 Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved A good diaper changing station must have safety, comfort, and convenience in mind. Everything you need to diaper the baby should be right there where you'll use it. With those factors in mind, here are some of the items I recommend as diaper changing station must-haves.
Comfortable Changing Pad A comfortable baby is a happy baby. When the changing pad is comfy, baby can be more receptive to getting a diaper change. Just be sure that the changing pad you choose also meets safety standards. Safe changing pads will list the safety standards being complied with and should have the complementary label. Safety Strap Check to be sure your changing table includes a safety strap. If not, it may not meet safety standards. A safety strap is necessary to prevent falls or injuries to the baby during changing. Original A+D Ointment Instead of diaper creams and ointments, I always found original A+D ointment to be the most effective. This seems to be especially true in infants with sensitive skin issues. Diapers While I'm sure that having diapers in the diaper changing station area is a no-brainer, I couldn't leave it off a list of diapering supplies. Whether you use cloth diapers or disposable ones, be sure to keep plenty on hand. With cloth diapers, this means keeping up with laundering them and with disposables, make sure to always purchase extra. It’s always better to have too many than not enough. Onesies and T-Shirts Babies can go through onesies and t-shirts quite fast. I always have several on hand at the diaper changing station in case they are needed. These sometimes get soiled as often as diapers. So, changing them at the same time diapers are changed is a good habit to keep. Toys Baby toys are a great addition to the diaper changing station, as they keep baby occupied. This is especially helpful for babies who aren't too fond of changing time. Be sure that the toys at the changing station are different from the regular toys and that they are switched out every so often. Baby Wipes Like the diapers, this is probably an obvious recommendation. However, it also cannot be left out. Baby wipes are essential to changing a baby. Whether you go the natural route with homemade baby wipes or purchase store-bought disposables, keep plenty on hand. Cleaning Supplies Always make sure the diaper changing station is clean for your baby. Just like you would wash your hands before and after each use, clean the changing station that often as well. Be sure the cleaning supplies you choose are appropriate for cleaning in nursery areas. Clean Blankets Even if your baby is no longer a newborn, receiving blankets are the perfect size for covering the diaper changing station. They are easy to replace in between diaper changes and are thin enough so that plenty can be stocked for use. Diaper Pail It can be very convenient to have a diaper pail near the diapering area. Whether you use a system designed to seal away the diapers until emptied or a more simple design, choose one that will easily fit in the area without blocking the path to the baby or to essentials. This is true for both cloth diapers and disposables. Although, depending on the way you change and clean up after your baby, it’s sometimes more convenient to keep the diaper pail in or near the restroom. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network
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 by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer
"Is my teen daughter ready for a boyfriend" is an inevitable question that parents of girls will have to ponder. How do you know when your teen daughter is actually ready to handle the joys and consequences that come with dating? Readers were asked for their thoughts and personal experiences on the right age, signs a girl is ready, and dealing with first dates. Here's what some of them had to say. Jolynne Hudnell, 43-year-old mother of twin girls (age 16) responded with these words: "I don't know if I'm old fashioned or not, but my girls weren't allowed to go on dates alone until they turned 16. Prior to that, they could go if a parent would be present (I would also need to know the parent's name and cell phone number if they had one). They were always expected to answer my text to check on them, or to text me at certain intervals. They also had to be home at a certain time. If the rules were broken, they would not be allowed to go "on a date" again until they started keeping in contact with me again when going out with a group of friends and such. Since they kept to the rules prior to turning 16, they now can go out on dates without a parent present. But they still have to keep in contact at certain intervals and answer me when I text. They also have to be home on an agreed upon time. As for old enough to have a boyfriend, a girl is going to have a boyfriend when she wants, even if she just sees him at school. If she is still attending classes and keeping her grades up, I don't really have a problem with it. If she skips class to see the boy, then we have an issue, and may have to notify the school to be sure she attends classes. So far, both girls have been very responsible about following the rules." Randy Barefoot, successful father of 2 almost independent women answered: "My 26 year old, married daughter says, "No teenage girl should have a boyfriend." This revelation is astounding because I told her this when she was 15, but she didn't believe me. For the 1st date, the boy should come to the girl's house where he must meet the parents. His arrival should be timed to interrupt Dad cleaning his shotgun. Seriously, a girls maturity level where boys are concerned can be measured by her motives. If she wants to date because her friends have boyfriends other frivolous reasons, she has no business dating. When her motive is because she has an honest affection for the boy, she's ready to date. First dates are preferably group activities. My first date with my future wife was when I was 14 and she 15. It was a triple date with my parents, my sister and her fiance. My parents said I could invite a friend. It surprise them when I asked Sharron. So the short answer is, examine the girl's motives. Open, honest conversations between parent(s) and teen are the key. Just another good reason for real family dinners where people talk instead of watch TV. " Khara House, who is a teen mentor, had this sage advice: "I've told more than one teen-aged girl that she wasn't mature enough for a boyfriend. In fact, I've told more than one twenty-something female that she wasn't mature enough for a boyfriend! Being ready for a relationship isn't, after all, about age as much as it is about knowing who you are and what you want, and having the degree of maturity and understanding necessary to pair that with what another person needs and wants. One question I asked a girl I was mentoring once was, 'If he asked you right now to do something you'd usually never agree to, would you do it?' If the answer is anywhere from 'yes' to the awkward pause before 'no,' I say she isn't ready. For some girls I'd say it comes down to what the girl wants out of the relationship. Why is she so interested in dating this guy? If she doesn't know, or the reason is based on anything other than the foundational things in a relationship-- i.e., saying 'Because he's so hot!' doesn't cut it-- then she might not be ready! As for the other thing, about getting through first dates ... I suppose 'roll with the punches' isn't particularly sound advice?" Another successful mother, Lynda Altman gives these suggestions: "As a parent you have to ask yourself some very hard questions such as does she have accurate information about her body and sexuality? Does she understand the consequences of premarital sex? Does she understand and know how to protect herself from STDs. Has she taken a self defense course so that when she says NO it means NO. This may seem a lot to ask before something as benign as a fist date, but they may come up. Archaic as it sounds, as parents do you plan to chaperone the first date? Or is it going to be an outing with a group of friends? A teenage girl is ready to date when she every little thing is not a crisis. When grades are good and behaviors are in control. If she is still going through the 'I hate you' stage, and everything is about rebellion, then she needs more time before she is ready to enter into a potential relationship." *I originaly published this via Yahoo Contributor Network |
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Lyn Lomasi is founder and owner of the Brand Shamans network. She is your brand healing, soul healing, marketing & content superhero to the rescue! Running a network of websites, tackling deadlines single-handedly, and coaching fellow writers, brands, & entrepreneurs to be thought leaders is her top priority.
While rescuing civilians from boring content and brands, this awesomely crazy family conquers the world, managing Intent-sive Nature while going on Upstream Parenting adventures & lessons, sometimes in an RV. They strive to cuddle with lions and giraffes. Until then, they settle for rescue dogs and cats. By supporting us, you support a single parent, healer, and minority small business that donates to and/or stands for several causes, including homeless pets, homeless people, trans youth, equality, helping starving artists, and more! A portion of all proceeds from our all-inclusive store, Intent-sive Nature goes toward worthy causes. For guidance in the world of freelance writing or for advice on her specialty topics, Ask Lyn. Archives
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