Communication has always been a struggle between me and my children when they are young. All of my children have had speech delays for unknown reasons. The specialists have all thrown their hands in the air and have fingered genetics as the culprit with very little else to attribute to their delays. With my first child I became interested in Baby Signing. I had taken some American Sign Language courses before marriage and really enjoyed it. My love for the language sparked this interest for learning and applying Baby Signing with my first child. Admittedly I didn't use it so much and wish I had looked into it more than I had. I have used a few basic signs with all of my children, and with what I have used I have had success. It is a goal of mine to more utilize this communication tool with my babies because I have seen enough to realize it can aid in the communicative efforts between parent and child when there are delays of speech, and perhaps even when there are not. I have collected a few websites that may be of interest to those wishing to learn more about Baby Signing (some are commercial sites but have interesting content).

Baby signing and language development - Lots of information on the debate about whether Baby Signing is useful or needed.

Signing With Your Baby - "This site was born in the year 2000 so you can learn more about using sign language with babies, toddlers and children."

Baby Sign Language - Comments made by a dad about Baby Sign Language that I found encouraging.

Sign Babies - There are some great articles on this site worth reading.

My Baby Can Talk - There is a great online video dictionary of signs on this site .

Baby Signing - A good article with helpful links about Baby Signing and Sign Language.

I'm a firm believer in passenger safety while traveling in a vehicle. Especially when that passenger happens to be a child. I know that some children HATE their car seats, but in my view it is not an option, it's a must, just like driving with your lights on at night. I have found a few helpful sites online that have educated me and given me what I consider sound evidence and guidance on the particulars of vehicle safety for children. Questions in regards to infant car seats vs. convertible car seats vs. booster car seats, as well as when to use them, when not to, and how to use them are all answered on the following sites:

CPSafety - "Your Online Child Passenger Safety Resource"

Car Seats (iVillage) - A message board full of great advice from parents who have made car seat choices that could help you as you choose a seat and how to use it with your children.

My personal choice for car seats have been the Fisher-Price Safe Embrace seats that were sold in the late 90's and early 2000. They are no longer made, however Fisher-Price recently released the Safe Voyage car seats that are from the well known and loved Britax company. I suggest that when looking for a car seat that you do some research. It's not just a matter of protecting your wallet, but protecting your child's life as well. Cheap is not always better....

This is a topic of much debate in some circles. For me it was always a non-issue. I would not circumcise my boys. I've heard stories from both sides of the issue and am still secure in my choice not to have this procedure done to my boys. You may be interested in the websites below if you are still unsure about this choice you are making for your son.

National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers - "... founded by healthcare professionals to provide information to expectant parents, healthcare professionals, educators, lawyers, ethicists, and concerned individuals about circumcision and genital cutting of male, female, and intersex infants and children, genital integrity, and human rights."

AskDrSears - "The following are the most common questions we are asked about circumcision. The answers are intended to help you make an informed choice."

I have been curious about SIDS, or Crib Death for a while. It always had so many variables and possibilities that I found it an "it's anyone's guess" type scenario. One day I came across information about toxic chemicals, crib mattresses, and SIDS. Now this made sense to me since a lot of the other theories could be tied into the mattress the baby sleeps on. I'm still looking into various theories, but I feel that the below link shares information that makes sense and "feels" right. You can judge for yourself.

Victory Over Crib Death - " We propose a new paradigm. The conventional paradigm, or system of thought about crib death, assumes the cause is unknown; and preventing it is hopeless; that SIDS is multifactorial, that several mechanisms can function, possibly several at the same time. Further, that no one of these may be fatal, but a combination can kill; and that one can only lower the risk and offer sympathy afterward. This approach to crib death is a cop-out and a failure."

I think that one of our greatest fears as parents is having our children, no matter the age, abducted, assaulted, or killed. Any combination of these three things sends sorrow to my heart and an ache in my arms. Never to know, or knowing, never to see, or seeing, never to hold, or holding a child that becomes a victim is a nightmare and heartache that no parent wants. I have found some resources that will better inform you as the parent, and your child/adolescent as to how to avoid and/or survive predators.

Just Yell Fire - "Empowering Girls to Protect Themselves"

Child Safety - National Center for Missing & Exploited Children gives a lot of advice to parents and guardians. Look around and you'll find a lot of good advice.

For those who are able, I feel that baby wearing is a wise practice. Unfortunately I am not physically able to wear my children for long periods of time. Plus my babies never like being confined in a sling, they like having all of their limbs free to move. There are times, however, when I can strap my baby on for short periods of time. For those times I have a few slings to choose from. I currently have the Baby Bjorn, the Over The Shoulder Baby Holder (OTSBH), and the Moby Wrap. With my first I used the Bjorn a lot when she was very young. She was much lighter than my other children so I have not used it much since. Once my baby is bigger we like using the OTSBH as a hip carry sling. I have not had the chance to learn how to use my Moby Wrap yet, though I hope to find some time to figure it out soon. There are hundreds of slings out there, and some that are better for you and the baby than others. I suggest a bit of research before you purchase a sling. Sometimes it takes a few tries before you find one that fits you and the needs of your baby the best. Below is a site that may help you.

TheBabyWearer.com - "the online babywearing resource centre!"