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Saturday, August 25, 2018

How To Help Your Cat Adjust To a Newborn Baby by Chloe J. Larson







Introducing your cat to a new baby can be an exciting time. However, you'll want to make sure that things go smoothly for both the baby and your cat. Luckily, there are plenty of tips to help you with allowing your pet and baby to get along in the best ways possible. Just try them out and you'll surely find that your cat is happy to welcome home a new little human friend.

Get Your Pet Ready for a Baby


Making an abrupt change can be stressful on your cat, so it's important to start getting them used to the change early. The good news is that pregnancy provides plenty of time to begin this process. You can do things like play baby sounds for the cat to hear, and let them check out some of the clothing and other things you purchase for your new baby.
In addition, you can talk with your veterinarian to get some tips that might be more specific to your cat as an individual. They'll have a clearer idea about how your cat might react, and what steps you can take to keep both your pet and your baby safe.

Take a Minute to Reconnect


Things can be rushed and dramatic when you head off to the hospital to bring your baby into the world, and your pet might be left wondering where you went. If you are away from your home for a few days, then your pet is likely to be excited to see you!
This is a good time for you to take a minute to reconnect with your cat and remind them that you love them. If you can, have someone else take the baby into another room so that you and your pet can have a moment. Your pet will greatly appreciate the time you take to greet them rather than ignoring them in favor of all the baby excitement.

Let Your Cat Get Used to Baby Scents



Before you introduce your cat to the new baby, it can be helpful to let them explore the scent of your new human. A great way to do this is by taking one of the blankets or clothing items your baby has been using and place it somewhere the cat can check it out.
This helps your cat to acclimate to the new human without too much stress and you may even find that they enjoy laying on it! That can be a good sign that your cat is going to be happy to meet the baby and will eventually want to snuggle with them when they're big enough.

Neuter/Spay Your Cat


Getting your pet spayed or neutered is not only good for them with regard to how they might react to a baby, but is also often better for their overall health. Fixed pets are often more mellow and have overall better health in the long run. They can also experience fewer behavioral problems.
A calmer cat is one that you'll be able to feel more comfortable about having around your baby. As the baby ages, they'll also be less likely to be bitten or scratched. Your baby will be far happier, and your cat will enjoy being around the baby more.

Keep Up With Training


While training isn't often as big of a thing with cats as it is with dogs, there are some smaller training tips you can use to allow for more harmony in your household. An example would be teaching your cat to be a little less demanding, only hopping into your lap when you entice them to.
Some may also want the cat to steer clear of the baby's room in general so that the cat and baby only interact when you can keep a close eye on them both. For this, you can make sure of a baby gate or just keep the door closed as much as possible.

Trim those nails

An easy aspect to keep control of is making sure that your cat's claws stay trimmed. That way, even if they do get frustrated with the baby they won't be able to do much harm while swatting at them. If your cat isn't used to getting their claws trimmed, that may be something you want to work on prior to the baby's arrival.



If you need help, you can recruit another adult to either hold the cat or trim the claws. A veterinarian can also help to show you what you need to do if you ask them during a routine checkup. In time, they should get used to the process and you'll be able to handle it yourself.

Making the Introduction

When you decide to introduce your baby and cat, make sure it's in a quiet, relaxing space. It can be helpful to have the baby in a car seat or other area where you can easily pick them up if the cat isn't a fan. It can also help to talk to your cat in a soothing way, letting them know it's okay to explore.
In many cases, the cat is likely to be only mildly interested in the baby or not interested at all. That's okay! As your baby gets older and starts moving around, they'll have more of a chance to get familiar with your pet. For now, it's mostly a matter of making sure the cat is okay with this new family addition.

Conclusion

Overall, introducing your new baby to your cat doesn't need to be complicated. Just take the steps to allow your cat to make the adjustment more slowly and there's likely to be no serious problems. It can also help to get the advice of professionals to make sure your home is a comfortable place for your cat and your baby.
In time, it's likely that both of these family members will grow to love each other. It's just a matter of making sure your cat has time to adapt.

Meet My Guest Blogger, Chloe J. Larson!



Chloe is a lover of all things cute and furry, with three cats and two dogs taking up most of her free time. When she does have time to blog, she likes to write about anything and everything to do with pets and pet care, and you will find some very interesting information about how to care for your fur babies on her blog, kittywise.com.




Blog Administrator:  Trisha Roberts
proeducationaltoys@gmail.com


Copyright © 2018 TNT Inspired Enterprise, LLC, All rights reserved.







Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.




Friday, May 18, 2018

Four Ways Solo Dads Can Gear Up for Summer by Daniel Sherwin




Another guest post by Daniel Sherwin, author and father.





Planning for the summer as a single father presents plenty of challenges. However, if you properly “gear up” for the season by getting appropriate equipment and clothing, you can make the most of summer as a family. Here are a few areas to focus and work on this coming summer.




Pool Area

Summer is going to be hot, and the focal point of any hot summer is the pool. Kids love them, and their exuberance can mean they may not fully appreciate the dangers associated with them. Unfortunately, life is not always accommodating to solo dads, and you may not be around to provide the necessary supervision. With that in mind, it's important to “gear up” your pool's safety. Look to local stores as there may be bargains to be had, and their insights could be better suited to the specific needs of your area. Safety equipment options are diverse, so concern what works best for you and the legal requirements of your location.  Fences are a good choice because they can create an initial barrier of security against unsupervised pool use, and are often required by law. Back this up with a lockable, alarmed gate as an additional deterrent. A pool alarm could provide another layer of safety, as it can be triggered when an object, like a child, hits the water.

Clothing

Shopping for clothes isn't the easiest thing to do when it comes to summer gear. Our kids may be picky, and they may turn their nose up at some of the choices we make for them. Given that, it could be a good idea to give your child some leeway when it comes to the process of summering up their wardrobe. Not only will they feel more engaged, but it could stimulate their imagination when it comes to visualizing their “look.” Whatever their preferences, however, some basics will be important, such as bathing suits, sandals, sunglasses, and wide-brim hats. Summer-appropriate gear should ideally be cotton. There will be additional considerations to take if you plan on vigorous activities with your kids, like biking, hiking, or other sports. Therefore, don't overlook necessary protective gear, like helmets and padding.

Fun Equipment

Sometimes, kids just want to lounge around in the heat or stay inside with air conditioning. However, summer is a great time to stay active and for your kids to enjoy some really valuable quality time with their dad. If you're worried about the expense―and finances can be an issue for all single parents—you could consider checking charity shops. thrift stores, or consignment shops. You may find a few inexpensive gems that your kids might love. Bikes and scooters, rollerblades, baseballs and soccer balls, hula hoops, jump ropes, and racquets are all great ways to bond, have fun, and make the most of an active summer. All of these activities will require appropriate summer gear to keep your children safe from the heat and any physical injury.

The Home

Your neighborhood will be teeming with life come summer. It's the perfect opportunity to immerse your children in their environment and help them learn while they enjoy the heat. Look locally to make various additions to the outside of your home. If you don't have a bird feeder or bath, consider installing them because they are perfect for creating more wildlife activity in your yard. It's a great way to get children excited about nature firsthand and up close.  Get your kids involved in garden maintenance. Buy child-friendly tools and encourage them to care for new pots and flowerbeds, as well as weed and water parts of the yard. It can be an effective way to connect with your children and reduce some of the strain you deal with.

Summer is a wonderful time, ideal for creating enduring memories and strong bonds. Fatherhood is not easy at the best of times, but with the right investments, especially locally sourced, you can give yourself the tools necessary to provide an exciting and fun environment for your children. By giving attention to summer gear, you can help strengthen your familial relationships.

Image Courtesy of Pixabay


Daniel Sherwin is the proud single father to two amazing kids (a daughter and a son). After noticing the lack of resources on the web for single dads, he started DadSolo.com so that others could learn from his successes, failures, and everything in between.





Blog Administrator:  Trisha Roberts
proeducationaltoys@gmail.com


Copyright © 2018 TNT Inspired Enterprise, LLC, All rights reserved.







Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.





Friday, March 23, 2018

101 Ways to Play Outdoors









I came across this great poster on the website:  http://childhood101.com by Christie Burnett, Editor.

Several years ago they featured a poster of 101 Ways to Play Outdoors, which I would like to share with you here.

                                             

  • Play leapfrog
  • Jump rope
  • Climb a tree
  • Build a fort
  • Play hide and see
  • Kick a ball
                           
HOSE RAINBOWS
  • Make a rainbow with the hose
  • Pull weeds
  • Ride a bike, scooter, or horse
  • Create a nature collage
  • Build a sand castle
  • Head out on a treasure hunt
  • Roll down a hill
  • Make a bug hotel
             
HOTEL FOR BUGS
BUG HOTEL
  • Balance along a wall
  • Throw a frisbee
  • Balance a bean bag on your head
  • Have an egg and spoon race
  • Hug a tree
  • Create patterns in damp sand
  • Make story stones
  • Paint a fence with water
  • Make texture rubbings with crayons
               
CRAYON RUBBINGS
  • Swing your hips in a hula hoop
  • Make a rain gauge
  • Play tag
  • Draw something you can see
  • Jump in a puddle
  • Play hopscotch 
  • Draw on the trampoline or the sidewalk with chalk
  • Read a book
  • Catch raindrops on your tongue
  • Make a set of stilts from tin cans
                  

TIN CAN STILTS
  • Have a game of marbles
  • Enjoy breakfast outside
  • Rake leaves
  • Set up a worm farm
  • Decorate mud pies
  • Run under the sprinkler
  • Paint the outside of a window
  • Make a daisy chain
  • Start a nature journal
  • Lie in a hammock
  • Toast marshmallows
  • Find 10 things to float in a tub of water
  • Write in the sand with a stick


                                   
PRESS FLOWERS
  • Press flowers
  • Make a pinwheel
  • Make a stick scupture
  • Make a pet rock
  • Try leaf printing
  • Draw around a shadow on the ground
  • Plant vegetables and herbs
  • Grow a bean or sunflower plant
  • Take photos of what you see
  • Have a 3-legged race
                        
3-LEGGED RACE
  • Have a wheelbarrow race
  • Gaze at the stars
  • Set up a lemonade stand
  • Paint with feathers
  • Decorate a tree
  • Create a home for a fair or an elf
  • Make a tin can telephone
  • Enjoy a teddy bar picnic
  • Make a drip castle with wet sand
  • Write a letter on a leaf

FLY A KITE

  • Fly a kite
  • Make up a new game
  • Put on a show
  • Grab a magnifying glass and go bug hunting
                             
EXPLORE USING A MAGNIFYING GLASS
  • Try a somersault, handstand or cartwheel
  • Watch a sunset
  • Spin and get dizzy
  • Start a collection
  • Float a paper boat
  • Make a cave for a dinosaur
  • Wash the dog
  • Wash the car
  • Create a small world for your favorite figurines
MAKE A SUNDIAL

  • Make a sundial
  • Host a paper plane flying contest
  • Blow bubbles
  • Dance and sing
  • Make your name from sticks
  • Make a road for toy cars
  • Play flashlight tag
  • Build a compost bin
  • Throw water balloons
  • Make object impressions in clay
  • Put on a cape and fly
  • Grow a grass head
  • Make a bird bath
  • Make a bird feeder
  • Make petal perfume
PETAL PERFUME

  • Dig for treasure
  • Make a leaf crown
  • Hang laundery
  • Draw a map of your space
  • Set up a snail race
  • Lie back on the grass and look for shapes in the clouds

SEE HOW MANY MORE YOU CAN ADD TO THE LIST AND LET ME KNOW!




Blog Administrator:  Trisha Roberts
proeducationaltoys@gmail.com


Copyright © 2018 TNT Inspired Enterprise, LLC, All rights reserved.







Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.


Friday, March 9, 2018

Fun and Fascinating: Easy Experiments for Kids and Dads by Daniel Sherwin







Parents are up against a powerful foe on the weekends. Video games occupy kids for hours on end. Though entertaining and engrossing, most of them don’t do much for your child’s development, which makes weekends an intellectual black hole. Most kids roll their eyes at the idea of educational activities that cut into their gaming time, but an instructional activity doesn’t have to be boring and school-like. Some can be as effective at holding your child’s attention as the latest video game and may even spur an interest in science, a dream scenario for any parent. They’re especially handy for single fathers, since they can be done as a family and are a great way to spend some quality time together. 
Cool experiments
The water cycle bag experiment is an easy activity requiring nothing more than some plastic sandwich bags and food coloring. Simply place ¼ cup of water in a dish and add four drops of food coloring. Then pour the mixture into a plastic bag, seal it, and take it to a window. The sunlight gradually causes the water to evaporate, and it eventually changes back into condensed water, in imitation of nature’s water cycle. Ultimately, you’re left with a form of precipitation in a bag!
Young kids love activities that allow them to incorporate their name in decorative and striking ways. The crystal names experiment uses Borax, food coloring, pipe cleaners, and a little fishing line to produce colored crystals which adhere to pipe cleaners spelling out their name. Hold each “letter” up in the sunlight to see how they sparkle. Borax dissolved in water creates a suspension, with solid particles that are big enough for sedimentation to take place, and colored crystals are formed.
Few home experiments are as fun as making a glass of lava. Simply fill a glass ¾ full of water, add five drops of food coloring, and then pour in ¼ cup of vegetable oil, which will float to the top since it’s lighter than water. The fun really starts when you sprinkle salt on top to make globs of “lava” begin to move around. Homemade puffy paint is also a fun experiment for all ages. Mix Elmer’s glue and shaving cream in a container or on a paper plate, and then add a few drops of food coloring and mix slowly until you get the proper consistency. All that’s left is to get some paper and brushes and let your imagination take over.
Your kids may be familiar with the tried-and-true egg-drop challenge, since it’s a popular experiment among science instructors. The objective is to build a container that’s capable of keeping an egg from breaking when dropped from a high place. This one is fun because there’s no limit on the kinds of material you can use—as long as they’re soft! For this one, try toilet paper rolls, newspaper, popsicle sticks, a shoebox, plastic bag, rubber bands, string, and balloons. Attach toilet paper rolls at four corners of a sponge using tape. Place an egg in the middle of them and run tape around the outside of the rolls to secure the egg. Next, attach a plastic bag as an umbrella, attaching it to your “egg carrier” with string. Now, it’s time for your experiment. You can use a play set in the backyard, drop if from the top of a step ladder, or let it fall out the window. Just make sure the coast is clear before you let go!
If your kids are into geology, your own backyard can be your laboratory. Conduct your own “acid” test using white vinegar to determine whether you have limestone deposits. Pour vinegar into several bowls, find some rock samples, and place one in each bowl. If bubbles form in one, you know you’ve found a limestone rock!
Single dads are often challenged to find educational activities that their children can enjoy. Scientific experiments can be fun as well as instructional. The best part is, you can do many of them at home with commonplace household items.
Picture Courtesy of Pixabay.


About Our Guest Author:

Daniel Sherwin is the proud single father to two amazing kids (a daughter and a son). After noticing the lack of resources on the web for single dads, he started DadSolo.com so that others could learn from his successes, failures, and everything in between.








Blog Administrator:  Trisha Roberts
proeducationaltoys@gmail.com


Copyright © 2018 TNT Inspired Enterprise, LLC, All rights reserved.








Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.


Friday, February 2, 2018

Spring Break Travel Tips for Parents by Trisha Roberts






Spring Break Vacation is almost here!  Many families will be hitting the road for recreation and leisure. As I discussed in my blog article, “Road Trip with Kids—‘Oh, No!’ or ‘I’ve Got this’” on March 13, 2016, Traveling with children can be a challenge. 


Pack Good Travel Toys



Many parents fall into the trap of lulling their children into silence by playing an endless cycle of videos in the car.  I’m not saying that videos should never be used, but there are so many other things that can be used for entertainment and promote learning at the same time. 



I highly recommend our Travel Toys Surprise Packs for Girls and Vacation Toys Travel Surprise Pack for Boys.  




Each package contains 8 wrapped toys or activities appropriate for play in a vehicle. I personally have used these with my children and found them to be invaluable!  Each child was allowed to choose and open one gift every hour of the trip.  They loved opening the surprise gift and then playing with it for the next hour.  I added a few extras to the Travel Package, like a juice box, animal crackers or package of gum, to stave off hunger and add variety.  I LOVE the fact that the Vacation Surprise Packages are pre-wrapped!  All the work is done! (And who needs more work preparing for Vacation?!?)  The package comes ready to throw in the car!  Mom Scores!  Kids are Happy!  Kids are Learning and Playing! 






Another of our great Travel Toys is our line of Read Along Books
























These are wonderful Reading Tools for Kids that educate and entertain.  Children follow along word for word in each book to familiar stories as they are narrated and accompanied by sound effects and songs.  Your child is prompted to turn the page at the sound of the Chime. These are Great Language Toys that stimulate an interest in reading for young children and improve the reading skills of older children.  They are a phenomenal way to encourage a love for books and reading!  






We also offer an affordable, portable CD Player and volume-limiting headphones specifically designed for children.




                                                                 














 Stop Frequently and Encourage Physical Activity


Some suggestions are:

  • Stop at a rest area or travel plaza and designate a running or walking course around picnic tables or other obstacles;  add a competitive challenge by timing each child using the stop watch on your smart phone. 
  • Play a quick game of Leap Frog.
  • Enjoy 5 minutes of Frisbee Fun.
  • Set up a "goal" between two objects and let everyone kick a playground ball to score points.





Have a Great Spring Break!  Please comment and leave tips on how YOU make vacations special for your children!








Blog Administrator:  Trisha Roberts
proeducationaltoys@gmail.com


Copyright © 2018 TNT Inspired Enterprise, LLC, All rights reserved.







Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.