Q: I know it seems like a simple question, but my son is 6 months old and still not sleeping through the night. I feel like I’m never going to get a full 8 hours ever again. What can I do or should I be doing to help him sleep through the night?
Susan
Boston, MA
The Mommy Panel’s Advice:
We unanimously agree that the key to a baby sleeping through the night is parents deciding to let them. Let us explain. Your baby is not waking up during the night because he is no longer tired or because he is hungry. Rather his waking is a natural break in his sleep cycle and he calls for you to help soothe him back to sleep. If you do not respond to his cries, eventually he will learn to soothe himself back to sleep. read more
With everything that’s undoubtedly on your to-do list, the thought of tackling your holiday shopping may be enough to send you running straight for the egg nog. If you’re not only stressed about what to buy for everyone on your list, but also concerned about when you’ll find time to hit the mall without the kids, the following gift guide is just for you.
All of these gift ideas are available for purchase online so you can be as efficient as the old Claus himself. What’s even better is that many of these websites offer free holiday shipping and gift wrap options. So sit down and relax — we’ve scoured the internet marketplace for the most unique gifts available, and we’re certain your friends and family will enjoy these gifts almost as much as you’ll enjoy the time (and sanity you’ve saved by doing your holiday shopping from the comfort of your home.
Who are you shopping for? We’ve organized our picks to help you narrow the choices:
Forgotten Frenzy. I already had three children who all were old enough to attend school, so I had gotten used to having the school hours all to myself. After several years, my husband and I were blessed with our fourth child. One day, while the kids were at school, I had hurried out to the store to pick up a few things we needed. I was in the checkout line and suddenly I realized that I’d left the baby home in the crib napping. I dropped everything and rushed home — gratefully the baby was still sound asleep in her bed. Everything turned out just fine, but that feeling of horror and embarrassment will stay with me forever. – Oxnard, CA
Locked In. I was leaving the grocery store and had a cart full of groceries and my 10-month-old daughter with me. After putting my baby into her car seat, I started the engine on the car and shut the door. Then a chill ran over me as I realized the car doors were locked with my keys and BABY inside! My daughter was happily playing at first so I rushed inside and asked the store manager to call for help. I went back to my car and waited for help to arrive. All the while, I tried to keep my daughter calm and amused by making faces and playing with her through the car window. However, my little girl was gradually getting anxious and scared and by the time the fireman arrived she and I both were in tears. The firefighters fished a wire in the window and opened up the car door for me, and they sarcastically instructed me, “In the future, try to remember not to lock your daughter in the car.” – Alexandria, VA
Two Many. I already had five children and had taken them all along with me grocery shopping since they were newborns. I never had any problems, until I had twins. A few weeks after having the twins, I was trying to get back to my “normal” routine and buy the groceries for the rest of the family. I was very pleased with myself as I’d figured out that I could put both of the girls in infant seats in one cart, and then I pulled another cart along that I was filling with food. Suddenly, one twin started crying, so I picked her up and tried to make her happy, all the while keeping track of my 2 carts. Then, the other one started screaming too. I could feel the people staring at me, and so I did the only thing I could do — I put the baby I was holding back in her seat and pushed the cart with my screaming babies straight out of the store! I hope the store didn’t mind having to empty my half-filled grocery cart. – Glendale, AZ
There is a certain kind of embarrassment that only a Mom can truly understand. Our MomMoments column is filled with these war stories of motherhood. We’d love to hear your stories so please share with us!
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