Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
There are many personal care products that are geared toward children specifically and that fill up cabinets and bathroom sinks in every household. As a parent, it's easy to be sucked into believing that if a product says it's safe for children that it is in fact safe. With the lack of regulations and little oversight of cosmetic companies, you may be surprised to find out what is and is not safe for your children.
Every evening when your son comes home, the peace is swept out of the house. Arguments over homework can leave parents and teens alike feeling exhausted and angry. Parents may need to adjust their tactics when it comes to getting a teenage boy to crack open the books. Advice from your son's teachers may also be helpful when it comes to helping him do his best.
Babies are adorable, but the slobber they leave behind is far less cute. Understanding why babies drool can help you better appreciate what your little one is going through, but in most cases there isn't much you can do about it. Keep in mind that drooling is just a phase, one that will soon be replaced by a new phase of chewing and chomping.
Some mothers can expect a bigger bundle of joy than expected when the big day arrives. In a singleton birth, the average newborn weighs between 5.5 and 9 pounds. Mothers expecting larger than average babies may have to undergo a cesarean section to reduce the risk of other medical complications.
Few things are as irritating to parents as having a teenage son with a negative attitude. It affects his school work, your home life and his outlook on life and it is simply frustrating. Everything you say and everything you ask is met with a negative expression, maybe even rolling eyes and a definite distaste. You are not alone. Many parents with teenage sons wonder how to change this negative attitude to result in more pleasant, positive kids.
The adolescent years are notoriously difficult for almost everyone. For a gifted teen, these years can be even more challenging. Many gifted teens are perfectionists and more sensitive and self-aware than their peers, so they might experience more ups and downs if they aren't supported or feel that they aren't living up to their full potential. Being an involved, understanding and educated parent is crucial for helping your gifted teen navigate the rough waters of adolescence.
Creating a baby playroom is a lot different from creating a regular baby nursery. Create a baby playroom with help from a former family case worker for CPS in this free video clip.
Making strained carrots for babies isn't something you should let stress you out. Find out how to make strained carrots for babies with help from a family case worker and parenting coach in this free video clip.
Girlsense is an online virtual boutique that allows you to create custom avatars in your own image, the image of a friend or something entirely new. Making a baby figure on Girlsense is as easy as logging in and selecting the right options. Signing up for Girlsense is free and allows you to connect with your friends socially and play games online. Girlsense also lets you post your information and avatars to Facebook so you can share more easily with others.
Kids tend to naturally gravitate towards certain types of Italian calzones. Find out about calzones that kids love with help from a chef in this free video clip.
Babies and young children have soft, sensitive skin, and some skin care products can irritate their delicate skin. You can make toiletry items for your baby in your kitchen with inexpensive, natural and easy-to-use ingredients. Contact your local health store for some of the ingredients you need if you lack sufficient knowledge about harvesting wild herbs. Alternatively, you can grow many of the herbs yourself.
Green vegetables contain essential vitamins and minerals your little one needs for proper growth and development. Because green vegetables are not as sweet as fruit purees, your baby may not be as enthusiastic about eating them. You can encourage your little one to love green vegetables with a few tips and techniques at meal times. Your baby might need to try a green vegetable 15 or more times before she decides that she wants to eat them. Keep offering them, and your baby will likely learn to love green vegetables.
Creating a cohesive and attractive room design takes time and money, but when it is a teen boy’s room, the rules can be bent to better suit his ever-changing style. The use of color and imagery is important for even a novice-painter or crafter to make a bold artistic statement. When you make art yourself out of inexpensive paint, wood or found imagery, you can stay within your budget while providing an inspiring space for a male youth.
Seeing a young boy's eyes light up when he opens a present you've given him is rewarding, but finding just the right gift isn't always easy. Every young elementary-aged boy is different, so consider the interests of the particular boy you are buying for. Consider whether he likes movement and action, or enjoys solving puzzles or building things. If you don't know the young recipient very well, ask the boy or his parents about his preferences.
Not every craft has to be endlessly complicated with a detailed instruction manual. Find out about easy crafts and gifts that kids can make with help from an author, magazine editor and lifestyle expert in this free video clip.
Ruffled, frilly and made of chiffon, pettiskirts are ideal for baby’s first pictures, holidays and special events. They are bouncy and fun to wear, and perfect for a mother who wants to introduce her baby girl to the joy and pride of dressing up.
Knit a pair of booties out of a soft yarn to warm the feet of the new baby in your life. The whole project only takes about half a skein of yarn and the result is worthy of heirloom status. You can knit a pair in a baby yarn on size 3/4 needles for 2-inch-long newborn-size booties or switch to worsted-weight yarn and size 6/7 needles to make 3-inch-long booties for a slightly older baby.
Kimonos, a traditional Japanese clothing item, are wrapped around the body and tied closed. They are a comfortable clothing item for a baby because they can be removed without pulling clothing over the baby's head. The kimono is also versatile as you can use a variety of lengths, patterns and fabric types to add variety to your baby's wardrobe.
Fuzzy baby booties not only look adorable, but are secure on baby's feet, as well as warm and cozy. Booties can be created by sewing with a fuzzy fleece, knitting or crocheting. Crochet patterns abound for booties. The fuzziness comes from the yarn choice, so choose your favorite crochet pattern. You may wish to stick with a simple pattern as fuzzy yarn tends to be bulky. Yarns valued for their fuzzy texture include mohair, wool “eyelash” yarn or chenille. Booties are an easy crochet project for a beginner.
Accessorizing can begin at a young age, with baby girls sporting headbands and barrette clips in a variety of designs. Hair accessories for babies can be simple or eye-catching, with small bows or vibrantly colored flowers. Creating homemade baby headbands and barrette clips are simple crafts that can be completed using ready-made or recycled materials. They can be customized for special occasions or everyday wear.
If you've been practicing elimination communication with your baby and helping him use the potty since birth, you may find yourself faced with an unusual problem: finding baby underwear. Although you can buy underwear for young babies, it's much more expensive than toddler underwear. And even though many families who practice elimination communication find it helpful to use diapers as a back-up until their babies are older, you may enjoy the greater awareness that comes from having your baby in underwear. If that's the case, the most cost-effective solution is to make your own baby underwear.
Baby legs, or baby leg warmers, are a useful addition to your baby's wardrobe. They keep your baby's legs warm and protect his knees while crawling, but they also make diaper changes fast and easy. Since they are stretchy, they will continue to fit into the toddler years, when they combine with a long T-shirt to make a perfect potty training outfit. By starting with a pair of tube socks, you can make your own baby legs with very little sewing.
The basics for any bedroom remain the same, but teens want privacy and personalization. Keep a teen boy's interests and activities in mind when designing a new room. If you're unwilling or unable to make major changes, for instance, if you live in a rental or have a limited budget, add personal touches that don't require permission from the owner or a lot of wherewithal. Use your teen's favorite colors on accessories or display objects that have significance to him.
Baby rompers are versatile, comfortable outfits perfect for babies learning how to walk and crawl. Rompers allow babies to move around freely and yet still provide a cute, one-piece covering for diapers. While rompers are available at a variety of baby clothing stores, you can save some money and make a romper out of material that you especially enjoy or think your child looks good in. Once you master the technique, you can pick out fabric and make rompers for friends and family members.
Get creative with your kids to make a homemade headboard that suits the design of their bedroom. Create custom artistic designs with paint, fabric and tiles to fit the age and design preferences of your child. By using materials typically reserved for your backyard landscape, you can add a charming accent to your kid’s room.
If you know the basics of how to knit, knitting with four needles is not difficult and enables you to knit baby booties, socks and mittens without inside seams. These baby booties knit up quickly and feature sweetly gathered ribbon closures. The booties will be sure to charm a new mom when presented as a thoughtful handmade baby shower gift. A matching set of knitted no-thumb baby mittens is made with the same four-needle technique.
Baby block letters are great for decorating a nursery or as a toy for the baby once he gets older. Make your own blocks instead of purchasing them; not only can it be cheaper, but you can be sure to get all the letters you need. Spell out the baby's name in the nursery as a decoration; this may require more than one of some letters. This craft project can be completed in a day with very little money put out.
Hooded towels are something that nearly every mother-to-be has on her wish list or shower registry. With just a little bit of sewing skill, you can make adorable baby animal towels that will be the hit of every baby shower. These towels can be used from birth to age 5 or 6, and can be personalized or made to feature nearly any animal. Start with high quality, fluffy towels and make a unique gift that every mother and baby will enjoy for years.
Whether it is Christmas, a birthday, some other special occasion or no occasion at all, receiving a gift from a grandchild is one of those moments in life that are to be cherished. Although it doesn’t really matter what the gift is, when it’s handmade, it makes it even more special.
Transform a tiny pair of baby socks into adorable ribbon or lace ruffled socks for a fashion accessory to pair with a special dress. The ruffles are simple to make and attach to the socks, and the project requires very little sewing experience — just a basic knowledge of beginner stitches. Turn an ordinary baby gift into a customized offering by adding the ruffles to the baby socks for a new mother and make a few extra in larger sizes for the baby to wear as she grows.
A coaster for a baby would be a small mat or doily to protect the baby’s furniture when you put down a bottle or other items. To liven up a baby’s room, instead of using a plain cork coaster, knit one using a delicate pattern and soft pastel yarn. Any baby blanket pattern stitch can be used for a coaster. The size should be roughly 4 inches square, or a rectangle that is 4 by 6 inches, if desired.
A baby shower is a time for joy in celebrating a new life. Decorations for a baby shower normally also demonstrate a joyful atmosphere. Yet, on a limited budget, it can be difficult to decide between spending money on decorations or on gifts. A baby carriage centerpiece using a wicker basket offers a solution to this dilemma. While the baby carriage is a decoration in itself, it also contains hidden gifts. Make your own wicker basket baby carriage center piece for your next wedding shower to avoid wasting money on throw-away decorations.
Plaster of Paris, which is essentially all-purpose baking flour, works very well for making small molds or castings of children’s feet. Once dry, you can have your children paint the castings to add a decorative touch to the footprint. This also works well with hand prints. It only takes a few minutes to mix up a batch of flour for a mold.
Leather baby moccasins and other soft sole shoes are recommended by podiatrists and pediatricians because of the way they allow freedom for foot movement and growth. Toddlers who use the shoes benefit because they build foot and ankle muscles naturally without having to conform to rigid shoes. Make leather baby moccasins using soft leather scraps and a pattern you can download online.
Creating a collage of baby photos is a timeless way for parents to preserve memories of their child. A collage is also a gift that anyone can make by using their own creativity. The most important part of making a collage is choosing the right photos and arranging them to showcase the individuality and beauty of the subject matter.
Every new mom gets plenty of baby clothes for shower gifts. However, there is usually something missing from the outfits. Fleece baby booties will keep tiny toes warm and add a personal detail to any outfit. Babies have extremely limited circulation to their extremities, creating a chill in their hands and feet. Make a pair of fleece baby booties for a shower gift, a last-minute gift or for your own little one in about 20 minutes.
A tiny necktie is a cute addition to a baby boy’s outfit for church services, holidays, family portraits and more. However, neckties for babies are sometimes hard to find and often expensive. You can make your own even if you aren’t experienced in sewing. Because the baby’s necktie is made from an adult-size necktie, you could have matching ties for father and son.
A tutu can transform your baby to look like a little princess or a ballerina star. Although you don't need a special occasion to dress up your baby in a tutu, a tutu can be worn for a photography shoot or a birthday party, or added on to complete a Halloween costume. You don't need to be extremely crafty to create a tutu that perfectly fits your baby and dazzles with personal touches. All you need are a few inexpensive supplies.
A baby shower is a party given in honor of an expectant mother to celebrate the impending birth of a child. The term “shower” refers to showering the expectant mother with gifts, generally for the baby, but in some cases for the parents as well. When purchasing a gift for a baby shower, choose a gift that is cute, but also useful for the parents and child.
Ribbon bookmarks are an easy craft requiring few supplies, little expertise and endless creativity. Reuse old ribbon scraps that would otherwise be tossed or buy new ribbon. Choose from a variety of widths, colors, textures and designs to make a bookmark as unique as the child it's made for. Pick a theme incorporating the child's favorite sport, animal or other interests. Make a ribbon bookmark with a child as a special project, add it to the top of a wrapped gift or give it with a book.
Handmade keepsakes provide memories of your baby's growth process. Capturing a baby's handprint in dough or clay is one way to preserve memories of his early years. Rather than use a commercially bought clay made of unknown materials, you can make your own baby-safe salt dough with common household ingredients. It's completely safe for the baby to pat and play with as well. If you poke a hole or two near the top of the clay after acquiring a handprint, the clay piece can be turned into an ornament or wall hanging to display.
Whether you are planning a baby shower or looking for a fun, unique idea to welcome a mother and baby home from the hospital, a baby door wreath is a special idea. You can customize the wreath to the sex of the baby, add the name of the baby, and even add unique touches to showcase the mother and father's favorite things. Once you make one baby wreath, you will be ready to make baby wreaths for all the special arrivals in your life.
One common way that parents make keepsakes of their babies is by creating a plaster imprint of their baby’s footprints. The most common item people use for this is plaster of Paris. Plaster of Paris is a powdery substance you must mix with water. It dries relatively quickly, so it is important to do this activity quickly.
Baby hairbands are a great way to accessorize your baby's wardrobe. Hairbands are readily available on the market, but making your own gives you the opportunity to personalize it for your baby. You can proudly show everyone your creative work of art as well as keep it as a family heirloom. Making baby hairbands is a craft that can be done in a matter of minutes if you have the required tools and the right technique.
Arceus is a legendary multitype Pokemon found in Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold and SoulSilver. It changes its Pokemon type (fire, grass, ghost etc) by holding a different tablet. Arceus is part of the "no egg group" Pokemon and is unable to breed normally. To make a baby Arceus, you will need to have the DSi Action Replay Max.
Give a handmade baby-sock topiary and you're sure to have one of the most unique gifts at the party. Baby-sock topiary arrangements resemble floral arrangements, but they are assembled using baby socks. Use different colored socks to create bright arrangements, or choose colors that represent boy or girl babies.
Not much can top the natural cuteness of a baby, but a baby in a lamb costume comes close. Dress your child in soft comfort with a few easily found items. Your baby will be the best dressed lamb in the flock with this no-sew costume.
If you can't wait to capture your bundle of joy on camera, set up a makeshift home studio. Use common household items as props and the couch as a backdrop to give the baby a visually pleasing posture and a comfortable place to rest during the photo session. By making your own props you give the photos a personal touch that reflects your personal style. After choosing the baby's outfit -- or lack of -- start color coordinating blankets, pillows and scarves to use as baby-appropriate photography props.
Children come in all shapes and sizes, and you can make custom-fit suspenders in any color, pattern or style to fit your child. With your choice of fabric and a rudimentary knowledge of a sewing machine, you can make custom suspenders in an afternoon. These suspenders are sure to keep your child's pants up and his undergarments discretely tucked away while he is scooting around the floor, playing kickball or chasing the dog.
An emoticon is a series of letters, numbers or symbols that, when looked at sideways, represent a face. These faces are used in Internet messaging and text messages as shorthand for more lengthy ideas. Typically, these faces depict emotions such as happiness, sadness or anger, but they can also be used to display a particular person, such as a celebrity, or a type of person. You can even make an emoticon that looks like a baby.
