Coffee News Dear Born

You know for a fact that your baby can’t use diapers forever and the big step has to come whether you like it or not. There are some children that are not physically or mentally ready for the big switch from nappies to underwear even if kids their age are pretty much potty trained already. What if your child has to be in a day care? I’m pretty sure you are worried especially you can’t be there the whole time even if you want to. The key in making your potty training endeavor successful is consistency and communication. You should discuss this to your care provider at the day care and meet halfway on everything that you both want to achieve. Both of you should have a consistent approach to your child to avoid confusion, in this way you are also helping the child set the environment for a pain-free transition.

If possible, have the same equipment with your provider. They take care of other kids too so don’t expect them to provide every child at the day care with individual potty chairs. They usually use a regular toilet with a potty seat on top. There’s nothing wrong with this and personally, this is what I prefer. This makes the transition period a lot easier because you’re already making the child get used to the idea of a real toilet. Another thing would be debating about diapers, pull-ups and underwear. Each parent does it differently and we prefer different things. Again, be consistent on everything. Talk to your care provider and agree on the same thing. No matter what both of you have agreed on, make sure you use the same thing at home as well. Also, make sure your child wears practical clothing while he is in a day care. Practical means something that can be easily removed by the care provider. Forget about bodysuits and overalls.

What about the rewards and consequences? Note that we don’t use punishment as this will not do your child any good. This is another thing that you have to talk to your provider about. Does your child have to be rewarded every time he uses the potty? Is he rewarded even if he only tries? How are accidents handled? Maybe you can provide some stickers to the day care so they can practice the same habit you do at home. Talk to them about positive reinforcement. Whatever it is that you agreed upon with your care provider, the main thing is to stay consistent all the time and in no time, your child will be potty trained successfully.

You’re tired. You’ve worked hard all week. Suddenly, the kids shout gleefully… “let’s decorate!” … in anticipation of the coming holiday. The “let’s not” is miraculously not permitted to escape your lips. Instead you take a deep breath while you wonder about how this decorating could become an easier and more fun-filled activity.

Well, it can be!

- First, insist on family members pitching in to help and treat this like a family project. This should not just rest on your shoulders to accomplish and it will be much more fun if you all are making changes and creating memories together.

- Next, pick a day and time you’ll all devote no more than one to two hours for a quick holiday makeover at your home (for a major decorating holiday schedule two or three longer blocks of time). It helps if you can set the decorating date about one to two weeks from now, if time still allows for that. This gives you time to gather items together for the project.

- Ask the kids to create one or two new arts and crafts decorations that are suitable to the holiday to have ready for the decorating day. Or, ask them to select ones from among any they may already have on hand, for instance, from school projects.

- Decide on 3 to 4 areas you will focus on decorating this year. Here are some choices: the front door, the front yard, the entry hallway, the kitchen table, the dining room table, the living room, the patio, the bathroom, the bedroom. There are other areas you could consider as well. But if you want quick and dirty, then focus in on only 3 to 4 of the areas for decorating this year. Anyway, you can select other areas next year for a change.

- Keep holiday decorations in separate bags, boxes or baskets in the same closet or in the attic so they’ll be easy for everyone to retrieve when they are needed next.

- Buy items you really love when you see them advertised or they may not be available when you later. It’s common for seasonal merchandise to change from year to year and also they are not stocked year-round typically. So, your item may no longer be available if you wait too long to decide you want it. Then stash your figurines, statues, wall hangings, and other holiday
decorations in your bags or boxes, sorted by holiday.

- Make or buy some snacks or treats to enjoy together at the completion of your decorating time.

Here are some favorite quick and easy decorating areas and tips:

1. The front door- Have a welcome sign that is theme oriented and you can easily change by season or by holiday. You can either hang up a completely new themed sign, or there are some that come with interchangeable pieces you swap in and out representing different holidays or themes.

2. The dining room table or a table that is centrally located but not used that often- Change the table runner or the tablecloth to a holiday themed one. Then showcase your holiday decorations by arranging a combination of your kid’s holiday creations and your own figurines or other holiday decor on the table.

3. The mantel or entertainment center- Add a string of lights and if you wish, you can also vary the string of lights by color best suited for the coming holiday theme. Wall hangings can be changed around this area temporarily as well. Holiday accessories, flags, figurines, etc. are easy to rotate in and to view on or around this area of your home.

4. Special areas by kid’s choice- Smaller children can help by adding little decorations to windows and glass doors. They enjoy taping up their creations or they can easily put up static cling decorations. Other areas small children enjoy decorating include outdoors, the dog house and their own rooms. Allow them to handle this aspect of decorating while you take pleasure in their big smiles and hugs!

Finally, make your decorating time even more enjoyable by having holiday background music or other favorite tunes playing in the background. Then, when you’re done decorating, finish up with a big family hug and munching on tasty snack treats together!