by Kit Marsters

We all know that looking after a baby takes up a lot of the parents' time. A baby completely depends on his parents for his every need. We all know this, but most of us don't completely comprehend just how intense this experience can be until the baby is born.

Having a baby is the most wondrous event in a person's life. Nothing can replace that first look into a baby's eyes, and the knowledge that this tiny human is a part of you, a part of your partner, and partly, uniquely, him- or herself.

Because a baby completely relies on you, and, as a mother, you have just gone through the process of bringing your newborn into the world, the first few months can be difficult. And no matter how much you love your new son or daughter, sometimes you might feel trapped and isolated from the outside world. There is no shame in this. Your life before you were a mother was, in all likelihood, completely different.

Whether your new baby is your firstborn or not, all of a sudden you have precious little "me" time. Especially if you already have another child, or two, you will find yourself trying to balance the needs of everyone else, from morning time to, quite often, the middle of the night when the baby wakes up and wants attention.

Everyone needs a little time for themselves, and some time away from the house, be it for a walk, or a visit to the shopping centre, or for some time spent just being you in the company of your friends, and having a laugh. Time dedicated to yourself will leave you feeling refreshed, and able to look after your family all the better.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Grandparents are often willing to baby-sit, other family members or friends are likely quite willing to do the same and you and your partner can take turns looking after your children to allow the other some space.

It can be difficult to leave your baby in the hands of others, the bond between mother and child is a strong one, but a grandparent has proven themselves successful in the raising of a child - you or your partner - and your baby will be safe with them. Even if it is just for an hour, time spent just the way you want is like charging that little inner battery. It's vital to your wellbeing.

And time spent with your partner is crucial to your relationship - for at least some eighteen years your life will be shaped around your children. That's a wonderful and rewarding way to spend those years, but it's also lovely and healthy to get the occasional hours in your partner's company.

When you do get some alone time with your partner, I advise you to go out for a nice dinner, go to see a movie you would both enjoy, or simply go for a walk to get in touch with nature and each other. Choose things you enjoyed doing before your baby arrived, perhaps even those enjoyments you shared when you were dating.

If you are both tired and happen to have the house to yourselves, how about a pleasant meal, a DVD and some rest and relaxation? These are just some suggestions, of course. You will know best what works for your and your partner.

However you choose to relax, do remember "me" time can do wonders. It's not just beneficial for you; it will have a positive effect on the whole family, including your baby. A happy parent means happy children.

This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.BabyNameVote.Com/ which is a site for   Baby Names

 Most children show signs of readiness to begin toilet training between 18 months and 3 years of age. These signs include staying dry for at least 2 hours at a time, having regular bowel movements, being able to follow simple instructions, being uncomfortable with dirty diapers and wanting them to be changed, asking to use the potty chair or toilet, asking to wear regular underwear.

You should also be able to tell when your child is about to urinate or have a bowel movement by his facial expressions, posture or by what he says. If your child has begun to tell you about having a dirty diaper you should praise him for telling you and encourage him to tell you in advance next time.

There is however no rush to begin potty training. If you start too early, before your child is ready, then you will just prolong the whole process.

 This is a great way to use a rotisserie chicken. Most of the other ingredients are probably in your pantry or refrigerator already, making this a snap to prepare. It's hard to believe the creamy dressing is fat free, so indulge without feeling guilty.
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup fat-free mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain, non-fat yogurt, drained
1 tsp lime juice
1 1/2 tsp cumin, or to taste
2 cups chopped cooked skinless chicken breast
1/2 cup chopped red pepper
1/2 cup black beans, drained
1/2 cup sweet corn, thawed if frozen, or drained if canned
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1 medium tomato, chopped
PREPARATION:
In a small bowl, blend mayonnaise, yogurt, lime juice and cumin. In a separate bowl, combine chicken, pepper, black beans, sweet corn, red onion and tomato. Stir in dressing. Serve on a bed of spinach leaves or make a wrap using a low fat, whole wheat tortilla.
Serves 4.

Per Serving: Calories 166, Calories from Fat 16, Total Fat 1.9g (sat 0.3), Cholesterol 51mg, Sodium 245mg, Carbohydrate 14.6g, Fiber 2.7g, Protein 22.8g

 During your baby's first two months, she doesn't need or want any toys. Your baby won't even discover her own hands until she's about two months old. Your baby may instinctively clutch a toy that you put in her hand, but she can't really play with it. She may enjoy looking at a plaything or listening to it, but she'd much rather look at and listen to you.

From two to three months, however, when your baby's hands open up and she first discovers them-and all the things she can do with them-toys become much more valuable as learning tools. Noisy toys are great at this age. (Just make sure they're soft, because your baby will probably hit herself in the head with them.)

Soft rubber squeak toys, lightweight rattles, rattling bracelets, and easy-to-hold plastic keys do more than entertain your baby. They focus her attention on what her hands are doing. You can almost see the connections forming in your baby's brain:

noise=hands -> hands=moving -> moving=me

my hands=moving=noise> look what I can do!

From about 10 to 14 weeks, your baby will enjoy taking a kitten-like swipe at toys. Hang toys of various shapes, textures, and sounds (a rattle, a fuzzy ball, a plastic or rubber ring, a small doll or stuffed animal, and so on) above your baby's crib. Or tie a string to them and hold them above her while she lies on the floor. When she connects with the toy, your baby will be delighted at the way it swings and the sounds it makes, if any. This activity also helps your baby make connections between what she does with her hands and what happens.