SMART SOLUTIONS ABOUT ALMOST
EVERYTHING FOR MOMS, FROM MOMS
Created by hundreds of contributing mothers from the MomCentral.com community and Stacy DeBroff, The Mom Book features lists, tips, stories, and defining principles for everything from hiring a nanny to setting up a home office to surviving a rainy day at home. Here are answers to on-the-spot questions about fussy eaters, tantrums, starting school, work-family balance, and the thousand and one other skills needed to thrive as a mom. After all, who better than experienced mothers to share insider parenting advice?

CONTENTS

Introduction

1

CLEAN, CLOTHED, & WELL RESTED

10 Defining Principles

Diapering

The Basics • Keeping Your Squirmer Entertained • Dealing with Diaper Rash • Protection Against Nighttime Leaks • Keeping Diapers on Your Child • Saving Money

Toilet Training

Getting Underway • On the Road • At Night

Clothing

Buying Clothes • Shoes • Pajamas • Making It Easy for Your Toddler to Dress Himself • Ending Clothing Battles • Dressing for School • Patching, Buttons, & Repairs • Outgrown Clothes

Bathing & Grooming

Sponge Bathing Your Newborn • Baby Bath • When Your Child Dislikes Baths • Make Yourself Comfortable & Productive • Get Creative • Splashing • Getting out of the Tub • Summer Bath • Bath Safety • Nails • Hair

Dental Care

Care of Baby Teeth • Teething Relief • Brushing • Flossing

Sleep

Bedtime Routine • Night Owls & Early Risers • When Your Child Refuses Naps • Nighttime Fears • Family Bed

2

FEEDING YOUR CHILD

10 Defining Principles

Breastfeeding, Bottlefeeding, & Weaning Breastfeeding

Advantages • Getting Started • Latching onto the Breast • When Your Baby Refuses to Nurse • Prevention of & Relief for Sore Nipples • Cost-Saving Nursing Pads and Bras • Pumping • Breastfeeding & Travel for Work

Bottlefeeding

Advantages • Formula • Nipples • Feeding Your Baby Her Bottle • Warming Bottles • Nighttime Bottles

Burping

Weaning

Weaning from the Breast • Weaning to a Cup • Weaning off a Pacifier

Introducing Solids

Signs Your Baby Is Ready for More Textured Food • Getting Started • Spoon Feeding • Order of Introduction • Allergens • Baby Food • High Chair • Bibs • Finger Food • Choking • Teaching Your Toddler to Pour Her Own Drinks • Cleaning Up

Feeding Your Fussy Eater

Eating Well • Making Food More Fun • Ways to Get Your Child to Eat Vegetables & Fruit • Not Hungry at Mealtimes • If Your Child Refuses to Eat Breakfast • School Lunch Ideas

Feeding Your Overeater

In the Kitchen Tips

How to Make Dinner Without Going Crazy • Meal Planning • Cooking Ahead for Meals • Using Your Freezer • Time Savers • Family Dinners

3

MEDICAL CONCERNS, CHILDPROOFING, & SAFETY

10 Defining Principles

Pediatric Care

Selecting a Pediatrician • Ongoing Care • Calling After Hours • Keeping Medical Records • When to Change Pediatricians

Emergencies & Hospitalization

Emergency Room Visits • Hospitalization

Colic

Home Medical Care

Giving Your Child Medicine • Cold & Flu Season • Comforting Your Sick Child • Booboos • Bites, Stings, & Insects • Nosebleeds • Rashes, Chicken Pox, & Poison Ivy • Protection from the Sun • Allergy-Proofing

Childproofing & Safety

Utilities & Appliances • Doors • Windows • Stairways • Furniture & Knickknacks • Baby Equipment • Toys • Bathroom • Kitchen • Decks, Porches, & Balconies • Backyard • Garage • Car • Bicycle • Accidental Poisoning • Lead Poisoning

Disaster Precautions

Fire Safety • Water Safety • Disaster Survival Kit • Preventing Abduction

4

SOCIALIZING YOUR CHILD

10 Defining Principles

Discipline

Alternatives to Saying No • Time-Outs

Behavioral Challenges

Tantrums & Bad Moods • Interruptions • Thumb Sucking • Aggression & Biting • Lying • Whining

Siblings

Siblings & a New Baby • Getting Along

Friendships

Playgroups • Playdates & Friends • Sleepovers

Teaching Manners

Getting Started • Table Manners • Thank-You Notes

5

GETTING ORGANIZED

10 Defining Principles

Organizing Your Home

A Place for Everything • Getting Rid of Clutter & Junk • Your Child's Bedroom • Toys • Artwork & School Projects • Kitchen • Emergency Telephone Sheet • Bathroom • Closets • Storage • Backyard & Garden

Prioritizing & Keeping Track

Weekly To-Do List • Calendar

Organizing Paper

Mail • Working Files for Daily Use • Family Filing System • Household Warranties

Establishing Family Routines

Mastering the Morning Launch • Family Meetings • Family Goal Setting

Personal Time & Relationships

Time for Self • Time with Your Partner • Logistics Around Divorce • Keeping in Touch

Moving with Kids

Making the Transition Easier • Gathering Information About Your New Community • What to Open, Close, Return, Retrieve, & Transfer • Packing It Up • Saying Goodbye • Getting Acclimated

Surviving a Home Renovation with Kids Underfoot

Legal Issues

Your Will • Nominating a Guardian for Your Child

6

HOME CARE & HOUSEKEEPING

10 Defining Principles

Engaging Your Partner's Help

How to Involve Your Child

Starting Your Child on Chores • Chores for Your Toddler • Chores for Your Older Child • Using a Chore Chart • Inspiration Along the Way • Allowance & Pay for Extra Chores

Housekeeping & Cleaning

General Cleaning Tips • Kitchen • Stain Removal & Damage Repairs Around the House • Laundry • Hiring Housecleaning Help

Running Errands & Shopping

Pets & Your Child

7

WORK & FAMILY BALANCE

10 Defining Principles

Negotiating Maternity Leave

Announcing You're Pregnant • Your Office's Policy • How Much Leave to Take • Arranging for Coverage During Your Leave • Weeks Leading up to Your Leave • When to Start Your Leave • While on Leave • Returning to Work

Revising Your Work Schedule

Evaluate Your Situation • Work Structure Options • Working at Home: Telecommuting • Making Your Request to Your Employer • Negotiating Your Salary • Leave Room for Change

Managing Your Work at the Office

Structuring Your Work Time • Using the Wizard of Oz Technique • Minimizing Interruptions • Fielding Overtime & Off-Hour Requests • Forming a Network of Working Moms

Travel for Work

Pacing Your Travel • Coordinating with Your Partner • Managing Your Household While You Travel • Sharing Information with Your Child • Keeping in Touch • Taking Your Child Along • Explaining to Your Child Why She Can't Join You • Bringing Back Surprises

Managing the Home Front

Using Breaks at Work for Errands • Staying Connected to Your Child • Sharing with Your Child What You Do at Work • Arriving Home in an Upbeat Mood • Unwinding After Work

Working from Home

The Mom-trepreneur: Running a Home-Based Business • Setting Up Your Home Office & Work Schedule • Telecommuting • Dealing with Clients • Fielding Interruptions • Combating Loneliness

Becoming a Full-Time Mom

Deciding to Stay at Home • Financial Planning • Leaving Your Job • Culture Shock & Self-Esteem • Finding Other Stay-at-Home Moms • Returning to the Work Force

Managing Volunteer & Outside Commitments

8

CHILD CARE

10 Defining Principles

Hiring a Nanny or Au Pair

Finding a Nanny • The Hiring Process • Arriving at a Written Agreement

Family Day Care & Day-Care Center

Family Day Care • Day-Care Center • Selecting a Provider

A Relative or Friend as Your Child-Care Provider

Factors to Evaluate in Making a Decision

Managing the Ongoing Relationship

Orienting Your Nanny or Au Pair • Dealing with Separation Anxiety • Communication & Showing Appreciation • Assessing How Well a Situation Is Working • Ending a Relationship • Arranging Backup Child-Care Coverage

f0 Part-time, Evening, & Weekend Baby-sitting

Finding a Baby-sitter • Orienting Your Baby-sitter • Forming Baby-sitting Co-operatives or Swapping with Friends

9

SCHOOL & EDUCATION

10 Defining Principles

Choosing a Preschool

Investigating Schools • Paying a Visit • References

School Preparations

Beginning in a New School • Before School Starts • Getting to School • The First Day of School

Getting Your Child to Talk About His Day

Being Involved in Your Child's School

Homework

Set a Regular Time • Designate a Homework Place & Eliminate Distractions • Help Your Child Structure Work Habits • Your Involvement • Dealing with Struggling or Mistakes

Communicating with Your Child's School

Parent-Teacher Conferences • Advocating for Your Special Needs Child

Showing Appreciation to Teachers

Home Schooling

Celebrating the End of the School Year

10

OUTINGS & ACTIVITIES

10 Defining Principles

Outings, Day Trips, & Excursions

Advance Planning • Things You Need • Diaper Bag: Newborn to Five Months • Six Months & Older, Add to the Bag • Keeping Your Baby Happy in the Car • Outdoor Excursions • Indoor Excursions • Museum or Historical Sites • The Theatre • Athletic Events

Dining Out as a Family

Choosing a Restaurant • Seating • Ordering Food • Entertainment While Waiting

Indoor Activities

Arts & Crafts • Creative Games • Reading • Growing Seeds & Indoor Plants

Outdoor Activities

Beating the Rainy or Snowy Day Blues • Backyard & Sidewalk Activities • Outdoor Gardening • Evening Activities

Classes, Sports, & Structured Activities

Choosing Classes or Activities • Picking a Sport • Summer Camp

TV, Computers, & Electronic Games

TV Management • Computer & Electronic Games

11

MEMORIES & CELEBRATIONS

10 Defining Principles

Birthdays

Ways to Make the Day Special • Your Birthday Party Budget • Timing of the Party • Invitations • Party at Home • Having the Party Outside of Your Home • Cake Ideas & Alternatives • Photography Tips • Siblings • Gifts • Party Manners • Party Favors • Celebrations at Day Care or School • Attending Birthday Parties

Holidays

Start Your Own Holiday Traditions • Hosting a Holiday Meal • Advanced Preparation for the Holidays • Gifts & Holiday Cards • Involve Your Child in the Spirit of Giving • Chanukah • Christmas • Storing Holiday Decorations • New Year's Eve • Valentine's Day • Halloween

pard

Preserving Memories

Photographs • Videotaping Your Kids • Other Ways to Preserve Memories

Family Rituals & Traditions

CONCLUSION

Selected Bibliography

Index

Stacy M. DeBroff is President and Founder of Mom Central and co-author of Mom Central: The Ultimate Family Organizer. Prior to becoming a parenting author, she founded the Office of Public Interest Advising at Harvard Law School and directed it from 1990 to 1998. She has been nationally recognized for her contributions as a lawyer by such media as The American Lawyer, The National Law Journal, and National Public Radio. The mother of two, she lives in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.