Author: Hannah Parker

What do you buy for the child who has everything? In this day and age it is really hard to work out what to buy for a beloved child – especially if it is a grandchild or a niece or nephew, when you’re not sure exactly what they have. They probably have the latest games console and the latest game to play on it. They also probably have all the usual board games and several hundred teddy bears along with 447 toy cars.

So what gift might they really love? Well all kids seem to love wheeled vehicles, whatever age they are. You would need to check with the parents to work out what they already have but wheeled vehicles of any sort of always popular. Here is a list of a range of wheeled vehicles and the age group they suit. They are ordered by age group.

Ride Ons: Suitable from 18 months. Ride ons are vehicles that usually have 4 wheels and balance in their won right. The child just has to sit on it and push themselves along with their feet, they’re good for getting a child used to moving around on wheels and great for the youngest of toddlers. They often say suitable from 18 months but my children started using them as soon as they could walk at around 1 year.

Trikes: Suitable from 2 years. These vehicles usually have 3 wheels with pedals on the front wheel. They also balance themselves so they are a good introduction to pedalling without worrying about balance.

Wooden Bikes: Suitable from 3 years. Wooden balance bikes have 2 wheels but no pedals so they are good for getting a child to practise their balance without worrying about pedalling.

Scooters:  Suitable from 3 years. These have 2 to 3 wheels. Three wheeled scooters are easier to balance so a god idea as the first scooter.

Bicycle: Suitable from 4 years. Once your child has mastered a couple of the above, they will be eager to move on to their first bicycle. Start them off with stabilisers and as soon as they are happy with that, have a session at the local playpark with knee pads, elbow pads and a helmet.

Author: Mary Eule Scarborough

I've been potty training girls - and boys - for the last three decades I can tell you with great confidence that there is very little significant difference between the two.  In fact, the approach is exactly the same.

For instance, you'll need to make sure that your daughter is chronologically and developmentally ready.  The American Academy of Pediatrics says that most normal, healthy toddlers are ready for potty training between 16 and 27 months (18 months is the average).

However, experts are also careful to point out that developmental maturity is a much better indicator of readiness than is chronological age.

Following are several signs that your daughter is ready.

She might:

* Recognize simple words and phrases such as, "pee pee," "poop," "potty," etc.  * Demonstrate awareness of her body parts (and others') - especially genitals  * Imitate others - especially Mom, Dad and siblings

* Dress or undress herself

* Express her need for independence - For instance, I knew my granddaughter, Sevy, was "there" as soon as she starting saying, "Sevy can do it!" many times a day. (As a matter of fact, she said it so often I told her that her name should be "Sevy-Can-Do-It"!

As I indicated, these are just a few of the many clues you're likely to witness. However, if you have questions regarding this, I suggest that you consult with your pediatrician or take one of the many potty training assessment quizzes found on the Internet.

Once you're sure that it time to potty train your little girl, you'll want to arm yourself with a solid plan of action - in other words, a potty training system that will help you achieve your goal (no diapers!) successfully, joyfully, and completely.

Fortunately, achieving great results with any potty training system is not dependent on fancy potty chairs, toys, or dolls. They're simply not necessary.  However, there's certainly no harm in providing a few extras, if you'd like.

Here are a few "nice-to-have" potty training tips specifically for little girls.

1. Outfit your daughter in dresses during potty training. Why pull down pants, undo buttons, or unzip zippers when your little one has to use the potty? Instead, use potty training as an opportunity to make your little girl feel pretty and make it easier on you to get them to the potty on time!

2. Allow your daughter to choose her "big girl" underwear.  Why not celebrate this wonderful rite of passage with a shopping trip to your local department store for pretty underwear?  Your little girl will love picking out her favorites and you'll have a natural opportunity to talk with her about potty training.  Everyone wins...

3. Consider purchasing potty books specifically developed for little girls. There are many great potty books and DVDs available on the Internet and in stores - some are quite general, while others are strictly for girls.  Are these books mandatory?  No - at least not in my opinion.  However, if you're set on purchasing one, it makes sense to buy one that comes closest to what your child will experience.

Bottom line - Potty training girls is identical in methodology to potty training boys.  Yes, there are several minor differences, but the approach, support, timing, and need for consistency are all the same.  I wish you great success and joyful potty training!


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Mary E. Eule, BA, MS is a professional writer and researcher who has spent the last three decades helping parents potty train their children in 48 hours or less. She is the developer of the BRIEFS potty training system and author of the e-book, "The Official BRIEFS Potty Training Guide." Visit her website: http://www.AskThePottyTrainer.com to purchase her e-book, download her free potty e-course or to get more free information about potty training girls.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_933957_27.html

About the Author: Mary Eule Scarborough, an unassailable marketing expert and thought leader, helps businesses of all sizes get and keep more profitable customers. A former Fortune 500 marketing executive, she is also the founder of two successful small businesses, an award-winning speaker, certified Guerrilla Marketing coach and the co-author of two new books, "The Procrastinator’s Guide to Marketing” (Entrepreneur Press, November, 2007) and “Mastering Online Marketing" (January, 2008).  She has a BA in Journalism/English from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in marketing from The Johns Hopkins University. Log onto her website: www.StrategicMarketingAdvisors.com for free marketing articles, tools, tips and templates…or to learn more about her books and services.

http://www.StrategicMarketingAdvisors.com

Author: susan fay

Sometimes it can be very challenging to communicate anything with your child.  Setting clear expectations regarding what's acceptable behavior and what isn't imperative to successfully teaching your child right from wrong.  If the parameters are muddled or the child learns that in one situation the rules hold true yet in another situation the same rule does not, it makes for confusion and frustration on both sides.  

Sit down with your child well in advance and line out the expectations and consequences of misbehaving or a misdeed.  Make it clear that in no uncertain terms is there any room for negotiation at the time of the infraction, and that should such a behavior occur you intend to be firm in your discipline.  Rules regarding your child's safety, health or well-being should have no room for negotiation when being set or enforced.  Other rules can be openly and honestly discussed with your child and an agreed upon action should be forged that both parents and child can agree upon.  If necessary, make a contract between parent and child.  Lay it all out in black and white, in language your child can clearly understand.  For younger children, you might want to develop a good behavior chart within the contract, and for each week that goes by without any infractions being noted, a favorite or special activity might be earned.  The connection between good deeds and special time with mom and/or dad might be just the currency they understand.

But all children need to understand that disciplining them is your way of teaching them what's acceptable behavior and what isn't.  It may seem as though children fight rules and regulations, but they truly know that such parameters are meant for their well-being, health, safety, and enable them to grow into a mature person capable of making wise decisions.   
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