Toddler Tip #3: Staying Warm in the Snow!

It's winter here and we are getting lots of SNOW this year!!  My toddler REALLY loves to play in it, walk through it, and build with it!!  Of course when she is out I want her to be toasty warm!!  The best warm outfit we have found for the snow is her zip up fleece pajamas!! Because it is one piece there is no skin exposure and because it is fleece it's VERY warm.  So for our next (random) toddler tip we would like to suggest fleece pajamas as part of your toddler winter gear!   Of course this is just our first layer, once we add the snow boots, snow pants, coat, hat, gloves, and scarf she is READY! 

Happy Snow Days!!!

Toddler Tip #2 Boo Boo Bag!

Warm Days + Shorts + Cement + Toddler = Skinned Knees

Recently my toddler got her first skinned knee, OUCH!  So today I would like to share with you my next toddler tip, our "Boo Boo Bag."  I keep a bag on handy for small boo boos like skinned knees.  This is what is inside...

1. Soft Baby Wash Cloth
2. Neosporin
3. Band-Aids
4. Stickers
5. Treats (M&Ms and Suckers)

When I taught 2nd grade the health aid provided the teachers with band-aids.  The band-aids were always the plain brown/tan ones.  To make them a bit more exciting and to help ease the pain I let my injured student pick out a sticker to stick on top of the band-aid!  Instant decoration!!  I took my idea and added it to our boo boo bag.  Not only is this cost effective but you can easily change the stickers based on your child's interest.  If you have multiple children then each one could have their favorite character/themed sticker to choose from!

Next I have a small treat in the bag.  A little sugar always seems to make things better (at least for me).  While my toddler is recovering with a hug from mama she can enjoy a small sweet treat too!

I keep all these items in a small first aid bag.  Now I'm ready for summer boo boos!

Toddler Tip #1 Brushing Teeth

You really learn "as you go" but sometimes little tips in life are helpful therefore I'm starting a new series titled, "Toddler Tips."  I will be posting my tips randomly as I learn myself!  

My first toddler tip will be on how we brush our toddler's teeth!  Toddlers can't quite reach the sink yet and having your toddler stand on a stool makes for some wiggles!  So, we brush our toddler's teeth at the kitchen table (while she is in her booster seat).

I simply keep a cup with a tooth brush inside (see above) in our kitchen (easily accesable and works great for a daily reminder).  I fill the cup with a bit of water and sit next to my toddler.  I get to brush her teeth first then she gets to brush them!  Because of this routine she does a nice job letting me brush them thoroughly then she has the joy of doing it all by herself.

I have tried other methods but so far this has worked the best!  Please take a few minutes to watch this video on brushing teeth (yes it's about brushing, wait until the end).  It's really convicting too! Let me know what you think!  Happy Healthy Toddler Teeth!!