Folding Diapers: Origami

LOVE the Origami folding method! This video shows how to get the diaper snug against baby’s legs … hold in that poo!?!

Here is another video and another.

Prego Missy

DSC_7588, originally uploaded by Stephen & Mary Ruth’s Album.

Baby Watts is starting to grow … really big!?!

Parenting: Importance of Manners

Some interesting thoughts in this NY Times article …

And that job is to start with a being who has no thought for the feelings of others, no code of behavior beyond its own needs and comforts — and, guided by love and duty, to do your best to transform that being into what your grandmother (or Socrates) might call a mensch. To use a term that has fallen out of favor, your assignment is to “civilize” the object of your affections.

Some words of wisdom from Judy Martin author of Miss Manners’ Guide to Rearing Perfect Children …

“Every infant is born adorable but selfish and the center of the universe,” she replied. It’s a parent’s job to teach that “there are other people, and other people have feelings.”

Lastly, I loved this line …

And of course, one of the long-term consequences of being a rude child is being a rude adult.

The article, which is written by a pediatrician, is a good read for parents.  Enjoy …

J Fam Updates … AR Visit

rocking in the family room, originally uploaded by billykaren519.

Billy and fam visited our new home in AR for the first time the last weekend in October. That low Continental airfare is a winner and you can travel from Houston to NW AR in a heartbeat! We certainly enjoyed entertaining everyone … especially the grandkiddos!?! Click on the photo to see other shots from their visit on Karen’s Flickr site.

W Fam Updates … Rose Parade Floats

189_FloatViewing, originally uploaded by rswatts2.

 

On January 2nd, the kids went to view the floats from the Rose Parade. Here they are checking out the Donate Life float. Grandpa Watts took some outstanding photos! TFS!!!

W Fam Updates … CA Vacation

176Snowman, originally uploaded by rswatts2.

 

SNOW! Need I say more?!?

From Richard …

On Tuesday, we did snow play in about 2′ feet of snow at 6500′ in the mountains east of Redlands. This is left over from a really big storm we had come through last week. Yesterday, we went to the San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park about 25 miles NE of San Diego. Today, Susan & Missy have gone shopping at the outlet mall, while Peter & Aaron have spent a couple of hours asleep in the hammock in the back yard. Tomorrow, we hope to go look at the Rose Parade floats. Even with all this, we haven’t been able to slow down Aaron yet!

YouTube Videos: How to Raise Children

Youtube appears to have a video series where Kelly Corrigan interviews Christine Carter PhD on various topics with regard to raising children. It is called “Half Full … Social Science Series for Raising Happy Children.” One could subscribe to blogversations’ videos in order to receive emails when new episodes are released.

If you happen to listen to any of them, let me know what you think.

Embracing Kids’ Failures

How to Praise Children

J Fam Update: Pierce Crawls!!!

From Karen …

He was crawling backwards and could get pretty much anywhere anyway, but now he crawls forward too so he is on the move.  He makes a beeline to whatever he is trying to get to – the stereo equipment, an object to chew on, paper to destroy, you name it.  He is doing well and is such a cute crawler.

Let the good times roll!!!

Vicks Vaporub for Coughs

From Carol …

During a lecture on Essential Oils, they told us how the foot soles can absorb oils. Their example: Put garlic on your feet and within 20 minutes you can ‘taste’ it. 

Some of us have used Vicks Vapo rub for years for everything from chapped lips to sore toes and many body parts in between. But I’ve never heard of this. And don’t laugh, it works 100% of the time, although the scientists who discovered it aren’t sure why. To stop night time coughing in a child (or adult as we found out personally), put Vicks Vapo rub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime, then cover with socks. Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief. Works 100% of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly. 

Just happened to tune in A.M. Radio and picked up this guy talking about why cough medicines in kids often do more harm than good, due to the chemical makeup of these strong drugs so, I listened. It was a surprise finding and found to be more effective than prescribed medicines for children at bedtime, in addition to have a soothing and calming effect on sick children who then went on to sleep soundly. 

My wife tried it on herself when she had a very deep constant and persistent cough a few weeks ago and it worked 100%! She said that it felt like a warm blanket had enveloped her, coughing stopped in a few minutes and believe me, this was a deep, ( incredibly annoying!) every few seconds uncontrollable cough, and she slept cough-free for ho ur s every night that she used it. 

If you have grandchildren, pass this on. If you end up sick, try it yourself and you will be absolutely amazed at how it works.

I certainly hope so.  After a winter cold, I can get the WORST cough which doesn’t usually allow me to sleep very well.  I can wait to try this remedy though!  If you have any experience with this home remedy, please let others know in the comments.

The Joys of Retirement!!!

The Joys of Retirement!!!, originally uploaded by hljscj.