My Best Parenting Advice: To Grandmother’s House We Go – 10 Tips To Help Grandma and Grandpa Know What To Do. by Baby Jake

Hi,

It’s me Baby Jake, the baby who runs Mybestparentingadvice.com. Okay, well I don’t really run it, cause I’m too little to type. But I dictate to mommy and she does all the typing and posting.  I know being a new parent can be scary. You don’t really know what to do with us, we’re little, we cry, eat, sleep, poop and in-between are supposed to do tummy time. But it’s really not all that simple because we are constantly changing. And just when you think you know what to do, we surprise you and do something different.  If you read my last post, I was telling you all about my daddy. He’s a great daddy and we have fun. But when mommy isn’t home and he’s in charge….watch out! Most dads really have no idea about baby care.  But my mommy makes it easy by leaving a list. Check it out here; http://bit.ly/T6ZaSC and share it with your baby’s daddy if you want to go out for girlfriend time or just a little breather from me, even though I’m adorable and you love me more than anything. And I also talked about Father’s Day.  I really wasn’t sure what it was or what was going to happen. I have to say, it was really nice for the older people, but for me…nah, nothing great. Lots of people came over and I was passed around like a football. It got old really fast and I decided to cry loud so mommy or daddy would hold me or put me in my crib – my safe place. The really good thing was the delicious smells coming from the backyard. I can’t wait to be old enough to taste something called a barbecue…or maybe that’s not even what it’s called, but I heard lots of people saying it. I was thinking, when the older people held me, they really didn’t know how to do it right. They either held me too tight or squeezed my tummy. And so many of them thought it was cute to pat my tush….very uncomfortable for a cool baby like me.   I heard mommy and daddy talking about going to visit daddy’s parents in a few weeks. They are my other grandparents that I’ve never met. And mommy said she is nervous about staying at their house. Guess they don’t have any babies.  If that’s true, I don’t think they will know what to do with me either or fix the house so it’s safe for a baby like me.  But I know I can help. Here are 10 tips, or a list as mommy calls it, to give to Grandma and Grandpa before we get to their house:

1. If you take lots of pills and vitamins, please put them in a locked cabinet.  I can’t tell the difference between candy and dangerous medicine. And don’t forget to put your pet’s food and water bowls out of reach.
2. It might be worth your while to have a professional Childproofer come to your home before I visit. What may not seem dangerous to you could cause an accident in minutes.
3. Before we get to your house, ask your children what they will need for me to make it easier. Even though you’re excited, don’t assume and buy everything in the baby store! Sometimes I can be really picky.
4. If you are going to rent a crib, stroller or any other baby or toddler equipment, check out the rental company reviews first.  And make sure the equipment is not on the recall list by visiting: http://www.cpsc.gov or http://bit.ly/VGDwXh
5. When we first arrive, please try your best to stay calm. No screaming with excitement as much as you want to. We’re probably really exhausted from the long trip and loud noises can be scary.
6. If you can’t help yourself and want to give mommy and daddy advice, please back off if they if it’s not well received.  Every baby is different and it’s not worth a fight.
7. If you’re going to babysit for me, ask mommy and daddy to write down all the instructions. It will make everyone feel better. And try to follow them the best you can.  Those things are what I’m used to.
8. If I get cranky and you don’t know what to do, please don’t panic. Lay me down in my crib and play some soft music. But if all else fails, please call mommy and daddy for instructions. They’ll know what to do.
9.  If you and Grandpa are going to take turns watching me, always make sure you know whose turn it is. Never assume. I’m too little to take care of myself.
10. Most of all, have fun with me. There’s nothing better than being my Grandparents!

For more great tips, check out “I Promise We Won’t Meddle – How To Be The Best Grandparents In The World” in Blythe Lipman’s book titled; Help! My Toddler Came Without Instructions.    

I’m getting really excited about visiting Grandma and Grandpa and know they won’t screw up if they read this. So please pass it along to your Grandma and Grandpa too. I’ll let you know how they did when we get back. 

Hugs, 

Baby Jake

P.S. Not sure if I should be scared, but I heard Mommy and Daddy talking about somebody’s birthday and loud noises. I think they said Fourth of July. Hope it’s a party. If you know anything about this, please write fast cause I think it’s this weekend. Here’s my address: http://bit.ly/1xdln1n  

Blythe Lipman, President and Founder of Baby Instructions based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a nationally recognized baby and toddler expert, a parenting consultant, an author of three award-winning books, Help! My Baby Came Without Instructions,  More…Help! My Baby Came Without Instructions, and Help! My Toddler Came Without Instructions, a teacher, a caregiver, a keynote speaker, a blogger AND host of Baby and Toddler Instructions, a weekly Parenting Internet talk radio show which airs live every Wednesday at 11:00 am EST on itunes and toginet.   She is owner of the online parenting magazine My Best Parenting Advice and the site Baby Instructions.   My Best Parenting Advice:  To Grandmother’s House We Go – 10 Tips To Help Grandma and Grandpa Know What To Do. by Baby Jake