By Blythe Lipman, Baby Instructions

It was great to have Ally Loprete from OurMilkMoney.com and This Little Parent Stayed Home on BabyandToddlerInstructions  at Toginet Radio this week. Her positive energy and words of wisdom will make any stay-at-home, self-employed mom feel great about herself. Sending Ally a big “Thank You” hug for being my guest while her moving company was carrying things in and out her door! How exciting!

And a wonderful Congratulations to our three winners! They will be receiving Ally’s Thrive Guide eWorkbook and audios!

Ally said , “We are our own boss whether running a business from home or running the household. We make the rules, set up the schedules and have the confidence to do it our way.”  I know how true this is, ” if Mama ain’t happy, no one is happy!”

We talked about bartering if our financial situation doesn’t allow for certain things.  I think trading services is a great way to  share our talents and makes us feel good.  Many years ago I wrote dessert cookbooks. People would ask me to bake for their parties and in return walk my dog, babysit or help with things that they did best and I didn’t. It was a true win-win for both of us.

Ally shared some personal stories that really opened her eyes. And we both agree that sometimes we learn the most from a bad situation or time in our life. I know my life lessons surely came from those trying times as well.

So as you’re sitting with your friends watching the Superbowl, think about how you can help each other. And remember, you’re the boss and can do things anyway you choose..no pressure, no judgements and as Frank Sinatra sang ” I Did My Way.

To hear the podcast in its entirety: http://bit.ly/w36bNE or at iTunes: http://bit.ly/smljf4

To contact Ally visit OurMilkMoney.com and tune into This Little Parent Stayed Home on www.toginet.com each Friday at 6pm. PST.

BabyandToddlerInstructions  airs on Wednesday at 11am Eastern Standard Time on Toginet Radio and can be downloaded directly from Itunes.  Blythe Lipman is the author of Help! My Baby came Without Instructions. Blythe’s book can be ordered by clicking here and for excerpts of her book click here.

BabyandToddlerInstructions is hosted by Blythe Lipman. Blythe has taken care of over 1000 babies in the past twenty-five years. She worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Boston as a volunteer while attending Boston University. Blythe is the president of Baby Instructions in Scottsdale, Arizona. She has set up infant rooms with turn-key operations in many preschools throughout the country. She works extensively with new parents, providing seminars, tips and daily phone calls of reassurance. Blythe presents workshops sharing her expertise and easy-to-use tips to make those first years the easiest and best! Her parent books have won numerous awards of recognition. Blythe Lipman is also a featured writer for the following publications: CityMommy.com, SJNewsco.com, ChatChewandChocolate.com, and MomsZone.org

For more information you can reach Blythe Lipman of Baby Instructions by calling 480-510-1453 or emailing her directly at blythe@babyinstructions.com.

Blythe Lipman is the expert on parenting issues with babies and toddlers, whether it be a first time mom, pregnant for the first time, dealing with toddler separation anxiety, potty training your toddler or just looking for help for new parents.

By Blythe Lipman, Baby Instructions

Join me with guest author, Shannah Godfrey, Wednesday, February 8th on Baby and Toddler Instructions at www.toginet.com as she shares the two most important things you can give your child and why early reading is so important.

Shannah B Godfrey has been a child’s advocate for over three decades. She is an expert in child development and early reading the right way. She has 14 children of her own, as well as fostered 16 other children in the 1980s.         She is also a former rocket scientist and project manager, and author of many books. She loves science, math, and reading, but her real passion is helping parents lay a good foundation for their child’s future with early reading the right way, disguised as fun family time  - The Godfrey Method of phonics.

Her unique reading method gets your child ahead of the curve, as well as prevents and cures dyslexia and speech problems. It’s easy to use and gives you quality bonding time with your child. Her motto is, Keep It Simple for Success (KISS your child) with The Godfrey Method.

A Pretty Girl Was Alpha Bette

A Funny Boy Was Prince River

A Nutty Man Was Uncle Upton

Top Ten Myths of Reading

It’s Not Rocket Surgery! How to Launch Rather than Detonate Your Child

Yesterday’s guest on Baby and Toddler Instructions  at Toginet.com was the greatest! Connie  Hammer, parent educator, consultant and  certified parent coach opened my eyes to  all the wonderful services she offers parents who have children with Autism.  Connie helps parents adjust to the new life that caring for a child with Autism brings and saves them valuable time in getting their child’s special needs met. She not only guides parents to manage everday battles but helps them optimize their child’s potential in the neuro-typical world.

For more information you can reach Blythe Lipman of Baby Instructions by calling 480-510-1453 or emailing her directly at blythe@babyinstructions.com.

Blythe Lipman is the expert on parenting issues with babies and toddlers, whether it be a first time mom, pregnant for the first time, dealing with toddler separation anxiety, potty training your toddler or just looking for help for new parents.

Join me as I welcome my guest, Connie Hammer on Wednesday, January 25th, 11amEST on www.toginet.com

Don’t forget, you can call in with your questions or go to the chat line at the top of each page at www.Toginet.com  Connie can help!

877-864-4869

As parent educator, consultant and certified parent coach, Connie Hammer is passionate about helping parents of children on the Autism spectrum uncover abilities to change possibilities. A licensed social worker with more than twenty years experience working with families, she currently consults with and coaches parents in person and by phone from across the country. 

Connie helps parents adjust to the new life that caring for a child with Autism brings and saves them valuable time in getting their child’s special needs met. Whether she is guiding parents to manage everyday battles or accomplish long-term goals, she helps parents optimize their child’s potential in the neuro-typical world. 

“Autism: Where the “randomness of life” collides and clashes with an individual”s need for the sameness~”
― Eileen Miller, The Girl Who Spoke with Pictures: Autism Through Art

Today I am not feeling stressed and I have my guest on Baby and Toddler Instructions, Dr. Linda Hawes-Clever, author of  The Fatigue Prescription to thank!!  As instructed, I moved my shoulders out of my ears and took a big breath…Ahhh! Thank you Dr. Linda…sending you a “big hug!”

BabyandToddlerInstructions  airs on Wednesday at 11am Eastern Standard Time on Toginet Radio and can be downloaded directly from Itunes.  Blythe Lipman is the author of Help! My Baby came Without Instructions. Blythe’s book can be ordered by clicking here and for excerpts of her book click here.

BabyandToddlerInstructions is hosted by Blythe Lipman. Blythe has taken care of over 1000 babies in the past twenty-five years. She worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Boston as a volunteer while attending Boston University. Blythe is the president of Baby Instructions in Scottsdale, Arizona. She has set up infant rooms with turn-key operations in many preschools throughout the country. She works extensively with new parents, providing seminars, tips and daily phone calls of reassurance. Blythe presents workshops sharing her expertise and easy-to-use tips to make those first years the easiest and best! Her parent books have won numerous awards of recognition. Blythe Lipman is also a featured writer for the following publications: CityMommy.com, SJNewsco.com, ChatChewandChocolate.com, and MomsZone.org

For more information you can reach Blythe Lipman of Baby Instructions by calling 480-510-1453 or emailing her directly at blythe@babyinstructions.com.

Blythe Lipman is the expert on parenting issues with babies and toddlers, whether it be a first time mom, pregnant for the first time, dealing with toddler separation anxiety, potty training your toddler or just looking for help for new parents.

By Blythe Lipman, Baby Instructions

You’re having another baby…how exciting but a little scary! You are wondering how to prepare your first child for the new baby? When should you talk about it? How many details should you share? Will you be able to handle two little ones?

The following tips will give you some guidelines to make this upcoming event run more smoothly.

•  It is never a good idea to spring something new on a sibling. Nine months will seem like an eternity if you start your discussions too early in the pregnancy. Depending on the age of the child, a good rule of thumb is to start the discussion in the middle of the second trimester.  If you have morning sickness, fatigue or there are changes in your child’s daily routine, you may have to share earlier. Remember, there will be lots of question and one discussion won’t do it.

• If you are anxious about this pregnancy, be careful not to let it spill over into the discussions. It is not necessary to share all the details. Find a friend to share your nervousness with. Children should be allowed to be children and not have to take on adult anxieties.

• Discuss this event with age appropriate descriptions. You don’t need to get into a detailed sexual discussion with a 6 year old. My parents talked about how much they loved each other and how they hugged each other real close a seed was planted in mommy’s tummy that grew into me! Maybe a little hokey, but satisfied my curiosity. If your 2 year old pats your tummy, tell her that this is the new baby and she is going to be a big sister. But remember, sometimes less is best. Too many details will go in one ear and out the other! Let your child’s age and comfort level govern your discussions.

• No matter what the age of your child, tell her how exciting it will be as a Big Sister/Brother! Make this the big deal it is! You can even buy a shirt that says “I’m the Big Sister/Brother” and give it to your older child as a gift from the new baby when you bring her home from the hospital.

• If your child is old enough to understand, discuss how she will be able to help mommy and daddy with the new baby. Talk about helping you feed her, burp the baby, help at bath time, etc. Try and prepare her in a positive way, making her feel like she will play a big part in this wonderful event. If she is not interested, don’t push it.

• Get a few age appropriate books from the library about new babies and read them together. You can also watch videos about becoming a “Big Sister/Brother.” Blues Clues has a video called Meet Blues Baby Brother that is a great tool to use when talking about a new baby. Also some hospitals and libraries offer sibling preparation classes.

• If your child is older, let her sift through her old baby toys to give to the new baby. And talk about how she will be able to teach the new baby to hold the rattle, play with the keys, etc. Reminisce about when she was a baby. Make this event special!

• Start a new ritual with your older child. Something as simple as cuddling with them for 10 minutes before bed each night. Reading a special book in bed…something for just the two of you to share and show your love.

• If you have friends with new babies, make a visit. Let her see that it’s okay for a baby to cry, that you have to be gentle, new babies take lots of naps and she won’t be able to play with the baby at first.

• If you are going to be in the hospital overnight, make sure your child knows who will be staying with her. This is not the time to have a new baby sitter come and help you.  If she is going to stay at grandmas or a friends house, do a dry run. There is nothing worse than being in the hospital and getting that dreaded phone call that your child won’t stop crying and wants to come home.

• Take your child to the store a few weeks before the delivery and let her buy a special gift to give to the baby when she comes home. Make sure she takes it with her if she is staying at grandma’s or a friend’s for safe keeping. This will help her feel like she is a part and give her “big girl” responsibility!

• If you are giving birth at home with your child there, introduce her to the midwife, doula, etc. a few times before the event. Ask them to talk with your child if she is older, show her an age appropriate book, etc. And above all, decide ahead of time if you want her in the room during the delivery. There is nothing more frightening to a child than hearing her mommy screaming in pain and being ushered out of the room. While it is a personal decision, remember it can be very frightening for a child to hear or see their mommy hurting and not comprehending that this will result in a wonderful miracle!

•  If you are going to move your child into a “big girl bed” before the baby arrives try and make the move at least three months before the baby is born. You want to leave enough time for this new adjustment. There is nothing worse than having two children crying in the middle of the night!

• It your child is going to a new preschool after the baby is born, let her start a few months before the big event if possible and get used to the change. Too many new changes can be difficult for the entire family.

• It is not necessary to shower your older child with lots of gifts when the new baby arrives. One or two gifts from the baby, mommy and daddy for being a new “Big Sister/Brother” is plenty. Gifts don’t replace mommy and daddy’s love and attention.

• Try and plan a special time for you and your older child while the baby is napping. A video and hot chocolate with marshmallows will make her feel just as special as the new baby! Try and plan a special mommy and me activity at least once a week. Coloring together, making pudding, etc. will convey your feelings of love. And don’t forget to ask daddy have his special time too. The laundry and dishes can wait. Letting your child know how important she is will make for an easier transition.

• Don’t be upset if your child is jealous and tells you to “take that baby back.” This is all very normal. Some children think this baby has arrived to replace them.

• Take a picture of your child with her new baby sister/brother and tape it to the baby’s crib as well as putting it in a frame for the new “Big Sister/Brother” to display in her room.

• If your child is in preschool, ask her teacher to make a big deal of this new event. Send a picture of the two siblings to school for show and tell and maybe even one of the baby’s toys.
• Above all, don’t feel guilty about not having the same amount of time to spend with your first child. As you adjust to having two children and working out a special time for your firstborn, you will see that quality versus quantity is what counts most. And don’t forget to say lots of “I Love You’s!”

©Blythe Lipman 2012

By Blythe Lipman, Baby Instructions

 A NEW YEAR…A NEW YOU! …AND IT WON’T COST A PENNY!

It’s only January and already you’re feeling those familiar pangs of overwhelm and stress. How would you like to make this year one filled with joy, happiness and less stress than you’ve ever felt?  I know I would!! 

Join me with guest, Dr. Linda Hawes Clever, author of The Fatigue Prescription on Wednesday, January 18th, 11amEST as she shares her “4fers” for feeling good. 

And the best part…you can call Dr. Linda with your questions and hear her best kept secrets for being happy!

877-864-4869

BabyandToddlerInstructions  airs on Wednesday at 11am Eastern Standard Time on Toginet Radio and can be downloaded directly from Itunes.  Blythe Lipman is the author of Help! My Baby came Without Instructions. Blythe’s book can be ordered by clicking here and for excerpts of her book click here.

BabyandToddlerInstructions is hosted by Blythe Lipman. Blythe has taken care of over 1000 babies in the past twenty-five years. She worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Boston as a volunteer while attending Boston University. Blythe is the president of Baby Instructions in Scottsdale, Arizona. She has set up infant rooms with turn-key operations in many preschools throughout the country. She works extensively with new parents, providing seminars, tips and daily phone calls of reassurance. Blythe presents workshops sharing her expertise and easy-to-use tips to make those first years the easiest and best! Her parent books have won numerous awards of recognition. Blythe Lipman is also a featured writer for the following publications: CityMommy.com, SJNewsco.com, ChatChewandChocolate.com, and MomsZone.org

For more information you can reach Blythe Lipman of Baby Instructions by calling 480-510-1453 or emailing her directly at blythe@babyinstructions.com.

Blythe Lipman is the expert on parenting issues with babies and toddlers, whether it be a first time mom, pregnant for the first time, dealing with toddler separation anxiety, potty training your toddler or just looking for help for new parents.

By Blythe Lipman, Baby Instructions

Not flesh of my flesh, But still miraculously my own.

ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT ADOPTING THE BABY BUT DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START? WHO DO YOU CALL? WHAT ARE THE COSTS?  HOW LONG IS THE PROCESS?

 Join me on Baby and Toddler Instructions this Wednesday, January 11th, (11-12EST) on www.toginet.com as I welcome my guest, Kelly Ellison, Your Adoption Finance Coach. She will share all the ins-and- outs of adopting a baby  including the costs, process and her special “Five Step System” to get that little bundle of joy into your arms!

So get your questions ready and all us during the show.

877-864-4869.

BabyandToddlerInstructions  airs on Wednesday at 11am Eastern Standard Time on Toginet Radio and can be downloaded directly from Itunes.  Blythe Lipman is the author of Help! My Baby came Without Instructions. Blythe’s book can be ordered by clicking here and for excerpts of her book click here.

BabyandToddlerInstructions is hosted by Blythe Lipman. Blythe has taken care of over 1000 babies in the past twenty-five years. She worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Boston as a volunteer while attending Boston University. Blythe is the president of Baby Instructions in Scottsdale, Arizona. She has set up infant rooms with turn-key operations in many preschools throughout the country. She works extensively with new parents, providing seminars, tips and daily phone calls of reassurance. Blythe presents workshops sharing her expertise and easy-to-use tips to make those first years the easiest and best! Her parent books have won numerous awards of recognition. Blythe Lipman is also a featured writer for the following publications: CityMommy.com, SJNewsco.com, ChatChewandChocolate.com, and MomsZone.org

For more information you can reach Blythe Lipman of Baby Instructions by calling 480-510-1453 or emailing her directly atblythe@babyinstructions.com.

Blythe Lipman is the expert on parenting issues with babies and toddlers, whether it be a first time mom, pregnant for the first time, dealing with toddler separation anxiety, potty training your toddler or just looking for help for new parents.