Parenting Tips

- Remember: The manner, tone, and volume you use to correct your kids is the same they will use to "correct" others.

- Don't place your infant too close to your toddler when the toddler is eating. (Unless you want to clean both of them after the meal!)

- Install double-key deadbolts on all entry doors, and keep the key on a hook near the door and out of reach of your toddler. (Unless you don't mind him going out, and mosquitoes coming in.)

- When leaving your children in the care of someone (even if it's your spouse), don't "sneak" out. Tell them goodbye, so that (even if they cry for a while) you are teaching them honest communication skills. This will also prevent them from freaking out when you are simply in another room.

- Check your child's shoe size monthly, to make sure their feet are not outgrowing their shoes. And consider shopping at Payless - they've got good shoes for less than half of what most other "kid's" shoes cost, and usually appear to be of equal or better construction. Toddlers don't care about labels. (more on this subject in the next post)