Being a past babysitter and now a mom, I know that potty training takes patience and time. Right now, we are in the midst of potty training and by the end of the day, I have no energy left. But I would like to get away occasionally to have sometime for myself. So, I need to communicate with whoever is watching Ethan about the potty training schedule and other hints.
I know my child best. Let's face it - I spend almost 24 hours no more than one room away from him.
Here are some ideas to communicate with babysitters about potty training.
1. Write out your potty schedule. Right now, our potty schedule is in the morning, after meals and at night.
2. Tell/Show the babysitter, your child's favorite activities to entice them to use and stay on the potty. I try to have a really cool book or song for Ethan when he sits on the potty. That way he has an "extra" reason to the potty.
3. Write down any regular routine. Going to the potty means different things to different people. Some parents consider just pee or poop to be using the potty, while other parents consider pulling off pants, sitting down, wiping, flushing and washing hands to be part of "using the potty."
4. Write down what to do if there is an accident. Does the child or babysitter clean it up? Do you switch to diapers?
5. Give rewards. Yea!! The pee and poop went into the potty. Now what? Do you have stickers? A special song? Praise? Let the babysitter know what works best for both of you.
6. Show were you keep the potty supplies - diapers, wipes, toilet ring, underwear, change of clothes, etc. Make sure to bring the potty supplies, if your child is being watched somewhere other than your house.
7. Multiple Kids. If you have more than one child, what does the other child do, while the other one is sitting on the potty?
8. Special Needs. If your child has special needs, you may need to spend extra time teaching your babysitter how to handle certain situations. Modeling (showing what you do) for a couple hours or more is probably the best solution.
Remember, your child needs consistency with using the potty. If you are not always there for him/her, then someone else needs to fill in for you. Don't be surprised to see a very tired babysitter, when you come back.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Separation Anxiety - How to Get Away!
Alligator tears stream down his face as he fails his arms out trying to get a hold of me.
"Mmmaaaaammmmaa!!" He shouts at the top of his lungs in an extremely pathetic voice.
What am I doing? Oh, just trying to get a few minutes away from him to throw some groceries in a cart and make dinner.
Separation anxiety has definitely set in.
What is separation anxiety?
Well, your baby is growing up and is beginning to realize what is familiar and what is strange or unfamiliar. Meaning - you better leave the bathroom door open or hear about it for the next 20 minutes. Any parent that has experienced the gut retching cry of separation anxiety knows exactly what I am talking about.
OK, so you never get a break from your little one and your about ready to pull your hair out and go running out of the house. What are some coping strategies to get you through yet another stage of baby development? First, take a breath. A big, deep breath and count forwards or backwards or somewhere in between, but make sure to take your time. Try to build in time to your day that is just your time. Remember, it's okay if your child cries with someone else. . .it's not your fault and you should not feel guilty about having time to yourself. Here are some other suggestions to facilitate you and your child at home:
1. Make sure that your child is feed, well-rested and has a clean diaper. Anxiety seems to be worse when children are sick or have other needs.
2. If dropping off with a babysitter, grandparent or daycare, spend a few minutes playing with both the caregiver and your child to acclimate your child to the new surroundings.
3. When your child leaves the room on his/her own, don't follow closely behind let them explore by themselves.
4. Say goodbye to your child before leaving with a caregiver, but don't make a big deal out of it. Say you will return soon. Some children like having a picture of their parents when they are absent.
5. Once you leave, DO NOT come back. If you leave, GO!
This one was difficult for me, because I always seemed to have left something back in the house. Many times I just left without my list or even purse to get out of the house. I often felt like I was in an action-adventure flick. In my head all I heard was "GO, GO, GO!' as I scrambled out of the house.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that separation anxiety is the first major emotional developmental milestone. AAP also says that separation anxiety is part of a secure relationship with mom and/or dad. It is not a disorder and does not need to be treated. It's just part of growing up!
Separation anxiety is definitely a deterrent for throwing on your boogie shoes and taking a much needed break from your little one. However, separation anxiety is a temporary stage in the development of your child.
The AAP states that separation anxiety peaks around 10-18 months of age.
However, from experience separation anxiety seems to wax and wan in the first couple years of life (well, that's as far as we are right now).
Like most things in child development, time will cure all!
Sources:
American Academy of Pediatrics: http://www.aap.org/publiced/BK0_SeparationAnxiety.htm
Baby Center: http://www.babycenter.com/0_separation-anxiety_145.bc?articleId=145&page=1
Life! :)
"Mmmaaaaammmmaa!!" He shouts at the top of his lungs in an extremely pathetic voice.
What am I doing? Oh, just trying to get a few minutes away from him to throw some groceries in a cart and make dinner.
Separation anxiety has definitely set in.
What is separation anxiety?
Well, your baby is growing up and is beginning to realize what is familiar and what is strange or unfamiliar. Meaning - you better leave the bathroom door open or hear about it for the next 20 minutes. Any parent that has experienced the gut retching cry of separation anxiety knows exactly what I am talking about.
OK, so you never get a break from your little one and your about ready to pull your hair out and go running out of the house. What are some coping strategies to get you through yet another stage of baby development? First, take a breath. A big, deep breath and count forwards or backwards or somewhere in between, but make sure to take your time. Try to build in time to your day that is just your time. Remember, it's okay if your child cries with someone else. . .it's not your fault and you should not feel guilty about having time to yourself. Here are some other suggestions to facilitate you and your child at home:
1. Make sure that your child is feed, well-rested and has a clean diaper. Anxiety seems to be worse when children are sick or have other needs.
2. If dropping off with a babysitter, grandparent or daycare, spend a few minutes playing with both the caregiver and your child to acclimate your child to the new surroundings.
3. When your child leaves the room on his/her own, don't follow closely behind let them explore by themselves.
4. Say goodbye to your child before leaving with a caregiver, but don't make a big deal out of it. Say you will return soon. Some children like having a picture of their parents when they are absent.
5. Once you leave, DO NOT come back. If you leave, GO!
This one was difficult for me, because I always seemed to have left something back in the house. Many times I just left without my list or even purse to get out of the house. I often felt like I was in an action-adventure flick. In my head all I heard was "GO, GO, GO!' as I scrambled out of the house.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that separation anxiety is the first major emotional developmental milestone. AAP also says that separation anxiety is part of a secure relationship with mom and/or dad. It is not a disorder and does not need to be treated. It's just part of growing up!
Separation anxiety is definitely a deterrent for throwing on your boogie shoes and taking a much needed break from your little one. However, separation anxiety is a temporary stage in the development of your child.
The AAP states that separation anxiety peaks around 10-18 months of age.
However, from experience separation anxiety seems to wax and wan in the first couple years of life (well, that's as far as we are right now).
Like most things in child development, time will cure all!
Sources:
American Academy of Pediatrics: http://www.aap.org/publiced/BK0_SeparationAnxiety.htm
Baby Center: http://www.babycenter.com/0_separation-anxiety_145.bc?articleId=145&page=1
Life! :)
The Perfect Babysitter Search
Finding the perfect babysitter can be a long and arduous process. Before you begin your babysitting finding adventure, first think about the qualities that you would like to find in a babysitter. Do you want a . . .
*male or female sitter
*non-smoker
*driver's license
*just on a occasional Friday or Saturday night?
Perfect Babysitter Match finds out all of these quality issues for you and gives you all of the information about 15+ babysitters at one time. Take home the Match Book and find the perfect match for your family!
The first Perfect Babysitter Match is set for this October in Kent, Washington.
Please email perfectsittermatch@gmail.com for more information.
*male or female sitter
*non-smoker
*driver's license
*just on a occasional Friday or Saturday night?
Perfect Babysitter Match finds out all of these quality issues for you and gives you all of the information about 15+ babysitters at one time. Take home the Match Book and find the perfect match for your family!
The first Perfect Babysitter Match is set for this October in Kent, Washington.
Please email perfectsittermatch@gmail.com for more information.
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