Summer of Toys: Thomas Wooden Railway Early Engineers Roundabout Station Set
August 17, 2010
My toddler…
“Mommy, Mommy…Draw a train…Draw Thomas…Draw tracks…Draw a tunnel…” My son thinks I’m Van Gogh! : ) And every time we go anywhere…and I mean anywhere…he has to have a train. Last week we visited FAO Schwarz…twice…we managed to escape with just one lone train…Charlie. Before we went on vacation…I went shopping at T.J. Maxx for some BlogHer attire. I wasn’t quite so fortunate. By the time I had finished perusing the aisles, Rosie and Diesel were no longer in their packages. Add them to the collection. My son is a train-a-holic!
Right before our trip to New York City, my son received the Early Engineers Roundabout Station Set. He couldn’t get us to open it quick enough. Like most boys, my son has been enthralled with trains since he first discovered them. When he was about a year and a half, we broke down and bought him an entire train table…one that really didn’t get use until he was about 2 1/2. Which is why I like the Early Engineers line.
The Early Engineers line was designed with little tots in mind, and in many ways, resembles the classic Thomas Wooden Railway system. Toddlers who are still mastering dexterity will benefit from “chunky vehicles, sturdy tracktiles and simple destinations.” I like the fact that my son can use the trains he already has with this set. The set is transportable (unlike his ginormous train table) and yes, we’ve taken it with us on car trips. Additional tracks and sets can also be added (although at present there are only 3 in total) as your toddler grows.
The Early Engineers sets are crafted similarly to Thomas Wooden Railway sets and include quality wood craftsmanship and the timeless signature look. Despite their affordable price point, the sets are still well made and include a variety of features. The Roundabout Station Set includes an Early Engineers Thomas Engine, two destinations, track and molded track layout with wooden tracktiles and two accessories.
You can find the Early Engineers line at Toys R Us.
No compensation was received for this post. A product sample was provided to facilitate this review.
All About Baby: minui Handysitt
January 21, 2010
I never imagined the baby and toddler stuff would consume our home. Despite the fact that I told everyone not to buy us much more than a few outfits, we’ve still managed to accumulate a lot of gear…gear that takes up a lot of space in our home. I’ve tried to eliminate the duplicates and utilize smaller, space-saving options when possible.
When my son was a baby, we were given a portable high chair. It was great for toting to the grandparents’ house, on trips with my husband for business, and into restaurants. The only problem was that it was bulky and didn’t transport well. What a stark contrast compared to the minui Handysitt seating system. Designed for babies and children ages 6 months to 5 years old, the minui Handysitt seating system can be used as a high chair, chair for older children, and step stool.
Even before I lived in Europe, I was partial to European-made products. I remember walking the streets of Edinburgh as mothers pushed their babies in prams. Wasn’t it just a few years ago that strollers with bassinets (i.e. prams) were showing up at trendy U.S. baby boutiques? Europeans have a flair for style and design. And their products are backed by quality craftsmanship and high safety standards.
This European-made high chair gleans inspiration from the Danes. The company was started by two men in Denmark looking for a safe, portable high chair. The minui Handysitt seating system is now sold in 25 countries across the world.
The seating system, although not complicated to set-up or use, involves several aspects. You start with the Portable Seat which comes fully assembled. It’s a wooden high chair built with FSC-certified birch and steel. Used alone, this makes a compact, portable high chair that can be used with *most* chairs safely. Here is a little video describing how it works, from the site:
The portable seat comes assembled and includes a safety guard (designed for use with children under the age of 3). If you have a younger child, you might want to consider investing in either the baby cushion or basic cushion. We received the baby cushion, which I think makes the seat more comfortable for children. My son isn’t the speediest eater and spends a lot of time in his high chair, so a cushion is a requisite for us. Some children (like my son) do not like to be restrained, despite the fact that they need to be protected from falling out. My son was not a fan of the safety guard, and thankfully we received a 3-point harness with the seat. While I appreciate the range of accessories offered, they’re all sold separately. You can pick and choose which accessories you want to make the seat most comfortable for your child. The two accessories I’d like to complete this seat include the Travel Bag (so I can put everything neatly inside and carry it with me on trips and such) and the StandAlone legs. The StandAlone legs allow the portable seat to be used as a floor chair (my son and I would LOVE this).
I’ve always preferred wooden high chairs to plastic ones. Wood is much more complimentary to our home decor, is sturdier, and safer (I don’t have to worry about BPA). The minui Handysitt portable high chair is stylish, compact, and offers children the opportunity to eat at the table with parents. At only 5 pounds, I would readily take this with me to restaurants and overnight trips.
New for the company is the expansion of their seating system to include a chair. When you combine the minui HandySitt Chair and Portable Seat, the result is a freestanding high chair. The chair by itself is a stylish seat for older children and a sturdy step stool. It’s not available yet, but I hear by the end of the month you’ll be able to purchase it.
The portable seat ($129.95) and chair ($169.95) are definitely an investment. However, the seat and chair are crafted well and designed to be used until your child is 5 years old. It’s really the only chair you would need for your baby, toddler, child. For information about where the seat is sold, visit their website.
I did not receive compensation for this post. I did received a product, courtesy of the company, in order to facilitate my review.
Holiday Gift Guide 2009: Lovely Baby CDs *Giveaway*
December 18, 2009
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winners are Kelly and Wehaf. Congrats!
Every station I turn to seems to be playing Christmas music. From traditional carols to modern remixes, Christmas music is the perfect way to get ready and in the spirit for the upcoming holiday.
In two short weeks, our baby girl will be here (we were hoping for a Christmas baby, but more on that in another post). One of the things I didn’t do a lot of was play music for our son as a baby. Now that he’s a toddler he likes to sing and dance and enjoys music immensely. With our baby girl due very soon, we are planning on introducing music from the very beginning.
Lovely Baby CDs were specifically “created for the emotional, intellectual and physical development of babies.” The series was created by Raimond Lap, a Dutch composer and expert in baby music. The series of CDs are used in elite infant education programs around the world.
My son and I have been listening to the Baby Christmas and Baby Christmas 2 CDs from the series. The compilation was created specifically for babies and toddlers (upto 36 months) and is primarily Classical without any vocals. It’s very soothing and I think it’s definitely geared towards babies, rather than toddlers like my son. Along with several well-known classics are original compositions created by the composer himself.
The entire collection is designed to stimulate your baby’s brain, as music is a beneficial learning tool for babies and toddlers. One of the benefits I’m looking forward to evaluating with our baby girl is whether or not it soothes her when she’s crying (after she’s been fed and changed of course).
Right now you’ll save 10% off the entire site with the code “rockincd.”
Here are some sample audio tracks, courtesy of the company:
We Wish You A Merry Christmas Theme
Win It! Two of you will win a copy of Baby Christmas 2. Simply leave me a comment with another CD from the site that you’d like to have or another benefit you learned about on the site. Comments will close on December 25, 2009 at 10 PM PST. One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.
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Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this review. I received a product, courtesy of the company in order to facilitate my review.
Now I Lay Him Down To Sleep…
December 3, 2009
On some nights, you’ll find my son, tucked securely between my husband and I. He’s two and a half, and while he does manage to sleep in his toddler bed most nights, sometimes he wants to be close to mommy and daddy. I co-slept with my son for about a year and a half (some may say that’s too much) and if I had my way, he’d still be in our bed. Co-sleeping helped us successfully breastfeed for over 14 months and strengthened our bond as a family. It also helped me sleep better. I didn’t have to worry about whether or not he was too cold or too hot or still breathing. Many experts in the field of pediatrics have documented that co-sleeping (when done correctly) is safe and can actually prevent SIDS. I plan on co-sleeping with our baby girl when she arrives (very very soon).
There comes a point in time when a child must learn how to go to sleep on his/her own. I think that every child is different and the age at which this occurs varies. More and more I’m attempting to minimize the amount of time my son is in our bed, only because I know we’ll be co-sleeping with our little girl and I’m not comfortable co-sleeping with both a toddler and a baby (some may have a different opinion on that topic as well). So how do we get him to sleep? Here are my five top tips for helping a child go to sleep.
1. Consistency is key (Stick to a routine): Every night it’s the same (unless we’re out or away). The evenings are spent “winding down.” We eat dinner, read a book (or 3), brush our teeth, and tuck our little boy in. My son has come to really depend on that routine. If we forget something, or do something out of order, it doesn’t work.
2. Bedtime is bedtime: Unless we’re out or away, my son is in bed by 8:00 pm. Every single night. That goes hand in hand with a routine. Varying bedtimes is not good for a child’s sleep patterns.
3. Use a lovey or stuffed animal: Some may not agree with what I’m about to say. But I believe that Mr. Bear has really helped my son with his sleep….especially when we were transitioning him from co-sleeping to his own bed. It’s his little “security” bear for when mommy and daddy are in their own bed.
4. Pay attention to what your child is telling you: What’s “right” for one child may not be “right” for another. I remember hearing my more experienced mom friends tell me to keep my son in his crib until he was at least 3. I even read articles supporting these statements. Some said that moving a toddler from a crib to a bed too soon could be detrimental to their sleep. My son was ready to be out of his crib before the age of 2, but we didn’t pay attention because we were so caught up with listening to what other people said. Around this time our little boy who was sleeping through the night, was waking up several times. There came a point where he just wanted out. We struggled for months with his sleep. I finally decided to go against what I read and heard and moved him to a toddler bed. Sure, there were a few nights of adjustment where he slept on the floor. But it was the best thing and he just loves his little bed.
5. Be patient and flexible: Babies and children who are sick, teething, or uncomfortable will not sleep well or through the night. Forcing the issue will only contribute to your child’s sense of insecurity and further exacerbate sleep issues. I do not believe in the CIO (cry it out) method (it’s perfectly ok if you disagree). Leaving a baby or toddler to “cry it out” doesn’t address their physical or emotional needs. Pre-verbal children have no other way of communicating their discomfort. Remember, you baby, toddler, preschooler (gasp!) won’t be sleeping with you forever. I can pretty much guarantee that. So take a deep breath, be patient, and cherish the time your child wants to be with you. Once they hit those pre-teen years and want their independence, you may be longing to cuddle with your sweet baby or tot.
And speaking of sleep, I wrote this post in conjunction with a promotion TwitterMoms is hosting with a company called St. Eve Kids. If you’re looking for adorably trendy children’s sleepwear, be sure to check out St. Eve Kids. They feature the characters of DramaU and include “playful themes and colorful personalities.” Their pajama sets make a lovely gift idea. And perhaps a new set of PJ’s is an incentive to get your toddler to enjoy going to sleep. I know my son loves the “let’s put on our jammy jammies” part of our bedtime routine! You can find St. Eve Kids at Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Bealls, Kohl’s, Sears, and JC Penney.
Holiday Gift Guide 2009: Apple Grove Pals by Little Tikes
November 5, 2009
I’m just starting to get the fact that children go through phases when it comes to everything…including play and toys. Right now my son is very much into pretend play. He talks to his trains and his bear and some of the other toys we have in the house. It’s actually quite cute to listen in on his “conversations.” Since he’s two, he doesn’t always use complete sentences or say words exactly as they should be pronounced. And that makes it so much cuter. The other thing my son loves to do is read. We read a LOT of books. The other day we read a book about animals at least five times in a row.
If you asked me what my son would like for Christmas, I’d tell you books or toys that stimulate his imagination. Little Tikes recently released Apple Grove Pals, a line of “characters, playsets and storybooks which teach friendship, curiosity, courage, and other important life lessons.” I always believe that toys, in some ways, are what you as the parent do with them. My son is just starting to get to the point where he can play for small amounts of time by himself, but he definitely prefers that I play with him (and that’s perfectly ok with me!). I also believe that toys should do more than just sit in a toy box. Apple Grove Pals is really the first toy I’ve heard about that incorporates books (which I really like). It’s neat the way the toy characters match those in the books. And each playset comes with a book featuring the same characters. The other neat thing about Apple Grove Pals is the interchangeable hats that come with the characters. In fact the site states that “this provides a starting point for kids to discover new places and safely explore a world where they can wear many hats.” I never even thought about that until I went back and re-read it on the site.
The Deluxe Farm Playset includes three “pals,” a storybook, and features several animal sounds. It’s designed for children between the ages of 18 months and 48 months but I think it’s best for the toddler group. Children that are my son’s age are just starting to engage in pretend play. My son has fun with something as simple as putting the different hats on each of the different characters. And of course, he wants me to read the book to him over and over again.
Practically speaking, it’s nice that the play set folds up for storing. Children can collect pals and storybooks which provides for some continuity. Overall, I think the set is a great educational toy and value priced at $29.99. I think my only suggestion would be to lower the age just a bit to maybe 3 (but I’m not an expert on preschoolers so this is purely my opinion).
Apple Grove Pals is available online and at retailers nationwide.
For more fabulous Holiday Gift Ideas, visit The Mommy-Files
Toddler Moments: Why You Shouldn’t Underestimate Your Child
November 5, 2009
When did he learn how to unzip my purse (or unzip ANYTHiNG for that matter). It’s not like I sat down with him one day and gave him a lesson on zippers. And since when is my purse a TOY? Note to self: Put EVERYTHING away, even if you don’t think he’s capable of getting into it.
“What do you want for breakfast?” I asked my 2 year old a few mornings ago. Pancakes! Of course…everyday it’s pancakes or blueberry muffins or some other sweet carbohydrate that will take me 20 minutes to make and another to clean up. How can I say no? Fortunately, we have some mix left over from the DELICIOUS Pumpkin Pie Waffles I made the other day. Another note to self: Waffle mix is NOT the same as pancake mix. Mickey is on his choo choo chugging along so all is well (don’t ask). I set to work making “pancakes.” It shouldn’t take too long, I rationalize. I’d like to mention that I don’t make it a habit of leaving my 2 year old unattended. In fact, it’s really quite the opposite. My husband is always chiding me about what a mama’s boy he is because we spend so much time together. Sometimes he doesn’t even want daddy when he comes home. But I digressed. Pancakes…Mickey…silence. Something is not right.
I walk over to the living room (which is like 25 feet away) to see what my son is up to. Silence is NEVER a good thing with my son….NEVER. Bad things happen when it’s quiet. I walk over to him and find him in my purse…remember my zipper story above? “What are you doing?” I ask him cautiously. “I’m brushing hair” he says, smiling. Now….this would be perfectly acceptable if he wasn’t brushing his hair with a mascara wand…a patch of his brown hair is now black…along with his hands. Sigh. “I need to wash hands” he says, looking up at me. That’s not the only thing that needs washing. I walk him over to the sink to work on getting the black mess off of his hands and out of his hair. And now I have to buy another tube of mascara!
So…what has your child done lately? Humor me!
Aspiring Child Stylist
November 2, 2009
I’ve been asking my husband to take our little boy for a haircut for weeks…3 to be exact. It’s not that I can’t take him. I have no problem driving him to the salon and having the stylist cut his hair. It’s the crying, protesting, and trying to run out of the salon that I can’t handle at this point in my pregnancy. When my husband takes him, he holds him on his lap and it’s a relatively painless process.
The other day I was looking at my son, and realized how full his curly brown head of hair had become. It was to the point that I could brush it (and that’s just way too long). I eyed a pair of scissors on the desk, pondering the idea for a moment. Absolutely not. There was no way I could even attempt to cut my 2 year old’s hair. It sounded completely insane in my head. So I casually brought it up over dinner with my husband…who confirmed that my pregnancy hormones had finally gotten out of control. “Do not cut his hair, he said rather firmly.” Then he proceeded to get all rational with me. “You don’t have the right scissors…you’re not a stylist…you’re going to mess up his hair…and then you’re going to get upset and cry about it. I’ll take him this weekend,” he finished, firmly.” I just looked at him and nodded. “You’re right honey, I’ll just wait”…all the while now feeling like this was some sort of challenge and I had to prove something.
I eyed those scissors for days. I even asked my 2 year old, “Would you like a haircut?” To which he responded emphatically, “No, not yet!” And then I woke up one day feeling brave…and determined. I walked over to that pair of scissors, grabbed a comb and some water and sat my 2 year old down in front of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (who said TV wasn’t beneficial?). I combed my fingers through my son’s hair, pondering style ideas (ha!). Actually, I just sat there mustering up the courage to begin. And where does one begin? Perhaps if I would have thought things through a little more carefully, I would have Googled it. I even found a YouTube video, detailing the process. But no, I didn’t consult anyone or anything. I just started cutting.
The first cut is the hardest. It took me several minutes to muster up the courage to actually go through with this first cut. And then, I snipped and snipped and snipped. At one point my toddler started to get restless. It’s not easy trying to cut a moving target. But, since my son has curly hair, I wasn’t terribly concerned about a “perfect” cut. I just wanted something that looked cute.
My husband came last Friday after work and we greeted each other. He picked up our little boy and tickled and kissed him like he always does. I looked at him and asked him if he noticed anything different. He looked at me sideaways and asked me, “Did you make a mess?” I love that man!
So…what do you think? Aspiring stylist? Or should I just keep my day job?
Teaching Your Toddler How to Eat *Giveaway*
October 3, 2009
This giveaway is now closed! Thanks for stopping by! The winner is Naddez. Congrats!
True Mom Confession: I still feed my son more times than not. What does that mean exactly? I literally feed him with a spoon or a fork. And he’s two. I know. It’s time. It’s time for him to start feeding himself. My husband, my mom-friends, my parents, my in-laws, his preschool teacher have all told me the same thing. When he’s at school, he somewhat feeds himself. He’s learning. But at home, he still expects me to feed him. And I oblige since he needs to eat. So why do I continue to spoon-feed my 2-year old? I’m worried he won’t get enough to eat. There. I said it.
True Mom Confession: I still feed my son more times than not. What does that mean exactly? I literally feed him with a spoon or a fork. And he’s two. I know. It’s time. It’s time for him to start feeding himself. My husband, my mom-friends, my parents, my in-laws, his preschool teacher have all told me the same thing. When he’s at school, he somewhat feeds himself. He’s learning. But at home, he still expects me to feed him. And I oblige since he needs to eat. So why do I continue to spoon-feed my 2-year old? I’m worried he won’t get enough to eat. There. I said it.
I thought I’d share some tips we’ve learned on how to help our toddler become a bit more independent.
1. Eat meals together (at the table, of course): The more opportunity a child has to observe mommy and daddy, the more likely he/she will want to imitate that behavior. Meals in front of the television don’t allow for this.
2. Practice makes perfect: In order for our little boy to learn how to eat by himself, we’ve actually had to allow him the opportunity to practice. Target, Babies R Us, and Walmart sell inexpensive, BPA plastic forks and spoons that are perfect for little tots’ hands. I like blunt utensils to prevent accidental injuries (toddlers can throw like you won’t believe at this stage!). And if you’re worried your toddler isn’t going to get enough to eat on his/her own, you can feed them small bites in between the bites that he/she is eating (I’ll very often do that with my son).
3. Let them get messy: This has been the hardest for me. Do I really want to sweep and mop the floor every time my toddler eats? No! But, do I really want to be spoon-feeding him until he goes to kindergarten (we’ve got another coming, you know?)? No! So, we’ve just resolved to deal with the mess. If you can get a plastic mat to go under the high chair that might make for less sweeping and mopping endeavors (but I’ve rarely found that my toddler keeps all of his food on the mat!). My son does not like bibs so we haven’t quite figured out how to get around the messy clothing situation. Any tips?
4. Engage in pretend play: Toddlers love to engage in pretend play. We are reviewing a play kitchen by Step 2 (more on that soon!) and it’s given my son an opportunity to gain a little dexterity by playing with his pretend forks, spoons, bowls, and plates. The sandbox and the bathtub are perfect places for tots to practice serving and scooping!
5. Choose the right foods: Attempting to start with something like soup will only lead to frustration for both you and your child (not to mention it’s very messy). Instead, opt for thicker, chunkier foods.
My Plate-Mate is one of the products we’ve found helpful during this stage. The product is simply a semi-circular plastic attachment that you use on your tot’s plates to prevent spills and help him/her learn to use a utensil. My Plate-Mate is designed for use on children’s plates. It’s made of BPA-free plastic and free from Phthalates and lead. When toddler eat with a utensil, many times the food ends up on the floor while they are trying to scoop it up. The goal of this is to prevent food from falling off the plate. It’s not completely enclosed so that a child has a way to get the food to his/her mouth. This works well if you don’t have a curious 2 year old who wants to know what happens when he turns the plate! Overall, I think the product is great for helping tots learn to eat with utensils. We just need to convince my son that he doesn’t need to turn the plate!
My Plate-Mate retails for $7.50 and comes in white, blue, or pink!
What are your tips for helping toddlers learn how to feed themselves independently?
Win It! One of you will win a My Plate-Mate to try for yourself. Simply leave me a comment with something you liked or learned on the site. Comments will close on October 17, 2009 at 10 PM PST. One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.
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Preparing Your Child For School
September 4, 2009
For some kids, starting school, or returing to school after a summer long vacation can cause anxiety. We put our little boy in preschool this summer for the very first time and he’s had a very positive experience so far. We did prepare him in advance before sending him to school. Reading books about school was just one of the ways we prepared him and how we continue to reinforce that school is a fun, positive experience.
Reading is one of the most educational activities I can do with my son at this age. His brain is taking in every experience and I do as much as I can to foster that. If you are looking for some books to help prepare your child for school, Candlewick Press has an excellent assortment of titles for a variety of ages.
My son loves books that engage his senses. Maisy Goes To School, by Lucy Cousins, follows Maisy the mouse on an adventurous day at school. Here is a little summary about the book from the site:
School’s in session and it’s time for Maisy — and her readers — to have fun. As they watch Maisy spend an eventful day at school, little ones can pull the tabs and lift the flaps to help Maisy paint some pictures, write a story, add and subtract, and even dance like a ballerina. Toddlers who are crazy for Maisy will love going to school with their favorite mouse!
The hardcover book comes in both a full and mini size, so children can bring it with them in their backpacks if they’d like. My son loves the pull tabs and flaps (those are his favorite kinds of books). Maisy really portrays the school day as a fun, positive experience. Interactive books are always the most entertaining for my son. I spend a lot of time asking him questions about what’s going on in the story to get him to talk as well. We actually received both the larger version and the mini version (during BlogHer) and I think it’s great for children to carry the mini version with them if for nothing more than just comfort. The book is geared towards toddlers and preschoolers.
Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for School? conveys a similar message geared towards children ages 2 to 5. It’s a simpler story about preparing for school. Here is a summary from the site:
It’s time for school. Is Cornelius P. Mud up? Sure he is! The plucky pig has even made his bed, put on his clothes, and eaten his breakfast. But with Cornelius, things are never quite as they seem. Despite his clowning around, Cornelius does make his way through his morning routine and out to the bus stop — where readers are in for a big surprise! Barney Saltzberg is back with a second comical story about a single-mindedly silly pig. Kids who aim to do things their way — and what child doesn’t? — will squeal with pleasure at Cornelius’s merry morning mayhem.
If you’re looking for a book that will help prepare your child while showing them how easy preparing for school can be, this is a great book. We actually have another Cornelius P. Mudd book and I appreciate the gorgeous illustrations and simple way the author conveys each story’s message. And I love that the author promotes a child’s individuality. Children at this age (toddlers and preschoolers) are asserting their independence and I think that as long as they’re being appropriate, it’s ok to do things “their own way.”
These are just two of at least 10 titles that will help your child prepare for school. Most are very reasonably priced. Check them out on Candlewick Press.
For more fabulous Back to School Ideas, visit Mommy Mandy & Mommy Goggles!
Sibling Preparation: Are You Ready For Baby?
July 7, 2009
How do you prepare a child for a new baby brother or sister? That question has been crossing my mind lately. Hospitals offer sibling classes and Amazon is filled with books on the subject. But honestly, I don’t know where to start. Do I talk to him about it now? How much does he really understand? Do I avoid any changes to routines when the baby arrives (i.e. potty training, moving to a crib, etc.). Do I buy him a gift from the baby? So many questions…
For now, we’re starting with one book…”Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready For Baby?” by Barney Saltzberg. This adorably illustrated book brilliantly addresses a child’s questions and concerns about the arrival of a new baby. My husband’s cousin just had her second baby and the older boy asked his mother if the baby could play with him. That is Cornelius’ first question, and on the forefront of many young children’s minds. Cornelius proceeds to ask his what the baby CAN do…
Here is a little summary about this book, targeted towards children ages 2-5.
There’s a new baby in the house. Is Cornelius P. Mud ready? Not really! The baby may be getting all the attention, but he isn’t very much fun. He can’t talk. He can’t eat. He can’t play. Can they send him back? Does Mom love the baby best? Of course, fans of Cornelius know that even the arrival of a sibling won’t get this resourceful little piggy down for long. When he trots out his good humor — and his gift for entertainment — he soon discovers that the new arrival can do something very special indeed.
Many children, particularly when they’re young, don’t often realize that the baby can’t go “back” to where it came from. They worry that their parents may not love them anymore or “forget” about them. They may regress. Ultimately, focusing on the positives…the “cans” is what helps children get through this time of adjustment.
We’ve started talking to our son about the “baby” inside mommy’s tummy. We’ve started reading this book at nighttime. I appreciate how simple the language is. I enjoy the childlike honesty inherent in Cornelius’ questions. And I learned just a little something about how to begin to address these issues.
You can purchase the book on Amazon for $10.87.
