The Mom Book: 4,278 of Mom Central's Tips...for Moms, from Moms Book

CONTENTS

Introduction

1

CLEAN, CLOTHED, & WELL RESTED

10 Defining Principles

Diapering

The Basics • Keeping Your Squirmer Entertained • Dealing with Diaper Rash • Protection Against Nighttime Leaks • Keeping Diapers on Your Child • Saving Money

Toilet Training

Getting Underway • On the Road • At Night

Clothing

Buying Clothes • Shoes • Pajamas • Making It Easy for Your Toddler to Dress Himself • Ending Clothing Battles • Dressing for School • Patching, Buttons, & Repairs • Outgrown Clothes

Bathing & Grooming

Sponge Bathing Your Newborn • Baby Bath • When Your Child Dislikes Baths • Make Yourself Comfortable & Productive • Get Creative • Splashing • Getting out of the Tub • Summer Bath • Bath Safety • Nails • Hair

Dental Care

Care of Baby Teeth • Teething Relief • Brushing • Flossing

Sleep

Bedtime Routine • Night Owls & Early Risers • When Your Child Refuses Naps • Nighttime Fears • Family Bed

2

FEEDING YOUR CHILD

10 Defining Principles

Breastfeeding, Bottlefeeding, & Weaning Breastfeeding

Advantages • Getting Started • Latching onto the Breast • When Your Baby Refuses to Nurse • Prevention of & Relief for Sore Nipples • Cost-Saving Nursing Pads and Bras • Pumping • Breastfeeding & Travel for Work

Bottlefeeding

Advantages • Formula • Nipples • Feeding Your Baby Her Bottle • Warming Bottles • Nighttime Bottles

Burping

Weaning

Weaning from the Breast • Weaning to a Cup • Weaning off a Pacifier

Introducing Solids

Signs Your Baby Is Ready for More Textured Food • Getting Started • Spoon Feeding • Order of Introduction • Allergens • Baby Food • High Chair • Bibs • Finger Food • Choking • Teaching Your Toddler to Pour Her Own Drinks • Cleaning Up

Feeding Your Fussy Eater

Eating Well • Making Food More Fun • Ways to Get Your Child to Eat Vegetables & Fruit • Not Hungry at Mealtimes • If Your Child Refuses to Eat Breakfast • School Lunch Ideas

Feeding Your Overeater

In the Kitchen Tips

How to Make Dinner Without Going Crazy • Meal Planning • Cooking Ahead for Meals • Using Your Freezer • Time Savers • Family Dinners

3

MEDICAL CONCERNS, CHILDPROOFING, & SAFETY

10 Defining Principles

Pediatric Care

Selecting a Pediatrician • Ongoing Care • Calling After Hours • Keeping Medical Records • When to Change Pediatricians

Emergencies & Hospitalization

Emergency Room Visits • Hospitalization

Colic

Home Medical Care

Giving Your Child Medicine • Cold & Flu Season • Comforting Your Sick Child • Booboos • Bites, Stings, & Insects • Nosebleeds • Rashes, Chicken Pox, & Poison Ivy • Protection from the Sun • Allergy-Proofing

Childproofing & Safety

Utilities & Appliances • Doors • Windows • Stairways • Furniture & Knickknacks • Baby Equipment • Toys • Bathroom • Kitchen • Decks, Porches, & Balconies • Backyard • Garage • Car • Bicycle • Accidental Poisoning • Lead Poisoning

Disaster Precautions

Fire Safety • Water Safety • Disaster Survival Kit • Preventing Abduction

4

SOCIALIZING YOUR CHILD

10 Defining Principles

Discipline

Alternatives to Saying No • Time-Outs

Behavioral Challenges

Tantrums & Bad Moods • Interruptions • Thumb Sucking • Aggression & Biting • Lying • Whining

Siblings

Siblings & a New Baby • Getting Along

Friendships

Playgroups • Playdates & Friends • Sleepovers

Teaching Manners

Getting Started • Table Manners • Thank-You Notes

5

GETTING ORGANIZED

10 Defining Principles

Organizing Your Home

A Place for Everything • Getting Rid of Clutter & Junk • Your Child's Bedroom • Toys • Artwork & School Projects • Kitchen • Emergency Telephone Sheet • Bathroom • Closets • Storage • Backyard & Garden

Prioritizing & Keeping Track

Weekly To-Do List • Calendar

Organizing Paper

Mail • Working Files for Daily Use • Family Filing System • Household Warranties

Establishing Family Routines

Mastering the Morning Launch • Family Meetings • Family Goal Setting

Personal Time & Relationships

Time for Self • Time with Your Partner • Logistics Around Divorce • Keeping in Touch

Moving with Kids

Making the Transition Easier • Gathering Information About Your New Community • What to Open, Close, Return, Retrieve, & Transfer • Packing It Up • Saying Goodbye • Getting Acclimated

Surviving a Home Renovation with Kids Underfoot

Legal Issues

Your Will • Nominating a Guardian for Your Child

6

HOME CARE & HOUSEKEEPING

10 Defining Principles

Engaging Your Partner's Help

How to Involve Your Child

Starting Your Child on Chores • Chores for Your Toddler • Chores for Your Older Child • Using a Chore Chart • Inspiration Along the Way • Allowance & Pay for Extra Chores

Housekeeping & Cleaning

General Cleaning Tips • Kitchen • Stain Removal & Damage Repairs Around the House • Laundry • Hiring Housecleaning Help

Running Errands & Shopping

Pets & Your Child

7

WORK & FAMILY BALANCE

10 Defining Principles

Negotiating Maternity Leave

Announcing You're Pregnant • Your Office's Policy • How Much Leave to Take • Arranging for Coverage During Your Leave • Weeks Leading up to Your Leave • When to Start Your Leave • While on Leave • Returning to Work

Revising Your Work Schedule

Evaluate Your Situation • Work Structure Options • Working at Home: Telecommuting • Making Your Request to Your Employer • Negotiating Your Salary • Leave Room for Change

Managing Your Work at the Office

Structuring Your Work Time • Using the Wizard of Oz Technique • Minimizing Interruptions • Fielding Overtime & Off-Hour Requests • Forming a Network of Working Moms

Travel for Work

Pacing Your Travel • Coordinating with Your Partner • Managing Your Household While You Travel • Sharing Information with Your Child • Keeping in Touch • Taking Your Child Along • Explaining to Your Child Why She Can't Join You • Bringing Back Surprises

Managing the Home Front

Using Breaks at Work for Errands • Staying Connected to Your Child • Sharing with Your Child What You Do at Work • Arriving Home in an Upbeat Mood • Unwinding After Work

Working from Home

The Mom-trepreneur: Running a Home-Based Business • Setting Up Your Home Office & Work Schedule • Telecommuting • Dealing with Clients • Fielding Interruptions • Combating Loneliness

Becoming a Full-Time Mom

Deciding to Stay at Home • Financial Planning • Leaving Your Job • Culture Shock & Self-Esteem • Finding Other Stay-at-Home Moms • Returning to the Work Force

Managing Volunteer & Outside Commitments

8

CHILD CARE

10 Defining Principles

Hiring a Nanny or Au Pair

Finding a Nanny • The Hiring Process • Arriving at a Written Agreement

Family Day Care & Day-Care Center

Family Day Care • Day-Care Center • Selecting a Provider

A Relative or Friend as Your Child-Care Provider

Factors to Evaluate in Making a Decision

Managing the Ongoing Relationship

Orienting Your Nanny or Au Pair • Dealing with Separation Anxiety • Communication & Showing Appreciation • Assessing How Well a Situation Is Working • Ending a Relationship • Arranging Backup Child-Care Coverage

Part-time, Evening, & Weekend Baby-sitting

Finding a Baby-sitter • Orienting Your Baby-sitter • Forming Baby-sitting Co-operatives or Swapping with Friends

9

SCHOOL & EDUCATION

10 Defining Principles

Choosing a Preschool

Investigating Schools • Paying a Visit • References

School Preparations

Beginning in a New School • Before School Starts • Getting to School • The First Day of School

Getting Your Child to Talk About His Day

Being Involved in Your Child's School

Homework

Set a Regular Time • Designate a Homework Place & Eliminate Distractions • Help Your Child Structure Work Habits • Your Involvement • Dealing with Struggling or Mistakes

Communicating with Your Child's School

Parent-Teacher Conferences • Advocating for Your Special Needs Child

Showing Appreciation to Teachers

Home Schooling

Celebrating the End of the School Year

10

OUTINGS & ACTIVITIES

10 Defining Principles

Outings, Day Trips, & Excursions

Advance Planning • Things You Need • Diaper Bag: Newborn to Five Months • Six Months & Older, Add to the Bag • Keeping Your Baby Happy in the Car • Outdoor Excursions • Indoor Excursions • Museum or Historical Sites • The Theatre • Athletic Events

Dining Out as a Family

Choosing a Restaurant • Seating • Ordering Food • Entertainment While Waiting

Indoor Activities

Arts & Crafts • Creative Games • Reading • Growing Seeds & Indoor Plants

Outdoor Activities

Beating the Rainy or Snowy Day Blues • Backyard & Sidewalk Activities • Outdoor Gardening • Evening Activities

Classes, Sports, & Structured Activities

Choosing Classes or Activities • Picking a Sport • Summer Camp

TV, Computers, & Electronic Games

TV Management • Computer & Electronic Games

11

MEMORIES & CELEBRATIONS

10 Defining Principles

Birthdays

Ways to Make the Day Special • Your Birthday Party Budget • Timing of the Party • Invitations • Party at Home • Having the Party Outside of Your Home • Cake Ideas & Alternatives • Photography Tips • Siblings • Gifts • Party Manners • Party Favors • Celebrations at Day Care or School • Attending Birthday Parties

Holidays

Start Your Own Holiday Traditions • Hosting a Holiday Meal • Advanced Preparation for the Holidays • Gifts & Holiday Cards • Involve Your Child in the Spirit of Giving • Chanukah • Christmas • Storing Holiday Decorations • New Year's Eve • Valentine's Day • Halloween

Preserving Memories

Photographs • Videotaping Your Kids • Other Ways to Preserve Memories

Family Rituals & Traditions

CONCLUSION

Selected Bibliography

Index