Juno Baby - Giving Babies and Toddlers a Head Start (Home)

Halloween Safety Tips for Your Child

The air is cool, the leaves are turning, and your local supermarket is simply overflowing with tasty treats!  Halloween is just rounding the corner, and promising fun and games for everyone!  Everyone... but you, mom and dad. 

Unfortunately, it's true.   Parent's often find it difficult to truly enjoy the party when danger lurks around every corner, and we're not talking about witches and ghosties here.  It's dark, the streets are over-crowded, nearly everyone has a mask or disguise, and, oh yeah, what was that rule about taking candy from strangers?  It's no wonder that mom and dad are tense!  However, there is still hope for a good time.  Read on to find out how to keep your family safe and still have fun.

Lights out!

While a traditional part of the holiday, being out and about after dark can create many potential hazards for you and your little one.  Tripping on the sidewalk, falling on sharp props, and accidentally walking into traffic are just a few of the dangers you and yours may face.  Be smart, and try a few of these preventative measures to ensure you have NO reason to be afraid of the dark.

• Always wear clothing with reflective markings or tape.  If you can't incorporate it into the costume, then add a small vest or belt that will do the job for you.
• Never cut across yards or driveways.  You might not see a car that doesn't have it's lights on.
• Keep track of the time even in the dark with a watch that lights up.
• Be sure your costume won't drag on the ground.
• Don't go anywhere without a flashlight
• And, of course, walk, don't run.
• Keep to the sidewalks.  Or, if there isn't one, stay on the side of the road that faces traffic.
• When driving around, always mind the traffic signals
• Don't wear a mask if it obstructs your eyesight.  Instead, carry it with you to the door and slip it on before ringing.

Mom and Dad beware!

There are some safety tips you can't expect junior to understand or even remember.  It is important that you, mom or dad, take responsibility for making sure your child's costume is flame retardant, and that they NEVER eat candy before it's inspected.  A good way to keep their little hands out of the candy jar is to feed them dinner before going trick or treating.  Also, always accompany them if you can, and know where they're going when you can't.  And when it comes to strangers, never approach a dark home, avoid visiting neighborhoods you aren't familiar with, and be on the look out for loose pets. 

Do your part.

When giving out candy to the little ones, be sure that your home isn't a hazard in itself. 

• Clear your lawn of obstacles, such as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip people in the dark.
• Put your pets away.  All the fuss, masks, cars, and screaming toddlers could provoke even the most even tempered pat to bite or scratch.
• Try to avoid leaving open flames in your jack-o-lanterns.  Battery powered lights work just as well.
• Help parents keep their children healthy and happy with tasty snacks instead of chocolate and sugar.  They probably have enough of that as it is.  A few good choices are: low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later.
• For the older kids that aren't in any danger of choking, you might try toys instead of treats.  For example, you could give out cool plastic rings, pencils, stickers, erasers, and real or pretend coins.

This blog post was provided by Stephanie Parker – our blog writer extraordinaire!

Divorce - Talking to Your Children

Divorce is a stressful thing for two adults to deal with.  People walk away scarred, angry, and, if they are at all honest with themselves, a little bit lonely.  Between the he said she said, the expensive lawyers, and the bitter friends and families choosing sides, it's easy to see how all of this would then be even more stressful and overwhelming to a toddler.  Such fragile, innocent minds should never have to experience a family, their family, being torn apart.  Unfortunately, divorce affects more than one million children each year.  So what can we do to help? 

First things first
Let hem know it isn't their fault.  It never was their fault, and it never will be.  Simply due to the questioning nature of a child, you may have to go over this with them time and time again.  If that is the case, do it.  Then do it again just to be sure.  In fact, both parents should do it to comfort the child and let him/her know that mom and dad are in agreement on this one.  It isn't their fault, no bones about it.

How to deliver the news   
There is no good way to tell your children about the divorce.  The best thing you can do is keep it simple, short, and reassuring.  For example, you might start by telling them that mom and dad have been having trouble getting along lately, and think it is a good idea to live apart for a while.  Eventually, "a while" will be accepted as permanent.  (unless of course "a while" means you are only separating and in need of counseling)  Let them know that they are still equally loved by each of you, and that you will both be there to take care of them.  After this, just listen.  Hug them, hold them, talk with them, etc.  Just remember to listen more than you speak, and leave your issues with your spouse out of it.  Right now, this is about them.

Dealing with what comes next
One can never know how a little child will react to such a traumatic event in their lives.  Just be ready to be there for them no matter what emotion comes next.  Sometimes a child will act out in anger, by becoming more defiant at home and in preschool.  Sometimes he/she may pull away from both of you.  Be understanding, talk with them frequently, and seek out help if you need to.  Child counselors are trained to deal with situations like these, and may know better how to help your child come to terms and develop a healthy attitude about things.

Regression
Another common response to any trauma, specifically that of divorce or the death of a parent is regression.  Your little one may begin to act much younger than he/she actually is.  This could also be out of anger, an attempt to frustrate you and demand more time and care.  Or, it could be an attempt to make things as they once were.  They may try and change the situation by pretending to be younger.  In their minds, mommy and daddy loved each other when they were just a baby.  Bed wetting, loss of appetite, and sleeplessness may also occur along with this regression.  Stay strong and supportive.  Offer lots of opportunities to talk about it, but know when to back off. 

Keep filling the gaps
Don't allow your child to dwell on the absence of his/her father or mother.  When one parent is away, allow them to spend time with another family member of the same sex.  It isn't a replacement, but the temporary substitution does ease the pain a bit.

Most importantly, keep filling your child with love and support.  Make sure they don't feel responsible or trapped in the middle.  No child should ever feel as if they have to choose one parent or the other.  And although your divorce may be bitter and uncomfortable, when you come together for your child, try to put away your arguments and differences.  This is their time for healing.

This blog post was provided by Stephanie Parker – our blog writer extraordinaire!

Be a Recycling Parent - Teaching Your Children the Importance of the Environment

From the moment our children learn to speak, we teach them manners.  When they enter school, we teach them good study habits.  So why wouldn't we teach our kids to recycle?  The bottom line is that whether you believe the environment is in trouble or not, it can't hurt to conserve and creatively reuse our man-made products.  Why waste when you don't have to?  And even better, it's easy!  There isn't any need to worry your children with environmental statistics, and breaking headlines concerning oil and the safety of animals.  Just let them watch you and learn by example.  Ok.  Ready to give this a shot?  Let's go over a few easy ways to recycle in your everyday life.

4 lbs a day!

The average American creates about 4lbs of garbage each day.  One way to reduce that is to reuse what you can.  If you had your lunch in a ziplock baggie, wash it!  Use it a few more times!  It can't hurt anything, and it saves you a few extra pennies here and there.  And, as we tell our child, those pennies add up pretty fast.

LAF Lines

Did you know there is actually a company that recycles crayons bits?  Well, know you do!  As most parents know, all those little bits of broken wax lying about can make a carpet look rather messy.  But, rather than toss it outside, why not send it off to LAF Lines?  For the price of one envelop and stamp, you can help LAF Lines create brand new crayons from just a little trash on your carpet.  This is a particularly good idea for pre-schools and day care centers because of LAF Lines wonderful 1lb = 1 crazy crayon system.  Yep, for every pound you turn in you receive a new recycled crayon!  Turn in fifty and you could have a whole box set.

Community spirit!

Get together a small group in your community and help each other to recycle and reuse.  Like ex-cerise, recycling often works best with a supporting partner.  If you are new to the neighborhood, this could be a great way to make new friends.  Perhaps there is already a community established that you could join?  You never know until you try.   

Crafts

You would be amazed how creative your kids can be sometimes.  Why not encourage that creativity by challenging them to make something using only bits of trash (clean trash, of course) from your home.  Let the mind wander and help your child come up with something new using only something old! 

Grocery Bagging

Stop to buy one reusable bag, and never worry with plastic or paper again.  You will be amazed at how much less clutter you have after shopping.  Your kids will watch, and soon they will want bags of their own!

This blog post was provided by Stephanie Parker – our blog writer extraordinaire!

 

Hiring a Babysitter - Important Tips on Finding and Using the Right Sitter for Your Child

When you can't remember where (or when) you went on your last date, you know it's time to find a sitter.  Yes, it's scary, but there ARE qualified individuals out there ready and willing to help.  Where are they, and how do you choose?  OK.  Let's go over a few of the basics, shall we?

# 1 Know who you're dealing with.

One of the biggest mistakes when getting a baby sitter is simply not gathering enough information.  While sweet Sally Mae from church might seem like the perfect choice, she may in fact be the most irresponsible teen around.  You simply can't judge a book by it's cover, even if you think the cover looks right for the job.  So instead of walking directly up to someone and proposing that they do a little sitting for you,  you might consider talking to the people around you. 

- Has anyone had Sally sit for them before?  How did she do?

- Is she a good student?  It's a good general rule that a kid that can't stay on top of her studies might not be the best choice to play mommy for the evening. 

- Who does Sally hang around?  Typically, I would say that a person's friends don't necessarily define them, but in this case, it can be a good indicator of maturity and attitude. 

After doing your research, you might ask Sally for a brief babysitting resume or list of references.  Be sure and take advantage of a reference list by calling every number on it.  You never know what stories (good or bad) you might hear. 

# 2 Get organized.

Once you've picked the right sitter, be sure you provide him/her with all the information they will need to take care of your little one, come what may.  This means:
-  a list of important phone numbers
-  allergies
-  medications/doctor's orders
-  house rules
-  a list of foods that might be potential choking hazards to your child
-  and the clear location of things like flashlights and first aid kits

Have an organized, easy to read paper (or packet), already prepared to give to the sitter.  Preparation is key when you won't be there to think on your feet and protect your child from whatever dangers the future holds.

# 3 Be a team player.

Don't leave a huge mess for the sitter to clean.  In general, it is impolite to expect cleaning/cooking service from someone you only hired to watch your children.  If you wanted a maid for the evening, you should have hired one of those as well.  However, in some cases, if discussed before hand, a sitter may be willing to cook and clean for a higher fee.  If not, just be sure the house is in order and something has been pre-prepared for the kids to eat.  If you feel like being especially accommodating, you might offer him/her whatever is in the fridge.  Otherwise, just mention to the sitter that the kid's food is on the table so they won't have to bother searching the fridge or cabinets for something to feed them. 

# 4 Payment   

Never wait until the end of the night to discuss payment.  It isn't likely that your sitter would even come over without discussing this part of the deal first, but there are always exceptions to the rule.  If he/she shyes away from the topic, encourage them to work it out with you before they arrive.  If they are new to this, and unsure of what to charge, feel free to make an offer.  Let them go and think about it (AKA talk to other sitters) and then come back with a "yes", "no", or a "let's talk".

This blog post was provided by Stephanie Parker – our blog writer extraordinaire!

Does Your Baby have a Food Allergy? How to Tell

With babies, it can sometimes be hard to tell.  They crawl on the floor, they put things in their mouths, and they can’t talk to you about what’s wrong!   So how do you know if your baby is allergic to something you are feeding him/her, or if some other strange something is causing that little rash under their chin?  Well, below are a few guidelines on what to look for when determining a food allergy.

      The signs

• itchy mouth and throat
•  rashes
• cramping
• nausea
• vomiting or diarrhea
•  hives
• wheezing
• sneezing
• runny nose
• unusual crying
• rhinitis
• shortness of breath

 

More extreme symptoms can include:

anaphylactic shock (this will involve unconsciousness or stopped breathing and will require IMMEDIATE medical attention.

 

Of course, your child can have one or more of these symptoms (not including anaphylactic shock) and be fine.  He/she may not be experiencing a food allergy of any kind.  The trick is to monitor and mentally log these reaction in your mind, and then compare them to which foods your child ate and when.  Only then will you begin to see a larger picture.  For example, if your baby develops a rash on the days he/she eats carrots, assume there is something potentially wrong with this situation and begin to note whether the rash in the same place, at the same level of severity, and the same color and texture.  Take notes either mentally or physically this time, and bring this to your doctor’s attention at your next visit.

It is also helpful to know the most common allergy inciting foods for infants.  A few of these are milk (soy and cow’s), egg whites, wheat shellfish, and peanuts.  Peanuts specifically often cause the most severe reactions. 

 

Staying ahead of the game.

• Don’t introduce solids until they are at least 6 months of age.
• Take your time when introducing any food, solid or otherwise.  Try it, wait a few days for a reaction, then try again.  Simply forging ahead can create a more severe reaction in the event that your baby does have a food allergy.

Extra precaution

You might wait an additional 2 months before introducing certain allergy prone solids.

• Meat, egg yolk and soy products: 8 months
• Cheese, yogurt, milk, legumes: 9 months
• Egg whites, fish, tomatoes, citrus fruits, strawberries: 1 year
• Chocolate, seafood, honey, peanuts, and all peanut products should be delayed for as long as possible due to extreme allergic reactions from some children.

Also, you need to be aware of your family history.  If Granny Rose nearly died from a peanut allergy, that might be something you want to consider before handing your baby a little peanut butter cup as a special treat.

Always be safe.  Never be sorry.

This blog post was provided by Stephanie Parker – our blog writer extraordinaire!

Baby Shower! Planning - What to do and what NOT to do

Having a baby means a lot of things.  It means prenatal vitamins, lamas classes, eating the right foods, exercising, decorating nurseries, and BABY SHOWERS!  A most time honored tradition, every woman looks forward to her baby shower.  Sisters, girlfriends, moms, aunts, and grandmothers all sitting around “cooing, oohing, and ahhing” over the little toys and tiny clothes.  It can be an expecting girl’s dream come true, or a total nightmare.  Yes, unfortunate as it may be, modern society has a set of rules and standards to go by when throwing a bash of this sort.  And while some of us may be brave enough to say “etiquette-Schmetiquette” and go about our day, others feel the need to play along.  So three cheers to the rule breakers, but the rest of us are going to go over a little Baby Shower Etiquette 101.

Invitations

As hostess, it is your responsibility to (1) pick out the perfect cards, (2) address them properly (and include any necessary info), (3) get them out on time(at least two weeks before the event is suitable), and (4) pick up thank you notes that match while you’re at it!

Make sure you make a list of everyone you want to invite.  If anyone get’s left off, there may be hurt feelings and awkward moments later on.  A good way to ensure everyone is account for is to briefly go over the list with the expectant mother.  Not only is it polite to get her approval on a guest list for a party that is, ultimately, for her, but she will be the one to notice if you have inadvertently omitted a family member or close friend.

And always, always, always try to invite your guests using the actual invitation.  It may seem more convenient to simply pop over to Mrs. Applegrove when you spot her at the market, but it isn’t all that convenient for her.  Now she has had the burden of remembering that tid-bit of information all the way home until she has a pen and paper.  If you must invite someone in person, have their filled out/enveloped invitation in hand.

General Party Planning

Don’t ever expect the expecting to help out with the planning (other than vetoing the guest list, of course).  This is her day to be pampered before the new baby comes along and takes up all of her time and her family’s attention.

Pay attention to detail.  Theme is important, but the activity list and snack food preparation will need to be at the top of your list.  Find out what foods the soon to be mother likes (without having her plan the whole menu), and then fill the rest of the table with generally well-liked traditional party foods.  Cookies, little cakes, chips and dip (depending on the formality of your theme, of course), and other treats are excellent for baby showers.  You might consider a small sheet cake decorated appropriately to grace the center of the table, while also taking care of at least half the menu.

Here a few simple do’s and don’ts for the actual event:

Do set out a few extra chairs.  Uninvited guests should never feel awkward or unwelcome.  A gracious hostess always has room for one or two more, even if she really doesn’t.

Don’t forget to introduce all of your guests to the growing group as they arrive.  Not everyone may know each other.  Depending again on the formality of your theme, it may be acceptable to use name tags.  However, this should really only be used for large parties.  Take time to be personable and learn the names of your guests when you are hostess of a small party.

Don’t force your shy guests to interact or play games if they are uncomfortable.  Though they may be missing out on the fun, it is only your responsibility to make them feel comfortable and unembarrassed.

Do keep the ball rolling with conversation, games, tasteful jokes and stories, etc.  Never rely on your guests to hold up the conversation.  You are the moderator, so get in there and moderate!

Don’t upset the mother with trivial concerns such as food falling on the floor, an unhappy or unsociable guest, etc.  No matter what happens, you must remain calm and smiling.  Keep the mother happy, and the party will be a success.

Thank You Cards

When the party is over, a thank you card is both expected and desired.  It is always nice to thank the guest for their specific gift, but if for some reason it is unclear to you what they brought, then simply thank them for their gift (speaking generically), and then thank them for coming.  You may write a few personal or pleasant words over what a pleasure it was that they attended, or how lovely it was when they stayed to help clean.  For those that attended, but did not bring a gift, simply tell them it was a pleasure having them and you were ever so glad they came.

To ensure that gifts are not misplaced or unaccounted for, you might consider taking a few notes during the party as to who gave what to whom.

You must send the cards within 2 to 3 weeks of the shower.  Waiting too long takes away from the impact and causes the party to feel unresolved.  Many guests may go around telling others they never got a thank you note, and forget to correct their remarks when it arrives 5 weeks or more later.

Again, these formalities aren’t for everyone, but if you are interested in having a traditional baby shower, these tips will guarantee your success as a traditional hostess.

This blog post was provided by Stephanie Parker - our blog writer extraordinaire!

Australia's Next Top Male Model

When we received this photo from one of our wonderful customers down under, we couldn't resist. 

Thank you so much to Tracy T. of McMahons Point in Sydney Australia.  Tracy, we agree with you - those trendy sunglasses compliment Ollie's Murphy T-shirt quite nicely! 

To all of our Juno Baby families, please keep the photos coming!

Teaching Children to Become Music Composers - Juno Baby Article Featured in Suburban Parent Magazine

Recently, Belinda was asked to contribute an article to Suburban Parent Magazine on ways to turn your child into an early music composer.  We have republished the article below.  Enjoy!

Parents don't need to be experts in child development to know that children and music go together like peanut butter and jelly.  We've all seen babies light up and smile, toddlers shake and wiggle, and preschoolers get up and sing to their favorite songs.  But, children can take their natural enthusiasm for music one step further by actively participating and making their very own music, becoming little composers themselves.

Creating original music is not only empowering, it can be a wonderful springboard into a world of creativity promoting self-expression, problem solving, good communication skills, teamwork, and an appreciation for the arts.  As Leonard Bernstein once said, “Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable.”   

Most of the suggestions listed below can be practiced with the Juno Baby cast of characters in any of the Juno Baby DVDs, but the most appropriate DVD would most likely be Juno's Rhythm Adventure.  Here are some suggestions to help your child unleash their inner composer!  We'll add a few more over the coming days...

1. Taking a multi-discipline approach to music

Put on some music and have your child express their reactions through drawings or dance. Ask them to paint what they hear or dance in a way that best reflects the mood of the piece.  Interpreting music through art and dance, areas they are most likely very familiar with already, will help them to become more thoughtful listeners and active participants in the musical experience. 

2. Describing what they're listening to

Is their favorite song fast?  Is it happy or soft?  What types of instruments do they hear and are the sounds low or high?  Deconstructing a piece of music will allow children to have a better understanding about the compositional process and serve to demystify it.

3. Telling a story about a piece of music

Put on a piece of music that does not have words.  Have your child make up their own scenario or story based on the music that they hear.  For example maybe the pizzicato strings are rain drops and the quick flute lines are butterflies flying from leaf to leaf.  Maybe a low tuba sound is a hungry bear in a forest searching for food.  Composition is about telling a story and expressing ideas through sound.

4. Having your child become part of the band

Break out the drums, pots and pans, or hum and sing.  Put on a piece of music your child loves and have them pretend they're on stage performing with the group.  They will feel more directly involved in the music making process.

5. Expressing words through music

Have your child come up with a word and have them express that word through music.  For example, the word "cat" might conjure up a playful rhythm, the sound of a meow, or the quiet of an afternoon nap.  Whether it be on a piano, tambourine, glockenspiel, kazoo, or even a wooden spoon and a pot, allowing children to express their ideas through sound is a wonderful way for them to communicate regardless of their instrumental abilities.

6. Drawing from their own experiences 

Composers find musical inspiration from their own life experiences and interests and so can children.  Maybe your child can hum a tune or create a rhythmic pattern on a drum about what it felt like taking a trip to the zoo or how they felt on their first day of school.   

7. Playing or singing a musical pattern

To start, have your child sing or play a three note musical pattern.  Repeat it back to your child.  Continue with a new musical set, gradually increasing the length of the pattern.  This will help re-enforce and validate your child's musical idea.  You can also reverse this and have them play back or sing your musical pattern which will encourage thoughtful listening.

8. Creating music with others

Sit in a circle with a group of people, each with their own instrument.  One person should lead by playing a brief musical idea alone.  One by one, each person in the circle can add to the piece until everyone is playing simultaneously.  See where this leads and decide how the piece should end.  Encourage each player to listen carefully to everyone and build a composition together in a cooperative way.

9. Developing a short melody

You and your child can take an already existing melody or create your own. Then see how differently you can make that melody sound by changing the rhythm, dynamic, tempo, instrumentation, and/or pitch.  The possibilities are limitless.  What makes composition so interesting is what the composer does with an idea not just the idea itself.

10. Thinking outside the box

Like twentieth century composers, John Cage who believed that music exists everywhere and can be made from anything and Harry Partch, who created his own set of very unique instruments, encourage your child to be a pioneer and to start noticing the sounds and noises around her.  Whether it be barking dogs, honking horns, rustling leaves, or even brushing teeth, sound and music are everywhere.  Have your child become more aware of the patterns, dynamics, rhythms, and melodies that these sounds create and how they are woven together like a symphony. Continue by helping your child come up with untraditional ways to make music like flipping pages in a book, shaking a bean in a can, or zipping a zipper.  These are ways for your child to create music without any training and to start them on the road to becoming little twenty-first century composers.

Free Giveaway Winner for October!

Congratulations to Jennifer D. of Akron, OH!  She was Juno Baby's October winner of our monthly free giveaway contest.  Each month, a new member will be randomly selected and offered a Juno Baby product of their choice. This month, Jennifer chose Way to Go, Juno!  If you'd like to be entered for November, all you have to do is join the club!  By joining, you'll also be the first to know about special offers and receive an instant discount.