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How to Raise Kids with Good Self-Esteem

doodle — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 14:31:39 +0000

The self-portrait that a child paints of herself from a young age can have a significant impact on mental health and social happiness later in life. A healthy self-esteem is also necessary for setting up a child to have the skills to foster successful relationships in adulthood. The bottom line is that how you feel about yourself significantly impacts how you act. Many times, behavioral issues can be directly related to low self-esteem (we’ve all heard the story of how the playground bully is really the most insecure kid at school). Here are some parenting tips that can be applied at any age to help set your child up to enjoy all of the benefits that come with a good self-esteem.

Give Genuine Praise and Encourage Natural Talents

We are constantly reminded by kids’ honesty that they pick up on more than we realize. In the same vein, they are able to detect when praise is being given genuinely, as well as when it’s not. It’s not the frequency of praise that you should think twice about, but the way that you word it. A good way to ensure that you’re truly making your child feel the impact of your compliments is to make them specific. Not every child need to hear that they are “the best in the world”— simply pointing out you loved the amount of detail that they put into a drawing could be even more impactful.

It is also important to try not compare your children’s talents, but instead to focus on the natural talents of each child. This can be especially important in situations where two or more of your children participate in the same activity. Identify natural talents in each of your children and make it a point out their success in those areas.

Demonstrate Self-Confidence

There are times when parenting is not only an opportunity to set our kids up for success, but to also focus on a bit of self-improvement. So much of a child’s behavior growing up, and even in adulthood (we all have those moments when we feel like we are turning into our own parents), is modeled after your behavior. In supporting your child, you may discover aspects of your own mental health that are in need of attention. If past issues affect your ability to demonstrate a healthy self-confidence, it’s a good opportunity to confront them.

Whether or not we like to admit our faults, our imperfections can also be a great learning tool for our kids. Ensure that your child understands the reality that nobody is perfect, and that they aren’t expected to be. React to your child’s mistakes and disappointments as an opportunity to take away a lesson and apply it going forward.

Spend Time Playing One-on-One

Blocking out time each week where your child is your main focus is necessary for building a sense of self-worth. Whether it’s playing with blocks or a one-on-one lunch date, each parent dedicating a focused amount of time to spend with your child shows her how important she is to you. Take this precious time together to show your genuine interest for what is on her mind.

Empower Through Responsibility

A huge portion of positive self-image can stem from how successful your child feels after accomplishing a task. Be careful not to automatically jump to your child’s aid at every turn—have patience and allow for time for your child to attempt to solve age-appropriate challenges.

Giving children responsibility for everyday tasks is also a great way to help them feel successful. There are countless everyday tasks that would be much easier and less time consuming if you were to do them, but it is best to pre-select some tasks that your child can choose from to accomplish on her own. This responsibility could be as simple as picking out clothes for the day. Like adults, the more children are faced with and succeed at new challenges, the more competent and self-assured they will feel.

Help Your Child Identify the Difference Between Expressing and Controlling Behavior

Emotions are at the core of self-identify. Although a child’s emotion may at times seem over the top or silly, make sure to avoid using sarcasm or unintentionally belittling your child’s feelings. Help your child know the difference between controlling behavior that might be a result of an emotional response and expressing the emotion itself in a healthy way. If you are angry in the situation, lead by example and don’t let your emotions get the best of your behavior! Take a short break so you don’t say something you’ll regret later on.

Written by Doodle Pants Team

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6 Self-Care Tips for New Moms

doodle — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 15:51:45 +0000

One of the most common problems among new moms is not taking the time to take care of themselves, along with their child. Simple things like a long, hot shower, or larger issues like not taking time to pursue your true interests in life can all be forgotten when a new child arrives. Here are some tips that’ll help with your self-care going forward:

Dress Your Best

Don’t keep wearing maternity clothes or stretch pants if you haven’t lost the baby weight. Even if you’re planning on losing weight, there are big box stores where you can find inexpensive jeans and shirts in your current size. Looking good is part of feeling good.

Shower with Baby

As mentioned, something as little as a relaxing shower can go a long way to make you feel better throughout the day. Pick a time of day when your little one is generally content, and bring them into the bathroom with the help of a baby swing or bouncer. If baby starts to fuss, sing a silly song or play peek-a-boo with the shower curtain.

Get Measured

Did you know that up to 80% of moms are wearing the wrong bra size? Pregnancy and post-birth hormones have made changes to your body you might not be fully aware of. Getting measured only take a minute, and a great bra is always a good buy when it comes to self-care.

Spa Day

We all deserve a spa day sometimes, and moms more than anyone! Choose a day when you know someone else will be around to take care of the kids and house, and plan your full day of pampering. Schedule a massage, facial, mani/pedi, etc. and devote a day to taking care of yourself!

Eating Habits

Your eating and drinking habits play a big role in how you feel throughout any given day. Make sure you’re staying hydrated and not neglecting your water intake during the usual busy day. Also, make sure to eat fruits and veggies every day. These natural foods will provide you with a ton of energy and keep you healthy so you can continue taking care of the little ones.

Don’t Stop Being You

You had a life before baby, and holding on to your life after baby is important. Of course you won’t have as much time to dedicate to your interests, but make sure that you don’t just give them up because of your new family. Even though our children become the main focus of our lives, you can’t let them be the ONLY focus in life.

Written by Doodle Pants Team

For more information, visit http://www.doodlepants.com.

Controlling Clutter in Your Child’s Playroom

doodle — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 18:11:15 +0000

With the new year almost here, now is a great time to rid your home of clutter starting with your child’s playroom. After the holidays you may find that your child’s playroom is getting a little out of hand and there’s no space for all the new toys your child received. What we’ve come to learn is when it comes to a playroom, less is really more. The more organized your child’s playroom is, the more your child will be able to engage in creative and developmentally beneficial play. Here are some tips you can use to control clutter in your playroom.

Get rid of old toys

This will make the biggest change in getting rid of clutter in your child’s playroom. The truth is your child probably doesn’t play with a lot of the toys he/she owns. When they receive new toys, kids are quick to forget about all their old ones and only focus on new toys. Make a deal with them to donate an old toy to a child in need for every new toy they receive.

Set up play areas

If you have a large playroom, one way to keep organized is to create separate play areas. One corner of the room can be a designated art area full of arts & crafts supplies. Another area can be a reading corner full of books and another area can be for block play, etc. Having these separate spaces can go a long way in keeping the room more organized.

Label boxes and bins

Instead of having piles of toys everywhere and not being able to keep track of them, organize everything into boxes and bins that are labelled so your child knows exactly where to find what she’s looking for. This also makes clean up time a lot easier since everything has its own place.

Place things within child’s reach

Many times when organizing or decorating a playroom, parents will place things on shelves that are high up and out of their child’s reach. Remember that this space is meant for a child so it should be decorated and organized from your child’s perspective. Use kid-friendly furniture like small tables and chairs that will also take up less space.

Rotate your toys

If your child gets bored of his toys too quickly, put some of them in storage in an attic or basement and then rotate them out every few weeks. This way you are not buying new toys every time your child gets bored and adding to the clutter. He will be playing with the same toys he already owns but they will feel new because he hasn’t played with them in a while. In fact, he will probably even forget about them entirely and be thrilled when he sees them once again.

Written by Doodle Pants Team

For more information, visit http://www.doodlepants.com.

How to Choose a Good Preschool

doodle — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 20:06:02 +0000

Choosing the right preschool for your child is an important decision to make because it sets the foundation for your child’s education. Every preschool is run differently so there are many different factors that play into which school is the best fit for your child. This is not a decision you should rush into making or base solely on convenience – take some time to research schools, meet teachers, and figure out what your child’s learning style is. Here are a couple of tips to follow for choosing the right preschool.

Find out the teacher-to-student ratio

Some schools are very crowded and may have one teacher leading a classroom of 20 or more. If your child is independent and works well on her own, this might work out just fine for her. Other children require individualized attention and perform much better when they have a teacher’s aide who can work with them one-on-one throughout the day.

Visit the school

Schedule a visit to the school during a typical day so you can see teacher-student interactions and observe the classroom in action. Meet with the preschool teachers so you can ask them questions and see if you can meet other school staff. It’s also a good idea to talk to other parents who are at the school to hear firsthand what they think of it.

Meet the principal

Although the principal/director of the school may not be interacting with your child on a daily basis, she is still in charge of the whole school so it’s important to get a feel for who she is. Does she have the same school philosophy and teach the same values as you? Does she know the names of parents and students of her school?

Learn the curriculum philosophy

Many preschools are play-based because it’s believed that children learn best through play. Active and social kids do very well in a play-based school. Montessori schools focus on academics letting children make their own choices. Classrooms have specific areas based on language, mathematics, practical life, and more. Independent students do well in this classroom. A traditional, academic approach focuses more on math and reading skills to prepare kids for formal learning. Kids who do well with structure and following directions thrive in this learning environment.

Nap time

Different schools will have different nap time schedules and if you worked hard to establish your child’s current naptime routine, you’ll want to find a school that will work with your child’s nap time. Children should nap at the same time every day and for no more than two hours. Also check with the teachers to see if you need to bring your own nap mat or pillow.

Written by Doodle Pants Team

For more information, visit http://www.doodlepants.com.

Creative Holiday Crafts for Kids

doodle — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 22:34:44 +0000

The holidays are such a joyous time of year for all! Kids especially can’t wait for Santa to make his way from the North Pole and leave all sorts of goodies! While they wait for the Christmas holiday to start, you can help keep them entertained and occupied with some creative holiday crafts. You can use some of these crafts to decorate the house for the holidays or to decorate your tree with – soon it will be Christmas in no time!

Clothespin Snowflakes

Who would’ve thought that clothespins make perfect holiday snowflakes?!

Materials Needed:

8 wooden clothespins per snowflake
ribbon
hot glue gun and glue sticks
white spray paint or white craft paint and a paintbrush
craft paper or drop cloth
scissors

Full Instructions: http://www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/handmade/turn-clothespins-into-christmas-tree-ornaments

Fingerprint Christmas Lights

Great idea for a very “personalized” Christmas card using your kids’ fingerprints!

Materials Needed:

Paper
Fingerpaint
Sharpie

This craft is super easy – just draw a strand of lights using black Sharpie on a white piece of paper. Then have your kids dip their fingers into pain and push them on the paper to create light bulbs – super cute!

Full Instructions: http://www.craftymorning.com/fingerprint-christmas-light-craft-for/

Shredded Paper Snowman

This craft is so simple and only requires materials you are likely to already have around the house.

Materials Needed:

2 Paper Plates stapled together
Shredded Paper
Black Paper Circles for Eyes and Buttons
Orange Paper Triangle Nose
White Glue

Full Instructions: http://www.housingaforest.com/shredded-paper-snowman/

Paper Plate Christmas Trees

Super simple to make but these Christmas trees look so festive and are perfect for your child’s classroom or hanging on the front door.

Materials Needed:

paper plate
green acrylic paint
paint brush
scissors
hole punch
ribbon or yarn
tape
stapler
brown cardstock paper
star sticker
sequins
glue

Full Instructions: http://iheartcraftythings.com/paper-plate-laced-christmas-tree-craft.html

Written by Doodle Pants Team

For more information, visit http://www.doodlepants.com.

Teaching Your Kids About Gratitude

doodle — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 16:34:38 +0000

This time of year is all about counting your blessings and doing your part to help others. We celebrate Thanksgiving each year with our family and while the holiday is a joyous time to enjoy delicious food with the company of our loved ones, we should also take some time to remind our children about why we celebrate the holiday and all the things we have to be grateful for. It’s not always easy for little ones to understand, but sometimes actions speak louder than words. Here are some ideas for teaching your kids about gratitude over the holidays.

Give thanks at the table

During your Thanksgiving dinner this year, have every guest at the table say one thing that they are thankful for. You can say you’re thankful for the food on the table, for having a safe and warm place to live, for your family’s health, etc. Your little ones will start to understand and eventually you can make a habit of always giving thanks for the food on your table every day.

Always say thank you

Kids will always look up to their parents and emulate their actions, so when you say thank you, it sets an example for them to follow. When someone holds the door open for you, offers you a seat on the bus, lets you cut in front of them in line, remember to always say thank you, especially when your kids are with you. The time will come when they will do the same.

Make a Thankful tree

This is a fun art project for your kids that will also teach them a valuable lesson. You can help them cut out a tree from construction paper or cardboard and decorate it with different colored leaves. On each of the leaves, they must write down one thing they are thankful for. Invite the whole family and all of your Thanksgiving guests to grab a leaf, write down something they are thankful for, and glue it on the tree. Soon you will have a beautiful tree overflowing with leaves.

Volunteering

This is a popular time of year for families to do some community service and volunteer to help out those less fortunate. A soup kitchen is a fantastic place to volunteer because you can donate canned goods or even cook up a special dish and your children can even help to serve the hungry. Meeting and getting to speak with people who don’t have everything your family does will put things into perspective for your kids. They may even ask to make this a yearly tradition!

Donate

If you don’t have the time to volunteer, you can always help by donating to those in needs. Many organizations and charities accept donations of all kinds from gently used clothing and toys, to toiletries, books, canned goods, and more. You can ask your kids to donate any toys that they no longer play with or even pick out one new toy to give to a child in need.

Written by Doodle Pants Team

For more information, visit http://www.doodlepants.com.

Cute Kids’ Outfits for Fall

doodle — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 19:30:10 +0000

The fall is a great season for dressing up the kids because it’s not too hot and it’s not too cold – the temperature is just right! It’s also a good time for dressing in layers since it tends to be cooler in the morning and warmer in the afternoon, but the more layers, the cuter the outfit! We love those rich fall colors like tan, yellow, orange, and red and our Woodland Collection features some great pieces that are perfect for the fall holidays! Check out these adorable kids’ outfits we’ve put together for the fall.

Camo

Bear

Giraffe and Pink Monster

Raccoon

Skunk

Deer

Written by Doodle Pants Team

For more information, visit http://www.doodlepants.com.

How to Calm a Colicky Baby

doodle — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 15:20:09 +0000

Do you have a baby who suffers from colic? Colic is defined as repeated bouts of excessive crying in a baby who is otherwise healthy. We may not know the cause of colic but it does usually go away on its own after a few months. It’s certainly stressful for parents when they don’t know why their baby keeps on crying after being fed, changed, burped and rocked. Check for anything that may be causing discomfort to your baby and then try different methods to soothe your baby. Here are a few tips you can try:

Swaddle your baby

The AAP says that when it is done correctly, swaddling can help calm infants and promote sleep. Babies are used to the security, warmth and comfort of mom’s womb so recreating this environment for baby can be incredibly soothing. Swaddling baby is encouraged because it does a great job of replicating the womb environment.

Try a white noise machine

Babies are also accustomed to the loud noises they heard in mom’s womb and white noise can help to reduce stress in babies, help them fall asleep more easily and reduce their crying. Your white noise machine should be louder than your baby’s crying for it to be effective.

Breastfeed

Breastfeeding baby provides nourishment but it also provides great comfort to baby. It’s a very powerful way to soothe baby as she feels much closer to mom. Nursing baby for comfort also regulates baby’s breathing and heart rate.

Give a massage

Babies find it very relaxing for mom or dad to gently stroke their tummies and massage their arms and legs. You can warm up some lotion and gently spread it all over baby while kneading the skin without applying too much pressure. This can be a bonding experience for parent and baby and it can also help put your baby to sleep.

Give baby a bath

For some babies there is nothing more soothing than a warm bath, especially before bedtime. A lavender body wash relaxes baby and makes baby sleepy when it becomes a part of your regular nightly routine because she will associate the warm water with falling asleep.

Rock her to sleep

Babies love rhythmic motions like rocking, swinging, dancing, and jiggling. Swaying while holding a fussy baby or putting baby in a swing or bouncer usually helps to keep her calm. Sitting down with baby in a rocking chair will also help as well as pushing baby in a stroller around the house or taking baby for a ride in the car.

Written by Doodle Pants Team

For more information, visit http://www.doodlepants.com.

6 Things to Know about Cloth Diapering your Baby

doodle — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 12:30:39 +0000

Cloth diapers are definitely the way to go for eco-conscious parents and those who want to save money in the long run. There are a ton of benefits to cloth diapering and there’s also a lot to know about starting on the cloth diapering journey. Most parents who use cloth diapers are very passionate about it and will be the first to tell you how much they love it over traditional diapers. Since there is so much you can read about this topic but we’re going to share a few key points and facts to give a helpful overview on cloth diapering.

1. Cloth diapering is better for the planet and better for your baby

Everyone knows that cloth diapers are better for the environment than regular diapers which take hundreds of years to decompose. However, many parents don’t realize that some disposable diapers contain chemicals that have been linked to several harmful health issues. Cloth diapers are more comfortable and better for baby’s skin.

2. There are different cloth diapering systems

Cloth diaper styles vary and you can choose to go with an economical system or a premium system. Prefold diapers and covers are the most economical and they use a prefold diaper that is pinned in place and then a waterproof cover goes over it. One-size diapers use snaps to get the right fit for your baby so you don’t have to buy new ones as your baby grows. Hybrid diapers use an insert that gets changed and a waterproof cover that is reused during the day.

3. How much you save will vary

Disposable diapers will end up costing thousands of dollars based on the brand you use and how long your child is in diapers for. The cost of cloth diapering can vary greatly based on whether you choose an economical or premium diapering system. You can end up spending as little as $300 total for cloth diapering your baby until she is potty trained or you can spend up to $1,000 including water and energy costs.

4. Cloth diapers must be changed often

Disposable diapers are more absorbent than cloth diapers because of all the chemicals they contain. Without these chemicals, cloth diapers cannot hold as much moisture and need to be changed about every two hours. This also depends on the type of cloth diaper you use.

5. Washing cloth diapers is easier than you think

Don’t let your diapers sit for too long before washing; aim to do a wash every other day separate from your other clothes. Using the right soap is key (a natural detergent is best). Also, don’t make the mistake of soaking dirty diapers which will ruin the fabric. Instead just pre-treat heavy stains.

6. You will need a stash of cloth diapers

Because you have to change cloth diapers more often than disposable diapers, you will need to have a stash of clean diapers on hand. You will need 10-12 diapers in one day for a newborn baby and around 6-8 diapers per day for older babies. Take into account how often you will be doing washes. If it’s every other day than you will need about 24 diapers for your newborn.

Written by Doodle Pants Team

For more information, visit http://www.doodlepants.com.

Tips for Trick or Treating with Baby

doodle — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 10:30:00 +0000

Celebrating Halloween by going trick or treating is such a fun childhood tradition, especially for older kids who get to enjoy picking out costumes and swapping candy. Babies can still get in on the fun too, but they will need some extra attention and care in order to ensure a drama-free night of fun. If you plan on bringing baby along while going trick or treating with your older children, here are a few tips to make the night go smoothly so everyone will have a great time!

Dress warmly

It definitely gets chilly at night in October so you’ll want to make sure baby is dressed appropriately so she will keep warm all night. Layers are also recommended just in case baby starts feeling a little too warm if she’s all bundled up. A Halloween costume that features a warm hoodie and cozy leggings that feel like pajamas will make the perfect outfit. Check out some of our Halloween costume ideas featuring Doodle Pants!

Go out earlier in the day

When you have small children it is much better to go trick or treating during the day time while the sun is still out rather than at night. The benefits are that it won’t be as cold, there won’t be as many older children and teens out, there is no danger of dark streets, and they’ll be tired out and ready for bed once you get back!

Bring a flashlight

If you are going trick or treating after the sun goes down, it’s very important to have flashlights with you to light things up. Some streets may not have streetlamps and can be spooky in the dark – plus flashlights are just necessary for safety.

Avoid scary decorations

Small children are easily spooked and one scare can ruin the whole night. If you see a house that has tons of creepy decorations it may be best to avoid it altogether. You never know if they’ll have a prop that pops out at your kids and surprises them to give them a scare that lasts through the night.

Wear comfy shoes

Don’t forget about your own comfort when taking the kids out! You might end up walking much more than you expected to so you should wear comfortable shoes with support like sneakers so you won’t come home with sore feet.

Bring water

It’s important to stay hydrated while you’re out and about and keep your kids hydrated too. They will probably want to eat one or two treats while out on their walk and the water will help to quench their thirst.

Written by Doodle Pants Team

For more information, visit http://www.doodlepants.com.