Quality Time Parenting

We've just spotted a great article about parenting while plugged in the internet, and that includes a laptop, IPhone, Blackberry, IPad, etc (and we think TV is also part of the distraction/disruption).

So many of us are constantly connected for business, leisure, errands, shopping, etc. Also, more and more parents are telecommuting, which means working online while watching kids!

Overall, the point we all agree is that providing enough attention to kids is all about quality time. Talking and explaining things to children, and responding to their questions is key for early childhood learning and development! While daycare can keep them busy and entertained, kids need their parents as role models.

Check out more details about this article in the NYTimes

Helping our Kids Concentrate

Several studies point to the benefits of keeping children motivated and passionate about their toys, friends, tasks and activities in general. Motivation and passion are strong contributors to concentration. Kids that can develop their ability to concentrate perform better in directing their thoughts and actions toward a goal.
That sounds obvious, doesn't it? But how can we help our kids develop what scientists call "executive function"?

In the past, kids used to spend a lot of time engaged in freewheeling imaginative play, pretending they were characters of a particular plot. These activities helped kids develop their cognitive skills and discipline, building their concentration, their ability to control emotions and resist impulses.
Nowadays, kids tend to spend extensive passive time in front of the TV, video-games, or in activities controlled by adults, not exercising their self-regulation skills.

Activities that help kids develop their creativity and self-discipline are often ignored by parents and some pre-schools these days. Unfortunately, poor executive function is associated with unsuccessful academic performance.

For more information about how to develop executive functions, and about special programs like "Tools of Mind", logon to childtrends.org and npr.org.

New Studies about Babies' Intelligence

Children under the age of 5 have a different learning process, and we tend to mislead their experiences by using our perspective as adults.
"Babies are captivated by the most unexpected events. Adults, on the other hand, focus on the outcomes that are the most relevant to their goals."
From the New York Times, this article emphasizes how babies can learn by exploring and observing the people around them.
Click here to read the full article

Is My Baby Weird?

This morning msn.com published a great article about child development. So many parents, including me, are always analyzing their kids’ behavior, and are often concerned about what is normal and what is not.

Chances are, he or she is just unique….

I was pleasantly surprised that my kid’s obsession with electrical cords and electronic equipments is quite a standard. The link is posted below. Check it out!

Is my Baby Weird

Eco Party....Little Things We Can Do

There are many little things we can do to teach kids the art of “eco-friendliness”. We can also inspire other parents by encouraging them to be conscious about not wasting unnecessary resources.

Have you thought about making your next dinner or birthday party a bit more eco-friendly? There are several choices you can make, without being overboard! From reusable plates and cups to recycled-paper decoration and napkins. There are very classy options available in the market.

You don’t need to make the Ecology your party theme, but some hints here and there will set the tone and do great for mother Earth. It is nice to be conscious and responsible while we are having fun!

Registering for your bridal or baby shower at eco-friendly boutiques, sending recycled-paper invitations and thank you notes are also great touches! It is all about creativity, respect and fun!

Little Things, huge Impact

Little things can have a huge impact on growing kids, affecting their psychological, cognitive and social developments.

Kids tend to imitate their parents all the time, and this dynamic plays a big role in their development. What is familiar, weird, right, wrong, acceptable, impolite, etc, will be a reflection of their frame of references.

Even little things such as how our attitude fluctuates with our emotions, can affect a child’s behavior. If you are mad and tries to control your kid by raising your voice (yelling), it can be interpreted in their little minds as an effective way to intimidate and control others.

Cognitive development can also be hugely improved by parents and childcare providers with proper stimulation. The word “Cognitive” comes from the Latin root “cognoscere” meaning “to become acquainted with”, “to come to know”. Talking to them, explaining the reasoning behind actions, situations and problems can help them understand the world, and learn the “cause and effect” rule. Allowing kids to communicate their points of view brings confidence and develops their thought process.

This is our golden opportunity to maximize their development, taking it to the best possible direction!

If You Are a Runner or a Walker

Walking or running are great ways to exercise. Being able to walk to the grocery store, a cafe, or to see my friends is a great opportunity to burn calories and save resources (gas and money!).

We got an “all-terrain” type of stroller that works really well. It is a bit heavy to take on trips, but a great gear to have in the city. The wheels are big and wide, so riding it on smooth or rough pavements is a breeze. And the suspension keeps the little one comfortable anywhere. Its large canopy protects my son against rain or sun. I also keep a net and an umbrella in the pocket, in case of mosquitoes, or rain to cover myself. A diaper changer, when I remember, is also useful to keep in the pocket!

There are several brands available in stores, most marketed as running strollers. The one we got is from BOB, but overall look for “all-terrain” features (large wheels and suspension) and a long canopy for protection.

Family Bike Ride

Woohoo! Summer is here, and if you haven’t cleaned your bikes yet, you are missing a lot of fun.

Family rides are a very good exercise, and an awesome bonding experience. Bike trailers are great for kids, and some of them can even be used as a strollers. There are versions for different ages, and for two kids as well.

Bike extension versions work well, however you will need some practice before carrying your kid! If the child moves abruptly, or if the parent is not used to the additional weight, there is a potential to destabilize the bike.

Standard bike trailers seem a lot safer to me for younger kids, since they are lower on the ground, and the flexible hitches allow the trailer to stay upright in case the bike falls.

Whatever the version you choose for your family, get on the road while the sun is warm, and enjoy loads of family fun! Just remember to stay close, in case of diaper emergencies…

Save Yourself Some Resources

Saving resources is not only good for the environment, but also great for you and your family. Kids see parents as role models, and our daily attitude will teach them how to take care of themselves and the environment, respecting our community.

There are so many easy “green ways” to save cash. From our driving style to small adjustments at home, in the office and at school.

Start by teaching the kids how to separate the items in the garbage to recycle. Everything we buy these days has multiple layers of packaging, and most of it can be recycled.

If you are in the process of buying new appliances, look for the energy saving stamp. Your energy savings will be worth it. Also, think about the location where you place your appliances. As an example, don’t place the refrigerator next to the stove or dishwasher.

Having a programmable thermostat at home will also save you big bucks along the year. You will be able to program the temperature at a pre-determined schedule. Why keep the house very cool when you and your family are at work or school?

How and what we drive can have a huge impact in our wallet. According to formal sources, “driving your vehicle 55 mph instead of 65 mph can improve your mileage by about 15 percent and reduce emissions considerably. You’ll also get better mileage if you avoid quick starts and sudden braking whenever you can, and if you keep your tires properly inflated to the maximum recommended pressure.”

And, when the exciting time to buy a new car comes, choose wisely. Do you really need a seven passenger car to carry two people around?

Check our Useful Links page for great tips to save resources (and loads of cash) at home, on the road and at the office.

How Many Strollers can One Child Have?

It never seizes to amaze me how much money new parents spend unnecessarily on strollers (and on baby gear in general!). Have you ever thought about the number of strollers per child in this country? Even during recessions you still see parents buying one stroller for short and another for long walks, yet another for a run, and an additional, and portable one, to leave in the trunk.

When the second baby comes, the shopping spree restarts for double versions. In total, by the time the second child hits her fifth birthday, there are about eight to ten strollers parked in the garage. And the cars are parked outside, of course!

When we had our baby, my husband and I decided to adopt the buy- on-an-as-needed-basis rule. We were surprised by how much gear we actually didn’t need! Brands start overwhelming parents with massive marketing from the moment you go to your first obstetrician appointment. By the time I was five months pregnant, we had already received four containers of formula and several $5-$10 coupons through the mail. A massive marketing to doubt our decision to breastfeed! Any class or seminar your register becomes part of a quite desirable industry mailing list.

Anyway, back to strollers, we bought one for all situations, a real all-terrain type with large wheels and tires to handle both snowed and rainy pavements, and another one a few days before our first international trip. We knew we were going to spent long hours connecting, and the umbrella stroller came in very handy to navigate through airports.

Every time I go to stores like Babies R Us, I amuse myself analyzing what people are buying. Hard to believe that devices such as a baby wipes warmer can make it to the store, and be sold! Waste of resources….

Making your Own Toys

Young kids love playing with different materials. That is a great opportunity to develop their creativity, and teach them their first lessons about renewable resources!

Large boxes, fabric, non-toxic glue and paint are ideal elements to have fun with. Ok, I’m far from being creative in arts with my hands, but just the experience is already worth it! A large box, cut on both sides can turn into a fun tunnel! A long and colored piece of fabric with different patterns becomes a little play field. An empty plastic container with coins inside can make interesting noises. Even a bunch of nylon sponges with different colors may turn into a puppet, which all toddlers love to play with!

Learning how to transform materials into creative pieces is a great skill to have for life. Wait until they are teenagers to buy them elaborate gifts, when they are definitely more demanding. Toddlers have fun with anything different that allows them to explorer forms and colors

Baby Estimulation vs Mom's Frantic Schedule

Every parent knows the importance of stimulating kids' little brains. Their cognitive and personality development are a direct response to the level of positive stimulation they get, and obviously the parents and daycare providers are key.

I try to respond whenever I can to Lukas' attempts to communicate, usually by replying to his sounds, making eye contact, or showing a reaction. I think it helps him understand the flow of communication, and gives him a lot of self-confidence.
Videos are a BIG No No at home. The very few times he was exposed to a cartoon on TV, or The Muppet Show (which both my husband and I love to watch!), he got into a very passive mode. Lukas wouldn't even blink! At this stage in his life, working with toys and books that make him use his imagination and develop his creativity should be the main entertainment.

We have also exposed Lukas to a lot of interaction with other people and cultures. Even before his first birthday, Lukas' passport had already been stamped in Australia and Brazil, and within a couple of months we are crossing the Atlantic again. Contrary to many people's opinion, we thought that those trips would contribute to a future worldly attitude, turning him into a tolerant and flexible young man. Hopefully it will fire up a lifetime curiosity about other cultures.

Yes, it is all very difficult to manage with our crazy schedules. However, Lukas is our number one project and, in our point of view, daily positive reinforcements are the way to go for successful results.

You've gotta get moving!

I hear so many people complaining about the lack of time to exercise. I just can't believe that anyone would ever wait for that moment in life when spare time is fully available to start being active. You have to make time, people!!

Exercising is incredibly important in life. Like brushing your teeth, it should be part of your routine, hopefully DAILY routine.

I remember when I was in college and also doing my internship at the same time, I would hit the gym at 5am. The following period of my life, when I was working full time and attending full time credits for my MBA. Boy, that was hell, but I exercised during my lunch break. Ok, I know I enjoy exercising, however my point is that if you are committed to a healthy lifestyle, you have no choice other than making time to exercise.

One important point is that exercising is like a relationship for life. You need to work on that, making sure it doesn't get boring, a burden! Do something that is pleasurable, fun, enjoyable! Have kids? Take that stroller out there and run or power walk with your kids. Can it get any more fun than that? That will teach your kids to enjoy being active too!
Get a pedometer and commit to 10,000 steps a day. It can't get any easier....

No excuses, please! ;)