Potty training is a torture for most parents. I hate it. I do however look forward to not having to change nappies any more.
With my first son it was pretty painless. Only a couple of accidents in the first few days and by the end of the week he was nappy free. My nearly two year old is a whole different story though...
With the warm weather finally here the time has come to break the the potty in. Silly me thought that second time round things would go smoothly and be pretty hassle free- WRONG! So far the tally is floor about 20, potty 0. The statistics are clearly not in our favour.
I think the biggest problem is that my youngest has the type of character that can't be still for too long. He's always on the move and loves nothing more than to run around and climb on things. My first born has always had a quieter character and enjoyed reading, colouring, puzzles and other tame games. Needless to say it was much easier to get him to sit still on a potty than it is for my youngest.
I've put potty training on hold as he currently has a tummy bug (not good timing to get rid of nappies). I'm using this time out to regroup and come up with a better plan of action.
I came across this post by Vanessa Brandy about a Potty Training Survival Kit and thought the idea was quite good. I'm printing off the progress chart and certificate (his big brother has a few certificates and so that might help motivate him as he loves to copy his big brother). I will most definitely be stocking up on chocolate and probably get in a bottle of wine to help my stress levels too ;)
I've also decided that our rugs will be packed away until he is potty trained. It's enough hassle having to disinfect the floor numerous times a day, rugs are just too much work.
How long did it take you to potty train your child? What strategies worked well for you?
I'm open to all suggestions and will be reporting back on our progress to let you know what got us using the potty like a rock star!
Picture book for children aged 18 months to 7 years
Published by 4RV Publishing
Blurb:
Boo is a very bored kitten. When Timmy and his mom return home, Boo sneaks out of the house. Boo is frightened by the noises of the big world outside of the safety of his warm home. When Timmy coaxes Boo back into the house, Boo realizes some places are safe and some are not.
Talking Points for parents include:
Taking care of a pet
Dangers of a busy street
Listening to parents
Safe places vs. unsafe places
My review:
I was given a free review copy of this book which I read with my two sons. The story provoked numerous questions from my 5 year old about cats and why it wasn't OK for Boo to go outside by himself. My 1 1/2 year old delighted in pointing the cat out in each picture and 'barking' at the page (all animals are dogs in his mind at the moment). Both boys were concerned that Boo might hurt himself especially when he got stuck up the tree but cheered when he was safe again.
A nice read for young kids that raises awareness of pet care and the dangers that surround us outside of the home. The cute illustrations were loved by all of us.
As you probably know by now I'm very pro encouraging kids to read. Not just because it's important for their personal growth but also because reading together with your child is good for your relationship with them too. Having those few minutes of quiet time together is good for both of you.
For today's post I'm going to be sharing my latest publication, my new children's picture story book Fairy May.
Book blurb:
Fairy May dreams of one day becoming a tooth fairy
but she struggles at school and always seems to get things wrong. With hard
work and determination she prepares for her test. Will she realise her dream
and become a tooth fairy?
Today I'm spotlighting the new release by author and illustrator J.D. Holiday. If your kids are anything like mine they will enjoy the colourful pictures that accompany this doggy tale.... and no doubt start asking if you can get a pet dog ;)
About the Book
Eddie would love to have a puppy to play with. A puppy would pull on a rope. Catch a ball and lick your face. But his Uncle brings Eddie an older dog named after a famous spy. What can you do with an old dog? It probably couldn't learn new tricks and the only thing this dog did was stare. It's what they find to do together that makes them the best of
friends!
Publisher: Book Garden Publisher, LLC
ISBN: 978-0-98186-144-9
Publication Date: August 2012
Places available for sale: Amazon, B&N
Inspiration Behind The Spy Game
This story is based on a puppy my brother, Ike's dog, Sheeba had. He ask me to take this puppy he named, Sidney Reilly after a spy series he and I watched together and loved. At the time I had a dog and didn't think my older dog, Snoopy would be happy with a new addition.
My brother said okay, but he felt sure this dog was for me and he kept it with that in mind.
When the puppy was 11 months old, my brother, Ike died of a heart attack and Sidney came to me, I was wrong. Snoopy and Sidney got along in their own way.
Though this did not happen in real live, in The Spy Game I have my brother bring Sidney to my house to live. ~J.D. Holiday
About the Author
J.D. Holiday is the author and illustrator of four children's books. Picture books: JANOOSE THE GOOSE, THE SPY GAME, and MattShelley's Halloween Misadventure with Award-winning author, Christy Condoleo, and the chapter book for 6 to 8 year olds, THE GREAT SNOWBALL ESCAPADE. J.D. Holiday is a co-host on It's Story
Time, Gather 'Round with Christy Condoleo on Blog Talk Radio's World Of Ink Network:
What are some of the things that haveinfluenced/inspired your writing?
I think reading great stories was one thing that influenced me. There were books that I said to myself, how I wish I had written that. I think I was also inspired or conditioned, in some way, by watching my dad write his stories. He would type every weekend at our dinning-room table on his manual typewriter all my childhood.
Can you share some writing experiences with us?
I publish my own books using my own publishing company, Book Garden Publishing. After years of submitting to publishers I decide I was my publisher. Up to that point, though, I had some short stories and a Chapbook published, and had some editors interest in my stories, and I even had an agent for a time, but none of my children's books in print.
Have you ever suffered from writer's block? If yes, how did you cure it?
I would say yes I have, but it was really due to rejections of my stories. I would be down for a while. But, after some time past and I picked up my story again and read it,it would usually get me back on track again.
Who or what inspires your characters and/or plots?
As I said above, events from my childhood are a great source of stories and characters, though there is a little of me in most of my characters.
How do you see the future of book publishing, both traditional, electronic and print on demand?
I think there will always be books. Maybe it will come down to just the most famous stories, but I can't see books not being on shelves in stores, libraries and in home. Digital books are also here to stay. It is so easy to read on the go where with E-readers.
As for traditional publishers, I think the are already starting to adapt and adding self-publishing printers and print services to their companies.
You can find out more about J.D. Holiday, her books and World of Ink Author/Book Tour at http://tinyurl.com/bzwlprd
Reading books is an important part of childhood and gives your child valuable skills that will help them throughout their life.
It's never too early to start either. In fact there are a wide variety of books designed for very young children. Amazon has a huge number of books suitable for all ages including a vast assortment for babies. On site you can even find children's books available as free downloads e.g. The classic The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson. Each day new books are offered as free downloads and free reading apps are available so if you don't own a kindle to read them on you can read them on your computer, ipad or iphone instead. Having a few books on your iphone or ipad can come in very useful in waiting rooms or on long journey's for keeping the kids busy.
Obviously you can get electronic versions of children's books from other book sellers too. Authors often use site like Smashwords for example to promote their books as free downloads. A quite search on the internet will find plenty of options. There are even sites that specialise in listing free download days and they usually have the listings categorised by genre so finding children's books shouldn't be too hard.
Rhyming text is particularly popular with children and has many benefits too. Not only is it fun to read but it also makes it easier for them to learn the story and you'll most likely find that they read along with you (even if they can't actually read yet). It encourages rhythm too which can be a help for learning music and dance.
A book is a special gift that will keep on giving. It also gives you an opportunity to spend some quiet, relaxed time with your child. With all the running around and busy schedules a few minutes struggled up together with a book is ideal for both of you and will help build the intimacy between you. Having a bedtime story for example is a great way to end the day.
So when you're rushing around doing your Christmas shopping this year make sure a book is on their list for Santa.
Maybe you could even get a copy of a Christmas classic like T'was the night before Christmas and make it a tradition to read it, the whole family together, on Christmas Eve or grab a copy of The Snowman and have your children make up the story to go with the pictures. This post is part of the Dear Santa Blog Hop
"With divorce, single-parent households and family crises on the rise, many people are experiencing the tumultuous dynamics of blended or step-families".
With a strong emphasis on faith and biblical principles, the individual stories and advice in this anthology show useful insight into what can happen within blended families and how to overcome delicate situations to become a strong and positive family unit.
These short tales look at situations, from different points of view, that can occur when two families are mixed into a new family unit. A useful read if you're going through this situation but also a good resource for ministers and other bodies that are often called upon for advice and guidance in this topic.
Today I'm doing a spotlight on my own children's picture book as part of my 3 month promotional tour to mark it's release. This is my first time as both author and illustrator and the whole project has been great fun. So much so that I'm already planning my next children's book :)
One day my son asked me why I hadn't written a story for him yet. I figured he made a good point and so I wrote this fun rhyming book drawing on the first time I took him to the zoo.
Here he is with his very own copy of the book:
He played an active role in the creation of the book which makes it all the more special to me. It's already become his preferred bedtime story and at the end he always reminds me that I made it and tells me how clever I am :)
Out and about at the zoo
Written and illustrated by Jo Linsdell
Rhyming text and colourful pictures accompany this fun day out
discovering different animals at the zoo.
"This is a fun, short book for the grandkids! If you love reading to your
children or grandchildren, this book will become a family favorite quite fast.
The simple wording and bright interaction of characters makes it easy for very
young readers and exciting for toddlers still listening.
Jo puts some serious thought into toddler reactions and includes those in the
book. My favorite part was the last page, because my toddlers decided
immediately that we needed to take a trip to the Denver Zoo. "Yay!!! I get
to see the elephants!" (Okay, that part was ME not them. But they get to go
too.)"
"Out and About at the Zoo by Jo Linsdell is a
delightful story set in rhyme about a boy and his mum. The two spend the day at
the zoo and meet many animals along the way. Your child will enjoy reading this
book time and time again. The colorful illustrations make this book a joy to
read. Pick up a copy of this book and share a day at the zoo memory with your
little one".
"Out And About At The Zoo is a cute book that
describes a child's memory filled trip to the zoo. Are you heading to the zoo
and you would like to tell your kids what animals they will see there and what
they might be doing? Then Out And About At The Zoo would be a great choice.
Easy to understand and easy for children to read along with. It is filled with
simple yet colorful pictures that even held my one year old's attention!
Would also make a good gift for young readers
who are just beginning to read!"
"What is your favorite
animal to see at the zoo? Author
and illustrator Jo Linsdell both describes and pictures a fun day at the zoo
that a young lad has with his mum. They
get to look at colorful parrots, tall giraffes, screaming monkeys, meat-eating
lions and tigers, striped zebras, scary crocodiles with big teeth, hopping
kangaroos, bathing hippos, and huge elephants. But how does the boy feel when it’s
time to go home? How
would you feel?
Children love to visit the
zoo. Our two boys certainly
did when they were little, and we still do even today. Jo Linsdell is a freelance writer and
artist who is originally from the United Kingdom
but now lives in Rome, Italy, with her husband and their
two young sons. The rhyming
text and colorful pictures inOut
and About at the Zoonot only
make a truly fun story for children to read or have read to them and imagine
what it’s like, but will also help to familiarize them with the different kinds
of creatures that they will discover at the zoo when they do go".
"I enlisted some help from my daughter who turns
three next month to write this review.
After reading "Out and About at the Zoo," to
her, I asked if she liked the book. Her response: "I YOVE it." (she
can't pronounce "L's" very well yet but you get the drift).
Caitlin has summed up everything you need to know and
there's not much more to add to her comment. Jo's book is fun with
cleverly rhyming text and is brightly illustrated. Your littlies will love
"Out and About at the Zoo."
I'm currently working on a new book about pregnancy and need your help. It's called 'Coming soon: A pregnancy survival guide'.
It is split into different sections, each covering a part of or problem that can occur during pregnancy.
The sections:
Getting the best start- Preconception tips
The test and what to do next
Common problems in the first trimester
More serious problems
Dealing with bedrest
Depression and how to stay on top
The big event and types of birth
What I need is short comments, tips, own experience stories etc to include in each section from mums-to-be, experienced mums, Doctors etc...
If you or someone you know can help, please email me with the text to include along with your name and where you're from (Country). It can be anything from a twitter length comment or tip to a more detailed story or advice.
