Buy Target Brand Formula to Save Four Moolah!

Ok first off let’s say one Moolah equals $2.50 ( or as in the title of this post 4 Moolah would equal $10.00), and everyone know that moolah is slang for money, right?? Anyway, one afternoon on our many visits to Target, I saw that Target was now carrying their own branded Baby Formula I think called Healthy Baby . We had been leery in the past (with our toddler son, “Boo”) on buying lower priced formula thinking that it was inferior to the major brands.

Well Target Healthy Baby ranks the same (in our research) as Enfamil Lipil and guess what!?!? At almost half the cost!!! (Dads…listen up, that is like half the money needed for the next case of beer!) When I compared the nutrition labels on the backs of Target Healthy Baby and Enfimil Lipil, the results were the same! It was great. we’re now paying $11-12 for a 25.9 can of formula!!

I would suggest if you’re just starting your infant on formula that you give Healthy Baby a shot! You can use the $10 savings to buy diapers, wipes, food, or whatever!

Co-sleeping with your toddler? Good Choice or Not So Good Choice?

Do you worry that if you co-sleep with your toddler that they may become too attached and will affect your marital relationship? Many parents who co-sleep with their infants has such worries and also worry about keeping them in a family bed too long. Many families continue to co-sleep with their older children, who grow up to become healthy and well adjusted. Just as with infants, co-sleeping makes a child feel safe and loved. The real question should not be whether or not co-sleeping is a good idea, but rather whether or not it is a good idea for your family. Here are some of the pros for co-sleeping and ideas for setting some guidelines. Ultimately, it will be up to you as a parent to make this decision and what guidelines to set.

Read full article…

Why Do Kids Have Tantrums?

You’re witnessing your toddler’s second temper tantrum of the day. It shows no signs of stopping, and the supersonic, ear-shattering, teeth-jarring screams pierce the air. Your first instinct is to run away and join the circus, but of course this isn’t a real option. There must be a better way.

Temper tantrums range from whining and crying to screaming, kicking, hitting, and breath holding. They’re equally common in boys and girls and usually occur from age 1 to age 3. Some children may experience regular tantrums, whereas for other children, tantrums may be few and far between. Children’s temperaments vary dramatically – some kids are more prone to tantrums than others.

During the kicking-and-screaming chaos of the moment, tantrums can be downright frustrating. But instead of looking at them as catastrophes, treat tantrums as opportunities for education.

>> Read More on KidsHealth.org

Suggestions for Screaming Toddlers that Won’t Stop!

Ever have one of those nights when your child just screams the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over….if you read all of those “and over and overs” I’m guessing the answer is YES!

Anyway, I searched online for some quick ideas and hopefully answers to a peaceful evening in our house! Here are some suggestions from posts on BabyCenter.com

My son is nearly 2 and screams when he is frustrated. I tell him that I can’t help him until he stops screaming. Then I ask him what he wants and offer some choices. If that doesn’t work, I take him out onto the porch for a few minutes, hold him and tell him that we can’t go back into the house until he’s done screaming. This is surprisingly effective in the winter.”
— Melissa

“Make sure you give rewards too! Kids respond to positive reinforcement more than negative reinforcement. Help your child set a goal to work on his screaming. Every time he screams when inappropriate, mark it on a calendar. Count up the marks and try to get them lower and lower each week. The most important thing in goal setting is having a reward at the end, such as a trip to a favorite restaurant when he improves, or a new toy. Give him something to work for rather than just working for not being in time-out.”
— Anonymous

“When my son screams, I take him out of the room to his timeout spot and tell him he’s in timeout because screaming is not allowed in my house. (By the way, timeouts take time and commitment to work. For a while, my son would get up to play and we’d have a battle of wills for up to 30 minutes, but once he learned I was serious — no more battles. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to get him to stay, even if it means missing out on something you want to do.) After three minutes, he can repeat his request in a speaking or whisper voice. That doesn’t mean he’ll get his way, but it does give him the chance to be heard.