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Riverside County Family Child Care Association>
On-the-Run Fun in June
June 25, 2007
Do you ever feel like your life is part two of the movie
“Planes, Trains and Automobiles?” Whether you’re pregnant
and getting ready for your new arrival, or you have one or
more children, it seems as if you are always running
around. Even a “quick” trip to the mall can require 30
minutes of preparation as you find yourself scrambling to
pack up supplies, find that favorite blanket and grab just
the right jacket—all to help your baby or toddler through
the outing. Whether you’re out just with the kids running
errands or as a family for Father’s Day or even off for a
week’s vacation, I’ve got some great ideas to help you plan
for a fun, safe and easy time, every time!
Make It a Great Day
Only a mom can fully appreciate the planning it takes for a
one-day outing. Not only do you have to figure out how to
get to your destination, but you also need to figure out
how your child or children will maneuver the location once
you arrive. Will she walk? Will she need her stroller? If
you have two young children, should you bring two single
strollers or one double stroller? Will you need to bring
lunch, a snack, a bottle or juice? Will you need some form
of entertainment such as crayons or books? No matter where
you are going or what you are doing, when you have children
one thing is certain—you need to bring a trunk-load of
stuff. If you forget the stroller, your back will pay for
it. If you forget your baby bag, you will be on the hunt
for the nearest grocery store for supplies. Here are some
other things to keep in mind:
Have in the diaper bag age-appropriate toys that you can
give to your baby or child when you are on the move. You
can rotate toys so you aren’t always giving him the same
one or you can surprise him with his very favorite. You
will need a bag full of tricks, so to speak.
Keep an extra set of supplies in the stroller. Travel-size
wipes, a small diaper cream, a few diapers, Band-aids and a
onesie are staples. This will be your emergency supply so
don’t use these unless you forget your diaper bag or run
out of diapers.
Keep your toddler away from the stroller when you are
folding it to get into the car. Her fingers and hands can
get caught. Your child may have a toy stroller and feel she
can play with the real thing, but you need to discourage
this. More Tips.
Have a Real Vacation!
While it’s a treat just to have the whole family together
for a day, there’s nothing like a vacation for some real
family time. Of course, “vacation” is a word that all
fathers love and all mothers fear. While we say with a
smile how much we want to get away, we know the truth: We
will spend more time packing, unpacking, wrangling the kids
together and planning for everyone than we will resting.
Plus, we will need a week to recover from this
“vacation”—and it’s a week we’ll never get. But there are
ways to make this not just efficient but also fun for you
and your family. Some pointers:
Again, toys are tops! It’s hard to be out in public during
a squirmy diaper change. The new environment will have her
moving around even more than usual. You’ll be glad for that
favorite toy, which can become the go-to distraction
device.
If you are going on a plane, you will need what I call an
emergency survival kit. It consists of things I know will
keep my little ones busy. I find some great age-appropriate
toys to keep little hands busy. Here are some of the things
in my kit: stickers and sticker books (there are hundreds
of sticker varieties, from princesses to sports and every
kind of animal; plus, letter and number stickers for your
little speller or counter); a small box of crayons and
coloring books; a magic pen book (the kind where the ink
only appears with a “magic pen”); a favorite book or two
(also good for bedtime when you arrive at your
destination).
Don’t be afraid to say no. When you’re expecting and trying
to squeeze in one last trip away for just the two of you,
your body will tell you what you can and can’t do and you
need to listen to the signals it’s giving you. You will
have good days and bad days. And while you hope that the
bad days are few and far between, you need to give yourself
a break when your body is telling you to do just that—take
a break! More Tips.
On the Move at Home
Babies don’t have to leave the house at all to have some of
their greatest adventures. So even when you’re just
spending the day at home, stay sharp to make sure that when
your child is taking his first steps, they’re not in the
wrong direction. Here are some things to keep in mind for
safe-at-home exploration:
Be sure to put away all small objects, tiny toys or
balloons. Even while you are supervising your son, these
are not an option.
Install a childproof latch on the outside of the bathroom
door to prevent your daughter from entering. Don’t wait
until you have an issue. Some rooms need to be off limits
to your baby.
You probably know to use outlet covers for electrical
outlets. But keep in mind that extension cords can be
hazardous as well and always should be kept away from
children. More Tips.
Easy Does It
One thing everyone can agree on, no matter how exhausting
or challenging, time on the go with your child is
irreplaceable. The astonished look on her face when she
sees something for the first time is unforgettable. It’s up
to us to find the time to make these moments happen, which
means learning how to enjoy getting from point A to point B
(and perhaps forgetting about the fact we still need to get
to points C and D). Follow my tips to make it easier, and
more fun, for everyone in your household.
Coming in July
Summer weather beckons outdoor play! Learn how to make play
time fun and safe from your backyard to the playground and
beyond.
Hey There, Other Moms Who Know…
Share some of your inventive ideas that keep your children
happily busy while you’re on the go. What works for one
child may not work for another, or what works for one child
may work even better for the next child. The only thing
that’s certain is that you can never have too many ideas.
So send me your tips to share with other moms by writing to
me at Jamie@gracobaby.com.
The information in this publication is not intended as a
substitute for any information that may have been
prescribed by your doctor or any other healthcare or safety
professional. Graco advises readers to take full
responsibility for their children’s safety and know their
limits. Before practicing any of the information in this
publication, be sure that your home, office, automobile,
play and rest areas and equipment are well-maintained, and
do not take risks beyond your level of experience,
aptitude, and abilities. Always read instruction manuals
before assembling and using all baby products. Mention of
specific companies, organizations, or authorities in this
publication does not necessarily imply endorsement by
Graco, nor does mention of specific companies,
organizations, or authorities in the publication imply that
they endorse the publication.
http://www.gracobaby.com/customerservice/safetyarticles/june
newsletter.aspx?cid=3380&src=CoolSavings
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