Daddy's Daughters

A walking toddler = A hungrier toddler Maxi is 16 months old and is a ball of energy! Now that he can walk (and practically run!) there is NEVER a still moment whether we are at home or out. Gone are the days where he would happily stay in one place and play. These days, he is so excited and curious about his surroundings, that he is on the move all the time. The first thing I noticed since he has started walking is his increased appetite. As a result, snacks have become an essential item throughout the day to keep him going and meet his energetic needs. As a Mum, I am always conscious about what I put in his little body and will look for organic snacks to feed him. Enter Little Bellies! I love a brand that keeps it simple and natural when it comes to snacks for kids and I don’t have to worry about the nutritional element. A brand I can absolutely trust and that Maxi loves to eat. Encourage self-feeding From a young age, I always encouraged Maxi to self-feed. Even t...

Thomas Armstrong, author of The Myth of the ADHD Child. Topic:  How to improve your child’s behavior and attention span without drugs, labels, or coersion. Issues:  Letting your child fidget or introducing wiggle furniture; teaching self-monitoring and self-regulation skills; reassessing diet to remove additives, allergens, and junk; alternative therapies such as music, aromas, and art; making time for play. Jim Baumann, author of Common Sense for Our Common Good. Topic:  A parents’ guide to making our kids’ school great. Issues:  Four components of solving the good school puzzle: effective educators, engaged parents, committed community, and successful student learners; what we as parents and community members can do improve our schools so our children can have the best education possible.

Children won’t feel secure around you if they don’t trust you. If you sense that your boyfriend’s child is uneasy or unhappy, you’ll need to figure out what the problem is. Otherwise, long term, his or her health and learning could be negatively affected and ultimately, so could your relationship with both father and child. Love and hugs are a must for every child. If your boyfriend’s toddler will cuddle with you, great. If not, start with a goodnight kiss, a pat on the shoulder, or, best of all, reading him or her a story. Every child wants to be acknowledged for doing something good. Therefore, you should praise him or her whenever possible. Just make sure you’re being sincere. And praise the effort (“You worked really hard on this!”) rather than the finished product (“You’re a great artist!”). Relationships are based on common values and experiences, and the best way to discover them is to talk with each other. Some kids are naturally talkative, others may need a little en...

Test your knowledge on pregnancy and the countdown to fatherhood with this engaging, funny new book from New York Times bestselling author, Armin Brott. With chapters for each of the 9 months of pregnancy and special sections on infertility, labor, and delivery, FAQ for Expectant Fathers features tips and answers on supporting your partner during her pregnancy, along with all the advice you’ll need to prepare yourself for fatherhood. The book features topics guys need to know (such as how men’s hormones change during pregnancy) and doesn’t shy away from topics guys want to know (will I ever have sex again?), all of which is told with the authority and honesty of an informed buddy. On one page is a fill-in-the-blank statement about impending fatherhood, along with four multiple choice answers. Test yourself, then turn the page to find some helpful advice drawn from the expertise of top practitioners, as well as Brott’s own background as a father of three and the real-world experience...

Rosalind Wiseman, author of Queen Bees and Wannabes, 3rd edition. Topic:  Helping your daughter survive cliques, gossip, boys, and the new realities of girl world. Issues:  How to tell what role your daughter plays and how to help her be herself; examining your own parenting style and how you relate to your daughter; the powerful and complicated role of technology in girl world; girls’ power plays; good popularity vs. bad popularity. Laurie Berdahl, coauthor of Warning  Signs. Topic:  Protect your kids from becoming victims or perpetrators of violence and aggression. Issues:  Violent media influences; bullying; hazardous friendships; sexual aggression and abuse; risky thinking and entitled attitudes; school safety; gun violence; mental health, and more.

 If you are looking for a quick getaway with your family or a long relaxing break during the vacation, we give you a list of amazing places to escape to this summer. The exam season is over, and you and your child can collectively breathe a sigh of relief, as the season for fun has finally begun. While you must have already planned summer activities to keep your child engaged through these two months, how about planning a quick getaway with your family to have some quality bonding time? We give you the top 10 destinations in India which are ideal to get away from the summer heat and make some beautiful memories as a family. Whether you are looking for a quiet stay by the lake, an adventurous trek up a hill or an awesome road trip, these summer destinations provide all of that and more. Pillar Rocks in Kodaikanal 1. Kodaikanal Cloud-capped mountains, walkways covered in mist, this ‘Princess of Hill stations’ is located in Palani hills, Tamil Nadu and is an ideal ...