Posts Tagged ‘toddlers’

Shopping for a Toddler’s First Bike

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

The first consideration a parent should make when buying a new bike for their toddler age son or daughter is what type of bicycle will help them learn to ride easily. Most parents debate whether a tricycle or bicycle with training wheels is best suited for the task. The trike seems like a simple, safe toy but it doesn’t train any of the skills needed to ride a bike. Bicycles with training wheels might seem a better option, but it’s heavy and difficult to pedal, not to mention wobbly. Most parents don’t realize that there is a better option to teach a child to ride a bike early.

Mothers and fathers looking for a bike for their toddler need to look into a revolutionary product known as a toddler bike or balance bike. These bicycles don’t have pedals, chains or sprockets. The riders operate the balance bike with their feet. While they are designed for small riders these bikes still differ in size, so parents need to consider the following things before they make their final decision.

1. The bikes height in comparison to the inseam measurement of a child is a critical factor in selecting a properly sized balance bike. Consult a balance bike sizing chart online to check the bike’s seat height. To get the right fit, get a bike that can adjust to one inch lower than the child’s inseam.

2. Materials and the benefits of each are considerations as well. You’ll find either steel/aluminum or wooden versions of balance bikes. There are children who are comforted by the “toy” appearance of a wood bike. The steel frame bikes are stronger and have better adjustment of the seat and handlebars.

3. The weight of the toddler bike is also a very important aspect of a balance bike purchase. It’s good news that nearly all balance bikes are less than half the weight of a traditional pedal bike. This makes it easy for kids to maneuver the bicycle, leading to confidence. There are some balance bikes that are super lightweight even when compared with other bikes so if you have a very young child look closely at the weight.

4. Deciding which tire is best for your child is another part of the process. The vast majority of toddler bikes have either air tires or foam tires. Air tires offer better traction and a comfortable ride, but the EVA foam tires are puncture-proof.

5. Cost is certainly another factor to guide your decision. A toddler bike is a well-engineered product that will cost a little more than a bike from a department store or sports outlet. Many retail for between $100 and $150. Those prices may come as a surprise to some, but it really is an investment in your child’s future. A child who learns on a balance bike picks up the skills needed naturally in a way that’s fun and safer than training wheels.

Some moms and dads may be hesitant to buy a balance bike for their son or daughter because they believe they will quickly outgrow it. There’s no doubt they will quickly learn balance and steering, but once they’ve mastered balance on their toddler bike, the majority of riders continue to enjoy their bike as a fun toy. They are drawn to these specially designed bikes that are easier to maneuver than a pedal bike and continue to enjoy them much as they do a scooter or skateboard they ride around after they have learned to ride a bike.

For more information on on choosing a balance bike, check out these balance bike reviews. If your child is under the age of three, consider a strider balance bike or the Mini Glider from Glide Bike.

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Maintaining Camaraderie In A Baby Shower

Monday, October 25th, 2010

It’s a common fact of life that people aren’t always going to like each other. Personalities clash and collide. Incidents happen, and people are left with grudges and hurt feelings. So many times, the people involved in the conflicts can have mutual friends and family members in common. Because of this, these conflicting people might find that they are invited to the same venues, and social events. It would be great if people could resolve their issues quickly, and go to these events having made peace with each other. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. So, these battling people end up at the same events, and instead of exchanging hugs and smiles, they exchange hard and cold glances from across the room! This brings down the excitement of the event, and makes others feel very uncomfortable.

This is already bad enough, but a baby shower is the last place that people should be playing out their drama with each other. It’s non-productive, and could add stress to the expectant mother. This is something that at least for the expectant mother’s health, can’t happen! So what is the baby shower hostess to do? The expectant mother wants everyone to feel included, and doesn’t want the burden of uninviting anyone. Yet, no one wants to be in the middle of a fight. Here are a couple of conflict scenarios that could take place, and some basic tips on what to do about them.

Mothers/Mothers in Law: Dealing with the mothers or mothers in law can be one of the stickiest areas to try to handle, especially if there are any issues with the mother of the expectant mother. Moms can tend to be bossy. They might be angry or feel slighted if they weren’t chosen to be the hostess of the baby shower. Maybe she had an idea for the event that was rejected. Maybe she wants to bring her favorite dip that everyone secretly hates, but never told her. Or maybe the mother in law doesn’t really like the expectant mother or father, and they feel resentful that they have to tolerate the mother or the father if they want to see their new grandchild. If the hostess is a person who isn’t the mother or mother in law, it would be best for the hostess to make a phone call to these ladies. Talk to them about wanting to make the baby shower as special for the expectant mother as possible. Ask them for ideas or suggestions to make them feel better. Stress the importance of focusing on the newborn baby, not any outside grudges or animosity. If the hostess is the mother, she just needs to put on her “mama bear suit” so to speak, and stress that no negative drama will be tolerated.

Mutual friends that don’t like each other: This one is easy for the hostess to solve. The hostess just needs to place some phone calls and or emails, and tell the mutual friends that they are to put on a smile, and be on their best grown-up behavior. The baby shower is all about the expectant mother, and not their personal issues. If they don’t feel like they can tolerate each other’s presence, then they should find a graceful reason to turn down the invitation. Perhaps as a concession to the expectant mother, the hostess could suggest that these friends could send a nice card or place a call to the mother telling her that they couldn’t make it, but that they will make it up to her with a nice lunch or get together.

There could be scenarios that the expectant mother’s father doesn’t like the expectant father, or a variety of people who don’t like each other. The bottom line is that the hostess has to be aware of these situations, and hold firm that the baby shower is a celebration, and not a courtroom or boxing match. If the hostess puts her foot down, then she can ensure that the guest can put aside their differences for a few hours, and focus on the celebration.

Tips brought to you by SimplyUniqueBabyGifts.com. Free shipping (lower 48 states) and lowest price guarantee on baby shower favors and personalized baby gift baskets.

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Tables Add to the Learning Stimulation of a Child

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

Add a bit of light and a few sound effects and watch the fun grow. Your baby can roll, sit and even step a bit when holding your fingers or clinging to the couch. It might be time this year to get a Christmas gift that will really get the party started. Babies love lights. Toys that blink or flash stimulate brain function and really hold your little one’s attention. You probably already have a variety of toys that come equipped with a light show. The addition of a few sounds and strains of music take the fun to another level.

Yet all the lights and sounds in the world are often no match for the simple pleasure of standing and moving. Babies who have reached the cruising stage are not content to sit in one place and rattle the same toy no matter how many lights it has or different sounds it makes. A cruising baby wants action!

This is where toys that come in the form of a table come in. There is a type of musical lights and sound table to suit any parent or baby’s wildest Christmas dreams. A few of the more common varieties are simply activity tables that stand about a foot or so off of the floor. These elevated toys have knobs and buttons for your child to press, open, roll or slide. In addition to the gadgets for baby’s play your child can now stand and shimmy all the way around their little table. Babies love to press the buttons that play music then perform their own dance routines while using the table to steady themselves.

Has your baby already shown an interest in a certain cartoon character or song? There are tables that incorporate most of the major baby friendly cartoon shows and songs. The familiar colors and sounds enhance baby’s interest and play.

One of the perennial favorite light, sound or musical play tables for little ones are tables that include a miniature key board. It is never too soon to create a love of music in your child. Who knows where this early piano tinkering will take your child?

Parents often think about fun and learning. Babies just want to have a bit of fun. There is a table for that! In fact there are many, many tables that not only stimulate play, but also help your child learn a variety of basic facts. Some tables come with buttons shaped like each letter of the alphabet, as your baby presses these buttons the letter’s name is said. The same holds true of shapes, numbers or animal sounds.

To get the most for your money look for tables that grow with your child both in terms of height and interest. Some tables have different program settings that will change the function of buttons and sound effects. This means your baby will move through the cruiser and toddler stages and not become bored because even for youngsters variety is the spice of life.

For mommy and daddy’s sanity, look for tables that are equipped with volume controls as well as an off button. If your child loves this toy as much as most babies do you may soon wish it wasn’t quite so loud. You will also want to consider how the table is powered. How long do the batteries last? How many, what type and what is the cost of the batteries it uses? Many toys requiring batteries are left lifeless and useless once the batteries wear out if the cost and ease of replacement is too high.

Edie Mindell is the writer for http://www.SimplyUniqueBabyGifts.com, which has some fun toys for toddlers. If you are looking for unique baby gifts, check out their large selection of baby shower gift baskets that have educational toys in them, such as Baby Einstein. Enjoy free shipping (lower 48 states) on all the gifts offered there.

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Baby Shower Prizes Make Baby Shower Games Memorable

Sunday, November 15th, 2009

Baby shower games can be very entertaining and exciting for both the expectant mother and the guests. Choosing or making prizes should be equally enjoyable for the host of the baby shower. Prizes are pretty much up to the host to decide on, and can range from homemade, personalized gifts to store-bought presents. When it comes to selecting the types of prizes that you will use for the baby shower, keep in mind that creativity is key.

A sweet-and-simple idea for prizes that will suit anyones budget is a candy baby bottle. For this, all you will need are empty baby bottles, candy, and ribbon. Fill empty baby bottles with candies and chocolates, close the baby bottle with the top, and add your own decorative touch with ribbon or other accessories, if desired. Dont be hesitate to add your own style to the bottles and personalize them”unique gifts are the best ones!

T-shirts can also be personalized and used as gifts and/or prizes. You can design your own T-shirts and have them made for your shower. This makes for a cute gift and is a wonderful keepsake. T-shirts have recently become very popular for events like baby showers.

Candles and bath treats are amongst the most popular prizes for women. Women seem to love anything and everything that has to do with spa treatments and that relates to pampering themselves. Most women love aromatic candles, gift soaps, lotions, and body splashes. These will definitely be a hit at your baby shower.

Another thing most women cannot live without is chocolate. A beautiful box of fine and exquisite chocolates makes an excellent gift that all your guests will definitely enjoy.

Gift cards and gift certificates are a recent trend that is a crowd favorite! General, broad department stores like Macys, Target, and JC Penney are good choices for gift cards. Restaurants and coffee shops like Olive Garden, T.G.I. Fridays, and Starbucks are great picks, too. Dont forget about video rental stores and electronic stores like Blockbuster Video and Best Buy; they are top picks among young adults today.

Coffee mugs filled with candy, picture frames, and other household items are a favorite among housewives and people interested in interior design. Stationary kits and personalized journals are cute and simple, and make wonderful gifts. Another favorite for women of all ages is a flower arrangement or bouquet.

If you enjoy baking scrumptious desserts, make homemade cookies or brownies and decorate them according to your showers colors and theme. Wrap them in a clever and unique way, and dont forget to personalize them. This idea is simple, convenient, and easy on your pocket.

Prizes make the games and activities more fun and exciting by adding an adequate amount of competition, along with motivation and enthusiasm. Gifts and prizes make everyone feel special and proud. Whether you choose to make your gifts or buy them, personalize them and add your special touch. Be fun, be creative, and most importantly, be you!

If you’ve enjoyed all the exciting information you read here about baby present,you’ll love everything else you find at http://www.simplyuniquebabygifts.com for your unique baby gifts. You will love the baby gift baskets.

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Baby Shower Party Favor Ideas – Try Perfume for Something Different

Sunday, November 8th, 2009

Today, it seems as if every celebrity is designing and marketing his or her own perfume. Cosmetics and fragrances are among the three most profitable consumer products in the United States. Fragrances, perfumes, and colognes are more popular now than ever, and the act of designing your own perfume has become a recent trend. This trend does not only have to apply to the business world or the celebrity atmosphere.

You can design, make, bottle, decorate your very own perfume to your taste, and give out mini fragrances as party favors at your baby shower. There are many fragrance companies and labs that provide all the necessary ingredients and materials and offer their facilities for a fee. You can also decide to make your perfume on your own, purchase all the necessary ingredients, and complete the whole process in the comfort of your own home. Which ever route you decide to go in, there are a few basics that you should know before you make your own fragrance for your baby shower party favors.

First of all, perfumes have three components: the essential oils, alcohol, and water. Essential oils are the natural components derived from plants that will give your perfume its fragrance; they carry specific scents that you can choose from when making your own perfume. Now, there is such a thing called fragrance oil that you can also use instead of essential oils.

Essential oils and fragrance oils have pros and cons. Although fragrance oils have a significantly lower cost and have a wide variety of scents, essential oils carry health benefits derived from the plants, and, some people argue that essential oils are necessary for top quality perfume. Really, whether you use essential oils or fragrance oils is completely up to you and your preference. Perfume alcohol is pretty hard to find in most countries, so most of the time, people use 100 proof vodka for the alcohol component in the perfume.

The water component cannot just be tap water; it will need to be spring or distilled water. The ratio of the components can vary slightly depending on how strong you desire your fragrance to be, but a rough estimate of the ratio goes as follows: about 15-35% essential or fragrance oils, 70-85% 100 proof alcohol (perfume alcohol or vodka, preferably), and 5% spring or distilled water.

If you are going to make your fragrance at home, a first suggestion is to read up on the different notes of a perfume. Perfumes have four kids of notes: base, middle, top, and bridge notes. Base notes last the longest on your skin and remain strongest when the other notes fade. Middle notes stand out once top notes have faded, and top notes are the first ones you smell when you first apply the perfume.

Bridge notes tie all the notes together. Popular bridge notes are lavender and vanilla. Combine all the ingredients together and pass them through a coffee filter, Distribute among small bottles and decorate them for an unforgettable and totally unique party favor.

When it comes to baby presents, getting the right gift can be a daunting task. That’s why we put together these selections for you at http://www.simplyuniquebabygifts.com for your newborn gift set. You will love the baby shower gift basket.

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