New Year's Resolution- Have fun with your baby

This Dad and baby are just having fun. In the New Year, resolving to take time with play WITH your kids would be great. Sometimes it is easier to let them play by themselves while you do other stuff, but playing with them makes deeper connections and memories.

Which is more fun for toddlers?

This little guy is having such fun with the ribbons that he doesn't really care about what's in the present. Who ever gave him the present might have their feelings hurt because he doesn't care, but they should get over it and play with the ribbons too! Ribbons can be more fun than presents! That's just the way it is with toddlers.

Holidays, Babies, Overtired

This mom knows!! Celebrating the holiday is important! Letting the relatives far away see the babies open presents is important! Trying to keep the kids from getting overtired is important, but really hard to do!! Is it better to stick to the basic daily routine for eating and naps or is that just to hard to do? Maybe really little kids need extra naps so they can deal with the extra fun?

Swinging is fun, even if it is chilly outside

Just because it is getting colder,doesn't mean babies have to stay inside. Little ones still like fresh air and swinging. Just bundle up.

I'm hungry

This baby is really letting Mom know that Mom should hurry up with the food! Baby is upset, but mostly just communicating the best way that it can. Mom's quick action with the food helps baby figure out what works.

What is he learning?

Stack and fall,slide and stop,roll and come back. This little guy is learning his physics while he plays with the case of cans. A cheap way to get smart!

What happens when a toddler says NO to a bath?

This little guy needs to take a bath and get ready for bed. He is at that age where he is learning about the power of "No". Dad did the right thing by saying that it was time for a bath, but when little guy said no, Dad asked it as question. Oh,oh, "NO" again. I think the kid is going to throw a BIG fit! Would there have been ways to get him to the tub without a tanrtum?

Hold my hand, 1,2,3

This dad is having fun and being a great teacher. Wow, while they are playing, Dad is teaching this little guy: 1. jumping 2. counting 3. teamwork 4. waiting for the right time and 5. how to have a fun time. All in 30 seconds! Yeah Dad!

Itsy Bitsy Spider

This happy 2 year old is singing a song with his mom. He has even learned the actions to go along with it!!!

Who's who?

This litte guy has sure figured out who is who in his family!! He looks so worried when Ben is missing. Mom helps him understand that Ben is night-night. Now this little guy is ready for night-night too! It looks like he might go happily to bed?

Does your kid sound like you?

It is pretty amazing how fast and early our kids learn to copy what we do. This little guy know all the basics of talking on the phone!

It all falls down

Before kids can build towers, they love knocking them down.

Babysitting, bonding or goofing off?

This little girl is sound asleep cuddled up to Daddy. With college football season starting,lots of babies will have the chance to "watch" the game with Dad. Would you say this is babysitting, bonding, or goofing off?

Scary baby sneeze

This little guy is getting used to having a new sister. He gets scared when the baby sneezes! Dad helps him understand that he didn't cause a problem.

Learning to do dishes at 3

She's too small to be doing the family dishes any time soon, but this little girl sure gets the idea of how it's done. She has been taught how to be careful and keep the water in the sink. Mom stays close to make sure all is OK.

Helping Mom?

Is he really helping Mom with the laundry? It looks like it might be more work for Mom but she lets him do it his way. Her good attitude about it helps him learn that helping with laundery is a good thing!

Distraction Action

Sometimes little kids are crabby just because they are bored. This Dad found a fun way to make the kid happy.

Feed me!

This baby knows how to let her Mom know that Mom needs to keep the food coming. Mom keeps cool and feeds the baby without shoveling it in too fast.

Diapers not needed much longer

This little guy knows what is going on and when he needs a clean diaper. Mom's fast move to change him helps him learn. When Mom and Dad are ready, it seems like he is ready to learn to give up diapers.

Smart boy- where's your eyes?

It looks like Mom and this boy have had fun as he learned his body parts. He is smart! Mom is smart for teaching him that some body parts are private!

Daddy, I love you

This baby loves her Dad and is trying really hard to make the sounds that he makes. She isn't very old and she is already learning to talk. She even knows when it is her turn.

Tummy time: one hates it, one likes it

This baby isn't happy about tummy time.


This baby is doing much better with tummy time. Looks like Dad is laying on the couch with baby on his chest.

Ring around the Rosie

The moms sing, the kids go round,we all fall down. A great way to get 2-year-olds to play together.

At the beach

Going to the beach is a great time. For little kids, it doesn't have to be fancy. A couple of shovels, a helpful Mom or Dad, and plenty of waves make a great day.

This little guy is having fun with his Aunt. She is playing at having him dance. He is learning to bounce. They are both having a good time. You can see that she isn't too used to playing with babies,when he almost slips and falls, but she keeps him safe.

Sliding on steps

This 2 year old has it down. Once you know how to turn around and slide on your stomach,stairs are safer and more fun. The grandparents seem to have helped teach this kid the trick.

Running round and round and round

Up the stairs, down the ramp, and around again. This little guy is having so much fun and getting his energy out. It's a place where he isn't going to run into too many people. Dad is doing a great job of waiting for the kid to be done running, which is hard because it can be kind of boring waiting for a little kid to be done with a game like this.

This little piggy went to market

It is fun to play "this little piggy went to market". This baby is watching his toes and what Mom is doing. Baby likes waiting for the "surprise" at the end. Mom is tickling just enough to make it fun.

Dad+hose= toddler fun

This Dad keeps it simple. A Dad,a hose, and a hot day make for lots of fun for these two kids. The kids are really happy just having Dad spray the hose so that they can splash.

Big sister meets new baby

Getting used to the new baby is a big deal for a toddler. This mom helps big sister learn to be gentle with the new baby. Mom talks to big sister, helps her to be gentle and helps the baby look at her big sister. Mom is helping big sister build good feelings about the baby.

Not so happy first haircut

This little guy is really upset by his first haircut. While this isn't great, Mom helps get the job finished. She is keeping him still but not holding tight. She is talking in her usual voice and trying to get his mind on other things. The barber gets the basic job done fast without getting mad. At the end, Mom tells him he did a good job. This should help the next haircut go better.

Couch Climbing

Success!!! This baby climbs up to get a special toy. Staying near, Mom helps just enough to keep baby safe.

Playing piano baby style

Lucky baby gets to play the piano. Baby wasn't much interested until the grown-up started to play with one finger on one key. Then the baby saw something that it could do and gave it a try. After trying one finger, then baby was ready to try other ways of making music.

Riding her first bike

Emma rides her bike! Mom and Dad do a great job of watching out for her safety but letting her learn about riding. They help her when she can't get her bike going but don't make a big deal out of it. They seem to be having fun with Emma.

Toddler water play

Jordan is a lucky girl. She gets to play outside in the pool! The pool has enough water to fun but not scary. Dad is pouring a little waterfall to play in. Jordan gets to choose how she plays with the water. When she doesn't want to act for the camera,Mom and Dad just let her play.

First Haircut

First haircuts can be an adventure, especially with a wiggly baby. This mom seems so calm. She is helping keep baby from moving, but seems to be holding gently. Baby seems not to notice what is going on for a while. When baby does reach for the scissors, everybody talks to the baby without yelling or jerking baby away. No chop marks in the haircut or for baby!

Better than toys

Who needs the toys when you can talk to Mom? This little one really likes taking turns talking with Mom and tries really hard to copy what she is doing.

Brushing Athena's teeth

This little girl and her mom seem to have a regular routine for brushing teeth that goes really well. Mom does a great job of giving Athena a break when she gets tired of having her teeth brushed. Mom does a great job of helping Athena cooperate by letting her hold other things. Happy tooth brushing now should help Athena have healthier teeth later.

Catch me if you can

Is the little girl really scared? I don't think so. She might be screaming, but she really likes the game, knowing that she will get caught and kissed. Her uncle does a great job of making the game exciting in just the right way for a little kid.

Dancing with Baby

Babies love to dance! This baby has a great partner. He holds her close, moves smoothly to the music and doesn't step on her feet. She likes it when he goes faster, but he is careful not to jounce her too hard.

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First bites of banana

This baby loves the banana but is interested in the camera too. Mom does a great job of waiting for her baby to be ready for the next bite. Mom gives a few tastes, then quits. Does Mom finish that banana herself?