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Breastfeeding Toddlers and Beyond

Sun, 20 May 2012 10:55:44 GMT

By now, you've probably heard more than enough about that TIME magazine cover of the mom breastfeeding her 3-year-old son. I have seen the image, but I haven't read the article since I don't have a subscription to access the online article (and I refuse to give money to a publication that wants to provoke parental anxiety with headlines like "Are You Mom Enough?"). In fact, this new hullabaloo just fuels my desire to tune out the mommy media.

But this controversy raises an important question many moms of toddlers face: Should I continue breastfeeding my child? It's a very personal decision. If you're weighing the choice, be sure you're addressing the questions you need to consider about extended breastfeeding.

Whether you've nursed for four weeks or 4 years, we'd love to hear your advice on successfully nursing or weaning your child. Share them with the community.

Breastfeeding Toddlers and Beyond originally appeared on About.com Babies & Toddlers on Monday, May 14th, 2012 at 23:21:23.

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Why Does My Toddler Strip?

Sun, 20 May 2012 10:55:44 GMT

It might have been funny the first time. But most moms agree that it's really no fun chasing a toddler who likes to strip. One reader writes:
It's a problem in public because, well, have you ever chased a naked 2-year-old through the supermarket? Why is he doing this and how can I stop the madness?

There are several common reasons that young kids begin (and continue) taking off their clothes. Figuring out why your toddler is doing this is the first step to dealing with a toddler who strips.

Why Does My Toddler Strip? originally appeared on About.com Babies & Toddlers on Friday, May 11th, 2012 at 10:41:40.

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6 Toddler-Friendly Crafts for Mothers' Day

Sun, 20 May 2012 10:55:44 GMT

Just having your little wonder around is, I am sure, enough of a gift for any mother, grandmother, godmother, or special "mom" in her life. But a homemade gift from the hands of a toddler is an added bonus more precious than jewels. If you're not sure what type of crafts you can do with a young child, try these Mothers' Day themed projects that use simple materials and a little guidance to allow your little one to create something special.

6 Toddler-Friendly Crafts for Mothers' Day originally appeared on About.com Babies & Toddlers on Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 at 10:40:33.

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Best Places to Be a Mom: U.S. Ranks Number 25

Tue, 08 May 2012 22:33:42 GMT

Oneof my favorite philanthropic organizations, Save the Children, just published its annual report on the State of the World’s Mothers. The report is intended to raise awareness about the need for health care and other means of support which mothers … Continue reading →

One of the Boys

Tue, 08 May 2012 22:36:56 GMT

By Gregory Keer My wife complains about being the lone female in a house of four guys. She bemoans the bathrooms that have been territorially marked by boys with bad aim. She scowls at the criminal lack of fashion sense … Continue reading →

What Dads Need to Know: My Seven-Year Peformance Review

Tue, 08 May 2012 21:51:36 GMT

By Heather Kempskie I've been at this Mom-thing for seven years now. I haven't had a performance review yet. No raise either. I decided to check in with my bosses (7-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter) to see where I stood. … Continue reading →

Family Man Recommends: Quick Picks for May 2012

Tue, 08 May 2012 18:15:08 GMT

Reviewed by Gregory Keer The Mother’s Day edition of FMR: Quick Picks is headed by Potluck, the new album from Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band. This sunshiney follow up to Oh Lucky Day! radiates with warm-hearted songs about … Continue reading →

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - Make Believers

Tue, 08 May 2012 17:06:27 GMT

Reviewed by Gregory Keer To riff off the album title, the latest effort by hip-hop kindie artist Secret Agent 23 Skidoo made a believer out of me. I've heard a bunch of his music and have thought highly of his … Continue reading →

Recycled Crayon Craft for Mothers' Day

Sun, 20 May 2012 10:55:44 GMT

My kids started to love crayons at around 14 months. I remember the moments so well because rather than turning the crayon points to paper and making mommy lovely pictures, each one would sit spray-legged on the floor totally engrossed in peeling the paper off their Crayolas.

Of course, we started my oldest out with the big box of 64, so to say things got messy would be an understatement. We'd be picking bits of paper off the rug and out of her secret hiding spots for hours after one of her "coloring" episodes. Even as someone who's pretty lax about toddler messes, those crayon papers drove me mad. I didn't stop them, though. After all, maybe it built fine motor skills. It certainly kept them happy and independently entertained for amazingly long stretches of time.

The real downside was the question of what we should do with the remains. Not only were the crayons naked in the end, they were usually riddled with nail marks and broken into bits. I kept those sad little pieces in a Tuperware bowl until I found something to do with them. My favorite two projects: make new crayons out of old ones and create crayon window art.

The window art project is the perfect Mothers' Day craft. The heart-shaped piece shown here was created by my oldest son last Mothers' Day for grandma. Needless to say, she loved it.

What are you looking forward to this Mothers' Day? Share your parenting joys with us!

Recycled Crayon Craft for Mothers' Day originally appeared on About.com Babies & Toddlers on Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 at 11:42:38.

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