BABY & TODDLER
Polls and Tips for Baby and Toddler Years
Let's help each other navigate the tricky baby and toddler years. Ask and answer questions about life with little ones.
Fine Motor Activities for Kids
An OT told me this one: use small writing utensils such as golf pencils and broken crayons. This helps prevent children from grabbing the utensil with a fist and encourages the correct pencil grasp.
Pick up things with kitchen tongs. Our kids have so much fun using tongs to pick up socks on the floor, toys, or anything else that needs tidying up!
Potty Training Rewards That Get The Job Done
What helps Granddaughter is Jelly Beans. They are a favorite.
Screentime while staying on the potty.
What were you glad you packed in your hospital bag?
Disposable toothbrush: a toothbrush I'm willing to use for a couple nights then throw away at the hospital before I return home.
A lightweight robe. Cozy and comfortable, presentable enough for wearing around the hospital, and easy nursing access.
What babyproofing tips do you have for new parents?
Sturdy stair guards at the top and bottom of the staircase are a must once baby starts moving around!
I discovered that a heavyweight hairband looped around both door handles was just as effective (if not more!) at keeping my cabinet doors shut than those cabinet latches made specifically for baby proofing. Plus, they were way easier (and less annoying) for me to take on and off, making it more likely that I'd always keep it on. This only works on certain handles, though, like pull bars and knobs.
What non-lullaby songs do you sing to put baby to sleep?
Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul, and Mary
Edelweiss (The Sound of Music)
What are your best cleaning & organizing tips for families?
I have a full set of cleaning supplies (sponges/cloths, gloves, cleaning solutions/products) - in each bathroom and the kitchen, so whenever I have five minutes I can quickly wipe down a sink, toilet, counter, etc without needing to hunt anything down.
Robot vacuum! We have a Coredy robot and it gets plopped in various rooms almost daily. I’ll section off an area periodically and let it do all of the work for me. Our kids love picking up for it so they don’t have to sweep so it’s almost effortless for me and even has a mop option for our model. It’s not amazing but helps tremendously!
What are some fun water table ideas and activities?
Play Sink or Float. This simple toddler science experiment is a favorite at our house! Collect items that can safely get wet (utensils, plastic toys, fruit, rocks, etc.), then take turns placing them in the water table to see if they will sink or float.
Measuring cups of different sizes and shapes create ceaseless fun pouring and dumping; dumping and pouring for hours.