Earthy Toddler

The Earthy Toddler years are delightful and inspiring time - unique in their challenges and rewards. In this section you’ll find a delightful array of fabulous book recommendations, great articles such as Thriving Through the Season: Living in Harmony with Colds & Flus and “I think I’d do it just the same: Calm in the Chaos. Remember that living “earthy” is about living in a way that feels natural to You. So embrace your path and trust your instincts – living with an Earthy Toddler is a beautiful journey and one not to be missed out on worrying about if you are doing it “right”.

Learning is not a product of teaching; kids are born learning. They learn how to walk, how to talk. They're basically little scientists. If we don't stop that process, it will continue."
~ Grace Llewellyn

When toddlers bite other children
By Elizabeth Pantley,
Author of Kid Cooperation and Perfect Parenting

A worried mother asks, “Today at our play group my son BIT my friend’s daughter! My friend acted like it was a normal childhood problem, and told me not to worry about it, but I’m horrified! Why did my son do this? How can I prevent it from happening again?” >>Read More

Get Your Toddler to Cooperate!
By Elizabeth Pantley,
Author of Kid Cooperation and Perfect Parenting

Toddlers and preschoolers require finesse to gain their cooperation, because they have not yet reached the age at which they can see and understand the whole picture, so simply explaining what you want doesn’t always work...>>Read More

A Weaning Story: Notes From a Work In Progress
Bonnie Adams

As I nursed my firstborn of six months, I contemplated how much he had grown and how quickly the time had already passed. I tearfully mourned the loss of his early infancy. The big milestone on my mind was weaning. According to the books, the in-laws, and the neighbors, it was time... >>Read More

I knew absolutely nothing about attachment parenting when I gave birth to my first baby over 13 years ago. I was 18 years old when my beautiful daughter Alexandria was born, and although I had intended to breastfeed, difficulties with latch-on due to slightly inverted nipples, as well as a mother-in-law who told me I was starving my baby, caused me to give in to the bottles of formula the hospital had sent home with me... >>Read More

A Wellness Approach for Children
By Jane Sheppard

In raising healthy children, it’s not enough to just focus on the physical aspect of health. To be truly healthy, a child’s emotional health must be nurtured and strengthened. Developing a mental attitude of wellness is also essential. When we adopt an attitude of wellness, we take on a belief that being well is a natural, normal state. Our goal is to have outstanding, vibrant health, not just to be free of disease. With a wellness attitude, we know that we have control over our own body and how healthy it will be.... >>Read More

Encouraging Children to Eat Healthy
By Jane Sheppard

Many parents are frustrated at times because our children won’t eat the foods we know to be healthy for them. Simply being informed about a healthy diet for children is not enough. If your child does not want to eat healthy foods, it does them no good at all. So what does a parent do? Give up and take the path of least resistance? This path is serving the typical American diet which we know leads to poor health. Our children deserve better. But how do we convince them of that? >>Read More

Thriving Through the Season
Living in Harmony with Colds and Flu
By Jane Sheppard

Taking care of sick children can be a rather challenging aspect of being a parent. Waking up in the middle of the night to the sounds of your child's cough, feeling your child's feverish body against yours, and cleaning up vomit is something you may be familiar with. We all knew there would be times like this in our parenting experience. It's inevitable that kids get sick. It's a necessary part of growing up, a normal part of childhood... >>Read More

Breastfeeding
by Tabitha Tucker

OK – So it’s superior for the health of baby and mom;

So it’s more convenient – always ready (pre-mixed, warmed to the precise temperature required, and always just enough) when baby is ready;
So it’s more environmental in that there are no cans, bottles, bottle liners, bottle sterilizers, bottle warmers, production machines, or transportation requirements
So it’s cheaper ... >>Read More

Calm Among the Chaos - I think I’d do it just the same…
by Tabitha Tucker

Coming down the stairs after a mid-day nap with my 13-month-old son, I had a bird’s-eye view of the living room and realized what a truly disastrous state it was in. I took a breath, continued on to the kitchen and proceeded to trip into a sinkhole of despair. The kitchen made the living room look neat and tidy... >>Read More

Vaccinations: Being Informed to Make a Choice
by Tabitha Tucker

"Unlike some countries, immunization is not mandatory in Canada; it cannot be made mandatory because of the Canadian Constitution. Only three provinces have legislation or regulations under their health-protection acts to require proof of immunization for school entrance. Ontario and New Brunswick require proof for diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella immunization... >>Read More

The Family Bed
by Tabitha Tucker

Three in the Bed and the Little One Said…

“I’m Hungry!” So I rolled over, he latched on and everyone went back to sleep. And that’s just one of the reasons I absolutely love having our babe in bed with us ... >> Read More

My husband Tom and I have two sons. The older one, Jonathan, emerged from my body on September 24, 1987. Our younger son, Philip, was born on November 21, 1998 to a loving mother who was already raising three little boys by herself. She decided to place her fourth child for adoption, and we were blessed to become his parents when he was 22 days old... >>Read More

Diaper Wipes: Combine ¼ Cup of Aloe Gel, 1 Cup Water, 3 drops lavender essential oil, 2 drops tea tree oil. Mix well and pour over homemade wipes. Reusable flannel cloths are a roll of paper towel cut in half work well. This is an antibacterial, soothing solution without the harsh chemicals and alcohol often found in commercial wipes. For more info on diapering, click here.

Diaper Pail Deodorizer: Add 10 drops to a cotton pad and place in the deodorizer compartment of your diaper pail for fresher smelling change area.

Diaper Spray: Fill a spray bottle with a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water. Add 10-15 drops of orange essential oil, shake well and keep beside the change table. Spray diapers as you throw them into the pail to await wash day. This solution is also a great disinfectant for wiping down the change table area – and it leaves the room smelling so sweet.

Diaper Wipes: Combine ¼ Cup of Aloe Gel, 1 Cup Water, 3 drops lavender essential oil, 2 drops tea tree oil. Mix well and pour over homemade wipes. Reusable flannel cloths are a roll of paper towel cut in half work well. This is an antibacterial, soothing solution without the harsh chemicals and alcohol often found in commercial wipes.

Diaper Pail Cleanser: As you empty your pail into the wash, pour ½ cup of vinegar and 6-8 drops of tea tree essential oil into the pail. Give it a good swirl and wipedown, then pour the excess into the washing machine with your diapers (sometimes I leave the solution in until it’s time to set the diapers for the second cycle and then add it). For more information on cloth diapers, click here.

"Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each."
Plato

Mothering Your Nursing Toddler

The Biggest Bed in The World

Michele: The Nursing Toddler: A Story about Sharing Love

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

I'm Made of Mama's Milk