• Last updated 11/2/12 by Cynthia Mosher

For many mothers, these words bring a mixture of joy and dread.  Joy at the thought of a chance to sit down and rest, or possibly to do things they otherwise couldn’t do with little ones around.  At the same time, many mothers dread bedtime because everyone seems so irritable and fussy at bedtime, yet somehow resistant to the whole idea of going to bed.  For some families, bed time is a battleground. Every family does bed time differently, and indeed some families don’t have a bed time at all for their children.  We’re all different. At the... read more

• Last updated 11/2/12 by Melanie Mayo

One of my daughter’s favorite books is Guess How Much I Love You, by Sam McBratney. She loves playing along with little Nutbrown Hare as he stretches his arms out wide and proclaims his love for big Nutbrown Hare. It’s such a sweet story, and those last two pages are the best: “I love you right up to the moon – and back.” Recently, she’s learned how to sign I LOVE… ”Mama”, “Dada” or whomever it is that she’s expressing her affection for. It’s the sweetest thing to not only hear, but to see her sign the sentiment. And following the lead of little... read more

• Last updated 10/22/12 by Melanie Mayo

  KJ Dell'Antonia Issue 131, July/August 2005 It's a perfect summer afternoon, and our backyard is filled with naked, dirty toddlers. Some, more reserved (including my own), have chosen to cover their clothes rather than their bodies with flour, paint, mud, and egg salad. All seem delighted—from naked Duncan, who's just dumped a bowl of flour onto his penis, to shy Ian, fully clothed right up to his hat and watching in wonder. The adults relax in lawn chairs. A nursing mom gathers a small crowd anxious to touch. Sam aims the hose at the feet of another mother,... read more

• Last updated 10/18/12 by emilyfrischmann

By Catherine McKenzie Issue 136 - May/June 2006 "You know, you’re the only mother here who doesn’t carry her baby in a car seat," commented the receptionist at my midwife’s office. My daughter was several weeks old at the time, and I’d left her seat in the car, mainly because I didn’t feel like lugging it up the stairs to the clinic. I looked around the waiting room and realized that we were the odd ones out. It seemed true wherever we went. At the library, the shopping mall, the drop-in center for parents, the babies were all in infant seats—parked next to... read more

• Last updated 11/15/12 by Melanie Mayo

 Did you know the majority of parents are using their carseats incorrectly?  Did you know car accidents are a top cause of death in children?  Did you know the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents keep their child’s carseat rear-facing for at least 2 years? I didn’t know most of this info when I first had my son, but I have learned a lot since then, so I’ve compiled some general information here.  All pictures are used with permission, & please follow the purple links for further information! My son, 3, riding happily with his... read more

• Last updated 1/15/13 by Cynthia Mosher

If you are spending prolonged time with your toddler, chances are you have to tend to some other obligations during your time together. Here are three tips for getting ANYTHING done with your toddler in the mix… a) Set your child up with a “work-station” to engage in the same activity that you are tending to: pen/paper, flour/measuring cup, rake/leaves, etc., depending on your project. b) Set your child up with a “play-station” near you with her own activities while you continue your task: a blanket with soft toys, a safe mirror, healthy snack,... read more

• Last updated 1/15/13 by Cynthia Mosher

Girls Hi Friends, A mother wrote into Mothering.com’s Ask An Expert about losing her patience by the day’s end and struggling to tend to both children’s needs. Here is the answer: * My godmother loves to tell me the story about her mother, walking down the sidewalk with her three children under six-years old who were pulling on her, whining, competing with each other, tired, and hungry and as she passed an elderly lady sitting on her porch the neighbor called, “these are the best days of your life.” I have so much compassion... read more

• Last updated 1/15/13 by Cynthia Mosher

A mother wrote in to Mothering.com’s Ask An Expert with an 16-month old son who is biting her, screaming, not listening, hitting, and intimidating his cousin.  My reply: Baby Mine Letter: I certainly understand the frustration you are experiencing with some of you son’s recent behaviors. Emerging from a blissed-out infant stage into an unruly toddler stage can be downright shocking, especially, for an attachment-parenting momma. The first L.O.V.E. Parenting exercise I would recommend is to write a letter to “Baby X.” Write about your experience with him in... read more

• Last updated 1/26/13 by Cynthia Mosher

Some days it's hard to be three! My client’s husband was out of town and her friend, Marie, offered to come by with dinner to hang out. Their plans were thwarted by an unruly three-year old with a different agenda. As Marie left, my client felt embarrassment and shame threaten to overtake her. L.O.V.E. Parenting takes out the toolkit and offers: 1. Was it a good plan: Having the girlfriend arrive at 6:30pm to socialize with the mom when her husband was out of town and she has a 3-year old and a 6-month old? Set yourself up for success.... read more

• Last updated 3/22/11 by Jennifer Margulis

“Want to take a bath?” I suggested to the baby, who’s 16 months old now. She rushed into the bathroom shrugging out of one sleeve of her red shirt. “Psss! Psss!” The baby said a few minutes later, submerging a bowl to fill it with bath water. “Psss” is the noise the baby makes when she has a wet diaper or needs to go pee. But she sometimes cries wolf, signaling she needs to go but refusing to pause in her play long enough to use the potty. Plus, I was busy writing in our family journal. When I finally looked up, Leone was still saying, “psss,” almost singing the sound... read more