Baby Instructions

Blythe Lipman, Host of Baby and Toddler Instructions Wants To Know If You Use Your Words?

blythe — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:59:59 +0000

“Use Your Words”.. if you’re a mom, you know you’ve said these three little words. But Kate Hopper has a different definition. She is the author of ”Use Your Words, A Writing Guide For Mothers.” And she sure knows how to use hers. Kate was my guest on Baby and Toddler Instructions and shared some wonderful information for mother’s that want to write. Write a book, a blog, a poem or just some memories so they won’t forget.

We talked alot about finding our writing voice. I know for me, when I write I pretend I am talking to the person. It makes it easy. But not everyone has the same voice and there is no right or wrong.

Everyone has different techniques. There is one chapter in Kate’s book that talks about clustering. There is a great diagram where she starts with a circle with one word in the middle of the page and lots of other circles with words clustering out from the the middle one. This is her picture when she is writing. For you, it may be a word, a thought, a paragraph.You may write with a sense of humor, or just plain get to the point. It’s your writing and you’re the boss.

And as Kathleen Hirsch and Katrina Kenison so eloquently put it: “We all have stories to tell. It does take courage to write about motherhood, to explore our roles as mothers, give voice to the emotions and fears that swirl deep beneath the suface of our daily lives. Kate says: “Start with a moment you don’t want to forget, a sight, a sound, how did it make you feel.” And I will complete the thought by telling you to put that pen down on the paper or your fingers on that keyboard and let those words flow like a stream!! You never know what you’ll end up with…a novel, a poem or some wonderful memories that will bring a tear to your eye or a smile to your face.

If you told me I was going to write books twenty years ago I would have said, “not in a New York minute!” But guess what, I am working on my fifth book and there is nothing better. I love to write and share my expertise with parents around the globe! Help! My Baby Came Without Instructions is now available in Spanish and Chinese…who would have thought!!

To hear Kate’s wonderful tips and the podcast in it’s entirety:

http://bit.ly/nYX6P6 (Itunes), http://bit.ly/gm2QCv (www.toginet.com), http://bit.ly/KunMyd

And check out Kate’s blog: www.motherhoodandwords.com and www.katehopper.com

BabyandToddlerInstructions is hosted by Blythe Lipman. Blythe has taken care of over 1000 babies in the past thirty 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.

Blythe Lipman, Host of Baby and Toddler Instructions Says; “Use Your Words!”

blythe — Mon, 14 May 2012 01:46:35 +0000

By Blythe Lipman, Baby Instructions

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

“Widows and Stilettos..Does It Work?” Asks Blythe Lipman, Host of Baby and Toddler Instructions

blythe — Thu, 10 May 2012 18:12:07 +0000

By Blythe Lipman, Baby Instructions

If you ever wondered if widows can wear stilettos the answer is “Yes, Yes and Yes!” Carole Brody Fleet, the author of Widows Wear Stilettos and Happily Even After: A Guide to Getting Through (and Beyond) the Grief of Widowhood was my guest on Baby and Toddler Instructions on Wednesday, May 9^th at www.toginet.com Carole’s information not only made me laugh and made me cry but also had me nodding in agreement that I understood.

Carole talked about how she got through her journey with her husband’s passing at 40 years old while raising their daughter and facing the trials and tribulations of everyday life.

One thing she said that really made me think is “that during an illness, life goes on. Things still break in the home, you still have disagreements with your partner, your child still has to get to her activities.” I think sometimes we forget that the illness is not our life and doesn’t govern each and every minute. And we have to do the best we can to continue to get some joy out of each day.

Carole shared many important tips, but the one that hit home for me was that there are no rules when you lose a loved one. There is no right way to grieve, no schedule and you don’t owe any explanations to anyone. Her wonderful books really put everything in perspective in a way that will make you know you’re not alone in this process.

I was so happy that we also talked about how and what to tell a child when there’s an illness in the family. How graphic do you get? How many details do you share or any at all? As we all know, children take what we say literally. So thinking about your words before you answer your child’s question is so important. Listening to Carole talk about how she and her daughter handled her husband’s terminal illness, truly brought tears to my eyes. She honored her eleven year old and made this life experience one filled with of dignity and grace.

We touched on the issue of dealing with the daddy/daughter, mother/son, etc. events that happen at school when there aren’t two living parents. I just loved how she handled these times with her daughter after daddy passed away.

It was a truly heart warming show. To hear the podcast in it’s entirety:

http://bit.ly/nYX6P6 or http://bit.ly/IM3w5T

And to get more information about Carole Brody Fleet visit: www.WidowsWearStilettos.com

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.

“Being a Widow Hurts” says Blythe Lipman, Host of Baby and Toddler Instructions

blythe — Mon, 07 May 2012 22:44:37 +0000

By Blythe Lipman, Baby Instructions

Did You Take Your Power Nap Today? asks Blythe Lipman, Host of Baby and Toddler Instructions

blythe — Thu, 03 May 2012 23:39:40 +0000

By Blythe Lipman,

Ohh, …I feel so much better after my “power nap.” Did you take yours today? Dr. Linda Hawes-Clever was my guest on Baby and Toddler Instructions at Toginet Radio and she was great! We talked about the importance of taking care of ourselves and our course, naps came into the converstaion.

Dr. Linda says, “taking a nap is “Mom-Work. We take care of everyone else but usually put ourselves last. We are filling our energy bucket by putting ourselves first. We get to be on the calendar too!”

I remember when my children were little, I had a mother’s helper (boy am I dating myself with that term) come in one afternoon a week. Sometimes I went out and sometimes I just stayed home and took a nap. But I always knew that those three hours were just for me! And I always felt so refreshed. Being a mom is hard work and sometimes it’s tough to give ourselves the permission we need to take that nap, meet our girlfriends or go shopping. But it’s so important.

Dr. Linda shared a wonderful analogy about saying no…she called it the “No Sandwich!”

Hoping you pull up the podcast and find out what the “No Sandwich” is and hear the show in it’s entirety. Just love Dr. Linda’s tips!!

Podcast links: http://bit.ly/gm2QCv or http://bit.ly/nYX6P6

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 her 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 many publications.

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

“I Can’t Stop Yawning” Says Blythe Lipman, Host of Baby and Toddler Instructions

blythe — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:11:10 +0000

By Blythe Lipman, Baby Instructions

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

“If Mama Ain’t Happy, Ain’t Nobody Happy!” says Blythe Lipman, Host of Baby and Toddler Instructions

blythe — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 00:09:04 +0000

By Blythe Lipman, Baby Instructions

“If Mama Ain’t Happy, Ain’t Nobody Happy!”…a saying many of us have heard for years. And it’s so true. Diane Lang, Therapist, Educator and Author was my guest on Baby and Toddler Instructions on Wednesday, April 25th and she sure knows her stuff!

Diane and I talked about “Positive Parenting” and what that means. She said; “your children see what your do more than hear your words. And there is nothing more inportant than setting a good example from day one. Even tiny babies can feel a mom’s stress level. It’s so important to find what makes you happy and model it for your children.” How many of us as parents do things and say, “I sound just like my mother?”

Diane also shared a wonderful tool that she called “Snap to Awareness!” When you listen to the podcast you will be amazed at how many of us don’t realize what comes out of our mouths or what our body language portrays.

I can say that it sure opened my eyes. And the second the show was over I started to “snap to awareness!”

It was a great show and I can’t wait to have Diane on as my guest again.

To hear the show in it’s entirety : http://bit.ly/IaWVBI or http://bit.ly/nYX6P6

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

Calling All Moms…Do You Take Time For You?

blythe — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:45:33 +0000

By Blythe Lipman, Baby Instructions

Taking Care of Me – New Mom 101

Wow, is the baby really here? Is this baby mine? I can’t believe it! While you waited nine long months for your baby to be born, you never really thought about how your life would be completely different. Even though all your friends told you how tired you would be, you never gave it much thought. When your friends told you that you would never have a minute to yourself, you thought, “I can’t wait to be a mother, who needs free time? If I want to go out, I will just take the baby with me.” Like anything else in life, until the actual moment comes you take everything with a grain of salt.

So, you haven’t taken a shower in two days, your shirt has spit-up on it, grandma had to go home, and make-up — what’s that? You’ve never been so tired in your life, but when your baby looks up and smiles your heart just melts. Here are some survival tips to make your transition to “real time mom” a little more manageable:

Don’t forget to eat. You need your energy to take good care of your baby. Without fuel your car just won’t run!
Try to stock up on healthy foods. If you have good food at your fingertips, chances are you will take better care of yourself.
Place bottled water for you around the house. It is very important to drink lots of fluids, especially if you are nursing. Each time your baby eats, drink your water too!
When you go to the grocery store, buy lots of healthy fruits and vegetables. Put them in an attractive bowl in the front of the refrigerator to grab when that energy drain hits.
If you must take baby with you, pick a time when you know the baby won’t need a feeding.
While at the grocery store, buy yourself a special treat. A candy bar, gossip magazine, special food, something that is just a little indulgent and will make you feel great about taking care of yourself as well as your baby. A little self-pampering never hurt anyone!
It’s a fact of life that you are going to be up all hours of the night feeding the baby (she doesn’t know what time it is). Try to make it fun. Tivo some funny shows and turn them on during those wee hours. There is nothing better than a good laugh to help you forget your fatigue.
While everyone is very excited about meeting your new little bundle, don’t be afraid to say, “No visitors today.” Wait until you are ready to handle more than just you and your baby. Don’t feel guilty; you are not obligated to anyone except yourself, your baby, and your husband.
While Grandma is well-meaning and wants to be there to help you every second, establish some ground rules for visiting and hanging out from the very beginning. It will help ease any hard feelings that may come up. Gently let her know you understand how excited she is, but you need some time to ease into your new routine.
If your message to Grandma does cause hard feelings, let your husband talk to her. Sometimes children have a better way of getting mom to understand since they lived with her their whole life.
Even though you always did your own laundry, cleaned your own house, mowed your own lawn, don’t feel guilty about hiring a professional to help those first few months if it’s in the budget. You can’t do it all!
Remember these words: “Yes, thank you so much, you’re such a great friend!” These are the words you will use when a friend asks you if they can pick up your dry cleaning, get you a few things at the grocery store, and return your movies. If someone offers to help, throw away your “Super Mom Suit” and take them up on it. True friends help each other and chances are you would do the same for them.

Lastly, sometimes a good cry is all you need. Give in to those tears. Transitioning into motherhood isn’t easy. Get out the tissue box and let those tears flow. I promise you will feel better.

Blythe Lipman is the President of Baby Instructions. She is passionate about babies, toddlers, and their parents. After working in the field for over 25 years, she wrote her second award-winning book, MORE…HELP! MY BABY CAME WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS, which is available at www.babyinstructions.com You can hear Blythe’s weekly radio show on Wednesdays, 11 A.M. Eastern Standard Time at www.toginet.com. Blythe is available for in-home, video, and telephone consultations.

How Would You Rate Yourself As A Parent, Asks Blythe Lipman, Host of Baby and Toddler Instructions

blythe — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 22:30:53 +0000

By Blythe Lipman, Baby Instructions

Join me on Wednesday, April 25th, 11amEST on www.toginet.com as I welcome special guest, Diane Lang, Therapist, Educator and Author. It’s going to be a great show!

It Should Never Hurt To Be A Child Says Blythe Lipman, Host of Baby and Toddler Instructions

blythe — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:38:21 +0000

By Blythe Lipman, Baby Instructions

Babies cry, toddlers have tantrums and parents are sleep-deprived…all facts of life. Being a parent isn’t always a walk in the park. But when you see that little mouth turned up in a smile or hear your toddler say, “Mommy, Love You,” it just melts your heart. So why, does Shaken Baby Syndrome and Child Abuse even exist? I just don’t get it.

Dr. Mary Warren, Coordinator of Never Shake A Baby Arizona and Children’s Mental Health Coordinator for the South Phoenix Best For Babies program, projects of Prevent Child Abuse Arizona was my guest this week on Baby and Toddler Instructions and shared vital information for all new and expectant parents, grandparents and caregivers.

Mary says; “there are two parts to infant crying: how to soothe the baby and how to handle caregiver frustration.” We talked about the number of reasons babies cry, what to check for and what to do if you just can’t stop those tears and how to reduce your own stress. Shaking a baby will not stop his crying and can result in Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Did you know that 80% of shaken babies end up with retinal damage. And worse , brain damage, cerebral palsy and unfortunately sometimes death. It just makes me want to cry.

Remember, doesn’t make you a bad parent if you need to put the baby in her crib and walk away for a few minutes, get a drink of water, call a friend to come help. Being a parent isn’t easy, so give yourself a break.This is what makes a good parent! Delight in your baby, sing, dance, hug, and cuddle her. Babies are truly a miracles and it should Never Hurt!

To hear the podcast in it’s entirety : http://bit.ly/gm2QCv or on iTunes: http://bit.ly/nYX6P6

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