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Monday, April 1, 2013

10 Tips for Dad & Baby Bonding

Caring for an infant happens consistently throughout each day: constant feeding, changing clothing and diapers, and other basic things. The father's role has been portrayed to be less involved in the first few months of the baby's life, but this is should not be the case! I find it is extremely important that a father bonds to his new baby from day one and is involved as much as possible. 

 The Unperfect Mummy blog tells us of 10 things father's can do to bond with their baby! 

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1. Bath baby: Even though it's about 10 minutes, this time can be special for you both. Also, showering with your baby can be a great opportunity to be close. 


2. Wear baby in a sling: If you're reading a book or doing the dishes, do it with your baby! 


3. Skin to skin: Having contact with your baby skin to skin has many benefits. From this article it tells us of the benefits:  

  • Baby becomes more familiar with you
  • Provides a sense of security
  • From research it has shown physical, mental and emotional long-term health benefits
  • Promotes growth and weight gain
  • Improves sleeping

4. Eye contact: Is very important and is often an overlooked part of bonding. As adults, when we are not being looked at during conversation we assume we aren't being listened to, babies pick up on this too. Babies love when dad and mom stare into their eyes.


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5. Read to your baby: By doing so you are communicating to your baby through eye contact and sound. Babies are usually very soothed by their father's low-tone voice. 

6. Give your baby a massage: Touch is the first form of communication that a baby expresses. Naturally, your infant will feel loved, safe and secure when you touch her back. Infant Massage is a great opportunity to demonstrate love to your sweet baby. Go here to learn about benefits of infant massage.

7. Settle baby to sleep: Some babies just need a feeding to fall sound asleep, but for some it requires rocking, swaying, or being bounced. If you have a baby like this hand them over to dad after the feeding. It's reassuring that your baby will settle down for both mom and dad.

8. Go for a walk with baby: By going outside, whether around the yard or in the neighborhood it's great for getting a breath of fresh air and exploring the world. You're baby will respond more to their world as they become older. 

9. Basic care for your baby: By changing baby's clothes, bathing them, or putting them in the car seat provides opportunities for dad to talk and use eye contact.

10. Cuddle with mom and baby when it's feeding time: Breastfeeding isn't an excuse for dad to be an outcast, but rather an opportunity for mom, dad and baby to bond and be together!     
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Friday, March 29, 2013

Book Review: The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by Du Bose Heyward

"Reading to your child helps them become ready to start and stay in school. The fun doesn't have to stop when the reading is done! There are many skills that come can be initiated from reading a book. To build upon these skills, use activities to reinforce the learning."
Age: 4+

Written in 1939, the story illustrates of a young lady bunny whose dream is to become one of the five Easter bunnies. Her dream slowly disappears after marriage and having 21 children. In the end, it's her skills in successfully raising those children that allow her to reach the desirable position. The story, which teaches that kindness and wisdom can trump size and strength lends itself well to many activities!

Art Activity: There are many creative activities to go along with this story, such as when a sick little boy gets the prettiest Easter egg, which "glitters like a diamond." Decorate elaborate Easter eggs on card stock using paint, glitter, sequins, ribbons, stickers, fabric scraps, etc. Or make a paper chain of 21 bunnies and decorate their tails with cotton balls.

Bunny templates:   Link1    Link2

Story Skills: Ask your kids why the mother bunny is given the gold shoes. Point out that the grandfather bunny doesn't say why he chose her, but you know anyway because of what happened in the story. Then ask the kids what the magical property of the gold shoes is. Point out that the author shows the reader instead of telling what the gold shoes do. Have your kids find other instances in the story where the author shows rather than tells.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Spring-Easter Party Printable's


fifth & hazel has designed and shared a beautiful variety of crafty easter things for a party ! Links below to all of her Easter downloads. Take advantage of this, you're kids will absolutely love it!

Easter Egg Garland

2. Big & Small Eggs- as garlands, activities, egg toppers etc.




Enjoy these free printables and party hard! Hoppy Easter! 

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Add Creativity to your Easter Eggs!

This past weekend I had a blast decorating Easter eggs with my niece! I discovered that kool-aid is a great substitute for color dye. We had fun decorating with glitter glue, sequins, pom poms, crayons and craft spray paint. It made our Easter eggs look extra awesome! Below are pictures and links to connect you to free tutorials/instructions of unique, easy and creative ideas on how to embellish your Easter eggs this year!




1. Polka Dot Glitter Eggs  http://bit.ly/VwcXAn
2. Permanent-Marker Doodled Eggs  http://bit.ly/11HW6PA

3. Flower Sticker Easter Eggs  http://bit.ly/XEseNp

4. Yarn-Wrapped Easter Eggs  http://bit.ly/HIdMxt
5. Button-Decorated Easter Eggs  http://bit.ly/YCBwNb  
6. Pretty Taped Eggs  http://bit.ly/11HZpGw 
7. Sprinkled Eggs  http://bit.ly/Yto6TG
8. Chenille-Stem Egg Bunnie  http://bit.ly/16fB21R  
9. Sticker Eggs   http://bit.ly/YRX30g