What NOT to Buy Your Child

Since the shopping season is upon us I thought I would take a few minutes to save everyone some money. First off I would avoid all infant/toddler DVDs.  These include Baby Einstein and Your Baby Can Read..  They have very convincing advertisements but the research shows that they do not help your child.  One study even showed toddlers who watched them learned fewer words than toddlers who watched nothing.

Also I would not buy a baby walker.  The ones with wheels are dangerous.  Do you really want to chase your child before they are walking!  The walkers do not help infants walk faster.  Instead the research shows they walk and TALK later if they use a walker.  The ones without wheels are fine (such as an Exersaucer) but they do not help infants learn.  They simply entertain your child while you do the dishes.

As parents we all think our children are advanced for their age but I would urge parents to pay attention to the recommended age range of a toy before buying it.  Toys are usually targeted to a developmental level and children not at that level can become frustrated and not enjoy a toy. Also toys with small pieces are not labeled for young children for safety reasons.

Lastly I would urge parents to pay attention to the ratings of DVDs and video games before you buy them.  There is a reason for T, M and PG-13 ratings.  What may look just like a racing game may have inappropriate language or actions.

So... what to buy?  Books, puzzles, board games are timeless and will get used.  Also building (such as Legos) and craft supplies help a child's creativity.  As my children have gotten older we have given gifts of activities such as tickets to a play.  These have been some of the most popular and memorable gifts in our house.

Happy Black Friday!

Traditions

Kids (and adults!) love routine.  We all like to know what to expect and when it is going to happen.  It is this love for routine that produces family traditions.  These traditions produce great family time and wonderful memories.

The holidays are a great time for family traditions.  Remember to schedule time for them this season.  Your kids are more likely to remember things you do together instead of what toys they got for Christmas.  If you don't have any traditions there is always time to start some.  Try cooking or baking together or have a family game night.

I Love Fruits and Vegetables!

I recently discovered Bountiful Baskets.  I have never been so enthusiastic about fruits and veggies before. Bountiful Baskets  is a food co-op where you get two laundry baskets full of fruits and veggies each week that you participate.   It feels like Christmas to me because it is a complete surprise what you get in your basket.  It has made me try new foods and gives me a challenge to figure out new recipes to use them in.

It's easy and cheap.  On Tuesday or Wednesday you go to their website and place an order.  It is $15 for the 2 laundry baskets (one of fruit and one of veggies).  You select a pick up site and then on Saturday morning you show up at that time and pick them up.  You need to bring bags or your own laundry basket to carry them home in.  There is no commitment so you can participate every week or however often you want.  Give it a try and let me know how it goes.

http://bountifulbaskets.org/