Being pregnant is an exciting and challenging journey. With all the mood swings that you will feel, it’s hard to even feel normal at all. But being pregnant especially with your first child has its perks. One of these is the baby shower. It is customary that baby showers are thrown only for the first born baby. Although there is no steady rule about this, often it’s only for the first child. And in many cultures, baby showers are not a custom at all, of course. A close friend is usually the one organizing this kind of event.

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A baby shower is a party for the mother-to-be and her woman friends. Mostly, at this celebration, they share stories about their experiences regarding babies. This event also means that you will bring a gift for the mom or for the baby. Depending on the theme of the organizer, the things to bring to a baby shower depends on the type of party. They can mix and match the rules; it’s a party so creativity usually sets in.

If the theme of the gift giving is focused on the Mom, here are some gift ideas:

• Pregnancy Books. There are lots of pregnancy books out there that are sure to benefit the expecting mom. You can choose different types of pregnancy books. There are facts-focused books, pregnancy development week by week book or humor books for expecting moms. Yes, there are humor books for pregnant women! It’s actually a new concept for the Mom-to-be as more often than not pregnant moms are only reading serious books about pregnancy.
• Post Pregnancy Kit. This gift, for me, is a winner. This kit will include a number of beauty or cleansing products that can be used by the mom after giving birth. With all the stretch marks and spots that she had during pregnancy, this gift will definitely be well received. Remember, when pregnant, you are restricted in what you can put on your body in case it effects the baby.
• Maternity Lingerie. When you’re pregnant, you will feel huge. That is because you are carrying another human being. It is normal to be big. So sexy Lingerie is a ‘feel-good’ gift for mom.
• Cake. Oh, the sweetest thing. Pregnancy has its share of cravings. Sweet, frothy and fluffy cakes are very much welcomed. Although, you are not allowed to have too much, you still appreciate this kind of gift. If you want the cake to be extra special, there are famous cake toppers that will definitely ‘spice’ the cake up.

If the gifts are supposed to be for the baby, then here are some top notch ideas:

• Diaper Cake. This is really not an edible cake. It is more like of a gift basket in a sense but formed like a cake. This includes baby products and must-haves, and of course, diapers! Lots and lots of diapers! You can never have too many of these. That little one will sure use them up in no time.
• Onesies. Any baby clothes are actually welcome. It’s just that onesies are so cute and you will not be able to resist buying one or two for the baby. You can even just buy a plain colored onesie and just decorate it yourself. The rule of thumb for onesies is ‘the more, the better’.
• Baby Learning Materials. It is never too early to introduce learning to a baby. The colored books are beneficial for them. Baby DVD programs or music which can be played while the baby is playing or sleeping are sure to be well accepted too.
• Baby Toys. There are toys that are especially for babies. These are made of big (often soft) parts so they can’t swallow them. They are bound to put everything in their mouth!

These are just a few gift suggestions for baby showers. There are no end of possible gifts out there and each of them is sure to be well received. Remember, it’s the thought that counts!

Every baby is a miracle. Do you agree? I do, too! Although being a parent is not an easy task, having a baby is still a source of joy and contentment for every Mom and Dad. Taking care of a baby has many ups and downs. At times, parents forget how lucky they are to have this little but ‘big’ blessing. It’s sad when we forget how lucky we are to have a child but at the same time parenting is not a simple job to do. For all parents out there, always keep in mind that your baby is a living wonder. Be thankful that you are given the chance to mold and take care of such wonderful gift.

My child is hungry for knowledge. If you keep telling your child not to eat the books then may be your two year old will get what you mean eventually after much chewing! Toddler years are known to be the most active time for a child’s development, making it a challenge for parents. It is hard to cope with your toddler’s energy levels sometimes. But exploring with all the senses is completely normal and this includes putting things in their mouth to see what they taste like! But there are ways to remain more or less sane during this wonderful but exhausting stage of your child’s development.

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If your toddler is already walking and running, then they will always be on on the go until they exhaust themselves. They want to explore every single corner of your house, even the dingy ones. So make sure you constantly clean every nook and cranny of your house for it will be well-visited by this little inspector frequently and he or she way wish to taste it all! I know it’s hard to cope with the cleaning especially when you have a toddler and if you’re working at the same time.

Even when your toddler isn’t hungry, they are likely to eat everything. I’m not exaggerating. They tend to put everything in their mouth. It’s one of their exploration techniques. Be it a book, a toy, real food or every bit of dirt that they can find on the floor! They are sure to taste and chew it. You will be surprised how many times a day you will hear yourself telling your little one this sentence, “This is not to be eaten!” It is best to really keep an eye on them every second. But of course, it’s nearly impossible for you to concentrate on your toddler’s every move. You have to make sure that your belongings are out of his or her reach, especially the accident prone materials such as scissors, pointy things and any medications or household chemicals. Anything that is not suited to be in your toddler’s grasp needs to be out of reach.

At this time, it is wise to be clear with your toddler that no means no. Children who learn clear boundaries at an early age will be happier and more secure. The sooner they know that there are certain things that cannot be done or given to them, the better. You don’t want your little one to be spoiled over things like that. You also have to be firm when you’re saying no to them. Otherwise, you’ll just see your authority flying away for they are not going to want to accept that no anymore next time.

As a parent of a toddler, it is vital that you ready yourself for a continuous patience refill as you will really run out of it. You have to find an outlet for your frustrations so it will not affect your interaction with your kid. It is understandable that there will be times when you have reached your limit, but then you have to remember that you are dealing with a toddler who barely understands the concept of right and wrong. Not yet, at least. They are still on the stage where they are developing feelings and learning to express those feelings. This is what growing up is all about.

For parents, new parents and parents-to-be out there, parenting is not for chickens. Your toddler needs you more than anything. (This is why seeing the orphans from the recent Japanese earthquake and Tsunami is so upsetting for all of us.) Having a kid, a toddler for that matter, is a wonderful thing. I assure you. But of course, they are still young so there really are times that things will not go according to your plan or liking. But you can’t just give up when things go berserk. It’s their time of learning, so teach them. It’s definitely not a piece of cake. But it’s an integral part of being a parent.

You may not realize, but as a parent, you have a never ending search for the right food and products for your baby. This is normal as you want the best for your baby. When buying things for your little one, you can’t help but splurge a little and sometimes, a lot.

But with all this purchase, did you ever find yourself wondering if all of the products that you bought are baby friendly? It is customary that you seek and want the ultimate safety for your baby, too. Have you heard that there are organic products for your baby? Yes, that’s right. It’s also for babies now. Organic foods and products are likely to enhance your baby’s comfort and safety. So before going into shopping saga, you might want to check and consider organic items for your baby.

Having a baby is a wonderful thing. However, don’t expect your loved one to be a tidy eater when they start to eat solids. When preparing a meal for your child, it is vital that the things you use are clean and sanitary. It will help to have a suitable dish set for your baby, though parents have different preferences. It is important that the dish set you choose is safe and easy to use, colorful (this will help bring your baby’s attention to the food) and, of course, baby proof!

Do you ever find yourself at a loss on what kind of gift is appropriate for a toddler? Gift giving is a serious business! Although gifts are always appreciated, it’s of course best  to give an appropriate one.   A toddler is a loose term used for children between about 1 to 2 years of age. Looking for the best gift for a toddler is not an easy job. It pays to know what they do and need at this delightful stage.

At 1 year old. At this age, most of them are already walking a bit. If they can walk, then they are always on the go. They are curious of their surroundings and they tend to look for objects with color. Here are some gift ideas:

• Colorful Plush Toys. One-year-olds love to play with plush toys or stuffed animal. The good thing about this is that the fabric is suitable for children at this stage.
• Pull along toys. Toddlers at this stage are already mobile so they like to walk and walk and walk (if they have begun walking). It’s more exciting for them if they have something to pull along while walking.
• Soft Blocks. These will enhance their ability to understand cause and effect.
• Musical Toys. Children of this age love music. They will want to push all the buttons of such toys over and over again.

At about 2 years old. At this age, most of them are running already. He or she already enjoys looking at books and pictures. Some of them can now scribble with a crayon or any type of writing material. Here are some gift ideas:

• Crayons. Nowadays, there are crayons that are especially made for toddlers. The natural and non-toxic crayons. So even if they accidentally put it in their mouth, it will not harm them.
• Wooden blocks. These will be helpful to them as they will enjoy stacking them up and knocking them down. Again and again.
• Push-pull wagon. At this age, they like to walk and run. It’s more exciting for them if they have something to push and pull. Not to mention, they would like to put their toys in the wagon while pushing or pulling.
• Puzzles. You can never go wrong with a puzzle. Be it a floor puzzle or puzzle stacker, the toddler will be sure to have hours and hours of fun.

Gift giving, especially for babies and toddlers, is an exciting and sometimes, a time consuming task. Just always remember to have fun!