2) Teach your children to never, ever dive into a pool, regardless of how deep it may seem.

3) Teach kids not to roughhouse, push, or try to hold their breaths for long periods underwater. Teaching these rules early on to kids is essential to pool safety.

4) Teach your kids not to use the pool as a bathroom, especially young ones.

5) Don’t leave kids unattended, even if there are many people in the swimming pool. Creating a buddy system for kids under 10 helps, too.

6) Don’t let children with cuts or bandaids into the pool.

7) Teach kids not to bring food to the swimming pool or eat andrush into the pool. Teach children to wait one hour after eating before swimming again.

9) Teach your kids not to run around the pool. Swimming pool areas are slippery. Teaching kids to walk with flip-flops around the pool is a sanitary, safe choice for pool time.

10) Do not bring kids to a pool without learning CPR and water rescue techniques.

Since the kitchen is one of the most potentially dangerous spots for children, use a safety gate to keep children away from the area when you’re cooking. For times when children are allowed into the kitchen, make sure you use cabinet and drawer locks to keep them from dangerous utensils.

The bathroom is another danger zone for kids. Never leave a small child unattended as drowning can occur in just a small amount of water. Be sure to lock medications and cosmetics away as well.

Some children love to climb. For this reason, safety straps should be affixed to all of the heavy furniture in your home to protect from crushing accidents.

Outdoors, be sure to secure swimming pools, power tools and harmful chemicals so that children don’t gain access. Also, place a sign or large toy in the driveway to alert oncoming drivers to children playing nearby.

When it comes to danger from others, teach your children abduction escape tactics and encourage them to talk to you about any person who makes them feel uncomfortable. Interview and get references for all child care givers before hiring and check on them at unexpected times once your child is placed in their care.

More than anything, know where your child is at all times. Check on your child if they’ve been playing quietly for a few minutes. You are the best defense for your child. While you can educate kids about safety, sometimes their curiosity will win out. In those times, it’s up to you to pull them back toward safe play.

These services offer comprehensive and easy to understand bundles that cater to all kinds of different viewers. There are even family packages that only feature channels and programming suitable for the child.

However, these bundles sometimes are not perfect and every parent has different ideas for what is acceptable. The best way to find age-appropriate television for your little one is to simply watch with them.

If your child has a favorite show that they can’t stop talking about and it doesn’t sound like something you feel they should be watching, then take some time and view it with them. That will give you a chance to decide for yourself and maybe even answer any questions your child has.

Start watching with your child and watch out for the programming you don’t want them to see.

A number of excellent opportunities exist for you to divert your toddler’s attention. Perhaps a few pots and pans and spatulas could be placed to the side for your little one to bang away and make beautiful music as you cook. Can’t handle this type of noise? No problem. If it has been a while since a meal has been had, offer your toddler a small, healthy snack to help hold them over until food is served.

You may also like to keep a few toys handy to conquer such meltdowns. Your child’s favorite stuffed friend or toy is a sure way to get him entertained so you can get your meal prepared. If he is really tired, offer a soft book for play.

The most important thing to remember is that tantrums are natural expressions of toddlers, and trying a variety of different techniques will help make your meal preparations much easier.

Themes are constantly changing but some are timeless. Farm animals, the alphabet and numbers, the circus and colorful balloons are suitable themes that will delight and entertain the baby. These themes will also carry the baby into his toddler years and through pre-school. You can choose any of these themes to use for the bedding and curtains and complement with decorator items.

If you prefer you can paint a mural on the wall and minimize the decorations. This will give the nursery an uncluttered look. Whichever way you decide to go, bright colors will help create a cheerful nursery.
Keep looking, there’s more: 5 Things: Nursery edition

Not sure how to prepare yourself? Continue reading below:

Physically: The first thing you want to do is make sure that you’re staying healthy. Be sure to maintain a healthy weight, eat a healthy diet, and always remember to take your prenatal vitamins daily.

Mentally: Make sure you’re mentally prepared for the baby to come. Understand that your life will never be the same and that you will have new responsibilities. Try to get everything ready for the baby so that you’re not stressed out if the baby were to come earlier than expected.

Financially: Be sure to save up as much money as you can. Babies can be very expensive, so it’s always nice to have some extra money to play with. It’s also important to figure out how the baby will be covered as far as insurance goes.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways you can prepare yourself for your new baby. Consider these tips above, and you will find that preparing for a new baby has never been easier.

Either purchase some books on babies first year or borrow from the library. Ask experienced parents which titles they recommend. In the mix of books, make sure you have some that cover the following topics: sleeping, developmental milestones, feeding, and baby illnesses. Get a book on nursing if you plan to breastfeed your baby. Cook a few meals and put them in the freezer for easy dinners after the baby arrives. There is no telling how busy you will be, and dinners will be the last thing on your mind. Most importantly, try to take some time for yourself and partner. Consider a babymoon and take a trip together before baby is born. Staying busy and happy is the best way to prepare for the newest member of your family.