that the hyperactive, impulsive children are identified in school for their acting out behaviors. Often times, teachers will report to the families that an evaluation for AD/HD may be indicated.

What should you do if you think your child might have AD/HD?

Have your pediatrician give your child a complete physical to rule out any possible medical condition that can mimic AD/HD symptoms. Some children with chronic allergies, for example, simply cannot focus.

If your child is given a clean bill of health, discuss your concerns with your child’s teacher. Find out how your child is behaving in school. Some questions to ask would be:

• Is he completing homework assignments?
• Is he paying attention in class
• Is she able to make friends easily?
• Does she have materials (books, paper, pencils) handy, or do they often get lost?
• Is he getting to class on time?

Keep in mind that many children with AD/HD can do well in school and often excel in structured environments. It often isn’t until the later school years- often middle school- that these children “hit the wall” and can no longer keep up. It is imperative that interventions be carried out to avoid failures.

Note your child’s behaviors at home. Does he seem more immature than other children his age? Does he have a hard time following directions? Sitting at the dinner table?

If you feel that your child exhibits many of the traits of AD/HD, then it’s time to get evaluated. Schools should have psychologists on staff who can offer testing. However, many parents prefer to go for an outside evaluation. Some pediatricians feel capable of evaluating AD/HD, but many child psychologists, psychiatrists and neurologists have special training to help decipher which behaviors could indeed be AD/HD and which might be something else, such as depression, anxiety or a learning disability.

My Child Has AD/HD: Now What?

If you find that your child does, indeed have AD/HD, it’s important to educate yourself as much as possible. There are numerous books on the subject. Consulting with a mental health professional to help you with the many challenges AD/HD can present, is invaluable. Finding support by attending local groups such as CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder) also are immensely helpful in not only learning more about AD/HD, but also to connect with other families who are struggling.

Since the treatment of AD/HD often includes parenting strategies, it is imperative that you work with a professional to help you learn new techniques to not only help manage your child’s behavior, but to also help him learn organizing strategies, homework management, social skills and more.

Treatment also often includes medication to help quiet the hyperactivity and impulsivity and/or improve attention. Many parents are reluctant to give their child medications, but stimulants (the most common and beneficial medication for AD/HD) are safe when given as directed. Still, all parents have concerns.

Here are some questions to ask your doctor to help you in making the decision as to whether medication is right for your child:

1. What are the risks vs benefits?
2. What side effects might I observe?
3. Which medications will work best for my child?
4. What options do I have if I don’t want to use medications for my child?
5. How will I know if the medications are working?

School Issues

Since AD/HD usually impedes a child’s performance in school, it is essential to work closely with teachers and staff so that your child can perform her best. Many with AD/HD qualify for special help. If the AD/HD is getting in the way of academic or social success, you can request accommodations or even special education services. In order to receive such services, you will need to have a letter from the professional who diagnosed your child. If the school psychologist administered the evaluation and found your child eligible for special help, discuss your concerns with her to see what sort of support your child needs and is entitled to in school.

Some AD/HD accommodations often include:

1. Having your child sit closer to the teacher
2. Keeping your child away from distractions, such as the door leading to the hallway, windows, noisy classmates
3. Having a note taker, especially if your child has poor handwriting skills
4. Having assignments written on the blackboard
5. Asking the teacher to check for homework when your child arrives at school to eliminate the possibility of his losing it
6. Have teacher maintain frequent eye contact
7. Break down assignments and instructions into smaller chunks
8. Give your child extra time to take tests and complete assignments
9. Allow for your child to work in a quieter area of the room, as needed
10. Get help with organizing books, papers, backpack, desk, locker, etc

All in all, AD/HD is a highly treatable condition and with the right support, most children will thrive and enjoy success personally, socially and academically.

Terry Matlen is a nationally recognized expert in the field of ADHD as a psychotherapist and consultant in Birmingham, Michigan specializing in adults with AD/HD with a special interest in parenting when mom has ADHD. She is the author of Survival Tips for Women with AD/HD". Terry is the director of "Moms with ADD and ADD Consults. Terry served for many years on the board of directors of the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) and as a CHADD coordinator in Michigan. A popular presenter at local and national conferences, Terry has a passion for raising awareness of the special challenges for women with AD/HD and the unique issues parents face when both they and their children have AD/HD. She is married with two young adult daughters, one of whom has AD/HD. She also has AD/HD herself.

Black Friday Shopping Tips

What is Black Friday?

Black Friday is known as the day after Thanksgiving when stores do special sales and deals to lure in the customers. Back at a time when sales were hand-written, red was for when sales were in the negative, and black for when there was profit. The sales that happen the day after Thanksgiving are known for taking retailers out of the red and into the black!

If you’re wanting to shop Black Friday sales, here are some tips for you:

1. First and foremost, create a budget. Decide how much you have to spend, and stick to it. It’s easy to get carried away and go broke buying up all the deals.

2. Make a list. Check the sales and decide where you are going to shop, and what you are going to get. This will make getting in and out a lot easier for you. It’s a madhouse on BF, so the better prepared you are, the easier it will be on you.

3. Be aware of the times of promotions. Some doorbusters and early bird specials are only for a certain time period, so be aware of this.

4. Have at least one buddy. This is first and foremost for safety! Two heads are definitely better than one on Black Friday. If you can have more than one buddy, split up into pairs and tackle different stores. Grab items for each other and then divvy up the goodies later.

5. Use Coupons. Some stores have coupons that they put out in the papers, or ones you can print out online. For example, if you register your email at Kohl’s, they will send you a $5 off of a $5 purchase in your email. If you call 1-800 Shop CVS and register your card with an email address (first-timers) they will send you a $4/20 purchase.
Use Manufacturer Coupons as well. You can use the ones that come in the newspaper inserts, or printable ones online.

6. Know your store’s policies on returns and gift cards before you buy.

7. Know your stores’s policies on price-matching, price-guarantees, and/or “return and rebuy.”

Price-Matching – Some stores like Walmart are price-matching all competitor’s Black Friday sales. Be sure to have the ads with you for price-matching, and you must get it at the correct time of the promotion. If the promotion is from 7 am – 11 am, then the store will only price-match the deal during that time. The nice thing about price-matching is that you can get all your shopping done in one place. The bad thing about this is that Walmart will probably be the worst mad-house of all!

Return and Rebuy - Various stores will let you get your item a day or two before Black Friday, and return it to rebuy it for the sale price on Black Friday. This varies by store, so find out their policies on this.

Price-Guarantees - Select stores allow up to 30 days for you to bring in your receipt to receive the difference back if an item goes On Sale or less than what you bought it for. Find out if your stores will allow this for Black Friday sales. I’m pretty sure Target particpates in this, so be sure to check.

8. Get in and out quickly! The faster you are in and out, the more places you can stop at. Lines can take a while, so you don’t want to aimlessly wander around the store. Keep that list with you and get your items quickly.

9. Camp out early. If there is an awesome doorbuster deal that is sure to sell out, you’ll want to camp out early. Some people are waiting in line more than 24 hours before the sales start. I won’t be doing this, but have fun for those of you that will be!

10. Shop Online. A lot of retailers are known for having some of the Black Friday prices available online. If you don’t want to head out, you can give online shopping a shot!

11. Be safe!!! Take at least one buddy, ladies leave your purses at home, wear comfortable clothing, lock your car, park in well-lit areas, hide your packages in your car so that they aren’t visible, be sure no one follows you home, don’t wear expensive jewelry, don’t carry large amounts of cash, and please please please leave your kids at home with a spouse, relative, or baby-sitter. If you HAVE to take your kids, keep them very close. This really is not a good day to take your kids out with you, so please leave them at home if at all possible!

Giving the Gift of Giving

by Drs. Susan Davis and Nancy Eppler-Wolff

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So many of us are looking ahead and planning for the upcoming winter holiday season. Some words that come to mind are: family, hustle-bustle, crowds, department stores, parties, new toys, MONEY. This year, however, most of us have a lot less money than we used to. It’s stressful and worrisome but we have a choice to complain and be miserable or dig in and learn something new that strengthens us and makes us grow. So let’s use this moment in time to do the holidays differently this year. Let’s choose, ahead of time, a list of words for winter holidays 2009. OK here goes: children, family, closeness, love, conversation, slowing down, community, appreciation, giving. Just reciting those words out loud makes our hearts beat more slowly and we feel calmer, more in control. This year, let’s make a conscious decision to live according to our values rather than being swept up by the usual torrent of commercialism. Let’s turn the proverbial lemon into lemonade.

This time of economic difficulty is a perfect time to step out of the mindless pursuit of things and self-reflect on what’s important. As parents we know that it gives us great pleasure to give to our children. Seeing their faces light up when they receive that new Webkins or American Girl Doll they’ve been dreaming about, brings us joy. But what about teaching our children the joy of giving to others? That is truly an important gift because instead of being discarded after it’s lost its novelty, it is internalized by our children and leads them to be capable of empathy and compassion. These personality traits are really acquired skills that we can and MUST teach our children so that they can have the kind of relationships that bring them greater self esteem as they grow into older children and eventually adults.

In our book, Raising Children Who Soar (Teachers College Press, 2009), we look at the concept of risk-taking in new ways. We encourage parents to teach their children how to take the small and larger positive risks that are a part of day to day childhood and we explain how to do so. Examples of positive risks are leaving mommy at the day care door, or trying out for the school play even if these accomplishments are not sure-shots. Positive risks are different for different kids and at various stages of development. For an elementary school-aged child who is shy it could be asking a new friend for a play date. For a child with learning difficulties it could be raising a hand in class and asking the teacher to further explain a math concept. Parents need to teach children to step out of their comfort zones, try new and positive behavior, whether small failures, and have successes. This leads to healthy confidence and self-esteem.

Parents need to self-reflect on their own relationship to safety, security, success and failure. They also need to actively listen to their children – to the feelings, fears and dreams that are underlying their words and behavior. Not always so easy. However, the outcome of putting in the emotional attention reaps wonderful outcomes – children who “go for it” in life.

So what does this have to do with the holidays and giving? The answer is a lot! Children who can step out of their comfort zones learn to become independent thinkers and can tolerate having different opinions and even different values from others. Healthy risk-takers learn how to step into others shoes, empathize and compassion follows. And in this world where there are so many who are less fortunate than we are – people who are living in poverty, have life-threatening illness or are struggling in other ways — our hearts must go out to them.

Let’s teach our children compassion by example and by including them in acts of kindness. We can volunteer as families at a soup kitchen for a part of Thanksgiving Day. We can start a toy drive at our kids’ school and together bring the toys to the pediatric ward of a hospital. Let’s give our children the opportunity to step out, from time to time, of the comfy world of home and school and extend themselves to others. This holiday season we will reap the joy while teaching our children to become compassionate people. Not a bad way to turn lemons into lemonade!

Drs. Eppler-Wolff and Davis have learned the impor­tance of healthy emo­tional risk tak­ing through their clin­i­cal work with chil­dren and their fam­i­lies, and through the devel­op­ment of their men­tor­ing and lit­er­acy pro­grams. They teach par­ents and edu­ca­tors about healthy emo­tional risk tak­ing through their book, arti­cles, lec­tures and par­ent groups.

Toddler Development Milestones

Toddlers' physical milestones.

During the toddler years, your child will make huge strides physically, intellectually, and emotionally, whether it's learning to use the potty or how to make friends. Here's a look at what's to come.

Throwing and kicking a ball (12 months)
Soon after her first birthday, your child will show interest in ball play -- first by throwing, then by kicking at age 2 (catching comes around age 3 to 4). To help her along:

• For throwing, start by rolling a small soft ball back and forth between you, moving farther and farther apart with each pass. Soon, she'll want to throw it.
• For kicking, show her how to use her feet instead of hands to roll a ball back and forth between the two of you.
• For catching, have her roll it up a small incline to catch on the way down.

Pushing and pulling (12 to 18 months)
Once your child's a confident walker, he'll discover the joy of dragging or pushing toys along. And all the while he'll improve his coordination, since he'll be walking forward while occasionally looking back.

So offer him some pull or push toys to play with, or make your own by attaching a string to a toy car (make sure to supervise or limit the length of the cord to 12 inches to avoid a strangulation hazard).

Squatting (12 to 18 months)
Up to now, your baby has had to bend down to pick things up off the ground. But soon, she'll attempt to squat instead. To help her along:

• When she starts to stoop over for an object, show her how to bend her knees to squat.
• Let her practice. Line up a few small toys on the floor and have a "treasure hunt," where she has to go from one item to the next and pick them up - a perfect activity for cleanup time!

Climbing (12 to 24 months)
Toddlers climb up on the kitchen table (or your desk or the bed) for the obvious reason: Because it's there. Kids this age are trying to find a balance between risk and challenge. Of course, you know that the challenge of climbing up the bookcase isn't worth the risk, but the average toddler's ability to reason isn't in line with his physical prowess. Climbing is an important physical milestone, though. It'll help your child develop the coordination he needs to master skills like walking up steps. Ways you can help:

• Provide safe opportunities for climbing. Toss sofa cushions or pillows on a carpeted floor, or let him loose at a toddler-friendly playground.
• Anchor bookcases and other pieces of furniture to the wall, even if you think they're too heavy to topple. Clear shelves of things that could fall on him - or that could tempt him to climb.
• Limit access. Keep chair seats pushed under the table, and take a closer look at the stove: Could your child get to it by climbing up shelves or cabinets?
• Set up gates at the top and bottom of the stairs. It's the only way to keep your child from attempting that irresistible - but dangerous - ascent. To help your child learn to climb the stairs safely, practice together by taking him up and down while holding his hand.

Running (18 to 24 months)
Some kids seems to go from crawling to sprinting in two seconds flat. Others take more time. How come? Because kids fall a lot when learning to run, and some are just more willing to risk it. To encourage your child:

• Play tag where falling won't hurt too much, such as on a grassy lawn or a sandy beach.
• Chase your child - this is one time you can actually encourage him to run away from you! - and then switch and have him run after you.
• Try racing, especially if older kids are willing to play along.

Potty training (24 to 36 months)
Potty training is one of the milestones parents look forward to the most - no more diapers! But keep in mind that the age when kids are ready for it varies widely. Signs that it may be time:

• Your child peers down at her diapers, grabs them, or tries to pull them off when they're soiled; or she squats or crosses her legs when she needs to go. These actions show that she's mature enough to understand how her body works.
• She shows an interest in things that are potty-related - wanting to watch you go to the bathroom or talking about pee-pee or poo-poo.

If these apply to your child, and she can get on and off the toilet and pull her pants down, then give toilet training a shot. Help her associate the about-to-go sensation with using the potty. As soon as you notice the usual signs, give a quick prompt like "Let's use the potty" as you guide her toward it.

Jumping (24 to 36 months)
Between 2 and 3 years, toddlers learn how to jump off low structures, and eventually how to jump from a standing position. Both of these skills require bilateral coordination, or the ability to use both sides of your body to do something different. How you can help:

Go curb hopping. Holding your child's hand, stand next to her on a curb or a low step and say, "One, two, three, jump!" then jump down simultaneously.

Practice leapfrogging as a prelude to jumping from a standing position, which is more difficult than hopping off a step. Show your child how to get down into a half-squat position and throw her arms up while she hops. Gradually she'll figure out how to jump from a standstill.

Psychological and emotional milestones

Prereading (12 to 36 months)
Most toddlers love storytime. It's a chance to snuggle with Mom or Dad, gaze at colorful pictures, and hear interesting sounds. But it's more than just a cozy activity - your child is also learning the earliest of reading skills, including:

• How books work - we open them, the story is inside.
  
• We read from left to right.
  
• Books can tell a story.
  
• Stories have a beginning and an end.

To encourage your child's love of reading, try to:

• Read aloud.
  
• Let your baby play with his books so he gets familiar with them.
  
• Keep it brief. Little people have little attention spans, and ten minutes - even five minutes - is a long time.
  
• Ask questions. Have him find simple things, like the baby's eyes or the pretty flower. Your goal is to bring what's happening on the page into an interaction between the two of you.
• Follow your child's lead. If your tot grabs the book from you to explore it on his own, let him - just hold him on your lap and cuddle with him as he looks.

Gaining independence (18 to 36 months)
Most babies don't see themselves as entities separate from their parents, especially their mothers. This changes quickly sometime in the second year, when they become aware that they're individuals, and are more insistent on doing things on their own. Here's how to give your child room to grow:

Allow more time in your schedule for her to do things herself. If she wants to put on her own coat, shoes, etc., getting out of the house will take that much longer.

Include her in your chores. Let her hold the dustpan, or send her around with a rag to dust furniture legs.

Be patient. At first, letting your child use a fork or pull on his pants will drive you crazy. But let her try and don't step in.

Your toddler's growing independence comes with a stage that can, at times, be exasperating: She'll assert her independence by saying "no" all the time. Your impulse may be to show your child who's boss, but you'll have better luck if you:

Say yes to your little naysayer whenever you can - in other words, when it isn't unsafe, inconvenient, or unreasonable.

Be firm when necessary. When you have to get your way, do it as quickly, deliberately, and calmly as you can. Once you've physically put your toddler in her car seat, you can explain your reasoning in simple terms - you can tell her that it's dangerous to ride in a car without one.

Using simple sentences (18 to 24 months)
Ever since your child said his first coo, he's been working toward this moment: By combining gestures, isolated sounds, and words, he can now speak in simple two-word sentences. You're thrilled, and he's thrilled: Now you can have a conversation (of sorts)! Be patient, though - even though he knows certain words, he may not fully understand their meaning for a while. To encourage his talking:

• Don't finish your toddler's sentences for him; doing so will only add to his frustration.
• Remember that he'll still resort to crying when he's too tired, hungry, cranky, or overwhelmed to use words.
• Give your child lots of opportunities to speak, especially if there are older kids in the house, too.
• As your toddler becomes more verbal, make sure you model good speech rather than correct his pronunciation or his grammar. Children who are interrupted and corrected can feel like giving up.

Learning empathy (24 months)
At this age, toddlers may begin to make the first connections between their own feelings and behavior and those of other people. This is the foundation for interacting with others and building friendships. To help your child's developing empathy:

Don't try to fix it when he feels bad. Help your child learn to cope by identifying his emotions for him - whether he's sad because his favorite toy broke or someone else is crying - and reassure him that it's okay to feel the way he does.

Watch your own emotions. Don't be shy about telling your child when you're angry, sad, or disappointed - but make sure that you're not overreacting to the situation, which can make your child feel anxious or scared.

What to do if your toddler regresses

It can be disconcerting when a toddler appears to be regressing in some way. For instance, your chatterbox may suddenly do nothing but point and cry; your avid walker may reach up and demand to be carried. All of this is normal. Toddlers are developing so many skills they can become overwhelmed. What to do when your tot regresses:

• Acknowledge her feelings. If she can't tell you what's bugging her, see if she can show you.
• Rather than seeing it as good or bad, see it as a signal. When a child regresses, she's usually telling you that she needs comfort. Let her snuggle up with you, or read her a book. She'll likely behave like her normal self soon.

You might worry if your child is delayed in reaching a milestone. But some kids are simply late bloomers; some just master certain skills before others. However, if you're concerned, speak to your doctor.

Summary

A toddler is constantly learning how to do new things. Give yours loving support, and as often as possible provide a little freedom for him to strive for independence. And don't worry if he occasionally "unlearns" a skill - a little regression is just part of the process in the toddler years.

How tough love breeds smart children

Major new report shows mixture of warmth and discipline is best way to bring up youngsters

• The Observer, Sunday 8 November 2009

Children brought up by parents practising "tough love" are likely to become more rounded personalities with well-developed characters than those who face either a more authoritarian or laissez-faire approach, research reveals today.

The study, by the think tank Demos, tracked the lives of 9,000 families and found that 13% used a "tough love" approach, which combines warmth and discipline. It did not matter whether the parents were rich or poor – those that adopted the approach brought up children who were more likely to be empathetic, more able to control their emotions and bounce back from disappointment, and more capable of sticking with things, concentrating and completing tasks. The research found that it was the style of parenting, rather than income or social background, that developed the strength of character.

However, it did show that the style was most common in better-off families and where parents were married. The study also found that the parents' level of education had a positive impact on developing character, as did breast-feeding until six months.

It claimed that such "character capabilities" had become increasingly important in life. Skills such as empathy, self-regulation and application were 33 times more important in determining income for those who turned 30 in 2000 than for those 12 years older, it said.

Richard Reeves, director of Demos, argued that "tough love" was successful because it built up a child's self-esteem but also taught them to be restrained and respectful. "The 'tough' bit of the equation is about children realising 'we can't have exactly what we want immediately when we want it'," said Reeves. "And the recognition that there are other people in the world who you have to treat with a certain amount of respect. That is a crucial life skill, because no one wants to be married to or work with someone who is a selfish git."

The study concluded that 8% of parents adopted a "laissez-faire" approach, 10% – or 740,000 – were authoritarian, and another 8% – or 600,000 – were "disengaged". The rest did not fall into one of the categories. Girls were more likely to develop the skills by the age of five, it added.

Reeves said part of the parenting style was about not giving in to pester power. "Every parent knows that is a difficult thing to do. They know that standing up to pester power makes for an awful day, but it also makes for a better future," he said. "Kids are innately short-term: the process of raising a child well is partly about raising children to look beyond the next minute, the next hour, the next week."

Reeves argued that parenting in that way might be harder for people struggling financially who themselves find it hard to look beyond a day or a week.

He said politicians on the left and right had avoided talking about the issue of parenting styles, but it was crucial that they now did. "There is clearly a lot of anxiety about how to parent well – look at the television programmes and books about it," he added.

Angeline Brunel, a 31-year-old mother from Glasgow, admitted that she turned to friends, books and programmes for advice about bringing up her daughter Madeleine, who is now two. "Boy, did I have many misconceptions about what parenting means," said Brunel. "I thought she was going to listen to me, that I would never have to use things like the naughty corner." But Brunel and her partner, Thomas Dickson, soon realised that it would be harder than they had thought. She found that her daughter would run away from her in the supermarket, refused to go to bed until 10 at night, and would walk up to strangers and "babble away".

That was when she decided to take a slightly tougher approach like some of her friends. Brunel decided not to pick her daughter up every time she wanted her to, started putting her to bed earlier, "coming down to her level" to talk to her in a firm tone, and using the naughty corner.

"We started watching Supernanny and that woman – Jo Frost – she has the right idea," added Brunel. Brunel says she also tells her daughter every day that "I love her so much and she is a miracle," and calls her over for cuddle. "I have noticed a difference – she is calmer. And I do think it is to do with the parenting style."

However, Justine Roberts, co-founder of Mumsnet, pointed out that every family had individual circumstances. "Often within the same family, with exactly the same parenting style, you will have a child that is much more difficult than another child. We would be sceptical to any broad-brush solution."

Toilet Training

When—and how—should I start toilet training?

Karen Sokal-Gutierrez, M.D., M.P.H.
Pediatrics

'Mommy, Daddy—I went poopy in the potty!' Do you long to hear those precious words from your child? Some children and parents breeze effortlessly through toilet training while others experience more difficulty. When you think your child might be ready for toilet training, take a deep breath and muster up all the determination and patience you have to work on it for several months. And consider the following tips to help make toilet training easier for you and your child:

Know when your child is ready
Using the toilet is an important developmental step for your child. But your child's unique development and temperament will determine when she's ready and how she'll get through the process. To paraphrase a common saying, 'You can lead a child to the toilet, but you can't make him do it.'

Most children show signs they are physically and emotionally ready to use the toilet between 1 ½ and 3 years of age, although some may be ready earlier and some aren't ready until later. Girls are usually ready a little earlier than boys. Your child needs to have awareness and control of his urination and bowel movements, and needs to be willing to try using the potty. Look for these signs that your child is ready:

• His bowel movements are regular and predictable.

• Her diapers are dry for at least two hours during the day or dry after naps.

• His facial expression or posture indicates when he is ready to urinate or have a bowel movement.

• She seems uncomfortable in soiled diapers and fusses or asks to be changed.

• He can walk to the bathroom, help undress himself, and follow simple instructions.

• She asks to use the potty, toilet, or wear 'big girl' underwear.

Make sure the timing is right in other ways, too. Many parents favor toilet training in the summertime when children wear fewer clothes and it's easier to undress to use the toilet. It's also a good idea to plan toilet training when there are no other major changes in the family such as moving, the birth of a sibling, changes in childcare, a family vacation, or divorce.

Help your child learn to use the toilet

When you think your child is ready, cheerfully encourage this step to be a 'big boy' or 'big girl.' But don't pressure your child—let him know it's his decision and you're there to help. Ask his other caregivers (e.g., babysitters, relatives, childcare providers, and teachers) to follow the same approach. Be patient…you can expect the toilet training process to take from three-six months.

Be sure your child understands what you want her to do. Let her watch you, her older siblings, or her playmates go to the bathroom. It's helpful for mothers or sisters to show little girls, and fathers or brothers to show little boys what to do. Decide what words you'll use to describe your child's body parts, urine, and stool. It's best to use the correct terms (e.g., 'penis') or common terms (e.g., 'pee' and 'poop') to help avoid confusion. Show him that urine and stool go in the toilet, and let him help flush. Avoid describing them as 'dirty' or 'bad,' so there's no shame about going to the bathroom.

Go to the library or bookstore and get a children's book about toilet training to read together. Dress your child in loose pants that are easy to pull down and pull up, not overalls or shirts that snap at the crotch. Some parents find it easier to use pull-up diapers or training pants during this time.

Get a comfortable potty chair or use a toilet seat adapter and step stool. Some children fear falling into the toilet, and feel more comfortable on a low potty chair with their feet on the floor.

Introduce your child to the potty and allow her to sit on it with her clothes on a few times. Then encourage her to sit on the potty with her pants and diaper off. For boys, you can either start them urinating sitting on the potty or standing up. Have your child sit on the potty at the same time each day so it becomes routine. Try times when she regularly urinates or has a bowel movement, such as after breakfast and other meals, or after drinking; encourage her to try at other key times as well, such as before and after a nap, before her bath, and before bed. Try to catch her when you see signs that she needs to urinate or have a bowel movement. In all, ask her every couple of hours to sit on the potty.

Make the potty visits last at least a few minutes to give your child a chance to relax and go to the bathroom. Talk encouragingly or read a potty book, and let him leave when he's ready. Don't expect him to do anything right away, and don't show disappointment when he doesn't go. But when he does, reward him with praise and hugs. Other rewards and incentives can also be helpful. Some parents use a calendar and give one sticker for sitting on the potty, another for pee, and another for poop.

Some children learn to urinate in the toilet first, while others learn to have a bowel movement first. Over time, teach your child to do all the steps: walking to the bathroom, pulling down her pants and diaper, sitting on the potty or toilet, urinating and/or having a bowel movement, tearing off a little toilet paper, wiping her bottom from front to back (to prevent urinary and vaginal infections in girls), throwing the toilet paper in the toilet, pulling up her underwear and pants, flushing the toilet, and washing and drying her hands.

When your child consistently goes to the bathroom in the potty or toilet, celebrate by letting him choose some big kid underwear. For many children, the chance to wear underwear is a big motivation to use the toilet. Put him in underwear during the day and take him to the bathroom frequently. You should expect that he'll have occasional accidents, though, so be prepared with extra underwear, pants, diaper wipes, and plastic bags on-hand at child care and on outings. Although you may feel disappointed or exasperated by the accidents, it's best to keep a positive attitude—over time, your child will have fewer accidents and finally be toilet trained. Try to deal with accidents in an understanding and matter-of-fact manner, and don't punish your child for them. Tell your child, 'That's okay. Next time, try to let me know when you feel you have to go so you can do it in the toilet.'

For toileting difficulties, be patient and get help. While some children go from daytime toilet training to remaining dry during naps and nighttime shortly afterwards, many continue to need a diaper at night for another six months to a year or more. In fact, it's not uncommon for children to need a diaper at night until they're 6 years or older. Delayed bladder control tends to run in families, and often one or both parents had a history of bedwetting. Help your child not feel embarrassed about it, and try to prevent bedwetting by avoiding giving your child liquids in the evening and having your child urinate right before bedtime. If you're concerned about your child's bedwetting, talk to your pediatrician: it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection, diabetes, or emotional difficulties, and your pediatrician can help determine the cause and treatment.

Gift Bag for Mommies

The Body Shop Grab Bag

by Crystal Collins on November 11, 2009

in 2009 Holiday Gift Giving Guide, Mission Organic, Online Deals

This is a great deal, because The Body Shop has great natural products. Check this out:

This Beauty of Giving Grab Bag is only $15 right now, but comes with at least $50 worth of stuff (some have $75 worth of stuff). Use code WEL103 and you will get free shipping!

Here’s a quick description from the website:

Just in time for the holidays, The Body Shop is offering a grab bag of our fabulous assorted goodies at the amazing price of $15 a bag.

Each bag contains at least $50 worth of products (retail value) and some bags are worth over $75.

At a minimum each bag contains:

• 1 Full-size 6.7 oz Body Butter
• 1 Spa Wisdom™ Product
• 1 Mini Gift
• 1 Accessory
• 1 Makeup Item
• Some of the bags will contain additional surprise items.

If you bought two bags (which is the limit), you would get them for $30!

When you shop through ShopAtHome, you will get 10% cash back (that’s huge)! If you are new to ShopAtHome, you will also get a $5 sign up bonus (you receive it after you make your first purchase!). This would bring your total to $22 for two bags after rebates through ShopAtHome!

Thanks for the great deal She Saved!

Effective after school activities

When there are so many activities on offer, and each one looks as good as the next, how do you gauge the worth and effectiveness of these activities? Sure, you want an activity that junior enjoys. But, we really cannot afford to waste time on pleasure for pleasure's sake, do we? There needs to be a grain of gold somewhere in there.
Given below is a list of characteristics that any good after school activity must possess.

Clarity in objectives and goals is the first important thing. What does the course offer? How does it propose to achieve the results? How many kids make up a batch? Ask questions. After all, when you are dishing out the dough, you really need to understand what you are getting in return.

A good after school activity will provide lots of opportunities for the young to increase their level of understanding of complex concepts. This is true of recreational activities too. Learning to pitch a ball, or dance to a tune - regardless of the activity involved, the child should be encouraged to grapple with and conquer new concepts. This not only keeps boredom at bay by challenging the child, but also builds up his self-confidence. Development of academic, personal and social skills is
one of the prime aims of an after school activity. As the skills develop, the child's self-esteem also increases.

After school activities are all about boosting a child's sense of competence. Good and effective after school activities promotes the resilience of youth and encourages them to grow stronger, be it mentally, emotionally or physically.

Safety is one of the first requirements of an after school activity. The staff should be qualified, adequate and alert. Never put your child in a program where safety is a matter of accident instead of a matter of priority. The staff should be friendly and should have a positive relationship with the child. Therefore, the program should have professional and trained staff that loves to interact with children. The program should maintain a cooperative and supportive attitude and a structured environment. Participation and collaboration as opposed to competition and antagonism must be encouraged.

Some programs involve the children in planning activities and making decisions. Adults often forget to get the opinion of their children. By giving the children an opportunity to voice their opinion, programs become fun activities that children are motivated to participate in. Young people thrive when they are listened to, respected and allowed to contribute their mite.

Routine evaluations are an important part of after school programs. If the child does not benefit from a class, don't waste time being over-optimistic. Try something new.

You are now ready to look for the perfect after school activity for your child. But don't let us forget that having fun is also an important part of growing up. The child deserves a few hours of pure delight.

Giveaways

family-friendly and no-strings-attached giveaways.

1. Lizzie Organic Honey
2. Thrifty NW Mom -4 movie tickets & free box of cereal (11/ 2)
3. $ 20.00 Target gift e-card @ crazy coupon carol
4. $50 Safeway Giftcard @maybe frugal
5. Utah Deal Diva- Scentsy Fall Prize Pack- ends TONITE- 10/ 28
6. Keeping the Kingdom First (Mom's Best Cereal Prize Packs- 3)
7. More Giveaways Galore!
8. NWA Deals (Sticky Words Wall Art)
9. My Baby's Own Deluxe Travel Chair
10. NWA Deals (Glamourmom Nursing Tank)
11. HEXBUG Nano robotic bug!
12. NWA Deals (Itzbeen Baby Care Timer)
13. Kid Kraft Wooden Toaster Set
14. Leap Frog Zippity Learning System
15. 100 Custom Brochures- Ends 11/ 08
16. Begin Smart Books (4 winners)
17. USB Mouse Hand Warmer - Ends 11/ 04
18. Babalu Toy of Choice
19. Lysol Prize Pack - 2 Winners! Ends TONIGHT, 10/ 28
20. Party Lite Spooky Tealight holders
21. Young Scientists Club Kit
22. Scooby- Doo First Frights for Wii, DS, or PS2
23. Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Prize pack
24. $50 Bob Evans Gift Card
25. Myra (Nature Valley Nut Clusters Prize Pack - Ends 11/ 03)
26. Money Saving Madness (Pink Together Giveaway)
27. Money Saving Madness (Silk Soymilk Giveaway - 10 Winners)
28. Never2Late2Save-$25 Ecostore Gift Certificate( 11/ 13)
29. My CLyns Backgrounder
30. Julia @ The Frugal Find - Breast Cancer Awareness Gift Pack
31. Julia @ The Frugal Find - Elefun Game Set, perfect for the holidays!
32. Julia @ The Frugal Find - FREE YoPlus Light Coupons and " Get Healthy" Gift Pack
33. Sharpen Your Scissors- 3 reusbale CVS bags and ECB earning tags- ONE WINNER
34. Mylitter, autographed Children's book personalized for you!
35. 4 hats and frugal( nature valley prize pack!)
36. Mommies with Cents-7 Great Giveaways!
37. Kidpreneurs Book
38. Denali Tote
39. Vaska Home Laundry Starter Kit
40. Unilever Prize Pack
41. Stress Free Kids CD
42. All Pop Art. com Custom Portrait
43. Saving in Sacramento - Consumer Reports Best Baby Products (11/ 6)
44. Retail Me Not. com: (3) $25 Gift Certificate Giveaway 10/ 30
45. My Frugal Adventures {ecostore giveaway!}
46. My Frugal Adventures {5 Free packs of Yoplait}
47. My Frugal Adventures {Pink Gift Pack!}
48. Saving Cents with Sense (2 Hasbro Games)
49. Sing Scene Pop: Singing Plug- n- Play Video Game (11/ 12)
50. Digital Scrapbook Mini Album Templates
51. Good Deal Gal - TWO Hasbro Games (Ends 11/ 6)

Baby Einstein refunds! No receipt necessary!

Baby Einstein is offering refunds for their DVD movies! They finally admitted that their DVDs don’t help your children become any smarter. And in order to avoid a class-action lawsuit, they’re providing you with a number of ways to get a refund, including cash! You can return up to 4 DVD movies per household in the amount of $15.99 each. No receipt necessary!

Check out this article by the NY Times for more information. Click here!

Want to go straight to the refund information? Click here!

Want just the refund form without the information? Click here!

Good luck!

How To Teach Your Baby Sign Language

by: Nicole Dean

The word is spreading. Sign language is a great way to communicate with pre-verbal babies and toddler. New moms everywhere are grabbing American Sign Language books and absorbing them feverishly. Pregnancy classes are full of moms teaching each other basic sign language and day care centers across the country are training their teachers in sign language. Some of the benefits of signing are: Less frustration for baby - Imagine how it feels to grunt and point and not be able to ask for what you want. Put yourself in your baby's shoes. You're a baby. You've been playing and squealing and laughing and now your mouth is dry and you're really thirsty for milk. You grunt and point and whine for milk -- and your mother misunderstands and gives you a dry cracker instead, thinking you're hungry for a snack. You feel very frustrated and possibly angry. You might even throw the cracker back at your mother or hit her out of frustration. What if, instead, you could simply sign milk and get milk? Pure bliss! Bonding with Parents - Babies who sign are able to interact and be acknowledged at a younger age. Picture you and your baby looking at a book about elephants. She can show you that she understands the story by signing "elephant" to you well before she could say the three syllable word "elephant". You know that your baby understands and is benefiting from the story and you can respond "yes, it is a big elephant", thereby rewarding her for her efforts. Sibling bonding - Older siblings are given the tools to bond with their new brother or sister sooner, because the baby can sign, well before speech is possible. Not only is there a bond, but I've witnessed a sense of camaraderie because the older sibling can act as an interpreter for the baby in situations with non-signing adults. How to start You may, at this point, feel overwhelmed. After all, you are learning a second language -- with no one to teach you. Please don't worry. First of all, you only need to learn a few words to being signing with your baby. Begin with 4-6 words Choose a few words that are of importance to you (words that will make your life easier, like eat, milk, more, etc.) and also choose some that are of interest to your baby (for instance, airplane, ball, book, dog, cat, baby, etc.). This ensures that both of you are rewarded for your efforts. Once you choose a few words, you can begin signing whenever you say those words. When your baby cries, you say "Do you want milk?" Then, sign milk at the baby's eye level so she will begin to associate the cause and effect and realize hands MEAN something! At what age should you start? You can start from birth on. The earlier you start, the more time you, as the parent, will have to get comfortable signing. Babies 6 months and older will begin to watch your hand movements. Babies 8 months old may begin to make very rudimentary attempts to sign back to you. By one year, your baby will likely be signing regularly. If you have an older baby or toddler who is having frustration issues or is a late talker, begin signing. Start today. Toddlers pick up signing very quickly. Don't think you have to learn an entire language for this to work. Just learn one sign today and get started. Enjoy the gift of communicating with your baby! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nicole Dean is the owner of www.showkidsthefun.com/baby.html , a fun resource for parents to spend time with their children. For more help getting started signing, check out SIGN with your BABY Complete Learning Kit (link to http://www.showkidsthefun.com/signkit.html ) Other Free Resources Signingbaby.com - The most comprehensive baby sign language site on the Internet. Featuring real photos of baby's using sign language. Online Baby Sign Language Dictionary - Free online baby sign language video dictionary. Teach your baby the most common baby signs for free from this site. This is a really neat free baby sign language resource. Sign With Me Cheet Sheet - Download this, print it out and stick it on your refrigerator for quick reference while teaching your baby, baby sign language.

Holiday Saving Guide 2009

L.L. Bean: Spend $25 Get a $10 Gift Card

L.L. Bean has a pretty cool promotion going on right now: Spend $25 and get a $10 gift card. You can see details on this HERE (click on the red banner). They have a lot of items in the clearance section HERE that could make this a good deal.

These shoes HERE are still $6.99, but be aware that these sizes run big. I bought a girls size 6, and it fits me! I’m a women’s size 8.If you bought four of these, your total would be $27.96. Then you would earn a $10 gift card! Sweet deal.

Use code 3013925 to get free shipping!

Shop through Ebates or Shop at Home for 2% cash back! Both rebate sites give you a $5 sign-up bonus if you are new.

Borders 40% off Any Item Coupon

Here’s a great coupon that should result in some sweet bargains. Go HERE to print a 40% off coupon for Borders.

A Bunch of Victoria’s Secret Deals and Printable Coupons

Victoria’s secret is offering a 25% off code for any single clothing item today only (10/28). Use code CLOTH25 at checkout (thanks Saving Everyday!). If you purchase a PINK item, then you can also use code VSPINKBAG to get a “Hope” tote bag free with your order. Or, you can also use code FREERUSH to get a free lip kit with any sweater purchase.

Great printable coupons:

-Get a Free Rush lip gloss with printable HERE, when you do a free bra fitting at Victoria’s Secret.

-Free Panty and $10 off any bra printable coupon HERE.

Earn Cash Back with your online order:

Both Ebates and Mr. Rebates give 2% cash back on your VS order, plus a $5 sign-up bonus.

Amazon Game Deal: Spend $80 Get a $40 Credit

If you are looking for some game deals for the holidays, this one might interest you. Spend $80 on qualifying games at Amazon.com and get a $40 credit for another game of your choice. This basically works out like a Buy 2 Get 1 Free deal. By the way, I believe Best Buy and Toys R’ Us are having a Buy 2 Get 1 Free sale on all video games this week, too.

If you’ve got some Amazon gift cards saved up with Swagbucks, then this will be a good deal for you. Go HERE to see which games qualify for this deal. See more details on this offer HERE.

Kensington Contour Terrain Notebook Messenger Bag $13.99 Shipped!

Buy.com has this really cute Messenger Bag HERE down to only $13.99! Regular price is $49.99. It also qualifies for free shipping! Sweet! Be sure to shop through Ebates to get 1% cash back on your purchase!