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Resources
BY ARLENE F. HARDER, MA, MFT
Recommended Newsletters and Forums
 Time-out Tots Newsletter
The monthly newsletter has excellent material and I highly recommend it for parents with toddlers and preschoolers.
Newsletter for new and expectant parents
If you want a great newsletter with lots of good information for parents of babies and small children, this is a good deal. However, you will also get “valuable coupons, sale notices, and free offers from our partners.” That means you are likely to receive loads of emails from their many "partners." So I definitely recommend setting up a unique email account for sites like this, in case you haven't already done so. That way you can close your account when you’ve been put on too many lists.
Bulletin Boards A-Z
Okay, there aren't any "Z" bulletin boards on the BabyCenter website, but there are 876 ranging from "A place for birth parents" to " Yours, mine and ours." A good place to learn from others and share what you know.
Breastfeeding discussion group
Whether you're dealing with engorgement, mastitis, cracked nipples, or another difficulty, this board can offer helpful advice and support. From time to time a nurse and lactation consultant drops in and answers some of your questions. Other mothers also provide the support you need.
Baby Center Plus
Although this newsletter is not free, it is worth the nominal price. For $2.50 a month you can enter your baby’s age and recent milestones and get a custom report that give you information on what’s safe for your child to try right now, alerts for recalls Consumer Reports Product Reviews on things you want to buy for your child, a savings of $25 or more for their BabyCenter store, a one year subscription to Parents or Child Magazine, and the Ultimate Pregnancy Safety Guide and Pregnancy and Birth Video Library. This last is handy if you’re planning another baby soon.
Ask Evelyn
Evelyn Petersen is an award-winning parenting columnist and child and family advocate. Her parenting advice is based on sound child development principles and field experience, as well as personal experience; she’s a mother of four, a grandmother and a great grandmother. Petersen's advice can be humorous or challenging, but it’s always professional, positive and "nuts and bolts" practical. She believes parents want ideas they can use, not study.
Parenting Toolbox
These are "Ultimate Bulletin Boards(TM)" with topics such as discipline, child development, nontraditional families, parenting of teens, and marriage and relationship support group.
Links
There are many links throughout the Childhood Affirmations website and eventually they will all be gathered in one place. For now, I bring you this site because I liked the products it offers.
The We Behave website has some great ideas for early childhood and school-age children. Did you know there are temporary tooth tattoos for kids? A neat idea for a sleep-over party. Then there is the musical potty that only plays a tune when your child makes it work. However, on this site you'll find more than just fun kinds of things. You will also find learning videos for kids with special needs, child behavior modification tools, material for child self-esteem and independence, and more. This is a good place to check out child behavior products.
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