Day 347 - Your Baby's First Haircut

Today's first time parenting tip - Whether you cut your baby's hair yourself, or have a barber do it, safety is number one

My son doesn't have a ton of hair, but even now after a year it's getting pretty shaggy. And when I think of him getting a haircut, all I think is - scissors...near the face...not a good idea.

But there are safe ways to do it. If you take him or her to someone else to do a haircut, make sure they're comfortable cutting young infant's hair. Hopefully they have a pair of safe scissors that won't poke or cut if your baby turns his head quickly or squirms (which they will). The person should also be very patient, because it'll take longer than a typical haircut.

Another option if someone else does it or if you do it is with an electric razor with a guard on it. This way you don't really have to be exact, and if they move around they won't end up poking or cutting themselves. It does make noise, which might freak out some kids.

Ultimately, if they're not going to let you do it, they're not going to let you do it. Nothing wrong with having a shaggy set of locks while they're young.

Parenting, Hair, Cut, Scissors, Safety

Day 341 - Brush Up on Your First Aid Class at Least Once a Year

Today's first time parenting tip - Brush up on your first aid skills every year

Way back on Day 150 I blogged about taking a first aid class. I never posted any first aid tips specifically, and I definitely know I could use a refresher.

Daycare and child care providers are required to take a First Aid class every year because they are responsible for the well being of children. Since you're a parent, so are you.

It's a good idea to bone up on your first aid skills once a year by retaking the class, or by simply re-practicing the techniques on your partner (not for real of course). If you have to use these skills even one time in your life, it's money and time well spent.

A good time to schedule this refresher is around your child's first birthday. You'll never forget the date, and it's the perfect time to protect the life that you're celebrating. If you have more than one child, perhaps you could make it around mother's or father's day. Pick whatever date you'll remember to dust off those first aid materials.


Parenting, First, Aid, Class, Safety

Day 329 - Babyproof Your Toilet

Today's first time parenting tip - Babyproof your toilet. Yes, your toilet.

When our son discovered there was water he could splash around in the toilet bowl, it was over. Whenever the bathroom door is open, he makes a beeline. If my wife or I are taking a shower, he'd crawl over hot coals to play in the water. He just loves water, bottom line.

Now, the toilet isn't the most sanitary thing in our house. Even when he couldn't lift up the seat, we'd throw a towel over it if he was in there so he couldn't come into contact with all the germs living all over it.

But now he's figured out how to get past our defenses and is strong enough to actually lift up the seat. Luckily, there are toilet seat latches out there to keep him from playing in the water.

I wouldn't have thought of this on my own until he proved to me that he can get into anything. Is there something your baby gets into that you never would have thought to worry about?

Parenting, Babyproof, Toilet, Safety, Health

Day 323 - How to Make Sure Dogs and Your Infant Get Along

Today's first time parenting tip - Use patients and a calm attitude to get dogs and infants to co-exist by establishing pack dominance.

If you've had a dog for a few years and add a baby into the mix, things can get hairy. Before the fur flies, you should do everything you can to get them used to each other, so that someone doesn't get bitten.

Before your baby becomes mobile, most of the issues you'll have to deal with are pet jealousy. You can help alleviate those by reading my post on the subject.

Before they start moving, there are more things you can do to help them get used to each other. Establishing pack dominance will teach your dog where he stands, and to defer to the baby. You can do this by.

• Feed yourself and your baby before you feed your dog


• Take your child through doors before the dog


• Don't allow your dog to sleep in your bed


• When you do feed your dog, hold the bowl near your face and the baby's face (standing up, away from the dog in case he gets aggressive). This is another way of 'eating first'


• Play with your infant and dog together. Don't roughhouse. You want to teach both the dog and the child to be gentle with each other. Show your baby how to gently pet the dog. We taught our son to pet the cat nicely by always petting him with an open hand and saying 'gentle' every time.


• When you scold your dog, roll him onto his back without hurting him. This is the natural position of submission

By doing these things, you're recreating the natural way dogs determine who is the alpha dog in the wild. Even though yours might be tame as tame can be, their instincts are very powerful. Use that to your advantage and train your dog to see you and the baby as alpha dogs.

Parenting, Dog, Baby, Behavior, Safety

Day 288 - Strangers

Today's first time parenting tip - Teach your child to be smart about strangers

Everyone loves to make faces and talk to a new baby. My wife and I have had complete strangers (mostly well meaning grandma types) come up to us and fuss and try to hold our ten month old son.

This is mostly fine (as long as we get him back) but this raises an issue for later on. Does this teach our son that it's OK to go to strangers?

The blanket statement used to be "Don't talk to strangers." But it's not that simple. What if it's a family member they've never me or don't remember? What if there is an emergency and they need to be picked up by an unfamiliar face at daycare? What if there is a new daycare.

You can raise smart kids who know a helpful stranger from a harmful one. In general, you should teach your children to be wary of strangers by not talking to them and shouting for help if one does something they don't like.

To teach them what strangers are OK, use a simple hand sign. When you are with them, and they don't know if it's all right to talk to someone who is approaching them (like long-lost Aunt Sally), teach your children that you'll make a hand sign, like scratching the top of your head and then tugging your ear if the stranger is OK.

Likewise, tell them that anyone who tries to talk to them when you aren't there will give them the same sign, sort of like a secret code. That way they'll know you sent the person. And of course, its always OK to talk to policemen and firemen.

By doing this, you can use an unobtrusive, not embarrassing method to give the thumbs up for your child to talk. And both you and your child will feel safe when you can't be with each other.

Parenting, Stranger, Talk, Safety, Tip