Selecting a Baby Shower Theme: Easy as One Two Three – Parenting
Selecting a Baby Shower Theme: Easy as One Two Three
Adriana Copaceanu
No aspect of party planning is more crucial and sometimes mind boggling to a baby shower planner than selecting the baby shower theme. There are almost too many ideas available today, and often the host of a party finds themselves suffering apoplexy at the idea of selecting a baby shower theme.
A small amount of creativity however will be sure to generate success, regardless of the baby shower theme selected. Keep in mind that the mom to bes happiness is perhaps the greatest priority. Not sure what theme to select Worried about what might go over well with the guests Turn to the expectant mom for guidance, and you are certain to come out a winner.
Selecting a baby shower theme should depend on just a couple of critical factors; For example, is the mother expecting a boy, girl, twins or more Twins are the perfect "theme" for any party of a mother blessed with multiples. You could for example, in this instance offer guests two of everything, including cake!
In times of old a shower was only held for the first child. This tradition has changed however of late, and it isnt uncommon for a mom to be to have a shower for each child, celebrating their uniqueness and the joy at bringing another new life into the world. Sometimes a variation of the same theme can be used at subsequent showers. Still struggling for ideas Consider some of the following:
Teddy Bears: What child does not love plush, stuffed and furry teddy bears! Teddy bear themes can be used for male or female children. Napkins, tableware and similar style decorations are sure to be found with teddy bears on them.
Colors: Often a mom to be seeks out gifts and accessories that complement or match the color she has selected for babys nursery. You might consider a baby shower theme that matches the color scheme of babys nursery. Guests can also be clued in on the invitation, and invited to bring items that will complement the nursery or wardrobe of the baby to be.
Cartoon Characters: Many parents select well known characters to incorporate into their nursery theme and these are easily translated into a baby shower theme. Some ideas include Strawberry Shortcake, Hello Kitty, or Bugs Bunny for example.
Shapes: Some parents may decide on shapes or even objects such as lemons, fish, cubes, circles and triangles to decorate their babys nursery. Again, finding decorations and accessories for the shower that match this theme should prove beneficial and inexpensive.
No matter what baby shower theme you select, you are bound to find hundreds of items to complement the event, including decorations, favors and even gifts. Once the baby shower theme has been selected, as a planner the next most important task is setting about planning for the actual party and getting invitations out to the guests to be.
Traditionally, the shower is held at the home of the host; this is not always the case however, and exceptions to the rule might be welcome in some situations. Regardless of where you decide to throw the party, be sure to give guests enough advance notice to plan on attending. This usually requires three weeks to a months notice, as most people are already too busy in todays society!
After selecting a baby shower theme, planning the party is easy. Once invitations have been mailed out and RSVPs have been received, plan on spending some time making a list of food items that will be needed, decorations you plan on acquiring, settling on party favors and deciding on a few fun games to play. Once you have all of these items sorted out, everything else is bound to fall together and you and your guests are sure to have a delightful time celebrating mom to be!
About The Author
Adriana Copaceanu provides people with creative gift ideas that dont blow the bank. Gift Baskets for Baby to Birthday and Beyond, are just some gift ideas youll find at her site: http://www.abcgiftsandbaskets.com. Want regular reminders on gift-giving Sign up for her free monthly newsletter at http://www.abcgiftsandbaskets.com/gift-news-signup.htm.
Caribbean Villas Made for Two – Travel
Caribbean Villas Made for Two
Paris Permenter & John Bigley
For some couples, the idea of real island romance is a private villa, without other guests. Just the two of you -- alone, except for the occasional visit by a cook or maid who is there to meet your special requests, to introduce you to island cuisine, and to make you feel pampered in what really is your home away from home. St. John, St. Thomas, Jamaica, and Barbados are especially popular islands for villa rentals.
Villas vary in price, services, and level of luxury. Before you make a commitment, check:
maid service. Many villas offer maid service before your arrival and after your departure; additional cleaning can be arranged for a surcharge. At other properties, you may have daily maid service. Check with your villa management company.
groceries. Can you send a deposit for groceries and have a cook stock up before your arrival Finding a refrigerator and cabinets ready with your favorites can be a big boost after a long flight.
cook service. Many villas can arrange for cook service as you choose: three meals a day, dinner only, or just one special meal. In Jamaica, villas typically include cook service. Check your options.
air conditioning. Dont assume your villa is air conditioned; ever-present trade winds make this an optional feature. If its more of a necessity than an option to you, inquire.
car rental. Many villas are located away from the resort areas. See if you should rent a car to avoid pricey taxi rides for long hauls.
minimum stay. Unlike hotel minimums of three nights, villas often require a minimum seven night rental.
Many resorts also offer villa rentals. These homes are located on the resort property and guests enjoy the security and services of the resort while at the same time having the space and facilities of a villa home.
About The Author
Husband and wife team Paris Permenter and John Bigley edit the award-winning Lovetripper.com www.lovetripper.com, a romantic travel magazine and resource featuring honeymoons, destination weddings, and romantic getaways worldwide.
editors@lovetripper.com
How To Potty Train In Two Days – Parenting
How To Potty Train In Two Days
Carrie Lauth
Ah, potty training! Go to a local bookseller and you will find dozens of books on the subject. Search the Net and there are thousands of websites with information on how to do it stress free. There are even people who are capitalizing on a parents frustration with potty training by offering to do it for you, for a hefty sum! I honestly cant imagine anything more unseemly than paying someone to teach my child to "go".
Ewwww!!!
I have successfully potty trained two out of 3 kids so far, baby number 3 is only 14 months so she is off the hook for a few months at least ;
I seem to be the envy of the playgroups when other Moms see that my 3 year old son has been in whitey tighties for over a year. My oldest was also 2 when he potty learned.
For me, potty training starts with a newborn. Now dont get me wrong...I do diaper my babes unlike the native African mothers who wear their babies on their backs and who, to avoid being soiled on, learn to read their babies cues so well that they know when their newborn needs to be held over a bush...no, Im not kidding! but I have always used cloth diapers, which encourages babies to train early. Im not a longhaired, barefoot, off-the-grid hippie not that theres anything wrong with that, but youre more likely to find me in Doc Martens than Birkenstocks! but I have been cloth diapering since the beginning.
It has saved me hundreds and hundreds of dollars, but I also like the fact that my babies begin to make the association with the uncomfortable wet feeling and the knowledge that they can prevent it. Most babies will wake up dry in the morning at several months of age, demonstrating that they are physically able to "hold it". In my opinion, Pull Ups are evil and yet another invention that some clever businessman came up with that parents now think is a necessity. Along with formula, baby swings, and the like. Pull Ups just enable a 5 year old to keep soiling himself. Research has shown that cloth diapered babies potty learn several months earlier than disposable diapered babies.
So heres Grandmas recipe and I do owe it to my Mother, like most of the good stuff I know about parenting for easy potty training, even if you choose not to cloth diaper.
Let your baby come into the bathroom when you go. That way, they know whats going on in there. You dont have to get graphic, just talk to them about what toilets are for. If you are a woman at home all day with boy children, encourage Daddy to show em how its done. You dont want them thinking that if they go on the toilet their equipment will fall off, like Mums obviously did. Strange, but true...some tots will come to this conclusion.
Buy 3 or 4 of those cheap little molded plastic potties and put them around the house. At least, one in each bathroom and one in the kitchen or the room where you spend the most time with your child. Stick a towel underneath for the sake of your carpet if said child is a boy. Speaking of boys...you can take advantage of nature here by keeping an open mind. I know at least one boy who was trained when his Mom let him go off the side of the deck.
The summer that your child is closest to two, take two days and dont leave the house. Let your child run around naked from the waist down, with a big tee shirt on top so that private parts stay private.
Every 10 minutes, place the child matter-of-factly on the pot. DO NOT ASK insane questions like "Do you need to go potty sweetie pie!" We are talking about dealing with a two year old here! Just do it like its the thing to do, and dont ask permission. Dont force it, and if he/she wants to get up right away, let him or her. If you have a resistant child, set a timer to go off every 10 minutes. Its amazing what a child will do when the power dynamic is taken away. When the "potty timer" goes off, its time to sit on the pot!
Use praise but dont go overboard. Act like this is the expected thing. Be cool. Say "You put peepee in the potty, just like Mommy and Daddy and big brother, and your older play group friend...3rd parties are gold here!! do.
Dont make a big deal out of whats happening. Dont spend hours reading potty training books or videos to the child. Again, be cool. If you make it into a big deal, your child will be more likely to dig in and resist.
Have some "big boy shorts" or "big girl panties" that you know your child will like, perhaps that you have picked out together, ready for the end of the two days. Your child will be less likely to have accidents if s/he is going to mess up their new undies.
When the inevitible accidents happen, dont scold. Be patient and gracious. This is part of the job. Remember that even if you decide to spring for carpet cleaning, you will still come out ahead if you dont have to buy diapers for another year or two!
About The Author
Carrie Lauth is a work from home Mom of 3, a homebirth advocate, breastfeeding counselor and homeschooler. In her free time she enjoys a good book and anything involving espresso.
http://www.money-smart-women.com
msbiz@earthlink.net