Search Results for: blog patience and the preschooler

Putting Your Preschooler to Work

Nothing makes preschoolers happier than helping their parents.  Studies show that young children are wired to get pleasure from pleasing their mom or dad.  So, instead of ignoring your four-year-old when he offers to help you make the beds, fold laundry or put away groceries, allow him to exercise his independence by lending a hand. In some cases, a preschooler’s attempt at helping is more of a hindrance to parents; however, with a little patience you can turn these heartfelt efforts into teachable moments. When my now 8-year-old daughter was a preschooler nothing delighted her more than being able to … Continue reading →

Thumb Sucking in Preschoolers

Thumb sucking is a habit that begins innocently enough. Most times the beginnings are in the womb and due to the comfort it provides it may last up until the preschool years. As my child turned three and still sucked her thumb I wondered if that were normal. My other children either did not suck their thumbs at all or not past a year old. I envisioned my preschooler in Thumb Suckers Anonymous introducing herself as “Hi, I’m Kara and I suck my thumb.” The time has come to admit that my child is a thumb addict. There are days … Continue reading →

Patience is Having an Alternative

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As parents, we are challenged daily and hourly to be patient. We may be challenged more than once a minute, in fact. It is hard to be patient and I don’t like it much. I would much prefer to do what I want to do. However, doing what I want to do is called my pre-child life, and I don’t think that I’m going to get that back any time soon. Having a child involves patience. If you want to do to the store, you need to dress someone or two or three. You need to get them out of … Continue reading →

Preschoolers and “Sleep Unders”

My preschooler recently got an invitation to her fist sleepover. She was thrilled. Mommy, not so much. Initially I had reservations (my main concern was driving across town to pick up my daughter at 1 a.m. when she decided that she missed sleeping in her own bed), but after a few discussions with the host parents, I RSVPed “yes” and now whole-heartedly share my daughter’s excitement for this childhood rite of passage. Well, kind of. I was fine with the idea until I started blabbing about my decision. Apparently, there’s a huge number of parents who have strict no sleepover … Continue reading →

Rainy Day Fun for Preschoolers

Summer is the ideal time to let your preschooler soak up the sun’s warm rays outside, but not everyday can be spent in the pool or at the park. Summer storms are as much a part of the season as fiery hot temperatures, but you don’t have to let the rain dampen your child’s day. Rather, stay inside and participate in these fun activities specially designed for curious preschoolers: INDOOR PICNIC Materials: Picnic basket filled with picnic items such as ketchup, mustard, plastic utensils, paper plates, napkins, blanket, your favorite food items, etc. Empty ketchup and mustard bottles Yellow and … Continue reading →

Driven to Distraction: Behind the Wheel with a Preschooler

How many times have you had to use one hand to break up a fight in the backseat between your squabbling kids while using the other to maneuver your moving vehicle through traffic? You aren’t alone. According to a new study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, such multitasking is a prevalent problem on America’s roadways. In fact, the study is making headlines around the nation because part of its results were not fully disclosed—-namely the stats on kids being a major distraction in moving vehicles (especially if you are breastfeeding one while behind the wheel). Despite the … Continue reading →

Super Summer Fun for Preschoolers

Summer is a great opportunity for you to spend quality time with your kids. Try not to lose sight of this as you are dashing from one scheduled activity to the next. Childhood experts recommend that parents of preschoolers make sure their child gets adequate down time during the summer months to just have fun. The next time you are looking for ways to keep your kids entertained on a warm summer day, consider the following activities: SHARK ATTACK Place hula-hoops or large beach towels on the ground to serve as dens for the “fish.” Pick one child to be … Continue reading →

Do YOU Cut Your Preschooler’s Hair?

Yesterday I took my preschooler to get her hair cut. (Ugh!) Unfortunately, when we arrived at the salon the female stylist who usually trims my daughter’s locks was sick and we were shuffled off to another “hair technician.” (Double UGH!) My daughter has always loathed getting her hair cut. She freaks out when the tiniest bit of hair comes into contact with her eyes, nose or mouth. Needless to say, the person who has the unenviable task of trimming her mane is often met with a squiggly, wiggly, contorting tot, who starts asking, “Are we done yet?” before the first … Continue reading →

Parents of Preschoolers Outraged Over Nude Figures

Get this: In Florida, where nude beaches are a dime a dozen, a sculpture of a naked family outside a shopping center west of Delray Beach is causing quite a stir… especially among parents with young children. The brouhaha, which was started by mom of a preschooler, has escalated into a full-blown community-dividing controversy. According to reports, the mom was offended by the bronze statutes, which depict a family in the buff (though the statues’ genitalia is by no means the most striking aspect of the piece). The mom says she was forced to shield her preschooler’s eyes while walking … Continue reading →

Do You Attend Parties with Your Preschooler?

Unless my name is on the invitation I typically don’t make a habit of hanging out at other people’s birthday parties. But what happens if the party invite is addressed to your preschooler? Are parents required—or should I say, welcome—to attend to? Since the bulk of my preschooler’s party invites have been for children (and subsequently, parents) that I know very well, I usually do one of two things: Ask if the birthday child’s parent(s) needs help during the festivities and stay OR Drop off my daughter and hightail it home to see how much I can accomplished in three … Continue reading →