Fire rating your tree

Check that artificial trees is fire-rated or your real tree is fresh (easily bendable branches, no dropping needles) to reduce fire danger.

Set up a DIY ‘Photo Booth

While you probably can’t afford to hire a photo booth for your party you can set up a ‘portrait zone’ of your own where you’ll take photos of your guest.

Recycle your crayons!

Take broken or worn-down crayons and some muffin tins in a 170-degree oven.

Parenting styles

While you can find a great deal of information about parenting we are all quite different people and need to develop our own child parenting styles based upon our own life experience, relationships and skills.

Add a little structure

While it’s great to let kids play on their own terms, it can be helpful to provide an activity later in the playdate.

When baby is cutting molars

If your baby is cutting molars, the best thing you can do to help relieve the pain is to give her something to chew on. Offer your child a teething ring, a bagel, zwieback, a frozen banana, or something else that she likes to chew.

Freezing bubbles activity

When it’s chilly outside, blow bubbles outside and watch them freeze. Pop, them look at them and talk about them.

A healthy good-bye routine

It’s normal for toddlers to become anxious or afraid when their primary caregivers leave. The key: a healthy good-bye routine. "Always leave your child with a trusted and familiar caregiver, and have the same brief good-bye routine each time you go.

Snow fun

Fall down on the snow, spread your hands beside you and move them up and down on your side. Carefully rise and you will find a great imprint of you which look like an angel.

Dipping tip for meals

Most toddlers won’t give up the chance to dip any object in something wet or gloopy. Cottage cheese, peanut butter or even pureed fruits can offer a way to get carrot or celery batons into the most obstinate youngster.

As questions when reading

After reading a book, take time to ask your child question about what he liked or didn’t like about the story.

Add some affection

It never hurts to add some affection into daily activities. You’ll enjoy the hugs and your child will too.

Value talk

Affirm your child’s willingness to share her/his ideas, feelings, and experiences. Place a high value on talking together.

Kids and parents with allergies

If one parent has allergies, your child has a 25 percent chance of having them. If both parents have allergies, then your child’s odds are at least 50 percent.

Don’t try reasoning with a tot

Once that flail or wail or exorcism begins, forget trying to reason with your child to reduce those tantrums. Doing so is like trying to reason with a goldfish. Remember that when those strong emotions kick in the “reasoning” part of their brain tunes out. Just let him wind down.

Responsibility at playdates

When attending a playdate, be responsible for your own child; don’t expect the other parent to handle all of the problems. Help with cleanup or at least offer.

Play-Doh and allergies

Did you know that Play-Doh may cause allergy reactions for tots with wheat allergies?

Put a label on his stuff

Labeling your child’s equipment and clothing with their name will help prevent loss, confusion and possible upset for your child.

Allergy symptoms

Worried that your toddler could be suffering from allergies or asthma? Coughing, wheezing, itching, or a runny nose could mean you’re right.

Handling the InterFaith Holidays

If you are in a blended family, your own children may not want to visit the parents of their new step-mother or step-father for Christmas or Hanukkah, especially if this is not a holiday they have celebrated. If that is the case, it is probably not a good idea to force them.