A useful directory of links to top kids and baby shopping sites. Search under toys, clothing, furniture or safety products to find what you need.

Attachment Parenting – An Overview of What it Is

December 22nd, 2011 4:30 am

Attachment parenting is becoming more and more popular as parents want to do the right thing for their children. Attachment parenting is a type of parenting that describes a highly responsive and highly attentive style of caring for a child. There are three main types of parenting that have been identified through the years by the psychological and medical community. Attachment parenting is one of these three types. In order to determine which type of parent that you are with your children and make changes or understand how this form of parenting works, you need to understand the basics and how this form of parenting is classified.

According to this theory created by William Sears, there are eight principles that define attachment parenting. Each principle has its own role in this form of parenting. Each individual principle is like a building block that, when combined, creates the whole foundation that this parenting style represents. Overall, attachment parenting is a style that is theorized to allow a strong bond to develop between the parents and the child. It is often used by parents who desire to be sensitive and emotionally sympathetic to their children which, also in theory, helps a child’s socio-emotional development flourish.

The first principle is preparation. The whole purpose of principle one in the overall attachment parenting style is that parenting requires planning in all aspects, not just planning how you will raise your child but also the aspects of pregnancy and childbirth as well. We all know that there are times when planning a pregnancy and childbirth cannot be planned, so you move on to the next aspect. From this point you plan all of the values and other things that you want to teach your children to give them the structure that they need in order to grow up to be functional and successful adults. Think about the type of discipline that you will use, but you also need to have a good understanding of the stages in a child’s emotional and physical development so that you can plan and adjust accordingly.

Principle two in attachment parenting is called Feeding with Love and Respect, which basically translates to the fact that breast feeding is the best thing for your child. In keeping with the theory of developing a bond, breast feeding is the best way for a mother to bond with her child. For father’s, bottle feeding using breast milk can help to build the same strong bond.

The third principle of attachment parenting is sensitivity. Under this principle, parents should be responding to each and every aspect of your child’s life and development with sensitivity. You should sensitively approach situations that show your child that you are allowing them to grow emotionally while still providing them with the emotional stability that only parents can give.

Principle four is nurturing through touch. This principle of attachment parenting is all about responding to your infant and child through reassuring touch. Children are born with an extreme need for physical interaction and using touch to reinforce emotional support and understand helps strengthen the bond of love and trust between parent and child.

The fifth principle of attachment parenting is to prove that night time does not stop your role as a parent. Some parents will interpret this as allowing their children to share the bed – like a “family bed” — or sleeping in the same room. Other parents have an open door policy.

Principles six and seven of attachment parenting revolve around consistent love and positive discipline. Basically, you love your child unconditionally and discipline through learning instead of punishment.

The final principle of attachment parenting is to work for a perfect balance between your personal life and your family life. All of the other principles rely on making attachment parenting work through a complete balance of every aspect of your life.

Natural parenting is based on principles, not strict rules that can be worked into every family. Each family is different and the needs differ also. Your kids might be past the need for the Ergo baby carrier, or your choices regarding the MMR vaccine may differ from other parents. Loving-Attachment-Parenting.com will give you the options and support to make attachment parenting work ‘just right’ for you and your circumstances – all for the love of parenthood.

Personalized Children’s Books

August 3rd, 2011 4:26 am

Personalized children’s books are one of the best gifts that parents can give. It seems like every gift for children today lights up and require batteries. These toys seem to be attention grabbers but they never seem to last. They are the first toys to get broken or tossed aside. Parents are are not looking to stock their garage sales they are looking for value and something that will be memorable for their children. One option for parents is to give their children a personalized storybook.

What is a personalized children’s book?

Quite simply it is one in which the child actually becomes an integral part of the story by his or her name becoming the hero or heroine. Modern technology in the printing world has now made this quite wonderful idea an affordable reality for everyone.

Personalized children’s books are usually based upon animal themes or fairy stories that all children seem to love. They often introduce an educational element too. However, the fact that the boy or girl is actually in the story brings them to life in a totally new, different and fascinating way. You can see the child’s excitement build as they realize they have actually been woven into the story. They see their own names, their friends and their home town actually playing a key role as events unfold.

Why should you purchase a personalized children’s book?

Of course these books make wonderful gifts. Children are invariably absolutely delighted when they see that they are the hero or heroine of one of their favorite stories.

Across the United States ever increasing numbers of parents and grandparents are purchasing personalized children’s books for their young relatives. They become items that are treasured by the child and parent alike. The personalized book is something that will be enjoyed by the child right now but will remain a treasured item and reminder of the growing up period for many years.

Personalized children’s books can be given to children at almost any occasion. They make wonderful gifts for all celebrations including Christmas, birthdays and kindergarten graduation ceremonies.

How are these personalized children’s books produced?

Personalized books are printed by the use of a modern digital press that allows every single sheet of paper coming out to be completely unique every time. This relatively recent technology allows the creation and printing of books with different content on every page. Printing is just another area where digital processes make new things possible and affordable.

The benefits of personalized children’s books

Personalized children’s books are educationally sound because they are written and produced by people who understand the different stages of a child growing up. The involvement of the child in the story sparks imagination and acts a stimulus to reading and understanding the book. This can have a positive effect on rapid literary development.

Another benefit is that the child being the central figure in the story helps them develop their own self-confidence. As they read their own story they start to see themselves as individuals; self-esteem and self-worth build.

One final major and often unconsidered advantage of personalized children’s books is that they make great fundraising items. Because they are so popular they are easy to sell. This means that they are ideal for neighbourhood or charitable fundraising efforts. What works for a lot of fundraisers is to take local advance orders and then give the books to the children during the actual event.

So, whether or not you are planning a fundraising event or simply want a very special gift for a much loved little boy or girl, do give thought to the unusual idea of a personalized children’s book. The recipient will without doubt be glad that you did.

KD Novelties is a Better Business Bureau accredited family owned and operated business who takes great pride in providing their customers with stellar service. ALL products sold on their site are personalized, assembled and shipped by them, so you don’t have to wait long to receive your order. They do not sell third party products on their site to ensure you receive a high quality product, as quickly as possible and a pleasant shopping experience.