Blocks or hardcover books Popsicle sticks Wad of paper Directions

You should speak to your doctor, first, of course. (More on that below.) However, if the doctor approves, and you can get past the initial anxiety of deciding to stop, the experience can be healing. Trying to conceive can be emotionally exhausting. You may feel as if your entire life centers on getting pregnant. Taking time away — whether for a couple of months or a couple of years—can lower your stress levels and give you time to rediscover the rest of your life....

On your next nature walk or trip to the park, take time to collect some twigs for this activity. A picture can last a lifetime in a frame your kids can make at home! Materials Needed: Step One: Gather 12 long twigs, an inch longer than the length of the picture you will frame. The straighter the stick is, the easier it will be to work with. Step Two: Remove any leaves or branches....

This project is a great way to incorporate the true meaning of Thanksgiving into your holiday celebration. Your kids can start it now and keep adding to it throughout the holiday season. Why not make it a yearly family tradition? Materials needed: White tableclothFelt tip pens Directions:

“Due to the fact that feet are taking such an incredible impact and absorb so much [more] stress during the day, it is not unusual to see a [person’s] feet increase in size,” says Mark Mendeszoon, DPM, a podiatrist, foot and ankle surgeon, and Physician Spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association. This is why it’s extremely common for a person’s feet to change during pregnancy, and these changes may continue after the baby is delivered....

“Look for shoes that are lightweight, have good support around the heel, and a wide toe box,” recommends Amanda Stovall, MD, an Illinois-based board-certified pediatrician. “Once children are old enough to be running and playing outside, look for shoes with a firmer sole that will be more protective.” Consider where your child will be wearing the slippers and if a hard or soft sole would work best. Also, take into account the lining, which should keep feet warm but not make them feel too hot....

“Playing with balls is good for not only muscle development and hand-eye coordination, [but also] social skills, as most ball-playing activities will involve others,” Heather Shafi, MD, FAAP tells Verywell Family. They’ll be working on fine motor skills, spatial awareness, problem-solving skills, and balance, too. Whether your kiddo wants to play according to the rules or make up their own game, balls are good to have in your toy arsenal....

More: 7 Maternity Dresses (+1 Jumpsuit) One-of-a-Kind, Personalized Robe from RobeMart There’s a company that lets you create and design your own special robe. Robes available at RobeMart.com are all customizable. These robes come in a variety of colors and fabrics (such as plush, satin, bamboo and more); monogram and logo options are also available. With so many choices, a mom-to-be will surely find the robe that’s just right for her....

“Using child-sized tables and chairs makes it easier for them to complete tasks for themselves, giving them a sense of accomplishment and helping to build confidence,” says parent educator and play-space designer Alanna Gallo, founder of Play. Learn. Thrive. When looking for toddler tables and chairs, you should prioritize sets that will be safe for your child to maneuver in and out of on their own, meet their height and weight requirements, and be developmentally appropriate for their age range....

“Did Bobby take three steps or 10 this morning?” they might ask. “Did Sally finally potty in her training chair? Was Alec able to keep his hands to himself during quiet time?” Parents have an uncanny knack for wondering and worrying about even the smallest details in their child’s life. Tips for Communicating With Childcare Providers There is no surefire way to effectively communicate with childcare providers. In fact, many providers have already established a process to ensure they give parents adequate information about their children’s progress....

Permanency State agencies don’t want children to remain in foster care indefinitely, so foster care is temporary. The agency wants to repair the problems that existed in the child’s home or with his parents that resulted in him being removed from them. The goal is that he will someday return home, but if that proves impossible, he would be placed for adoption. Adoption is permanent. It’s a legally binding relationship, bestowing on the adopted child all the rights and privileges that a biological child would enjoy....

In the report, The Royal College of Midwives estimated that the odds of these consecutive sets of twins at such a young age were more than 700,000-to-one, noting that it is more common when multiple pregnancies are separated by singletons. Examples While the circumstances are very rare, there are numerous incidences of families with multiple multiples. Although some are related to reproductive assistance, many are completely spontaneous. For example, Kevin and Lorraine Horan of Ireland, have three sets of twins and never used any fertility treatment....

Here’s a story of how one mother is teaching her kids to embrace their culture by mixing languages, creating jokes, and having fun with words. Growing up bilingual My parents immigrated to Canada from Hong Kong in the 1970s. Until the age of 5, I only spoke Cantonese. Then when I entered school, I started picking up English. It was only a matter of time before I became fluent in both languages....

More: Authoritative Parenting is On The Rise 1. What is your previous childcare experience? This is an obvious question, but it’s all about the details the candidate can provide on the spot. Anyone can make up experience on a resume, but you’ll be able to tell how much the person enjoyed being with the children and how close they were to the family by listening carefully and asking follow up questions....

More: 75 One-Syllable Middle Names for Girls Size of name may be a factor for you. When deciding on a first name, Jennifer Moss, the founder and CEO of BabyNames.com, says that “we usually recommend that if you have a longer surname that you might want to pick a shorter first name, so the name in its entirety is not so cumbersome. This is where some great three-letter names come in!...