The ages children switch from a crib to a toddler bed vary greatly. On average, a child will switch anywhere between 12 months to 3 years. However, there are some that go before that age, and some that make the switch after. I am lucky enough to be surrounded by parents of young children, nurses, mommy and me instructors, and family members.
Fortunately, each one of these people helped my husband and me decide when the timing was right to switch our daughter from her crib to the toddler bed. There are a few indicators that will tell you when your child is ready to make the toddler bed switch.
Athleticism
No matter how old your child is, if he/she shows you that climbing out of the crib is a breeze, it is time to switch to a toddler bed. Unfortunately, cribs can become dangerous once they are treated like jungle gyms My family was lucky. My daughter climbed out of her crib without any injury. However, there are other toddlers that wind up with bruises, scrapes, and other crib boo boos. Once climbing out of the crib is an option, it is no longer safe, and a toddler bed is necessary.
Social Readiness
Perhaps your toddler is not emotionally ready to make the switch over to a toddler bed. If he/she has not climbed out of the crib, look for emotional signs For instance, a baby that is ready for the transfer will take interest in mommy and daddy’s bed or older siblings’ beds. They might begin tucking their babies and dolls under the covers in a real bed. When children begin to do this, they are beginning to understand that a bed is the next step to getting bigger.
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Any parent who routinely takes a preschooler on shopping trips to the grocery store knows the risks involved. Most have experienced the embarrassment and humiliation of a son or daughter throwing a temper tantrum in the middle of the store and have felt the glaring eyes of the other customers.
The trouble is that it can be difficult to discipline a child while out in public. And the child knows it. When children are allowed to run amok and carry on in public, they learn that they can get away with it. That inevitably sets the stage for more fireworks on the next outing.
Parents can minimize (and hopefully eliminate) such blowups by taking a few simple precautions and establishing some ground rules. Here are five suggestions:
1. Schedule grocery trips for when the child is not tired or hungry. A tired and/or hungry child is much more likely to cause a scene than one that is well fed and well rested. Additionally, do not prolong the trip any longer than necessary. Keep it short to minimize the potential of a tantrum. Be organized; have all your coupons and sale ads in the order of your stops.
2. Bribery. While not all parents approve of using bribery as a motivator for good behavior, it can produce results. Before embarking into the store, talk with your child about a reward that can be earned with good behavior. Alternatively, discuss the consequences of poor behavior. Just be prepared to follow through.
3. Treat it as an expedition. An expedition is a trip with a purpose, so give your child a purpose for being with you. Rather than just riding along in the cart, your child can help you locate items and pick up boxes. Depending on your child’s age, consider creating a list of items (using words or pictures) that he or she can be responsible to find.
4. Don’t be afraid to discipline in public. Most people understand that discipline is a necessary part of parenting and will appreciate your initiative. If you are a proponent of spanking as a form of discipline, however, avoid swatting your child in public. Instead, find a quieter corner of the store where your child can sit for a “time out.” After a few time outs, your child will learn that misbehaving is not acceptable even while shopping.
5. Interact with your child as you shop. Many children begin to act out when they feel ignored or neglected. Accordingly, avoid dragging your child along as baggage. Instead, engage your child with some conversation. You can ask questions about the day, use the experience as a teaching opportunity, or quietly sing songs together.
With good shopping practices in place, you can turn dreaded trips to the grocery store into cherished occasions You and your child can enjoy the shared experience while keeping the embarrassment and humiliation at a minimum.
There’s no better way to take a person for granted than by spending all your time with them. All parents adore their kids, but you’ve got to admit: being with them all day can sometimes lead to undervaluing them. When you’ve spent an hour scrubbing “washable” crayon off the wall, the Play Doh sculpture your child has created looks more like a mess and less like the proud product of his creative genius. It’s often easier to appreciate them more when they’ve been away - say, at their grandmother’s house for the weekend. It helps you to realize the importance of using your time with them to the utmost.
Make Quality Time a Priority
Just because you spend all day with your kids doesn’t mean any of that is quality time-and “quantity time” just isn’t as special. But even if your schedule is (am-packed, there are plenty of opportunities to squeeze in a meaningful moment here and there.
•Grocery Shopping
Point out colors, textures, unfamiliar fruits and veggies; older children can help read labels and compare prices.
•Cooking
Let your kids help. Even if it means cleaning up a little extra mess, the fun they’ll have is worth the hassle - and it benefits everyone. Even the smallest children can stir or help gather ingredients.
• Doing Laundry
Sorting clothes and measuring out detergent gives kids a sense of purpose and provides a good chance for conversation.
• Riding in the Car
Turn down the radio and sing songs that everybody knows; talk about the passing scenery make up stories.
• During Evening “Downtime”
Every once in a while, turn off the TV and have a family fun night with games, crafts, stories or puzzles that get everyone involved.
Remember: multitasking diminishes the quality of quality time, so be fully present and attentive to your kids during these moments!
Article written by Audrey from best toddler swing and Papasan swing review
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