Although plenty of 4 and 5 year olds stil rely on their thumb as a self-soother, parents often worry that sucking makes their big kid look like a baby. However, helping them kick the habit can backfire if you intervene too soon, under adverse circumstances, or in a critical way. Infants are born with a powerful sucking instinct that’s necessary for survival, and many find thumb-sucking like breastfeeding, pleasurable. Most kids lose interest in their thumb by age 3 but 4 and 5 year olds who continue to suck do so for a variety of reasons, to relax, beat boredom, and fall asleep. It’s not true, however, that thumb-sucking at this age is a symptom of deeper psychological problems. Thumb sucking is primarily a habit, and that’s how it should be treated.

Although the negative effects of thumb sucking can be seen at younger ages, by 4 or 5, certain problems may be obvious:

• Bad bites- the pressure of the thumb against the teeth and roof of the mouth can gradually make the upper teeth stick out.
• Speech problems- When teeth are misaligned, it can be difficult for a child to pronounce certain sounds.
• Social Stigma- Unfortunately, kids who suck their thumbs in school are less likely to be accepted by their peers. A child who has one hand in her mouth can’t talk freely or use both hands for classwork.
• Soggy fingers- Thumbs can become infected swollen, callused, or even crooked.

Teaching your child to stop thumb sucking will surely take a lot of time, but don’t pressure your child, setting an example would help her understand the situation.

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Mealtimes can spark major power struggles. Can you get yor little one to step up to the plate? Taking these steps can help prevent the majority of mealtime struggles that parents face:

• Establish a regular eating schedule that includes three meals and planned snacks, so your child will know exactly what to expect and when. Arrange to serve her a snack or meal once every two hours, which is about how often toddlers need to eat to feel satisfied.
• Turn each meal into a variety show. Serve several different foods, and let your child pick what he wants. Instead of offering just a plate of macaroni and cheese for lunch, add a slice of whole wheat bread and a kid-friendly vegetable.
• Make fun of food. By all means, draw ketchup smiley faces on cheeseburgers or arrange veggies into designs. The meal will be more appetizing to kids.
• Turn table time into social time. Sit with your child when he eats, even if you will be eating later.
• Make it clear that your child is expected to behave politely. Ask her to use an inside voice, keep her hands off other people’s plates, and stay seated at the table until she is excused. She may not always compl, but it sets the right precedent, and she’ll gradually come to internalize these rules.

If your child refuses to come to the table, allow him to stay away, but make sure that the television stays off, so he doesn’t have a ready source of distraction.

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Invisible, disease-causing bacteria and viruses lurk all around your home, from the kitchen counters to the livingroom rug. Healthy adults have strong immune systems that can fend off many dangerous germs,but babies are at much greater risk. An infant’s immune system is like a new engine straight off the production line. It’s ready to be started but can get overtaxed if pushed to its limit all at once.

Although you’ve got to keep your child’s environment extra-clean.  it’s a balance. You can’t guard against every germ, nor should you, since your baby needs opportunities for his defenses to develop. Here are the following that you can do:

• Concentrate on cleaning your kitchen and bathroom, and make them a top priority from now on. Your infant won’t spenda lot of  time in these areas, but older family members and guests will. They can pick up the germs there and then spread them to your baby.
• Mop the kitchen floor with a sanitizing cleaner whenever it’s dirty. Keep areas where baby-feeding equipment will be stored scrupulously clean.

To keep her immune system safe as it grows strong:

• Breastfeed, if you’re healthy and able. You’ll pass along antibodies.
• Makes sure your newborn recieves scheduled vaccines.
• Ask friends to visit your baby after 4 to 6 weeks, when she’s hardier.
• Don’t let people hold her. 80 percent of infectious illness are spread by touch, by coming into contact with contaminated people or objects.
• Don’t let people kiss the baby. They may transmit germs that cause colds and flu or gum disease.

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Taking care of your newborn can be a nerve-racking experience. Not only does it make you realize what an enormous responsibiltyit is to keep her safe and sound, but it’s scary because your child is too young to give you any feedbacks she can’t say to you like “mama, I’m hungry, or You’re cutting my nails too short! Luckily, you can make even the most delicate tasks much easier for you and your baby. Here are the gentlests ways to care for your little one from head to toe:

• Cleaning ears – As you’re bathing your baby, dip a washcloth in warm water, then wrap a portion to yout finger.Clean only as much of your child’s ear as you can reach with your finger, and don’t enter the ear canal. If the area behind the ears is scaly or flaky, ask your doctor about it.
• Cleaning Genitals- For boys: clean it gently with a washcloth , warm water and a mild soap. For girls: spread the labia gently and clean only as  much as you can reach with a washcloth-covered finger tip.
• Trimming nails-  You can use cuticle scissors or the soft side of an emery board. Do it while your baby is sleeping if he won’t keep still. Don’t cut it too short because you might hurt your little one’s finger.
• Suctioning the nose – When your baby is stuffy, you can unplug her nose with a nasal syringe. Put your child in her car seat or elevate her crib mattress by putting pillow underneath it.

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By first grade, a child can understand the idea of exchanging money for goods. An Allowance reinforces this concept and boosts your child’s budding math skills in an exciting, real-world way. Simply counting cash will be a thrill to your child, and he’ll improve his ability to compare prices and learn the value of coins. Kids this age are also eager to have some money of their own. They sense that making spending decisions is an important step toward growing up, and it’s one that they’re ready to take. In giving allowance, choose an amount you can afford to hand out every week. If you don’t have any idea how much to give you can check around to find out the going rate in your neighborhood. Always consider how the money will be used. If it’s simply meant to cover the cost of an occasional candy bar or toy, you’ll likely give less money. You don’t want your child to be frustrated because he has too little money or overwhelmed by too much.

To teach your child the value of money, you can ask him to earn his own money. Your child needs to understand that they’re a family obligation. If you reward him for doing chores, he may decide that he needs to pitch in only when there’s a payoff and that is not a good lesson to teach your little one. Parents can give their kids a chance to earn extra cashas long as it’s handled separately from the allowance, and if your child cuts corners on his responsibilities? nudge him back on track by taking away his priviledges such as watching tv, or playing outside.

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