Take time for yourself!  Go do something with your girlfriends (no kids allowed), get your nails done, go to the gym, or just take a walk.

I watched Oprah’s monday show where she talks about “me time” being the most important thing.  But this is something I’ve always known and have usually been pretty good about.  It’s so true though.  I find that when I do at least a few things a week that are just for me I am a much better mother.  I am more patient, loving, and understanding because I just feel better about myself.  I find that if I make working out part of my “me time” I also have more energy which is ALWAYS helpful when you have a toddler to run after.

Talk to your child….A LOT. It takes hearing a word a ridiculous amount of times before they can actually say their first word. When your child is learning to talk (and when they are infants) you can read them books or just talk to them about what you are doing throughout the day as if they understand everything you are saying. It feels awkward at first but you get used to it.
Another great technique to use is when you are sitting and playing you can emphasize just one word of whatever it is they are interested in at the moment. Then when they get that word down you can add another one, and so on and so on. Some great words to start with (besides mommy and daddy of course) are “more, up, down, eat, drink, milk, dog”. But basically just whatever your child is most interested in.

Don’t put your baby in a walker or exersaucer or if you have to limit it to 15 minutes at a time no more than twice a day. They develop the wrong muscles needed for walking and your baby would be better off exploring on the floor.
This way she can learn to move her body from rolling to crawling to standing and finally walking!

*photo credit: big stock photo

Sorry this is so late but little E and I have been running around all day. I went to Walmart, which was a big mistake this time of year especially. I don’t know if anyone has seen that Walmart bingo thing but it is pretty funny and right on. Today I just had to laugh when I was there because this guy passed by me and he was telling his girlfriend “I don’t have any money because I have to pay my car payment, and my probation.” I don’t know, maybe I am delirious from being so tired but it was funny to me.

Okay so here is your mommy tip of the day.

This might sound odd but some of the best advice I got when my daughter was around 10 months of age was “lower your expectations” when it comes to annoying behavior. Teaching your child appropriate behavior is important but at this age you really can’t expect them to follow directions or to stop throwing things off the table (which was my problem.) So when your child is doing something that is getting on your nerves just say to yourself “this is normal.” Most of the time it is.

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When you make pasta use the multi-grain brands. It has important Omega-3’s which are good for your child’s brain.

*photo credit: big stock photo