Learning how to walk is a key milestone in your baby’s life. When you see that your toddler is beginning to stand, your first instinct is to encourage him to make his first baby steps. The worst thing that you can do is urge your baby to walk while he’s wobbling around. BE PATIENT! They’ve just discovered something new and they need time to get on their feet and walk. Developing the motor skills of a child is a long process, and the parents’ role is to lend a helping hand.

Forcing your child may irritate him.  Just like adults, we get cranky when we’re not in the mood.  Allow your child to explore.  Your job as a parent is to stay by his side with your arms ready to take action when help is needed.  Be a guide to your baby.  Each step means everything to your little one.  It’s an achievement for him.    The best thing to do is to encourage him.  Clap your hands, give him a cheer like he has won a contest.  More importantly, hugs and kisses can be a great motivation to your child.

Reserve purchasing walking shoes until he learns to walk outdoors.  Walking barefoot helps him develop balance and coordination.  Bright stars tropical fun around we go activity station will enhance these developments in your child’s motor skills. The activity table adds fun to your child’s learning process and will make their every step fun and easy.

Where to buy: Bright starts

Price: $79.99

Video: Activity station

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Image courtesy of care.org

I know not everyone who reads this will be religious, or of my tradition, but I felt that this prayer spoke to all parents; to our deepest prayers if we pray, but also to our deepest desires and fears for our parenting task, whether we pray or not. 

It’s taken from the book Guide My Feet: Prayers and Meditations on Loving and Working for Children by Marian Wright Edelman, the founder and president of the Children’s Defense Fund. 

Dear God, I thank you for the gift of this child to raise, this life to share, this mind to help mold, this body to nurture, and this spirit to enrich.

Let me never betray this child’s trust, dampen this child’s hope, or discourage this child’s dreams.

Help me, dear God, to help this precious child become all You mean him to be.

Let Your grace and love fall on him like gentle breezes and give him inner strength and peace and patience for the journey ahead.