Parenting

Baby 101: Class is in Session

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

“There’s no such thing as ready. You just jump on a moving train and you try not to die.” – What to Expect When You’re Expecting (2012)

When I was pregnant with our first born, my husband and I excitedly prepped for his arrival. We nested, made the baby registry, and even scheduled some birthing and baby courses to be more prepared for his delivery and care. However, all of that went out the window when I went into labor at 27 weeks.

Needless to say, I never got a chance to take a tour of the maternity ward, or find out how to appropriately breathe or push when going into labor, or even know what to do or expect once he was born. It just happened.

This brings up the question, do you really need to take baby courses?

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The Expectant Dad

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

For the next post in our Child(ish) Dad series, we’re talking to the Expectant Dad. A lot can happen in 9 months! Read about one soon-to-be father’s experience.

Name: Everett
Age of Child: Expecting this summer

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Tantrums vs. Meltdowns: Reading Emotional Outbursts

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L
Tantrums vs. Meltdowns: Reading Emotional Outbursts

Children experience emotional outbursts as they age, but not all outbursts are the same. Although these are not clinical terms, emotional outbursts can be placed into two categories: tantrums or meltdowns. 

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The Quick, Long List of Chores by Age

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

Unsure what household responsibilities your child is ready for?
Here’s a list of tasks of what they can do, based on age and development. 

Chores by Age, Ages 2-9
Download this as a PDF on the Activities page.
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Cleaning Up: Introducing Kids to Chores

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L
Cleaning Up: Introducing Kids to Chores

When our son turned 18 months, he started noticing us doing household chores. He would try to take utensils out of the dishwasher, attempt to push the vacuum cleaner by himself, and wipe down countertops. This makes sense since many play sets and toys mimic household activities and promote pretend play, like cooking, cleaning, and lawn care. 

Pretend play is when a child will imitate what they see their adults doing. Does this mean that they are ready to do chores? Aren’t they too young to do this?

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