InvitingSmiles Blog

Have you been in a store and wanted to tell a parent, “Control your children”? Most people have witnessed children out of control in a toy store, grocery store, restaurant, etc. I am not speaking of a child throwing a temper tantrum, and the parent is embarrassed and trying to remedy the situation. I have empathy for that parent.

I am speaking of parents that allow their child to run around tables at a restaurant, run around a grocery store unsupervised, or pull out all of the toys on the toy aisle. These disrupting behaviors are disrespectful to people patronizing the business and to the employees. The child is also subject to dangerous situations:
      o In the process of avoiding the child, a waiter may stumble and drop hot food or coffee on the child.
      o In a grocery store, unsupervised children may pull a can, or glass jar, off a shelf onto themselves.
      o Pulling toys at random off toy shelves and leaving them out in the aisles is my biggest pet peeve. This is a tripping hazard, and unbelievably rude to the employees!

      o In today’s world, it is not safe to let any young child run around unsupervised. The possibility of kidnapping is real.

At a very young age, children need to understand that there are rules when they leave home, just as there are rules at home. This will keep them safer, and make them better people. They will learn boundaries, discipline, respect for their parents, respect for others, and best of all respect for themselves.

Next week we will address ideas that help young children learn to behave in public.
See my blog tomorrow and find out who gave me the idea for this blog???

Until then visit our Good Parenting Tips:  http://www.invitingsmiles.com/parenting-tidbits.html

www.InvitingSmiles.com

What do you really need on your baby registry? Baby registries are helpful to new parents and to family and friends who may be purchasing a gift. However, registry checklists provided by stores may not meet your true needs. Many stores will recommend items that may be nice to have, but you may never use.

Here are some basic real necessities:
 
□ Crib   □ Highchair     □ Carseat  

□ Stroller / Umbrella stroller
    • Umbrella strollers are wonderful for quick trips in and out of a store.
□ Diaper bag
    • Ask for a big and a small one. The small ones are great for quick trips
□ Portable Playpen
    • Great for outdoor use and visits to grandparent’s house
□ Waterproof pads
    • These are great to put under the baby when sleeping. Diaper leakage can be cleaned quickly without having to change the sheets at 3:00 am.
 
□ Baby Bathtub
□ Baby Monitor
□ Baby Thermometer
□ Diaper Pail
□ Crib sheets
□ Baby towels/washcloths
□ Burp cloths
□ Bibs
□ Onesies (all sizes)
□ Sleepers (all sizes)
□ Light weight blankets
□ Baby Proofing supplies  

Next week we will address the items that are commonly asked for on a registry that you may want to reconsider.

Click here for some great Baby Shower ideas:
http://www.invitingsmiles.com/baby-shower-ideas.html

www.InvitingSmiles.com

We are searching for unique ideas for a wedding and/or reception! Couples tend to ‘step out of the box’ with their wedding plans more and more these days. We would like to offer some unique ideas that we have heard, read, or seen.

I have seen this first idea at a friend’s reception. It is truly touching. During the reception, all married couples were asked to enter the dance floor for a slow dance. After a minute, or so, the DJ asked all couples who have been married 1 year or less to sit down… then 5 years or less, and so on. This went on until the last couple was standing. The last couple was an aunt and uncle that had been married 43 years. The bride then presented the aunt with a special corsage and the groom shook his uncle’s hand. They also asked them for any marriage advice!

Another wedding I attended was located in a coastal town. This was not the couple’s first marriage, and each had children from a previous marriage. As part of the ceremony, the children were brought to the front of the church alongside their parent. Each family member held a small container of sand. From the youngest to the oldest child, they poured their sand into one container held by their parent, and then each parent poured their container into one pretty vase signifying the unity of the two families. This vase was set out at the reception with a photo of the whole family at the beach!

Watch for more unique wedding ideas on our blog next Friday!

Click here for some Funny Wedding Vows:
http://www.invitingsmiles.com/funny-wedding-vows.html

www.InvitingSmiles.com

Each Thursday throughout the summer, our kid’s party series will provide great ideas for summer parties. Many of these party suggestions will be taking place outdoors. Therefore, we are taking this opportunity to provide:

Outdoor Summer Party Safety Tips

Sunscreen – Make sure you require all of the children to wear sunscreen. If needed, speak  to parents ahead of time so they can make sure sunscreen is applied. Parents get  very upset when they pick up their child from a party and the child is sunburned.

Water, water and more water – Keep the kids hydrated!
 You may offer limited assorted drinks, but have pre-set ‘break’ moments where  all of the children are in a shaded area and the only drink given to them is water  (gift giving time, craft time, etc). This way you will know that they are staying  hydrated.

Know the signs of dehydration - 
  fatigue
  dizziness
  eyes look sunken 
  dry, sticky mouth
  dry, cool skin
  lethargy, irritability  
  few tears when crying (or no tears at all)
  lack of urination, or a very small amount
POOL PARTIES – These are great, but the dangers are many. There is no reason for an accident if some simple rules are set.

 Click this link for our detailed suggestions  for pool party safety:http://blog.invitingsmiles.com/?p=137

www.InvitingSmiles.com

Budgets are tight this year and many families are staying home for vacation. 

We have a few resourceful ideas for your staycation this year!

□ Plan around your family’s individual likes and dislikes. Maybe your daughter does not want to go fishing, but your son thinks this is the greatest. Dad and son can go on a fishing trip, while mom and daughter enjoy one of their common interests. The whole family can spend the next day at a mutually agreed upon attraction, so everyone can enjoy.

□ Budget, budget, budget.  Planning to eat at home is a great savings. If it is not efficient to eat lunch at home on one of your days out, then pack a picnic lunch.

□ When eating at home gets monotonous, plan to eat at a ‘fun’ restaurant. This can count as one of your day trips.

□ Don’t forget to plan some alone time for mom & dad. Swap a day with a friend. You take their kids one day, if they will take yours one day.

□ Remember the basics: Have water balloon fights, go to a park, bring out the board games. Research your cities options. You may be surprised at what your hometown and its surrounding cities have to offer.

Take time to rest, do something of interest for each family member, present a positive attitude and your staycation will be a huge success!

When the budget allows, here is a link to some fabulous kids vacations: http://www.invitingsmiles.com/best-kids-vacations.html

www.InvitingSmiles.com

You will find while planning outings, that two diaper bags are better than one. You will need a large diaper bag for outings that may be 2 hours, or more. For those quick trips out, a small diaper bag will be sufficient, convenient, and less weight to tote.

Items for Small Diaper Bag:

• 2 Diapers
• Small container of Wipes
• Plastic baggies for disposables
• 1 Change of Clothes (something simple just to get back home in)
• Bottle and/or a small snack if your child is old enough
• Extra Pacifier

Our suggestions for the large diaper bag are found here: http://blog.invitingsmiles.com/?p=549

www.InvitingSmiles.com

How do you notify your loved ones to be sure to save the date of an occasion that is important to you? A wedding, graduation, baby shower, and party are a few occasions when you may choose to send Save the Date cards.

Save the Date cards are requests sent to family and friends. You are requesting they mark this special date on their calendars, so they have the opportunity to plan and attend.

Information to include on your card:
o Your name(s)
o What the special occasion is (graduation, wedding, etc)
o The date and time (or approximate time: in the afternoon, evening, etc)
o The location (if you are not sure of the venue, give the city & state)

The time of day and the location are especially important to guests making travel arrangements. For long-distant friends and family, you may include information on local accommodations that will be available for them (hotels, rental cars, Aunt’s house, etc)
Remember: Every guest sent a Save the Date Card, will also need to be sent an invitation closer to the event date.
For ideas specific to Wedding planning click:
http://www.invitingsmiles.com/wedding-day-titles.html

www.InvitingSmiles.com

It is time to start planning your Father’s Day Party! A special invitation to a special event will make the dad’s on your guest list feel like Kings. Sample wording may be:

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
All Fantastic Father’s and their families are invited to come celebrate
the Heroic feats (or efforts) of our knights in shining armour!

Dads will be our Kings of the Day!

Invite family and friends to celebrate all of the sacrifices and the heroic efforts their father’s have accomplished this year! June is a wonderful time to celebrate outdoors. Offer plenty of refreshments and drinks for ‘kids’ of all sizes.

Make 2009 the year your loved one will remember being honored with all of his family and friends.

www.InvitingSmiles.com

If overnight accommodations and eating out for breakfast, lunch and dinner, are not in your budget this year, then it may be time to plan a staycation. Staying home for your vacation is a great way to save money. It may also be more relaxing for there is no traveling, or overnight packing necessary.

Staycations can be as fun, or as relaxing as you want. You may find that staying home is more of a vacation then you realized. Research your city and the surrounding cities for items of interest. Museums, local attractions, and tours are just a few. Customize your staycation to meet your family’s interests and you all will have a wonderful time!

As with any budget, planning is the key. Consider the age of your children, the time you have available and the resources at hand. Next week we will give some suggestions to help plan your staycation.

Planning a staycation for a couple of summers may allow you to save up for a ‘big’ vacation later. Click the following link to some of the best kids vacations: http://www.invitingsmiles.com/best-kids-vacations.html

www.InvitingSmiles.com

Pregnant women should exercise for many reasons. However, you should consult your doctor first in case you have some risks. Your doctor may be able to recommend some prenatal exercise classes as well.

Low impact exercise is the key. There is no need to overdo it.
      o Water aerobics was my favorite exercise while I was pregnant. The water carries the weight of the baby for you.
      o Walking is an enjoyable way to stay fit. You can walk with family members for some family bonding time.
      o Many fitness centers offer yoga, low-impact aerobics and other prenatal exercise classes.

The benefits of exercising are many. Get your whole family involved now. After the baby is born, consult your doctor about continuing your low-impact exercises. He will let you know when you can start a more strenuous program. Staying in shape is good for you and your baby.

www.InvitingSmiles.com