Wednesday, October 10, 2007

baby - Toddlers Gender Identity

It's easy to recognize a baby boy from a baby girl when they are naked. If you see baby wearing nothing but a diaper, it's hard for you to identify their gender but for proud parents it's obvious for them. Boys and girls looks and acts the same and even pediatrician can hardly identify their gender. Even if we are conscious or not to the gender of our baby, we strongly feel their gender as parents.If someone calls he a she, we react to it defensively and immediately. We dress them in a way to remove the doubts. We put earrings or a clip in the hair to identify her as a girl.Even if we tend to avoid the similarity every time gender roles, we want the world to tell that she is a she or he is a he.

More of what little children learn, they learn it by imitation.They imitate or follow the actions of adults. They are aware of things and copy it to their genders. This time their not baby any more.

The opening time period of gender identity is part of defining change of being baby to becoming a toddler. By the time the baby reach the age of 19 months they already know their sex. They don't look like babies anymore. They already speaks and acts like little boys and girls.At the age between 18 and 30 months the children learns that gender prevail.They know that girls become women and boys become men. The like of imitating the same sex parents becomes quite strong.

Almost all healthy toddlers will imitate and enjoy the behaviors of other genders.This kind of play is expected and desirable. Toddlers always copy some of the activities of the opposite sex. For most children,the best way to handle this is not to focus a lot of attention to it. Avoid punishing them. Don't criticize them for what they like. By the time comes that they will go to school, this experimentation will give way to a new interest.

The following are warning signs that can help you advise that gender issues bear looking to: When your child still dont know her sex after the 3rd birthday, If your child persist that she prefer to be the opposite sex, if your child denies her sexual anatomy and if she maintain that the opposite anatomic structures will develop.

In the absence of these signs such as a girl playing with guns and a boy playing with dolls, then this does not concern you anymore than a girl playing with dolls and a boy playing with guns, just relax and appreciate the innocent play of your child and soon he will already be able to open his mind to explore the world without concern for a period of time.

Carefreebaby.com gives you tips when it comes to baby care, conception, pregnancy, maternity, birth, baby names, parenting, etc., we walks you from your pregnancy through your baby development stages. Other resources include: most popular and unique baby name, baby care advices and a friendly parenting community. More about Toddlers Gender Identity.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jun_Rey_Saludo

baby - Couples Baby Shower - A Quick Planning Guide

Believe it or not, but many husbands would really enjoy going to a Couples Baby Shower with their wife. A baby shower is a fun get-together with friends and family to celebrate a new little baby. Often, the father-to-be would love to be part of that celebration. It helps him get excited about his new son or daughter. And whether he admits it or not, his heart will melt when he opens up a baby shower gift and sees a little pink dress or a little pair of denim overalls.

How to Know if You Should Invite the Guys
Simply ask the mom-to-be if she wants her husband and his friends to be at the shower. She needs to enjoy the shower first and foremost. So if she doesn't want the men there, then that's the answer. After all, the baby shower is primarily for her. However, if she likes the idea of a coed baby shower, then ask her husband if he would like to go, just to make sure it's ok with him. Some guys might feel uncomfortable, which is understandable. But he might be honored by the invite and excited to participate. You never know until you ask!

How to Plan a Couples Baby Shower

1. Make up the guest list with both parents.
Have them list both her friends and his friends. He'll feel a lot more comfortable with some of his friends there.

2. Decide on a theme that both parents-to-be would enjoy.
A general baby theme is always a great choice, or a sports theme, or other hobby of the husband's (cars, cowboy, outdoors, John Deere, etc.) are some fun themes that the dad-to-be might really get into.

3. Make and send out the Couples baby shower invitations.
Have the invites match the theme you chose. You could make the invitations in the colors of the dad's favorite sports team, or buy some outdoors or cowboy / western paper, or whatever the theme may be. This lets the guys know right from the start that the theme will be something they enjoy. Also, having more than one guy there might make the dad-to-be more comfortable & more enjoyable. It's the whole "strength in numbers" thing. Be sure to mention in the invitations that it is a Couples Baby Shower.

4. Plan the food.
This is one of the most (if not the most important) aspects of a Couples baby shower that you can plan. After all, the way to a man's heart (and hence how much he enjoys the baby shower) is through his stomach. Meat is usually a good choice for your coed baby shower food. Definitely have something more hearty than salad and bundt cake. BBQ, casserole, or enchiladas are some good choices.

5. Should you have games at a Couples baby shower?
You could do it either way. This is a great question to ask the expectant mom and dad. Often, at a coed baby shower, games are not played. Instead, everyone talks, tells stories and shares parenting advice which makes for a fun, intimate party with friends and family. However, almost always, when the guys actually play the baby shower games, they really get into them. They love competition! So, games or no games, everyone will have a great time.

6. What kind of baby shower favors & prizes are good for a Couples baby shower?
Anything Edible! Guys are very predictable, which makes your job as hostess easier! Candy bars, rice krispy treats, beef jerky, cinnamon rolls, etc., inexpensive t-shirts that relate to the theme (sports teams, automobiles, Carhartt, etc.) are fun favors & prizes. Other ideas include: packages of football, baseball, or basketball cards, movie rental gift certificates, pocket-sized outdoor equipment like little flashlights or pocketknives, etc.

7. What kind of gifts are good Couples baby shower gifts?
The gifts at a coed baby shower shouldn't be much different than gifts given at a traditional girls baby shower. If this is the only baby shower a mom-to-be will have, then traditional baby shower gifts are a must, because she will still need all the diapers, clothes & burp cloths that she can get. But one or two of the gifts intended for the dad-to-be is a great way to honor and congratulate him. Be sure to have the mom and dad-to-be sit together and take turns opening the baby shower gifts. This really helps him get into the baby excitement.

Some other fun ideas for a Couples baby shower:
? Have a surprise baby shower for the dad-to-be at his office/work. Call one or two of his coworkers to plan it. He is sure to have friends at work that would love to celebrate & congratulate him on his upcoming son or daughter.

? If he is into sports, have the party during a game where everyone can eat & chat during the game and open the gifts afterwards.

? Have a cookout BBQ - Any get-together that involves an open flame is definitely a masculine party!

It is becoming more and more common to invite the men to baby showers. And, although a coed baby shower is still not quite the "norm" for traditional baby showers, most people find that Couples baby showers are usually among the most fun and memorable types of baby showers.

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