The tale of two car seats

When you add a second child under the age of 5 to your life, you also have to add a carseat to your car. I had no idea the science that went into such a task.

Do you move baby #1 from the middle where he’s always been, to the side of the back seat? Which side? Does it matter more that the now-3-year-old exits the vehicle on the driver’s side or the passenger side? Or do you put each child on the side and leave the middle open? While probably not the safest, that would sure make life easier for mom.

When Kennedy was just six weeks old, I ventured out on my first solo trip with two children in the back seat. All was going well until Kennedy started crying; I figured she was hungry, sleepy, had a dirty diaper, or any of the myriad of things newborns cry about. My toddler was busy chatting away with me and not being a child who had tried to hurt his new sister, the latter thought never crossed my mind. Until I got home.

when I opened the car door, the site would make any mom shudder. Her ear was bleeding and his fingernails had blood under them. Sam had apparently been curious what would happen if he clawed her. After all, I later reasoned, she was a new entity invading the backseat that had always been his and his alone, and now she was positioned inches from his busy little hands and was facing him. Let me pause by saying she was fine and there were no lasting injuries.

However, he continued to hit or claw her whenever we were in the car following that first incident. His carseat was ultimately positioned behind mine on the driver’s side, so I couldn’t see him. I could only hear her cries and threaten him from the front seat.

It was a stressful couple of weeks until we found an option separate from moving her carseat to the outer edge. We distracted his attention by turning on a portable DVD player and handing him the pair of headphones typically reserved for long trips. Sometimes you do what you have to do.

Here’s an article about adding a third carseat to the mix. I can’t even imagine.

Family night of food, fun

Looking for a fun place to take the kids to dinner? Every Tuesday Round Table on Kettleman Lane hosts a family night. For just $3.99 kids ages 4 through 10 can eat all the pizza, twists and salads their little tummies can hold (adults are $6.99, while kids 3 and under eat for free).

Not only is the food good, but from 5 to 8 p.m. the restaurant also provides board games, face painting and balloons. We could all use a little cheap family entertainment these days.

Know of any other local eateries that offer family nights? Share them here.

I’m baaacccckkkk!

As I rub my bleary eyes from yet another super early morning feeding, I’d like to share with you what one ever told me about having two children:

1. It’s inevitable that when one starts crying, the other will shortly follow suit. (The same goes for both demanding your attention at the same time.)

2. Fitting two car seats in one vehicle is easier said than done, and it has nothing to do with the size of the car.

3. Even a toddler on the best schedule will get off schedule when a newborn is added to the mix — and it will take months to get the older one back on schedule.

4. No two children are alike. Chances are your first and second will be complete opposites, and what worked for the first won’t work for the second when it comes to soothing them, entertaining them, etc.

5. It really is easier going out to dinner, to the grocery store, to church with only one. At least in the beginning (or so I’m told).

Have any tips to add? You never know whose eyes you may open. In the meantime, I’m going to try to squeeze in a nap to rest my eyes.

On maternity leave

After a couple of months of sleepless nights, Jennifer’s column will return sometime early in the new year. She’s sure to have new stories to tell about being a “Mom in Lodi” to a newborn and a preschooler.

Just (let him) do it

This past week, I had to officially face the fact that my 3-year-old is no longer a baby. His new sister will arrive any day now, and, besides, he started preschool.

I am amazed at how much he can already do by himself — put on his shoes and socks, his underwear, pants, even the sweatshirt that’s a bit tight over his head. I guess it was easier all these months to do it myself.

What other growing-up tasks would you recommend to let a go-getter preschooler learn to do (some) things for himself? Share your ideas here.

A great on-line preschool resource

With a new baby on the way and a toddler itching to do something more productive during the day, we enrolled Sam in pre-school last week. (It’s been a slight, but happy adjustment for all of us.)

Some time ago, I wrote about tips to choosing a pre-school when I accompanied my friend to enroll her little one in a morning-only program in Reno. That little one has since started kindergarten and is thriving in her new learning environment.

But what about a local resource for finding that perfect preschool fit? There’s a new website that not only lists Lodi’s preschools, but posts some helpful articles in getting you (the parents) ready for the change. Check back often for updates to this new site.

Teach your children to be thankful

It’s easy to focus on the negative. We’re in a recession, more people than ever are without jobs and some families are being forced from their homes and into shelters, or even worse, vehicles to live.

This year, start a new tradition as you share with family members around the Thanksgiving table what you’re thankful for.

Here’s a great article about doing just that. While it has a religious slant (and I recognize not everyone in Lodi prays), there are some tips about just expressing thankfulness and teaching your children to do the same thing.

It’s easy this time of year to be thankful for good health or a warm bed to sleep in, but I enjoy teaching my toddler to appreciate the little things in life. His race car toys. The smell of fall. Mommy and daddy’s warm hugs. A warm “kiss” from our daschund.

How do you teach your children to be thankful for what they have in life and take less focus away from what they may not have? Share your ideas here.

And for those who need evidence that it’s healthy to be thankful, read this recent research project on the long-term effects of gratitude.

Saturday night at the races

Although we’ve never been the Nascar racing watching kind of family, my son has become enthralled with seeing speeding cars on TV or turning my hardwood floors into a racetrack. (I’m sure it has nothing to do with his favorite Disney movie!)

On a recent Saturday, my husband decided to take Sam to the real thing at the Stockton 99 Speedway. Sam was enthralled. In fact, he apparently didn’t move from his seat for the first hour — that’s a lot to be said for a toddler who’s always on the go!

From the report I got when the two returned home, it sounds like a great place to take the entire family. Race admission is $10 for adults and free for children under 10. Concessions, too, are fair with hot dogs costing a mere $1.50 and pre-packaged candy, $1. Want to save even more? Bring your own snack-filled backpack.

Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until next season to catch live racing since Sam’s adventure was the last opportunity for 2009.

One million strollers recalled

Maclaren USA recalled millions of their popular umbrella-style strollers this week due to reports of finger tips being amputated.

When I was shopping for an easy fold-and-go stroller a few years back, I saw these exact models in the Stockton Babies R Us and local Target stores so I’m sure Lodi moms and dads are pushing them around town.

Click here for information on obtaining a free repair kit to cover the closing mechanism hinge.

What? My child’s not a genius?

In case you missed it, last week Disney offered a refund to parents who purchased Baby Einstein videos the makers claimed would make any viewer a genius.

As part of the settlement, the Baby Einstein company will refund $15.99 for up to four “Baby Einstein” DVDs per household. The deal enables parents to exchange their video for a different title, receive a discount coupon, or get the cash through March 10. No receipt required.

Instead of plopping your little one in front of the DVD player, try ideas like these in nurturing his or her little mind.

But before you send the DVDs back, tell me what you think of the Baby Einstein videos. Are they worthwhile, or another failed marketing ploy to the age-two-and-under crowd?