As a mom of twins with a total of four kids, Melissa Perry Moraja knows firsthand that having twins is more tiring than having a singleton. Moraja, a North Carolina-based children’s author and illustrator, found that she slept more and ate more when pregnant with multiples. The weight gain was taxing as well, she says. “I was a 125-pound person who couldn’t even fit into my husband’s extra large clothes at 32 weeks pregnant,” says Moraja. Preparing for and parenting multiples includes considering self-care, baby care and support systems.
Category: Newspaper Writing
Games That Develop Your Toddler’s Imagination
Toddlers are bursting with energy, ready to assert independence and full of creative ideas, but they probably don't know how to express themselves creatively yet. You can help develop your little tyke’s imagination with interactive games that rely on role playing, communication and collaboration. From building blocks and pretend play to dynamic dancing and rhythmic drumming, games that foster your child’s imagination can be a routine part of your day and your child’s life.
Letting Go and Moving On
It’s always interesting to me the memories we hold onto as we get older. Some of them are near and dear to our hearts whereas others bring back the ping of pain in our guts as we remember every single vivid detail. I remember what it felt like to hold my daughter for the first time as if it was yesterday – not 16 years ago – and I can still feel the fear I felt when my son was born and refused to breathe for the first 30 seconds of his life. Beyond the precious memories that warm our hearts and make us thankful for our gifts, those odd memories of events passed often stick with us, too, and sometimes, for way too long.
8 Signs You’re Ready for Children
Does the thought of pitter-pattering little feet running through your house bring a smile to your face? Do you get baby fever whenever you hold a little one? If so, it might be time to have children. There are many factors to consider when deciding if you are ready to raise a happy child in a healthy, safe and loving manner, says Dr. Marina Gafanovich, a New York-based primary care physician. If you are contemplating having a child, these eight signs may be saying that now's the time.
Games for Toddlers and Dads
Toddlers crave attention, and nothing beats one-on-one time with Daddy. Beyond bedtime stories and playful wrestling, dads and toddlers can entertain themselves with active and creative games. Finding activities that interest both Dad and your little one can help to build a bond between a father and son or father and daughter. From messy play and creative crafts to sporty outdoor games, dads and toddlers have many options to have fun any day of the week.
Games That Teach Toddlers About Feelings
Your toddler is bound to be happy one moment and sad the next, even though she may not understand why or recognize the feeling itself. Games that help toddlers recognize feelings in themselves also help them learn about feelings in others, says Diane Doyle, director of the Rollins College Child Development Center in Winter Park, Fla. Learn how to help your little one identify feelings while having a little fun throughout the day with these interactive games that teach feelings.
Activities for Both Toddlers and Older Siblings
Your toddler is at that stage of development where he wants to be a "big boy" and join in the fun with his older siblings. Finding activities that will engage all ages doesn't have to be a challenge or prompt sibling rivalry. Help form and secure a bond between your children—both young and old—with creative crafts, silly sports, outdoor activities and interactive games that are appropriate for all ages.
Faults of Faith
I have never claimed to be perfect and my children know this to be true first-hand. They see my faults on a daily basis. They will call me out when I mix up their sandwiches while packing lunches; they will gripe and moan because I’m always late — often while sitting in the garage waiting for me — and they, as teenagers, have no problem telling me when I roll through a stop sign or forget to turn on my signal. My children know that I have faults; they see that I’m human, but more importantly, they recognize that I try my best.
The Top 10 Beverages to Avoid
A glass of lemonade or bottled tea may sound harmless, but when you look at the added sugar and lack of nutritional value in these calorie-laden beverages, you’ll understand why they can be detrimental to your diet. “One of the most unrecognized ways to blow the calorie bank and pack on extra pounds is drinking high-calorie beverages,” says Kristen Smith, an Atlanta-based registered dietitian and founder of 360 Family Nutrition. Keep your calorie consumption in check by eliminating the 10 beverages on the next slides from your diet.
Tips for a Spotless Microwave
From spaghetti sauce to bread crumbs, if it seems like your microwave is storing leftovers from daily meals, no worries. Make the grime, stains and crumbs disappear with innovative methods to clean without breaking a sweat. Instead of spending hours tirelessly scrubbing, keep it spotless with some simple tricks using natural products safe for your most-used appliance. Before long, your microwave will look shiny and new, ready for your next tasty treat.
Shannon Philpott-Sanders 