Jennifer's Page

Potty Training

2010-03-07T13:11:00.000-08:00

Potty Training takes work for both parents and child. It is important that the toddler becomes comfortable with the potty in the beginning. This can take time but there is no rush for a child to become at ease with this. Pushing a toddler too hard will cause him to become stressed and will make the experience harder. Parents should provide children with an opportunity to sit on the potty. However, potty training will happen only when the toddler is ready.
When parents begin to potty train they must look for signs that their toddler is ready. If the young child is tugging at his diaper, telling a parent that he is wet or pulling his diaper off that means that he is ready to begin. At the beginning of potty training the toddler should get comfortable just sitting on the potty. Using a potty seat with a character the child likes and making sure it is the right size for the youngster will encourage this. However, parents should not expect their young child to use the potty right away. Providing the toddler with a favorite book or a toy will cause the child to sit on the potty for longer periods of time.
Once the youngster becomes comfortable sitting on the potty parents should switch from diapers to pull ups. These are training pants that are a cross between a diaper and underwear. It is easier to create a bathroom schedule when pull ups are used. The reason for this is because it will be easier for the parent to take a pull up off and on since the toddler does not have to lie down.
Next, parents can decide on a bathroom schedule. At first, they should begin going often such as every hour. This is because they will want to catch their child before he wets his diaper. As the child starts to use the potty to urinate and poop parents can increase potty training intervals to every half hour.
Children may need a reward to become motivated to use the potty. Parents should give something to the child that he really likes each time he goes to the bathroom. The reward can be anything from candy to a favorite book. It can even be a walk around the block.
Eventually toddlers will start to use underwear. Parents may want to take their child to the bathroom every half hour or forty-five minutes at first to avoid accidents. If the child does have an accident she should not feel discouraged. Parents should remain positive and remind their toddlers that accidents are very common. With practice children will become more adept at using the potty and will become more self sufficient.

Temper Tantrums in Toddlers

2010-03-07T10:22:00.000-08:00

A temper tantrum is a common occurrence among many toddlers. It is just a way for him to show his independence. As a baby starts to mature he will want to do things on his own, without interference from an adult. This can often be seen when a child refuses to hold his mother or father's hand or tries to put on his own shoes on. Part of this independence is displayed when the child has a temper tantrum.

A full blown temper tantrum includes excessive crying, kicking and screaming. Some toddlers can get hurt by banging their head or throwing his body onto the floor. The duration depends on how the parent handles the situation. If the parent stays calm and rational the child will eventually calm down. On the other hand, if the adult becomes angry and starts to yell or spank the child the outburst will continue to escalate. This is due to the child becoming frustrated.

The most effective way to end a temper tantrum is to completely ignore it. The child will learn that she doesn't get what she wants this way and will eventually communicate more appropriately with you. This is hard sometimes because others may come over and interfere thinking that they should discipline the child. Let them know that you plan to ignore it so that the tantrum episode will end. Time out can also work here. When the child begins to scream and kick just simply pick up the child and put her in their room. Avoid eye contact. You do not want to give the child any attention because that may be what she is seeking. The outburst should end promptly and the child will be better when the incident. It is important to make sure that the child is not in danger of hurting herself. Make sure there is nothing nearby the child can hurt themselves with.

Talking softly to the child by stating what the child wants is also effective. The child is trying to communicate their feeling, however, he is unable to do this properly. This leads to annoyance for the toddler. As a way to act out and let you know that he is unhappy the child starts to tantrum. By stating what the child wants back to him he can realize that you do understand. This can get him to calm down and listen.

In conclusion it is important to stay calm and to not lose your temper when a child has a temper tantrum. It is also effective to use time out and to restate what the child is feeling. As the child gets older you will be able to rationalize with her. She will be able to understand more and you will be able to explain the situation. If the child wants to stay in the park longer that day you can explain that you have things to do but you will come back. Perhaps the toddler wants to play with something harmful. You can state the reasons why what she wants can cause harm. The tot will also find more effective ways to tell you what she wants.

American Idol

2010-02-25T18:26:00.000-08:00

I just watched American Idol while putting my daughter to sleep. I thought that the contestants that left were better than some of the people still on the show. In my opinion the singers who left were good. The show does appear to be more of a popularity contes than a true talent show. I continue to watch it because it keeps me entertained and I do enjoy the performances. I also never know what Simon Cowell is going to say.
This show is popular because ordinary people who happen to have good voices are catapulted into the spotlight. That is the really amazing thing about American Idol. It makes fans continue to watch. There is also a bit of unpredictability about this show. Sometimes it is easy to believe a contestant will be on the show for a long time and suddenly that person is voted off it. Let's keep the good singers on the show.
A challenge plays!

Husband is Home With Me Right Now

2010-02-24T20:30:00.000-08:00

The winter season is a difficult time for my husband and I. my husband works in the construction industry and the work slows down in completely in February. I enjoy having him home actually because I am not home alone with my daughter and he can give me a hand here and there. He is also a bit more domestic because he enjoys cooking and cleaning. I like to dab in cooking here and there; however, I find it hard to keep everything neat and organized. It is especially hard with a two year old running around the house.
The dilemma is that right now we are behind in our rent. We will pay it back next month after taxes are done and he should begin working steadily. It is just a bit scary right now. If it were possible I could easily substitute while my husband is home since I was in the education field when I stopped working. However, by the time I complete my application and begin to get calls to fill in classrooms, my husband will probably start working soon enough. I'm left to wait and see what happens. I'm am focused on writing right now and it is becoming a hobby. I am actually eating less because I am spending more time typing. I hope it eventually pays off but atleast I am enjoying it.

Writing Continued

2010-02-24T20:17:00.000-08:00

I am still writing for Bright Hub. I really like working for the site. I feel that the company is very professional and that working for them as an independent contractor is a great opportunity. I will continue to write for them and are applying to other sites to write for as well. I think it can be tough trying to establish oneself as a freelance writer. I feel that there are sites that can help a person gain experience needed to apply for higher paying jobs. There are also many sites that offer revenue sharing. While it may take time to make money eventually a freelance writer can obtain steady residual income. That's my goal while I am staying at home with my daughter. I would like to establish myself as a freelance writer and I would like to develop a staedy stream of income. It is hard to see it now but I may as well try and give it a shot. If nothing else I will become a better writer and an excellent communicator. What's wrong with that anyway?

Bright Hub

2010-01-29T13:36:00.000-08:00

Lately, I have developed an interest in writing online. I have been looking into different possibilities. There are just so many sites dedicated to writing. I started submitting articles to some sites like Associated Content. Textbroker, Triond, Xomba, Blogger Party and more. Recently I was accepted as a writer for Bright Hub to write for the special education section. I have been writing there the past few days. So far this has been the highest paying writing job. It pays $10 upfront for new writers and it pays for page views as well. I know there are some sites that pay even more than this but for me this is more than what I've previously been making. I will keep writing for Bright Hub and look into other opportunities as well.

Another Stress Headache

2010-01-26T05:02:00.000-08:00

I wrote about stress headaches in another post. I am again confronted with the band of pain on my forehead and parts of my head. I am also waiting for an order of Thyroid to come because I hypothyroidism. The package of medicine is taking longer than I thought it would to arrive and I ran out a few days ago. I may have to find an alternative. I am going on vacation next month and can not leave without it. I am not sure if the lack of thyroid is the cause of my headache. That is definitely one possibility. I haven't been resting much either. I have also been online a lot reading and writing. Sometimes I can not get into television unless it is one of the few that I go out of the way to watch. It is hard for me to shut my brain off to concentrate on some shows. That's why I end up on the computer. If I start thinking about something I could look it up.

Postpartum Depression

2010-01-20T03:49:00.000-08:00

Many woman experience postpartum depression after the birth of their baby. The cause of this is contributed to high levels of hormones. I also feel that some woman can be overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for a baby that is so dependent on you. Some females feel guilty about leaving their babies when they go back to work. Others may have to quit their job that they worked so hard at because the cost of going to work is to high. Their salary may not cover the cost of daycare, gas and/or health insurance.

It is normal to feel blue sometimes. Women especially have a lot of hormonal changes and pressures which can lead to being down. If the postpartum depression is debilitating it will get in the way of responsibilities. In some cases, it can be dangerous for the child because some women feel they may hurt their babies. If you are feeling like this you must get help right away. I felt protective of my child at all times. In my case though, I wasn't fully prepared for motherhood. I wanted to have a baby for the longest time but I didn't realize what a life changer it could be. Your life is not the focus anymore and it can be hard to deal with this. It is important to learn ways to handle depression symptoms and alleviate the depression.

Stress Headache

2010-01-19T17:32:00.000-08:00

I have been experiencing a lot of stress headaches. Sometimes they can last several days. The pain can vary from dull to severe. Over the counter pain relievers sometimes have no effect on me. Topical headache medicine sometimes dulls the pain but it depends on how severe it is. I have found that I need to deal with stress more effectively to deal with these headaches.

Stress management techniques such as exercising regularly and having my family there when I need support are helpful I dealing with a tension headache. Also using relaxation methods such as listening to soothing music and meditation are useful ways to deal with stress and get rid of headaches. Also taking care of myself by eating nutritious foods, not skipping meals and getting enough sleep are also key in dealing with tension and keeping a stress headache at bay.

Things To Do With a Toddler on a Rainy Day

2009-09-11T14:39:00.000-07:00

Today it rained outside so I decided to write an article on 'Things To Do With a Toddler on a Rainy Day'. I figured I could learn something atleast. I found that arts and crafts, family portraits, music and dancing and bathtime are perfect fillers during the day. Now my daughter is taking a nap. It is probably too late in the day and she will most likely be up late now but she was so tired. I kept her pretty busy and got her energy out and now she is sleeping. Hopefully it won't be too hard to get her back to sleep later tonight.

Home With My Daughter

2009-09-10T18:57:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in awhile. I was busy trying to make some extra money and impatient with the slow money growth that comes when one starts a blog. However, I really enjoy blogging and find it easy to get started. I like that I can write about anything I want and I can write post a blog that's short or long. Right now it's a hobby for me.

I am home with Veronica right now. The costs of daycare, gas and health insurance was made it not worth it to go to work. My family is in the same shape whether I work full time or stay home. I really didn't enjoy it anyway. It is much easier to stay home with my daughter. If she is sick or has an appointment I don't feel bad about missing work. If I didn't get enough sleep or the baby had a rough night I don't have to feel bad about being run down.

I have found a couple of ways to make money from home on the computer. I get a lot of free products and cash from filling out online surveys. I also have gotten paid to view ads. Most are scams but I have gotten paid buy a couple. I have also begun writing. I have gotten paid from Textbroker.com and eHow. There are also some ad revenue sites that I am posting on. I will see how they go but I like the freedom of writing about any topic I'd like.

Energy

2008-10-17T16:19:00.000-07:00

I often feel like I have a lack of energy. I'm sure some of this comes from the fact that I'm still awakened a few times a night by my ten month old daughter. She usually goes back to sleep fairly quickly now but my sleep is interrupted. Also she likes to get up early whether I have to get to work or not. I just don't get to sleep in anymore. I'm busy at work all day as well and then I don't really get to rest. I have found that exercise, going to sleep a little earlier and caffeine (coffee or green tea) has helped me.

Exercise

2008-10-16T15:18:00.000-07:00

Exercising with a baby can sometimes be difficult. Not that I did it all the time before I had my daughter. I would go through phases where I would get very motivated by a new program but in a few weeks I would get bored and then stop. I have found the easiest way to get exercise in is to walk. I could just bring the baby along in her stroller and we'd have a nice time. Of course the weather interferes sometimes. For this reason it is good to have a backup plan. I have workout videos, exercise equipment but alas I just don't use them like I should. Once a week I have been taking a Fu-Boxing class.
It is beneficial to work out. It gives me energy and relieves my stress. I also feel better about myself as well.

My Family

2008-10-14T16:44:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of myself with my husband and daughter at a party after she was baptised in church.

Baptism

2008-10-14T16:40:00.000-07:00

This is my daughter Veronica. She was baptised on September 21, 2008.

Robeez

2008-10-14T16:22:00.000-07:00

What a dilemna finding shoes for my daughter. I had tried several types of shoes. The problem was my daughter has wide feet so some things don't fit. She also tries to stand on her toes which makes stuff fall off her feet. In addition the baby also pulls off her socks, sneakers and boots. I finally have found Robeez and they are great. She can not get them off. They slide on her foot like a slipper but provide greater protection. I highly recommend them!

Baby Crying in the Night

2008-10-14T16:11:00.000-07:00

My baby usually gets up at night. Even at ten months old. The last several weeks have been pretty eay though. The baby would wake up and get a quick drink and fall asleep in a few minutes. Last night, however, she woke up and cried for abour an hour and a half. I tried feeding, rocking, putting her in our bed, pushing her in her stroller, rubbing ner back, letting her cry it out, Tylenol for teething. Then finally I tried Mylicon Drops and she went to sleep in a few minutes. Sometimes that Mylicon seems to work fast while other times it has no affect on crying. I guess last night gas was the culprit. I hope she sleeps good tonight!

Colic

2008-10-13T16:27:00.000-07:00

My daughter was a colicky baby. What is this condition? It is characterized by long periods of excessive crying. Some say it is caused by gas and an immature digestive system. Others say that it is caused by acid reflux. Still there are Doctors that feel that the baby is adjusting to his or her surroundings. Some things that might help a colicky baby are rocking, carrying him/her in a sling, swinging, Mylicon/Gas drops, acid reflux medicines (if baby is diagnosed with AR) and the vacuum. If you are breastfeeding changing your diet and eliminating foods such as dairy, chocolate, coffee/caffeine, broccoli, etc. may help. If you are using formula you may have to change brands a few times. It does get better with time but it was difficult as a new parent. For us a combination of the things I mentioned worked but it took time.

Losing the BabyFat

2008-10-12T14:53:00.000-07:00

I have been on a diet forever. Sometimes I had success while other times I only lost a little at the start of the diet. I had sworn I couldn't lose weight anymore at 35. Then I became pregnant. I was happy about having a baby but worried I might never lose the weight. I gained 35 pounds. That's not really the end of the world but my Obstetrician would have liked that number to be less.
I actually lost the majority of weight though the first 2 and a 1/2 weeks. It took a few more weeks to lose the last nine pounds of baby fat. I had very little trouble. I ate about 1,800-2,100 calories so I was not starving myself. I exercised a little bit but I really could not do anything strenuous the first six weeks. It was also winter so I couldn't do much walking. I tried breast feeding but because of complications I had to pump and supplement with formula. I am on Thyroid medication but I have already been on it for years. So how did I lose so much so fast? It may have been the combination.
Now, the funny thing is I'm back to my old weight and feel like I can't lose a pound again. Of course it's all in my head but it's hard to get past that mental block. Some have said I looked like I lost but I don't really think it was that much.

Work and Expenses

2008-10-12T09:54:00.000-07:00

I just gave my job notice that I was leaving. I am losing too much money on daycare and gas to continue working full time. It is not worth working full time if you don't make a good salary or don't have a family babysitter. It gets hard to manage expenses. It's better to stay home, work from home, or work around my husband's schedule.

That's one reason I have begun blogging. I am hoping I could earn some extra income while I figure out what job direction I should go. I also am thoroughly enjoying the freedom of just writing whatever I'd like to write about.

Things I Didn't Know As A New Mom

2008-10-12T04:01:00.000-07:00

There were several things I did not expect as a new mom. When I was pregnant I had visions of holding my baby and everything being perfect. I did not think it would be difficult. Now reality has hit.

Colic! I had never heard of this condition and was not aware babies could cry throughout the day and get especially fussy into the evening until I had my daughter. When she would cry it made me feel bad that I couldn't find an immediate remedy. She began taking Zantac around 4 months. This helped a bit but we still had fussy periods in the evening for several months.

Having to go to sleep early! I quickly learned I could no longer go to bed around 1:00 A.M. even if I did not have to work. What a change to find myself going to sleep around 9:00. It definitely helped with early mornings and being woken up a few times a night.

Could not get out the first three months! The baby was small and the family was worried about her getting sick. It was also winter when she was born so I could not even take her out for a walk. Since she cried a lot I also had to avoid public places for awhile until she was over this period.

Teething! Sure I knew teething was tough on babies. However, I did not expect her to have teeth coming in at at six months. The only thing that seemed to help was Tylenol and I felt bad about giving it to her sometimes because I was worried about long term effects.

So those were some of the surprises I received over the last ten months. It's rewarding to be a mother and my daughter is happy and playful a lot. I just thought it would be easy!