The Best Times To Buy A New Mattress

There are a few things you learn when you've been in the mattress trade for decades. One of those is that people are a predictable species.

Mattress shopping is more reactionary than planned. There are certain life changes that prompt people into buying a new bed, unfortunately, these moments are often out of sync with the best time to buy a mattress.

So with a little forward thinking it is possible to coordinate the sudden need for a new mattress with the best times of the year to buy one. Think of it as: Mattress Shopping 101 - Working Around the Big Changes

The first thing to do is take a look at your family situation and plan accordingly. People buy new beds as the family grows, love blooms, and also when it fades. Here are a few warning signs that a new bed may be in your near future.

1. If you have little ones in cribs, it's safe to say they'll be in beds one day. Think of when this graduation will come, and start looking for sales early. Plan your mattress shopping excursion around some of the best times of the year listed below.

2. If you have two kids in bunks, that's not going to last forever. Instead of buying as the need arises, and being at the mercy of the moment, pick out a twin and keep it in storage for when big brother makes his move to his own room. Mattresses aren't like food. They won't go bad. So it's better to plan ahead.

3. If you're dating, and things are getting serious, it's not uncommon for new lovebirds moving in together to splurge on a new mattress. It may be a bit forward, but investing in a newer, bigger bed early on could make good sense. Also, what better way to test drive it?

4. Conversely, if things are looking rocky, the first thing a couple stops sharing is a bed. While picking out your lawyer, get a new mattress as well. At least you'll rest easy in dark times.

5. Finally, new rooms often demand new furniture. If you have a move in the works, don't wait until you're surrounded in boxes before realizing you need a few extra beds. Plan ahead. You can even get your mattresses delivered to your new home free of charge when the day arrives, as opposed to moving them yourself.

The next step in the process is buying the beds when they're on sale, and keeping them for when the moment arrives. If you don't have the storage available, ask your mattress retailer if it's okay to keep your bed there until you need it delivered. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Here are the best times of year to buy a mattress.

1. Year-End. Around December to January, mattress stores often have Year-End Clearance Sales to get rid of old stock and replace them with new models. There are some fantastic deals to be had, as retailers are anxious to keep their floors up-to-date. If one were to synchronize a major life change with the New Year, it would be the perfect timing to save.

2. Overstocked Sales. Keep an eye on the trucks outside mattress store. If it looks like there's a lot of confusion going on, you can use that to your advantage. Sometimes mattress retailers order too much stock, and the overflow in the stores necessitates an Overstocked or Truckload Sale to move the abundant inventory quickly. These usually happen in the fall.

3. Mismatched Sales. April is traditionally a slow month for mattress stores, so it's a good time for spring-cleaning. This is often when they usually have their official year-end (in tax terms), and when they do their inventory. Going through the warehouse with a clipboard can unearth a lot of odds and ends, and mattresses without matching bases, due to damage, or misplaced orders or what have you. Mattress stores will often pair the mismatched tops and bottoms together to get them out the door at a greatly reduced price.

Take a look at where you are in life, the major changes coming up down the road, and the new beds this will necessitate. Think of the sizes you'll need. There is no reason to pay full price. Keep these mattress sale seasons in mind, plan ahead, and save.

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Top Rated Sewing Machines - Three Favorites Reviewed

Owning a top-rated sewing machine is important to many home sewers. With so many great models on the market today, however, it is often difficult to make a choice. Features can vary greatly from one machine to another, and often correlate to price, which can range from about one hundred dollars, to a few thousand. If you are searching for a new sewing machine, and your eyes are glazing over from reading about stitch function, variable speed control, and automatic buttonholers, the following information may be helpful. You'll also learn how to get the best possible price on your new purchase.

First and foremost, you must consider your actual sewing needs when deciding on a purchase.

Do you:

sew only occasionally, mostly clothing and to make repairs? Or are you an avid sewer who enjoys creating a variety of clothing and household items (curtains, pillows, bedding, etc.)?
sew for other people?
sew with a variety of material, from lightweight cotton and silk, to heavier denim, faux leather, and decorator fabrics?
require a lightweight machine?
use your machine for quilting?
require a wide variety of stitches?
If you keep the answers to these questions in mind as you research, they may help you make an informed choice, and one that makes you happy. After all, you want your investment to last a long time, and provide hours of enjoyment. Following are descriptions of three top rated sewing machines available today.

Brother CS6000I

This is a very good machine for the average home sewing enthusiast, as well as the beginner. It is computerized, and offers a varied assortment of 60 stitches. Unlike many machines, this model offers an LCD screen which shows each stitch. Most modern machines make 1-step buttonholes; this one makes 7 different sizes. One can quilt with ease on this machine, as it has an additional snap-on table accessory to handle larger or bulky fabric lengths. Also lightweight at 16 pounds, this is an all-around top performer.

Janome 7330 Magnolia

This is an excellent choice for the ardent sewer. Although at 45 pounds it is quite a bit heavier than the Brother, this is due to its cast aluminum construction. It is a solid machine, described as a workhorse by many users. With 30 built-in stitches, this machine certainly isn't lacking. It is able to sew through everything from the most delicate silks to multiple layers of fabric. The Magnolia's most notable features are a start/stop button that allows sewing without a foot peddle, an automatic needle threader, and incredible speed. Users love this sewing machine!

Singer 7470

Owners rave about the Singer Confidence. It has an arsenal of 173 stitch functions, which can be edited for increased variation. With 13 needle positions and twin-needle capability, it is a good basic embroidery machine, and quilter. Popular features include a 1-step buttonholer, drop and sew bobbin, and automatic needle threader.

These three machines are solid performers, and rank well with sewers in both function and ease of use. Any of them would make an excellent purchase, either for personal use or as a gift to a beginner.

Now, let's flex those creative muscles and get sewing!

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2 Year Olds Tantrums - Understanding and Stopping 2 Year Olds Tantrums

Do you know what can drown out the sound of a 2 year olds tantrum? I do! It is the sound of twins at 2 years old throwing tantrums at the same time! But seriously, temper tantrums in toddlers, which is children ages 2 and 3, are not uncommon and are most definitely not pleasant. Let us take a look at understanding the root of temper tantrums and look at some ways of helping your little tike release energy without screaming and shouting. 

Understanding Temper Tantrums in Toddlers

First off, it is important to note that the reason or root of the tantrum changes as the child ages. Particularly at young ages, the developmental milestones for your child will impact their ability to respond to variables in their environment.

For a 2 year old, tantrums are most likely a symptom or a sign of a need being unmet. They are not some misbehavior or negative thing. However, they do need to be addressed and the cause needs to be the focus of your efforts. You do not have to live with temper tantrums, but it will require some work on your part.

The Root Of Tantrums for 2 Year Olds

For 2 year olds, a tantrum is typically stress related. The cause of the stress can be many things. For example, your little boy or little girl may be struggling with potty training, watching too much TV, or needing a little bit more attention from Mom and Dad. That attention may only need to be an extra 15 minutes in Mom's lap, but it can make all the difference for your little one.

So, to prevent tantrums, which is the best way of stopping tantrums, you need to determine what the cause of the stress is and work on reducing the stress.

Stopping 2 Year Olds Tantrums

As was mentioned above, the best way to end tantrums is to prevent them. To stop tantrums, you are going to need to give your toddler what they need. That will include, but is not limited to, finding gross-motor outlets for the energy accumulated through stress, frustration, and everyday energy build-up in a toddler. This can include bear hugs, outdoor play, jungle gym play-time, and so much more. The focus is on using large muscle groups (legs, arms, shoulder) to expel energy each and every day.

In addition, you need to provide a time of reduced stimulation. Turn off the TV. Turn of the music. Have some quiet time for you and your little one. This will allow for their senses to calm down and process all of the input for the day.

In short, to understand 2 year old tantrums, you have to be a 2 year old. To stop a 2 year old tantrum, you have to love your 2 year old. Seem easy enough?

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Easy Baby Shower Favors You Can Make

If you want to keep down costs at your baby shower, you might want to consider making your own simple, but appealing baby shower favors. With a little bit of imagination and creativity, you could make pretty baby shower favors that your guests will love, and that don't cost the earth. Call some of your friends to help you make handmade personalized favors and you're all set.

The tips below are so easy to make you can have a hundred favors ready in just a few hours.

Take small sized plastic bottles, and use these to fill with luxurious treats for guests. Colored and scented bath salts are a great idea. Choose from fragrances that include Jojoba, almond oil and aloe Vera. Or buy a large container of sweet scented hand lotion, and fill each bottle. Tie the top with a pink or blue ribbon, or use a lace ribbon to tie a bow. A satin ribbon wrapped elegantly around works just as well.

Give your guests diaper baby gift basket favors to take home. Take a new born sized diaper, and line the inside with tissue. Now fill with treats and candies and mints. Use a drawstring to draw close tight, and attach a little tag thanking your guest for attending the shower. Your guests will find the idea behind the diaper baby gift basket ingenious.

For a variation of the diaper theme, take small new born baby booties (you'll find these at online stores that sell baby gifts) and fill each with treats. Use the string to draw shut, and place in a large basket at the entrance, so people can pick a booty as they come in.

Buy empty glass jars in bulk, and fill with bubble bath, bath salts, body or hand lotion, or shower gel. The bottles are very inexpensive, and the goodies inside will please the most jaded guest. Remember to add a festive touch to the jar by wrapping a red satin bow around the top.

Buy little mugs at discount stores or order them online. Place a single flower in each, and place all of them at a table near the entrance. As guests leave, they can pick up a single cup with a bloom.

Seed packets make great baby shower favors. Look for seed packet favors at online stores and present guests for a baby shower favor that will grow to spread its fragrance around year after year!

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Baby Shower Invitation Cards

Baby Shower Invitation Cards are a time saver for the hostess. It is also a good idea to have more invitations than you need. If you send invitations by mail, you want an envelope that stands out so that it doesn't look like junk mail.

How many guests to invite:
Usually you invite between 8 and 30 guests. The number would be determined by several things. One is where you are having the shower. In a dining room, a backyard, a rented room. What type of guests you are having. Ladies Baby Shower Invitation Cards are a time saver for the hostess. It is also a good idea to have more invitations than you need. If you send invitations by mail, you want an envelope that stands out so that it doesn't look like junk mail.

How many guests to invite:
Usually you invite between 8 and 30 guests. The number would be determined by several things. One is where you are having the shower. In a dining room, a backyard, a rented room. What type of guests you are having. Ladies, men, ladies and men, and/or children.

What type of Invitation Cards:
You can get free invitation ideas, purchase printable invitations, make a handmade invitation, create your own designs, send ecard invitations, handwritten, personalized, blank cards, baby shower invite, or use a invitation kit.

Where to get invitation ideas:
You can get your invitation ideas from old invitations, online, books, or magazine articles.

What styles of invitations to choose from:
You can choose from several different styles: Elegant, embossed, formal, trendy, simple, ornate, or wacky shower invitations.

Where to get Invitations:
Online, party supply shop, Wal-mart, Shopko, Target, K-Mart, or office supply stores handle baby shower invitations.

Who to send to:
Everyone invited should get a separate baby shower invitation card, even if they are in the same household.

When to send:
The invitations should be sent out 3 to 6 weeks in advance. This gives your guests time to clear their schedules, purchase gifts, and return RSVP's.

What to include in your invitation:

Name of the guest of honor
If surprise shower, mention that on the card
Theme of the party
Date and time of the shower
Location and directions to the shower
Name and address of hostess/host
Favorite colors of guest of honor
Where guest of honor has a registry
Suggested ideas for gifts
Tell them if a meal is planned, refreshments, appetizers, etc
Decorating scheme of guest of honor
How and when to RSVP

For those baby showers where you know that you are having a baby boy you might want to send out baby shower invitations for boys. If you have a girl, there are baby shower invitations for a girl also., men, ladies and men, and/or children.

What type of Invitation Cards:
You can get free invitation ideas, purchase printable invitations, make a handmade invitation, create your own designs, send ecard invitations, handwritten, personalized, blank cards, baby shower invite, or use a invitation kit.

Where to get invitation ideas:
You can get your invitation ideas from old invitations, online, books, or magazine articles.

What styles of invitations to choose from:
You can choose from several different styles: Elegant, embossed, formal, trendy, simple, ornate, or wacky shower invitations.

Where to get Invitations:
Online, party supply shop, Wal-mart, Shopko, Target, K-Mart, or office supply stores handle baby shower invitations.

Who to send to:
Everyone invited should get a separate baby shower invitation card, even if they are in the same household.

When to send:
The invitations should be sent out 3 to 6 weeks in advance. This gives your guests time to clear their schedules, purchase gifts, and return RSVP's.

What to include in your invitation:

Name of the guest of honor
If surprise shower, mention that on the card
Theme of the party
Date and time of the shower
Location and directions to the shower
Name and address of hostess/host
Favorite colors of guest of honor
Where guest of honor has a registry
Suggested ideas for gifts
Tell them if a meal is planned, refreshments, appetizers, etc
Decorating scheme of guest of honor
How and when to RSVP

For those baby showers where you know that you are having a baby boy you might want to send out baby shower invitations for boys. If you have a girl, there are baby shower invitations for a girl also.

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Baby Shower Themes - How to Choose the Perfect One

The best way to make sure that you throw the perfect baby shower, is to start with the perfect baby shower theme. With the hundreds of baby shower themes out there though, how do you choose the right theme?

A baby shower theme sets the tone for the entire event. What is right will change from person to person, but there are things you can take into consideration to make sure you find the right theme.

First, consider the theme that the new parents will be using for the baby's nursery. Would this be a good baby shower theme? One of the most popular ways of choosing a theme is to do the shower in the same theme that the new parents are doing the baby's room in. There are a few advantages to using the theme of the baby's room. First, you know that the new mom likes it. Second, it will be gender appropriate for the baby, as mom and dad will be decorating based on what they know the baby's gender is, if they don't know, they will no doubt have picked a theme that they feel is appropriate for both a boy or girl.

If you are not going to go with the theme of the baby, then there are literally hundreds of themes to choose from. This biggest issue for most people at that point is figuring out how to narrow their choices down. There are some basic things you can take into consideration to help you decide.

First, consider the new mom's tastes. Does she like traditional baby shower things like baby animals, baby carriages, teddy bears or the like? Or, is she more trendy and looking for the hottest thing?

The baby's gender will also be a big consideration of course. Is baby a boy or a girl, or are mom and dad waiting to find out? Do you want a theme that is traditionally boy or traditionally girl? Or, would you prefer something gender neutral? Perhaps you'd prefer a theme that is generally thought of for the opposite gender, for instance cowboy baby showers have long been popular, but the cowgirl theme has become quite popular in recent years.

Would it be good to incorporate a religious theme into the shower, or would this be an area best avoided? For the right person, a Noah's Ark shower, angel shower, or miracle from heaven theme can be extra special.

Of course if mom is having twins, triplets, or more babies, then you will have additional themes available to you. Themes like Two Peas In A Pod and Noah's Ark are great ways to celebrate the special arrival of multiples.

Once you've thought about these things, you can easily narrow down the options and find the theme that will be just right for the new family.

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Baby Shower Words, Verses and Sayings For Baby Shower Invitations

When you are planning a baby shower, there are a lot of details you have to finalize, including choosing the baby diaper cake and picking a location. You'll need to gather refreshments, compile a guest list, and handle the decorations. Of course, another factor in your massive list of responsibilities is the baby shower words on those invitations. That means you want to hold off on putting together the shower games, so you'll be able to prepare the appropriate invitation wording whether you are having a formal or an informal celebration.

Baby Shower Invitations for Formal Events

With a formal shower, you're going to want to take care to reflect that tone in your choice of baby shower words. A good way to start these formal invitations is with a phrase such as "You are cordially invited to a baby shower" or "The pleasure of your company is requested at a shower." Follow that line with who the shower is going to be for: the new baby if he or she has already entered the world, the parents-to-be, or the mother-to-be. When you are writing out the wording, be sure to use everyone's full name - that is standard when you are working with formal invitations. Once you reach this point of the wording, you should add in the details of the party, such as the location, date, and time of the baby showers. You also need to have all of the words written out completely. For example, if the shower is being held on the August 30th at noon, you would write it out as "the thirtieth of August at twelve o'clock noon." Remember not to use any types of abbreviations.

At the end of the wording, you'll need to write out the full names of the hosts of the party. Also, this is a good place to add the RSVP information at the bottom of the card unless you are going to be using a separate response card.

Baby Shower Invitations for an Informal Party

Formal invitations aren't needed if you are having a small, casual shower. However, that doesn't mean you can just call or email guests. You should still send out invitations and you will need to be careful with your baby shower words. However, you do have more flexibility with what those cards can say. For example, you could begin the message with "Susan and Jeff invite you to celebrate the approaching birth of Morgan and Matt's new baby at a special shower." Of course, you'd follow this up with celebration details.

Don't forget that if you send out informal invitations you need to plan a casual shower. That means you keep the refreshments simple, the guest list smaller, and the location more private. Just remember that the shower will be a fun experience whether it's formal or informal.

Gifts & the Baby Showers Wording

Finally, you also want to leave off some things from the baby shower words. The main thing you do not want to include is any information about gifts or the gift registry. When you mention gifts on the invitation, guests feel as if you expect them to buy a present in order to attend. That makes the party seem less like a celebration and more like a plea for cash and prizes. That doesn't mean you shouldn't have gift registry information handy when guests contact you with questions about what to buy.

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Baby Shower Songs - Great Background to Open Newborn Baby Gifts

Everyone loves a good pop song to groove to, so why not choose a couple of those great hits to play in your baby shower while mom is opening all the amazing newborn baby gifts. Two great songs that were hits a few years ago were Mariah Careys "Always Be My Baby" and Britney Spears "Baby One More Time." These songs will make all your guests stand on their feet and dance around!

"Always Be My Baby" has a great beat and amazing lyrics. The words can easily be interpreted from a mother to her precious baby. Mothers say that no matter how much their kid grows up, they will always be their baby. This amazing hit begins saying, "We were as one for a moment in time and it seemed everlasting, that you would always be mine; now you want to be here so I'll let you fly 'cause I know in my heart our love will never die; you'll always be a part of me; I'm part of you indefinitely."

A mother experiences nine months of carrying her child before she gives birth. This is one of the best times in her life where she feels like she is one with her baby. This song can be interpreted as expressing the feeling of being one with your baby and then watching him or her grow up and make their own life. One of my favorite parts is when the Mariah Carey sings, "Don't you know you can't escape me, oh darling cause you'll always be my baby." Every mother feels like this; no matter how old her baby gets, she knows that they will always be her baby.

Britney Spear's unforgettable hit of the late 90's, "Baby One More Time" is a song that all of your guests will know and sing along to. Regardless of age, most people have heard the famous song numerous times. This one is great for singing along and dancing. The number one pop hit begins with a repetitive "Oh baby, baby." When you play this song, your guests will go wild, especially if mom is in the process of opening the baby shower gifts. There is actually a part of the song that describes a feeling that can be applied to mothers.

We all know moms can be overprotective at times and can almost lose their minds when their children are not under their supervision. I absolutely love the part of the song when the pop princess sings, "Show me, how you want it to be, tell me baby 'cause I need to know now what we've got; My loneliness is killing me; I must confess, I still believe; When I'm not with you I lose my mind."

However, my favorite part of the whole song, which I think definitely resembles a mother's words toward her baby is when Britney sings, "The reason I breathe is you." There is a popular belief that says that when a person has a baby, they stop living for themselves and start living for their child. "Baby, One More Time" is probably one of the best pop songs for a shower that all your guests will enjoy.

Pop songs are known for their cool beats, catchy lyrics, and ability to make people get up and dance. Use a couple of them that relate to or mention the word "baby" and include them as part of your music for the baby shower. They will definitely stir up fun and laughter for opening the newborn baby gifts!

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Encouraging Children's Language Development

Parents and carers can use a range of strategies to encourage children's language development. We thought of the following:

Talking to the child - even before a child can speak it is important for the adults and children around him to talk to him, for instance, by explaining what you are doing together ('It's time for Adam's lunch, isn't it?'), or what is happening ('It's lovely and sunny out here', 'Mummy will be here soon'). Remember to leave pauses so the child has chance to respond.

Using facial expression to convey meaning - children may not understand the words but they will usually understand the meaning if clear expression is used. For instance, if a child picks up a piece of soil in the garden and is about to eat it you might take it off him saying 'yuck' or 'nasty'. He may not know what 'yuck' or 'nasty' mean. If, at the same time, you also scrunch up your face and stick out your tongue to indicate a horrible taste, the child will understand your meaning quite clearly. Most adults do this quite naturally when speaking to young children.

Reading and story-telling.

Social interaction. Including the child in experiences that give him the opportunity to hear conversations and meet new people.

Language and Other Areas of Development

The child's ability to communicate and use language effectively is of key importance to many other areas of their development.

Language has particularly close links with intellectual development and is the main tool by which we are able to develop our thought processes. For example, we use words to help us store and recall memories and other information.

Think about the word 'sunshine' - what memories and thoughts does this bring up for you?

Everyone's memories and thoughts will be a little bit different. When we asked a group of students this question, their answers included:

warmth

light

my holiday in Cyprus

summer

a t-shirt I have with a sun motif

flowers.

This is a good example of the way in which words act as tools to help us organise and recall our thoughts and memories.

We also tend to use words mentally to direct and plan our actions, for example: "I'll drop these off at the library first and then call into the supermarket."

It follows that children whose communication skills are impaired in some way, or who have limited vocabularies, may also find it more difficult to develop reasoning skills and acquire new concepts.

Communication skills are essential if children are to express themselves clearly and understand others. It follows that there are close links between language and communication skills and the development of social skills. Poor communicators tend to find social situations difficult, and also find it more difficult to build relationships with other people.

Becoming a Communicator

Effective use of language involves far more than simply learning words - the child also needs to learn a whole range of skills around speech and communication, such as understanding how a conversation works. These are known as pragmatic skills.

Pragmatic skills begin to develop in the early weeks of life, with tiny babies 'turn taking', initiating communicative interchanges, and 'talking' non-verbally to their carers.

Pragmatic skills include:

knowing that you have to answer when a question has been asked;

being able to participate in a conversation by taking it in turns with the other speaker;

the ability to notice and respond to the non-verbal aspects of language;

awareness that you have to introduce a topic of conversation in order for the listener to fully understand;

knowing which words or what sort of sentence-type to use when initiating a conversation or responding to something someone has said;

the ability to maintain a topic;

the ability to maintain appropriate eye-contact (not too much staring, and not too much looking away) during a conversation;

the ability to distinguish how to talk and behave towards different people and in different situations.

Many everyday activities can be used to encourage children's language development, for example during mealtimes or group work. Parents and carers should look for opportunities to help children develop their language. This would include opportunities to:

use questions

listen

learn new vocabulary

speak.

Handling Mistakes

Young children make many mistakes in their speech. They often use grammar incorrectly and they may mispronounce words because they have difficulty in making the correct sounds. They substitute the difficult sound for an easier one, for instance 'th' for 's', as in 'yeth' for 'yes'. Such difficulties usually resolve themselves by 5 or 6 years of age.

It is very important to tackle such errors in a positive way if you are to boost the child's confidence. Avoid direct correction of errors. Show the child that you have understood what he is trying to tell you and also teach him how to say the word correctly. For example:

Child: 'mook.'

It is better to respond with 'Yes! Book, book.' than 'No, not mook, book.'

With older children too, it often helps to echo back mistakes correctly. They get the message but they do not feel criticised. This can be the key to good communication between the two of you.

Child: 'I have to do vis homework for tomorrow.'

Adult: 'You have to do this for tomorrow? OK.'

Some children are so keen to get the words out, or have so much to say, that they stumble over their words. Parents may worry that the child is beginning to develop a stutter but this is just a temporary stage that many children go through. It is not a true stutter. It is only likely to become a problem if parents or carers make a fuss and try to correct the child's speech. The child then becomes self-conscious and a real stutter may develop, at which stage the help of a speech therapist may be required.

Delayed Language Development

Children may be slow in learning to talk for several reasons, including:

genetics - it may be that the child's parents were late talkers too.

he or she may have been concentrating on other aspects of development, such as learning to walk.

not enough individual attention from adults - children learn to talk from adults rather than children.
This can be a problem in large families or where there are twins or young children who are very close in age.

lack of encouragement.

deafness - A child cannot learn to speak if he or she cannot hear the words spoken by other people. They also needs to able to hear themselves so that they can improve their own attempts at words. Interestingly, during the first year, profoundly deaf babies often babble at the same time as other babies, but they stop after a few months. This may be because they cannot hear themselves and so can't reinforce their babbling.

It is extremely important to recognise deafness in children at an early age, as the earlier the child receives treatment the better the outcome. Parents and carers are ideally placed to notice that something is wrong with a child's hearing. Such problems are also often picked up at the routine developmental checks carried out by health visitors during the first year or so.

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A Daddy Baby Shower - New Twist on the Old Baby Shower

Try something new, a Daddy Baby Shower. Even though no one would realistically expect a new daddy-to-be to sit around with his closest buddies, opening baby shower gifts and playing party games while oohing and aahing over the imminent birth of his child. That doesn't mean that Dad can't have a baby shower-type celebration. Daddy deserves to celebrate the birth of his child, too!

Of course, the term baby shower does invoke visions of baby themed parties. Like the one described above when planning a baby shower. So perhaps "baby shower" is not an appropriate name for this get-together. Why limit yourself with a label, anyway? Call it a "celebrating-Jim's-impending-fatherhood" party, if you want, instead of baby showers for dad.

Here are a few suggestions to make this type of party one for daddy-to-be to remember:

Play Games:
Well, not baby shower games. But you can play poker, horseshoes or even a game of shirts-n-skins football in the back yard.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry:
Have tons of fattening and not-good-for-you foods. Make spareribs, cheese steaks, wings, and anything else you can eat with your hands and make a mess with. The wives won't be there to complain and you can grunt all you want. Have some beers (or soda if you prefer) and barbecue.

Last Night Out:
Take the dad-to-be out for a night on the town to rival his bachelor party. Do some bar hopping, play some pool, shoot some darts, and don't go home until you are kicked out of at least three places. Keep Dad safe, though, and designate someone to stay sober and make sure everyone gets home in one piece. You might also want to check with mom-to-be to make sure she is okay with this plan. She is, after all, pregnant and might not be all that amenable to the last-night-out-before-fatherhood party.

Gifts for Dad-To-Be:
Let the official baby shower take care of the baby necessities. Give Dad gifts for himself, or gifts that he would have chosen for the baby. Buy him a diaper tool kit, complete with goggles, rubber gloves, tongs, clothespin, and of course, diapering essentials, or a Daddy Gear Diaper Bag.

Gag gifts are fun, too. Or you could buy clothing for the new baby with Dad's favorite sports team's logo or matching Dad and Baby t-shirts. Think about necessities like batteries, too. Most likely they won't be on Mom's registry, but all parents know that batteries are a hot commodity in any house with children. Be creative.

And don't forget that Dad might need some reading material to get himself up to date on the latest parenting trends. Consider getting him a book on fatherhood, funny or otherwise, or maybe a magazine subscription for daddy, such as American Baby Magazine.

Ask other new dads to think about what toys or objects were particularly helpful when their little ones were inconsolable, and either buy or recommend them for the times when dad-to-be is home alone with Junior.

Comfort Dad:
New Dads are usually pretty stressed out about what there life is going to be like after the new baby comes. Be prepared to have guests tell funny and helpful stories about their own experiences with becoming a daddy. Make it a point to reassure him that his wife is not really crazy, she is just hormonal and this, too, shall pass.

Remember, daddy baby showers don't have to be like the traditional shower, or even called a shower, but you can have one for dad just the same.

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Baby Shower Cake Ideas for Boys

Baby showers are always so exciting! Getting to help a friend or loved one welcome their new baby to the world is an amazing experience. If you are the 'honored one' who will be hosting the baby shower, you've probably racked your brain trying to come up with wonderful cake ideas. There are so many creative cake ideas for baby showers, whether you are welcoming a little boy or a little girl. There are several options, and things to consider when picking out the perfect cake.

Will the baby shower be a themed one?

Often times, the host of a baby shower will select a theme that coincides with the Mom-to-be's nursery theme. This is a wonderful idea, and sure to please the new mom. For example, if Mom will be decking out her nursery in Winnie the Pooh, you could choose to incorporate that theme into the baby shower, and the cake. You could also do your own theme apart from the nursery theme. Some great ones for little boys are animals. trains, and sports. If the baby shower is not a themed one, you can pretty much choose any kind of wonderful cake.

Will you be purchasing the cake, or making your own?

When purchasing the cake, there are literally hundreds of options to choose from. You could get a special cake with mom's picture on it, easily choose a themed cake, or work with your favorite bakery to come up with your own unique idea.

If you will be making your own, there are tons of really great ideas that will be fun to make and be a hit at the party.
Here are some great ideas.

Baby 'clothesline' cake - Start with a sheet cake in any flavor you choose,(Make one from a box or from scratch, or purchase one that hasn't been frosted.) Frost the cake baby blue. A few drops of blue food coloring into white frosting will do the trick. Using a decorator's bag or a tube of writing icing, draw a horizontal line from one side of the cake to the other. Do this about two thirds down from the top of the cake. You can purchase little blue and yellow 'scrapbooking' baby clothes and blankets. Place those hanging from the line across the cake. A cute idea would be to draw in a little sun at the top of the cake, and grass and flowers at the bottom of the cake under the clothesline. You can get different colored writing icing tubes for this. A really cute saying on this cake would be, " Little fingers, little toes, itty-bitty baby clothes."

Another really cute variation on this cake is to start with 2 round cakes and frost them baby blue all the way around. Layer them, and then place the clothesline and baby clothes on the side of the cakes, with the saying on the top.

Another great idea to consider is using baby blocks on the cake spelling out 'Its a Boy,' or doing cupcakes instead and placing a small baby item on the top of each one. Using these ideas, you should be able to come up with a great cake that you will love, and that the party goers will love too.

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Baby Shower Cakes Ideas for Girls

It's really exciting to be able to help a friend or loved one welcome their baby girl into the world! If you are to be the hostess of the baby shower, you've probably thought about cute ideas for a cake until your head hurts! There are so many great ideas for little girl baby shower cakes, and there are a few questions to answer and things to consider as well.

Will the baby shower be a themed one?

A lot of times, the hostess of a baby shower will choose to pick a theme that will coincide with the Mom-to-be's theme for the nursery. If Mom is going to decorate the baby's nursery in Carebears, you could choose to go with that theme as well. Then you can select a gorgeous cake that will go along with the theme. You could also choose to do your own theme, separate from the nursery theme. A few great ones for little girls are princesses, flowers, and fairies. Choose the cake to match the theme.

Will you be purchasing a cake, or making it yourself?

If you will be purchasing the cake, you have a lot of great options. You could do a shower cake featuring a picture of the Mom to be, select a great themed cake, or work with your favorite bakery to come up with a unique idea that will be a hit at the baby shower.

If you will be making your own, there are an array of great ideas that are easy to do, and that will be loved! Here a few wonderful ideas. Use a large round cake (make it yourself or buy one unfrosted) and cut a piece out to make the shape of a bib. Then frost in baby pink. Use a few drops of red food coloring in some white frosting to get the color. Use white decorator's icing to make 'lace' around the bottom part of the bib, and use pink or white ribbon coming from the top of the cake to look like bib strings. You can use white decorator's icing to write something cute, such as 'mommy's little girl.'

Another really cute idea to go with this cake is to use large marshmallows to make 'booties.' Use two stuck together with a toothpick to make the 'leg' part, and then one set in front to make the toe. You can place this on one side of the cake and use pink icing to decorate the booties.

Another great idea is to do a real 'little princess' cake. For this one, you can use a rectangle sheet cake and frost in pink or yellow. Purchase a pretty plastic crown and place it on the cake, and you can also do the idea with the marshmallow booties, just decorate them to go with the princess cake. You can decorate the sides of the cake with curled ribbons in pink, white, and yellow, and then put a cute saying, such as 'Welcome Princess (name),' or 'It's a Princess.' This would go great with a princess themed cake. This one is extremely easy, as well.

A babyshower is a wonderful thing to help the Mom to be welcome her daughter, and with the ideas in this article, you will be able to create a wonderful cake that will please Mom, and be a hit at the babyshower.

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Attaboy! Encouraging Phrases That Build Confidence and Positive Action

Home, home on the range,

Where never is heard

A discouraging word

And the skies are not cloudy all day!

Oh, that would be wonderful but most parents and bosses tend to feel that criticism and pointing out what is wrong will make others want to do what is right. However, people cannot improve unless they feel good enough about themselves to believe they are capable of improvement. An encouraging parent stops using negative comments about a child and uses methods, words and actions that indicate a respect for the child and a faith in his abilities.

Jack Canfield of Chicken Soup for the Soul fame often cites a study done by some graduate students who followed a normal group of two-year olds around for a day. These average kids from average homes received 432 negative statements as opposed to 32 positive statements daily. The teachers, aides and other children were constantly saying, "Don't touch that." "No, it is done this way" "No, you are not big enough."

The national PTO (Parent teacher Organization) found the ratio of praise to criticism of school age children to be 18 negative to each positive. It is such automatic action to state things in the negative; we have to learn the words to use in encouraging our children.

Encouragement is the process of focusing on your child's assets and strengths in order to build self-confidence and feelings of worth.

I like to think of the word encourage broken into "en" courage meaning I am giving you the gift of courage. Inherent in that gift is the idea that it is okay to take risks and perhaps even to fail, but to go ahead and try it anyway. We need to convey though words and gestures that we appreciate their efforts and improvement not just their accomplishments. We need to make sure they understand that our love and acceptance is not dependent on their behavior or winning the prize in soccer.

Here is a list of 15 encouraging words and phrases that will assist your child to keep trying and increase his self-esteem and confidence.

1. "I like the way you handled that"

2. "Wow, you really thought out the solution to that problem"

3. "I have faith in your ability"

4. "I appreciate what you did"

5. "You are really showing improvement"

6. "I know you will figure out a good way to do it next time"

7. "You don't have to be perfect. Effort and improvement are important."

8. "I trust you to be responsible"

9. "It must make you proud of yourself when you accomplish something like that"

10. "You are a valuable part of the team"

11. "It is okay to make a mistake, we all do. What do you think you learned from it?"

12. "How can we turn this into a positive?"

13. "I'm proud of you for trying"

14. "I'll bet by next year you will be able to handle it, you just need to grow a little"

15. "I know you are disappointed that you didn't win, but you'll do better next time."

Good luck in your efforts to be more positive and encouraging to those around you.

Your children, family and employees will be grateful and will rise to your expectations. You do an important work.

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