If you can't view this newsletter, please go to http://www.todaysparent.com/newsletters/2006/12/dec20.html
December 20, 2006

Mealtime Mayhem

By Natalie Fraser for Kathy Bergen

When your baby first joins in at mealtime, it's a special moment – your little one has begun to actively participate in family life! And older kids often eagerly anticipate including their baby sibling at the table. When my youngest child, Tessa, started eating with us, she provided great entertainment for her older brother and sister. They thoroughly enjoyed it when she threw her food on the floor, refused to eat certain vegetables and frequently waved bye-bye to everyone, including herself!

While amusing antics are pretty common among junior diners, many parents have questions and concerns about how to feed their little ones once they reach the "real food" stage. If that sounds like you, don't miss our new e-newsletter, Starting Solids. You'll receive tips on the best foods to serve, allergy protection, portion sizes, recipes for homemade baby food, instructional video clips and much more!

To discuss baby food concerns and share successes with other parents, join our Infant Feeding forum. Plus, get advice on nutrition from our expert in her monthly forum, Talk Food with Madeleine Greey!

Until next time,
Natalie Fraser
Acting Editorial Director, Todaysparent.com


Starting Solids
Attention parents of babies! You won't want to miss our new e-newsletter on introducing solid food to your six- to 12-month-old. You'll get tips on readiness for solids, food safety, info on dairy products, recipe ideas, video clips, and much more!

Capture and Share Your Holiday Moments
Do you have precious memories stuck inside a camera? Check out our tips for the best way to transfer your photographs to your computer. Learn how to add special effects and print or email your favourites to share them with family and friends.

Celebrations
From Hanukkah and Christmas to Kwanzaa and Eid al-Adha, find out how other cultures celebrate the season.

Get Into Their Good Books
At this time of year, plenty of kids would rather hoist a hockey stick than pick up a book. Find out how to help your struggling reader develop a love of the written word.

Five Things You Should Never Say
Your words really can hurt your child—so check out these tips on how to do away with those digs.


During the holiday season, our thoughts often go to those who may not have the resources to provide much for their children. The Virtual Garage Sale provides a great way for all of us to help our planet by recycling someone else's cast-offs while putting gifts under the tree or sharing items with others in need.

The Parenting Club forums provide great stepping stones through to your child's pre-teen years. From newborn to school age, these forums offer a place to make connections with other parents of similar aged children for support, advice and friendship. Come and check it out!

See you in the forums,
Leslie
Todaysparent.com Moderator

The Talk Forums at Todaysparent.com help parents connect for advice, support and friendship. Join today to begin sharing your experiences!


Stages Development Guide
Get interesting and insightful updates about your growing family every step of the way! Our program sends you info tailored to your child or your stage of pregnancy and continues until your child's sixth birthday.

Children's Health Guide
Get an A-Z listing of common children's ailments, injuries and illnesses with our Health Guide. You can search by name or symptom to discover info and treatment options.

Cooking with Kids
Looking to get your kids involved in the kitchen? Our Cooking with Kids section has hundreds of delicious recipes for meals, snacks and sweets that your kids can help create. Plus, you'll get a web-exclusive recipe on the site each month.

Due Date Calculator & Ovulation Predictor
Use these handy tools to determine when you're most fertile, or to calculate the date of the big arrival if you're already pregnant.


Tracy's Baby Story
New mom and online editor Tracy Chappell feels the responsibility of being a mom to a little girl at Christmas. How will she
make this time of year special for Anna? What kind of traditions and rituals will her family create? Read Tracy's blog to find out.

Hot Tips to Keep You Cool - From firefighter Shane Ferguson:

Have you checked your smoke alarm lately? Press the little test button. If it beeps, it works. If it doesn't beep, try replacing the battery. If it still doesn't work, then neither does your smoke alarm. Remember, you need at least one working smoke alarm for every floor of your home.

For more fire safety tips visit Shane's website, Staying Alive


SPEAK OUT TO TODAY'S PARENT!
Tell us what you think about Today's Parent and Todaysparent.com and you could win $200 to spend at your favourite online retailer.
We're waiting to hear from you!

Visit us at Todaysparent.com!

Rogers Media Web Customer Service
One Mount Pleasant Road, 8th floor
Toronto, ON M4Y 2Y5






Subscribe
Online and SAVE


Subscribe to Today's Parent magazine at a special web price and get up to 3 Children's books Free!
Subscribe today
!


CONTESTS

• Want cleaning service for a year? Enter now for your chance to win one of three grand prizes.

Dreaming of Jamaica? Enter for a chance to win an all-inclusive vacation!

Check out all our contests at the Todaysparent.com Contest Central.


Give the Gift of Today's Parent

Give Today's Parent, the gift that gives all year, for as low as $12.95 per year. Save 67% off the cover price! Give today!