Thingamakid

Matt and Krystal are parents and they’ve teamed up on a great site for kids named ‘Thingamakid‘.

Thingamakid offers a Kids Club where your kids can find great kids games, activities, card games, coloring sheets and other fun activities. They also offer a Kids Media Room where you and your children can preview cartoons, fun music both for kids and the whole family. While you’re there check into their parent resources section as well.

They’ve put together an easy on the eyes, kid and family-friendly site, that is well worth a visit and bookmarking.

Great site Matt and Krystal!

Poems for Kids

I came across a Poems for Kids site by Milou just as my 5 year old Colin was trying to get my attention with a couple of Matchbox cars. Seeing an opportunity to do something different with him I asked him if he knew what a poem was. He quickly answered “something you read”. I threw in that it was also something that usually had words that rhymed and then asked him if he wanted me to read one to him.

Within a couple of minutes we were deep into the list of poems on the homepage with him comfortably seated on my lap. He really enjoyed the break for romping around the house. Give it a try yourself.

Poems for Children

Make the Perfect Easter Basket for Your Toddler

Browsing online, I saw a toddler Easter basket selling for $65. Since when does a parent have to spend so much money on a basket filled with a stuffed animal, candy and plastic grass for a two-year old? You can spend a lot less and create a basket that’s even better because it’s tailor made just for your child.

Here’s how you make a perfect Easter basket that will not break the bank and make a great impression on your terrific toddler:

1. Start with a basket you already have at home. Don’t buy that Easter basket at the grocery store that you will use once and then pitch into your garage to be lost forever. Can’t find a basket? Look for a small plastic storage bin, decorate a shoebox, or extra plastic wastebasket. Nix the cellophane wrap.

2. Skip the candy and load up on healthier treats instead. Your toddler’s favorite fruits or crackers will do just fine. Or try a new brand of cracker. If your toddler is asking for candy, just include one small chocolate egg or a few peeps. Remember the less your toddler is exposed to candy, the better!

3. Instead of filling plastic eggs with candy, fill them with beans instead. Tape them up with colorful electrical tape and you’ve got a new shaker instrument. You can also fill the eggs with small toys or stickers.

4. Include items you need to buy anyway: a toothbrush with one of your child’s favorite characters, nice socks, new character underwear or pajamas.

5. Great toys to include are inexpensive items like crayons, sidewalk chalk, coloring books, toy cars, stickers, play doh, rubber duckies and other toys for the bath.

6. Celebrate the coming of spring with some outdoor activity toys like a Frisbee, bubbles, or ball.

7. Write them a simple note that says “I love you” or “Happy Easter.” Encourage them to say each letter in your note.

Create your basket with your toddler in mind. Include some of his or her favorite things and you’ll be sure to have a hit! And it will cost you a lot less than $65.

Happy Easter,

Arlene

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Be sure to check out Arlene’s Websites at:

http://www.losingweightafterbaby.com or blog at http://losingweightafterbaby.wordpress.com

How NOT to Discipline Your Child

Granted there may be times you feel like, and perhaps should, hose down an unruly and dangerous teen, there is never a reason to stoop to the level Ms. Ramirez did in Florida when she sprayed her temper tantrum-throwing 2 year old with a high pressure water hose at a car wash.

Here’s an excerpt from the news report on Breitbart:

Authorities have arrested a mother who was videotaped spraying her young daughter with a high-pressure water hose at a Florida car wash. Deputies arrested Niurka Ramirez in Orlando on Friday on a child abuse charge.

Ramirez says she was trying to discipline her 2-year-old daughter for throwing a temper tantrum.

She told authorities she did not use the high-pressure feature on the hose when spraying the child.

Ms. Ramirez was released from jail and the child had no injuries after being “whipped” by the high pressure water spray.

The video below is the local news story and a short clip of the scene showing the mom spraying her daughter.

New Autism Resource for Moms on YouTube

YouTube has a new program for nonprofits and while checking it over the Autism Speaks area within YouTube caught my attention. Autism affects so many kids and families and the new Autism Speaks Channel on YouTube seems like the perfect way to share information with those affected and those who would not otherwise learn much about the disorder.

The 2.5 minute video below is worth watching. They use a combination of wonderful photographs, select facts, and touching song, to give you a clear idea of how pervasive autism has become.