Babys First Year

There are simple (but not necessarily easy) ways to choose a name for your baby. There are also complex, involved ways. And there are certainly more than 8 ways that parents have used to decide on a name. If you’ve been at it awhile, you know finding a just-right fit when it comes to choosing a name can be a challenging process. Maybe these suggestions can help sort things out a little.

A NAME YOU’VE ALWAYS LOVED

1. Perhaps you went to school with a Miranda who had a great personality, good looks and was an A student. Since then you’ve never met a Miranda you didn’t like. You like the sound of Miranda. You like the fact that it derives from the Latin mirandus which means “wonderful.” There are no gender issues with the name. It’s exclusively feminine. And you like the way it goes with your last name. No naming book is necessary for you. For your baby girl’s name, it has to be Miranda. So the first way – a simple, no-fuss way – to name a baby is simply to choose a name that appeals to you.

A NAME THAT’S BEEN IN THE FAMILY

2. There’s been a Rodney or a Stan in the family for generations. You’d like to preserve that continuity. Suggestion #2 as a way to name a baby is to choose a family name. Happily, you’re not hampered by a strict protocol for naming your baby, the way it used to be in many cultures. The Scottish naming pattern in the past, for example, meant that the first son was named after his father. The second son after his mother’s father. The first daughter was named for her mother’s mother, and the second daughter named for her father’s mother. Since families were much larger just a few generations ago, naming patterns could be quite elaborate.

A NAME THAT REFLECTS YOUR ROOTS

3. Most of us will automatically consider ethnic names without even realizing it since they are a part of the culture we live in. It’s not likely that a Russian is going to choose a Japanese name and vice versa. Since most of us have ethnic pride and want to connect and preserve our ethnic roots, the names common to our culture are the obvious choice. Just be careful when considering an ethnic name that it compliments the last name. Patrick sounds better with O’Brien than, say, Juan does. How to name a baby suggestion #3 is to explore your ethnic roots. Branch out from your family tree and learn a little history of who your people are and the names they’ve used and loved.

A NAME BY THE NUMBERS

4. If you have a lucky number or believe that the universe is guided by numerical patterns, numerology might be a method to consider in choosing a name. According to this metaphysical science, all numbers have a vibration that indicates our potential attitudes, talents and traits. Numerologists work with a “core” digit by reducing double digits to a single number. So, there are only 9 personality numbers. In one system of numerology, (There are several including the Pythagorean, Chinese and Chaldean system.) for instance, say you like the attributes that are associated with the number 5 which are adventure, excitement and change. You would then calculate the core number of your last name and choose a name that, when combined with the surname, would equal 5. Of course, numerology can be much more elaborate than this, bringing in energy balances, formulas for blending harmonious and disharmonious aspects and Master Numbers that aren’t reduced.

A NAME IN HARMONY WITH THE STARS

5. Do you read your horoscope every day and think there just might be something to the notion that the planets influence our lives? Then consider consulting an astrologer to suggest a name. Or you could choose a name, according to the birthstone, the flower or colors associated with your baby’s birth month. For example, the daisy is associated with the sign of Taurus. Jasmine is associated with Gemini, and the diamond birthstone is associated with Aries. Additionally, archangels are supposedly associated with astrological elements and act as guardians to those born in their assigned month. Their names would also make interesting name choices:

Anael (ah-nay-el) — Libra
Cassiel (kass-ee-ell) — Capricorn
Raphael — Gemini and Virgo
Sachiel (sa-chee-ell) — Sagittarius
Gabriel — Cancer
Samael or Samuel — Aries
Michael — Leo
Uriel — Aquarius
Azrael (AZ-ree-ell) — Scorpio
Auriel — (or-ree-ell) — Taurus
Asariel — (ah-sah-ree-ell) Pisces

A NAME LIKE NO OTHER

6. If you’d like to give your baby the ultimate gift of individuality, you could invent a name. You don’t need to make up a name full of x’s and z’s that sounds like it came from another planet to be creative. Just recombining common syllables can lead to some interesting alternatives. For example, take the syllable “Ca” and combine it with “rinthia” and an unusual, beautiful new name appears, Carinthia. “Ja” + “kira” for Jakira. “Te” and “ger” for Teger. This seems to work better with girls’ name as the naming climate today is generally more tolerant of unusual girls’ name, but boys’ names can benefit from a fresh twist as well. If you do go the creative route, most of the experts warn against just changing or complicating the spelling of a name. After all, whether you spell it Tyson, Tieson or Tisen, it’s the same name.

A NAME THAT HONORS SOMETHING OR SOMEPLACE

7. Honoring a person, a place, or even something intangible that is important to you is another way to choose a name. It could be a place you love, like the ocean or a meadow, or a meaningful city — maybe Odessa, if your great grandparents immigrated from around the Russian Black Sea area. If you visited Chennai in India and found the city uplifting and spiritual, it would be meaningful to you and your child too, once she was old enough to enjoy the story of how her name was chosen. If music is your life, Allegro which means to play a piece briskly and full of energy might be worth considering.

A NAME THAT CONTAINS AN ESSENCE

8. We all can agree that choosing a name carefully is important. After all corporations will spend lots of money and sometimes months or years deciding on a logo or name. A name that sums up exactly the mood and feeling of their image. But, for some, what a name contains goes well beyond image. Nameologists or name “profilers” believe names contain an energetic cache that can affect our finances, our health, our happiness, basically all aspects of our lives. If you believe that subtle energies like sound and vibration are more important than people give them credit for, you might consider consulting a namelogist for help in choosing an “energetically correct” name.

Naming styles change and lots of parents aren’t satisfied sitting down with a name book, starting at A and 140,000 names later, ending with Z. So today’s baby naming books (and websites) have changed too. The up-to-date guides are much more targeted. You can find baby name lists now with names from Shakespeare’s plays, celebrities’ baby names, soap opera names, cowgirl and cowboy names, cool names, names from folklore, mythological names and the names of the saints. With so many things to consider, it’s a good thing pregnancy lasts nine months!

About the Author – L. Duriga is the webmaster at www.traditional-baby-names.com where you’ll find the best-loved, most popular names of all time.

I was parked at the gas pump behind you, minding my own business, filling my tank, probably sharing your annoyance with the escalating gas prices we are all dealing with today. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw you hang up your gas pump, and walk into the gas station. It wasn’t until I heard your baby crying that I gave it a second thought.

Okay, maybe she wasn’t technically a baby. My guess would be about 2.5 years old? Old enough to realize she was alone in your car, and old enough to get herself into trouble.

Not old enough to protect herself from a stranger, or any other dangers that she might encounter.

This is no small gas station. Your car was not parked close to the door, where you could safely watch her out a window, and come to her aid in a matter of seconds. Your car windows were down, where anyone could have reached in, or your child could have possibly even gotten out on her own. Maybe you left the windows down for her because it was hot outside? But by doing so, you left her exposed to other possible dangers.

Although I was already late for work, when I finished pumping my guess, I sat in my car and kept my eye on her until I saw you walking back to your car.

There’s that old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child”. Today, I felt like it was my turn to help with this child, to be part of the “village”, even if it was as subtle as just watching from a distance to ensure her safety for a mere 5 minutes out of my day.

Maybe you were late for work also, and it was quicker for you to run in without having to pull her out of the car to go with you. Maybe you are a stay-at-home mom who is overwhelmed with caring for your children, and walking into a gas station alone is the only break that you can sneak in. Maybe your child was sick, and you didn’t want her to spread her germs to other children. Maybe she had a temper tantrum, and you needed a “time-out” before dealing with her. There are a million other reasons why you might have chosen to do this today, but are any of them important enough to take this kind of risk?

You are not a terrible mother. And I am not judging you. I am just hoping to to get you to think twice before making this choice again. Most likely, you are just like the rest of us – you read about tragedy in the newspaper and see it on the evening news, but you think it will never happen to you or your family.

Unfortunately, it CAN happen to you. It can happen to your own child, your family, your friends, or your neighbors. Please don’t ever again make the assumption that your young child will be safe when you leave her alone, in an open vehicle, with strangers & their cars all around. How would you feel if something did happen? If your car was stolen while your child was in it, would your reason for leaving her in the car be important enough after the fact?

That’s a guilt that no mother should have to live with. Below are some websites that you may want to read today:

- Kids In Cars

- Kids And Cars

You are not alone…. Unfortunately, all kinds of parents do this all the time; yet when discussing this among our peers, nobody admits that they do this. That’s because we know it’s wrong to do.

Watch around you as you go about running your errands, chauffeuring your children around, commuting to and from work….You’ll see it happen, probably quite often. Many times, you’ll even see the parent looking around, with a guilty expression, to make sure nobody is noticing. Yes, we know it’s wrong. But many of us still do it… Children are our most precious cargo, but in an instant, they become an inconvenience that gets left behind in the car to save a few seconds of time.

When you observe another frazzled parent making this same mistake, it will be your turn to step in and provide a watchful eye for a few moments out of your day. You could also print out a few copies of this information sheet to share with other parents.

Together, we can spread the word about the dangers of leaving young children unattended in cars. A gentle reminder might be all that other mom or dad needs today. You may help prevent a future tragedy for an innocent child.

About the Author: Valerie Zilinsky, Roseville, MI US valerie@raisingourkids.com Valerie Zilinsky of Michigan is a mother of four…… two children, the family dog, and her biggest kid of all – her husband. She is also the proud co-owner of both http://www.RaisingOurKids.com and http://www.Mom2MomList.com.

Socrates, Einstein, Elvis, even Martha. Oh what’s in a name! While naming your new baby can seem to bring more stress than joy, there are a few tips to keep in mind for this momentous occasion:

• Sound & compatibility – A baby name should foremost sound very pleasing. Initial gut reactions are sometimes the best indicator of suitability. In addition, make sure the baby name is compatible with the last name. Often time, a long first and last name sound very discordant. A first name that ends with a vowel tethered with a last name beginning with a vowel should be avoided.
• Uniqueness – If your baby will already have an unusual last name, don’t exacerbate the problem by naming him “Egbert the III.” However, if he’s destined to be a Smith, a unique name can draw some flattering attention throughout life. So pick a name that’s middle of the road.

Relatives & friends – Honoring your friends and family by naming your baby after one of them will not only bring you goodwill but also serves as a ready-to-go, prescreened name pool. However, don’t get pressured into naming your precious baby after someone you don’t want to like Aunt Gertrude.

• Baggage – Naming your baby after a famous rock star or celebrity can bring unwanted baggage to your child years later. “Cute” names or puns like Holly Wood also wear out quickly.
• Tradition & heritage – Respect the culture identity of your newborn. In addition, following tradition can lead to better family harmony and pleasant memories. Just make sure you’re not falling into a one-sided deal.
• Meaning – Knowing the derivation or origin of your name (i.e. biblical figure) is not only interesting but can also provide sentimental value for your child. Hiroshito, derived from the word hero, just might grow up to be the next 007.
• Nicknames – Playground teasing can be harsh and scarring. Therefore, think of any possible twists and variations on your child’s namesake that might cause trouble in the future. A cute nickname for a formal first name can also be a practical compromise for the elitist in you.

If you have older kids, make sure you prepare them for the arrival of your new baby. And take time to spend quality time with them, even though it may seem there is no time for play.

Introducing the New Baby to your Older Children - As you prepare for the birth of your new baby, here are some things you should keep in mind about introducing the new baby.

The Perfect Princess Tea Party – 7 simple steps – Can you think of anything more feminine, more lovely, more “girly” than a group of young girls… all dressed in their princess finery sitting down to a decked out tea table with royal dainties? Girls across the globe love dress up and love tea…so why not combine the two and make the perfect event for your girls!

It’s Also A Baby Name

Socrates, Einstein, Elvis, even Martha. Oh what’s in a name! While naming your new baby can seem to bring more stress than joy, there are a few tips to keep in mind for this momentous occasion:

Sound compatibility – A baby name should foremost sound very pleasing. Initial gut reactions are sometimes the best indicator of suitability. In addition, make sure the baby name is compatible with the last name. Often time, a long first and last name sound very discordant. A first name that ends with a vowel tethered with a last name beginning with a vowel should be avoided.

Uniqueness – If your baby will already have an unusual last name, don’t exacerbate the problem by naming him “Egbert the III.” However, if he’s destined to be a Smith, a unique name can draw some flattering attention throughout life. So pick a name that’s middle of the road.

Relatives & friends – Honoring your friends and family by naming your baby after one of them will not only bring you goodwill but also serves as a ready-to-go, prescreened name pool. However, don’t get pressured into naming your precious baby after someone you don’t want to like Aunt Gertrude.

Baggage – Naming your baby after a famous rock star or celebrity can bring unwanted baggage to your child years later. “Cute” names or puns like Holly Wood also wear out quickly.

Tradition & heritage – Respect the culture identity of your newborn. In addition, following tradition can lead to better family harmony and pleasant memories. Just make sure you’re not falling into a one-sided deal.

Meaning – Knowing the derivation or origin of your name (i.e. biblical figure) is not only interesting but can also provide sentimental value for your child. Hiroshito, derived from the word hero, just might grow up to be the next 007.

Nicknames – Playground teasing can be harsh and scarring. Therefore, think of any possible twists and variations on your child’s namesake that might cause trouble in the future. A cute nickname for a formal first name can also be a practical compromise for the elitist in you.

Baby Names Meanings – one of the biggest decisions is what to name the new bundle of joy.

When parents are expecting their new little one, one of the biggest decisions is what to name the new bundle of joy. When people find out you are expecting, people will come along with all kinds of suggestions for names. One of the considerations when choosing names is how it sounds with the to beg for teasing. While people don’t consider the meaning of names as much as they once did, people still find name meanings interesting.

Baby name meaning books are always popular, and now there are many websites that provide search features that help you find names with specific meanings, find the meanings of names you like. They also feature names from around the world. We always hope that our children fit the names we give them. Parents will give the child a strong name, in hopes that the child grows up strong.

Some of the more popular boys names are still very traditional names. Most of the top ten for 2006 have a Biblical connection: Jacob (Supplanted; held by the heel), Michael (Who is like God?), Joshua (God rescues), Matthew (Gift of God), Ethan (Strong, firm, impetuous), Andrew (Man, warrior), Daniel (God is my judge), Anthony (unknown), Christopher (Bearer of Christ), Joseph (He will enlarge).

Girls names tend vary more in their sources, but there are still quite a few that have Biblical connections. The top ten girls names for 2006 were: Emily (Rival; emulating), Emma (All-containing; universal), Madison (Son of Maud; Matthew’s Son), Abigail (Father in rejoicing), Olivia (Elf army), Isabella, (My God is a vow), Hannah (Grace; favor), Samantha (Listener), Ava (Voice), Ashley (Ash wood).

Quite often, family members can be upset if the child is not named following family traditions. Couples want to avoid insulting one member or another, so they look to other sources. In the past, people have named their children after favorite characters in books. In recent years, it has become popular to name children after characters in television shows or actors and actresses. One problem with this is that there tend to be a lot of children with the same name.

Many parents will keep their choice of names a secret until the child is born, thus avoiding people voicing their preferences about the name.

In the end, it comes down to one thing: how does the name sound when you yell the full name from the front porch calling your child home?

It is true to say that a lot of people begin to get the scrapping bug after their child/children are born and usually their first attempt at scrapbooking is making a baby album.

Having a child is one of the most important events in our lives and baby’s first year is a busy, lively, ever changing journey of discovery. It is full of important milestones…

No wonder then, as parents we want to capture and record all those many memorable moments – preserving them in scrapbooks is a great way to safely keep and cherish those memories for years to come.

One timeless and extremely popular baby scrap booking idea is to make an album that consists of ‘firsts’. This is a relatively easy and flexible theme to follow, especially for someone new to scrapbooking and is a great way to create enchanting baby scrapbooks.

This kind of album usually consists of a scrapbook arranged in chronological order with individual layouts showing special and notable moments in your baby’s life.

New babies are so photogenic it’s hard to resist capturing all the big and little things that make up their day-to-day lives.

No doubt you will have lots of pictures to sort through – so here’s a small list of ‘firsts’ to give you some ideas for organizing your photos:

• sleep/nap
• bottle/breast feed
• diaper change
• dressed in their first outfit
• ride in a car seat
• smiles
• bath
• trip out in the buggy
• solid food
• teeth
• sitting up
• drinking from a cup
• feeding him/herself
• crawling
• walking with the furniture
• steps/walking on their own
• hair cut
• Halloween
• Christmas

To add a little more interest to your album try and vary the layouts, for instance make some events into double page spreads. Such as coming home from the hospital or bath-time, which always presents an opportunity for some great photos!

Give your pages a personal touch by adding some memorabilia, using a pocket envelope, to your layouts – like the birth announcement or maybe a lock of hair from their first hair cut.

If you are new to scrapbooking and you’re unsure about starting out on your new album then a good choice would be to buy yourself a baby scrapbook kit. These kits contain everything you will need to begin scrap booking and are a great shortcut to creating super layouts that you can be proud of.

You can also enhance your pages with some of the many baby-related products that are available on the market. Decorate your layout with an adorable or cute baby scrapbook paper.

Then, embellish your page with some charming baby scrapbook stickers like rattles, booties, bibs, bottles etc and when they’re done display all of your beautiful pages in a lovely baby scrapbook album.

Go on… give it a go. Make yourself a baby scrapbook to savor and keep all those incredible memories. You’ll find it’s much more than just a scrapbook – it will become a precious family keepsake that you’ll treasure forever.

Discover the “Secret Blueprint” to Potty Training your Toddler in 1 to 3 Days, GUARANTEED

Ah, potty training! Go to a local bookseller and you will find dozens of books on the subject. Search the Net and there are thousands of websites with information on how to do it stress free. There are even people who are capitalizing on a parent’s frustration with potty training by offering to do it for you, for a hefty sum! I honestly can’t imagine anything more unseemly than paying someone to teach my child to “go”.

Ewwww!!!

I have successfully potty trained two out of 3 kids so far, baby number 3 is only 14 months so she is off the hook for a few months at least

I seem to be the envy of the playgroups when other Moms see that my 3 year old son has been in whitey tighties for over a year. My oldest was also 2 when he potty learned.

For me, potty training starts with a newborn. Now don’t get me wrong…I do diaper my babes (unlike the native African mothers who wear their babies on their backs and who, to avoid being soiled on, learn to read their babies’ cues so well that they know when their newborn needs to be held over a bush…no, I’m not kidding!) but I have always used cloth diapers, which encourages babies to train early. I’m not a longhaired, barefoot, off-the-grid hippie (not that there’s anything wrong with that, but you’re more likely to find me in Doc Martens than Birkenstocks!) but I have been cloth diapering since the beginning.

It has saved me hundreds and hundreds of dollars, but I also like the fact that my babies begin to make the association with the uncomfortable wet feeling and the knowledge that they can prevent it. Most babies will wake up dry in the morning at several months of age, demonstrating that they are physically able to “hold it”. In my opinion, Pull Ups are evil and yet another invention that some clever businessman came up with that parents now think is a necessity. Along with formula, baby swings, and the like. Pull Ups just enable a 5 year old to keep soiling himself. Research has shown that cloth diapered babies potty learn several months earlier than disposable diapered babies.

So here’s Grandma’s recipe (and I do owe it to my Mother, like most of the good stuff I know about parenting) for easy potty training, even if you choose not to cloth diaper.

Let your baby come into the bathroom when you go. That way, they know what’s going on in there. You don’t have to get graphic, just talk to them about what toilets are for. If you are a woman at home all day with boy children, encourage Daddy to show them how it’s done. You don’t want them thinking that if they go on the toilet their equipment will fall off, like Mum’s obviously did. Strange, but true…some tots will come to this conclusion.

Buy 3 or 4 of those cheap little molded plastic potties and put them around the house. At least, one in each bathroom and one in the kitchen or the room where you spend the most time with your child. Stick a towel underneath for the sake of your carpet if said child is a boy. Speaking of boys…you can take advantage of nature here by keeping an open mind. I know at least one boy who was trained when his Mom let him go off the side of the deck.

The summer that your child is closest to two, take two days and don’t leave the house. Let your child run around naked from the waist down, with a big tee shirt on top so that private parts stay private.

Every 10 minutes, place the child matter-of-factly on the pot. DO NOT ASK insane questions like “Do you need to go potty sweetie pie!?” We are talking about dealing with a two year old here! Just do it like it’s the thing to do, and don’t ask permission. Don’t force it, and if he/she wants to get up right away, let him or her. If you have a resistant child, set a timer to go off every 10 minutes. It’s amazing what a child will do when the power dynamic is taken away. When the “potty timer” goes off, it’s time to sit on the pot!

Use praise but don’t go overboard. Act like this is the expected thing. Be cool. Say “You put peepee in the potty, just like Mommy and Daddy (and big brother, and your older play group friend…3rd parties are gold here!!) do.

Don’t make a big deal out of what’s happening. Don’t spend hours reading potty training books or videos to the child. Again, be cool. If you make it into a big deal, your child will be more likely to dig in and resist.

Have some “big boy shorts” or “big girl panties” that you know your child will like, perhaps that you have picked out together, ready for the end of the two days. Your child will be less likely to have accidents if s/he is going to mess up their new undies.

When the inevitable accidents happen, don’t scold. Be patient and gracious. This is part of the job. Remember that even if you decide to spring for carpet cleaning, you will still come out ahead if you don’t have to buy diapers for another year or two!

About The Author – Carrie Lauth is a work from home Mom of 3, a homebirth advocate, breastfeeding counselor and home-schooler. In her free time she enjoys a good book and anything involving espresso. Natural-Moms.com

Discover the “Secret Blueprint” to Potty Training your Toddler in 1 to 3 Days, GUARANTEED

New Mom…New Baby…New Debt?

Ah, there is nothing like being an expectant mom. Along with your expanding waistline comes the ever growing list of products for you and your new bundle of joy. Preparing for a new baby can be a costly experience, especially in the areas of clothing and nursery furniture. The good news is that it does not have to be!

Let’s talk about buying baby clothes…think RESALE! Every new mom gushes over the adorable clothing available for babies, but they often come with a not so adorable price. Resale clothing costs a fraction of the retail price. Buying resale clothing does not equal buying trash! Moms sell their baby’s clothing to resale stores for a variety of reasons. Babies outgrow clothes so quickly (normally before they show any wear) they simply cannot use them anymore. Many precious newborns receive more clothes than they can wear in a season (everyone loves to buy baby clothes for shower gifts–they are just too cute!) that cannot be returned and they end up in resale stores with the tags still on! If you have the time and know what you are looking for, you can find plenty of designer and brand name clothing for a steal!

Buy now…save later! There is more beauty to the changing of the seasons than just the landscape! As the temperatures change, so do the prices of baby clothing! Most stores slash the price of their clothing up to 75% by the end of the season to make room for new clothes. Take advantage of this by buying a size or two larger than your baby’s current size for him/her to wear the next year. The savings are amazing!

Another large expense when you are preparing for a new baby is furniture for the nursery. A good place to start when considering which pieces to buy is determining how much room you have to work with? Do you have a large room or do you need multipurpose furniture? A baby crib is a necessity and a given; however, you can pick and choose other nursery pieces. Combination pieces such as dresser/changing table combos are available at some stores and can save you from buying two pieces. Cribs with attached drawer space that convert to toddler beds are also available and will save you a lot of space. Thinking ahead when buying nursery furniture will save you both time and money in the future. By buying a combination piece of furniture for your baby nursery, you eliminate having to sell furniture you no longer need, as well as spending time looking for and more money on new “big kid” furniture.

Now that you have decided what to buy, it is time to shop! Once again, think resale! There are many children’s resale stores that carry pre-owned nursery furniture for 50% or more off retail. They usually have several styles to choose from in different price ranges. If you find something you like, they will usually hold it for you (if you were not really prepared to take it home) and some stores may even have lay away plans.

Another great place to buy pre-owned furniture is the classified ads in your local newspaper. Sellers usually place ads on Thursday or Friday so they can catch the weekend readers. If you find something you are interested in, call quickly! Good furniture does not last long! Make sure you ask the seller plenty of questions. It is important to know before heading out to look at furniture things like the manufacture name, the age, if they have pets (if you are buying cushioned items and allergies are an issue for your family) and the exact color (if it is not adequately described in the ad). Asking these questions may be uncomfortable, but they can save you a lot of time and gasoline looking at something you know you will not be interested in. When you do look at pre-owned furniture from the newspaper, take someone with you and know what you are looking at. Are the style and the manufacturer of the furniture worth what the seller is asking for it? Is the furniture reasonably priced for its age and condition? With a little knowledge, buying pre-owned nursery furniture can save you BIG money!

Awaiting the arrival of your new baby is an exhilarating time! Add to the excitement by saving money on quality gently worn (and sometimes new) clothing and pre-owned nursery furniture

About The Author

I am a SAHM, and former teacher, of three great kids ages seven, four and three. My family struggles with the challenges of “one income” and from this comes my passion for finding creative ways to save money. I am also the owner and creator of www.money-moms.com. susan@money-moms.com

For some people the first step toward caring for an infant is learning how to care for baby animals. Much like a newborn, caring for baby animals requires an investment in time, patience and love.

Baby animals are a wonderful pet for the novice caregiver. They combine cuteness, innocence, love and need in one small and unique package. There are many considerations one should take into account before seriously considering purchasing baby animals.

Space Requirements: Baby animals are cute. Soft and snuggly, it is hard to imagine what they’ll be like when they “grow up”. Much like humans however, baby animals often require a great deal more space when they are grown. Consider your living space. Will the animal you get have to live indoors? If so, how much space to you have available for roaming. What about your outdoors? If you are considering a baby pup for example, keep in mind the larger the pup grows the more space will be required to run around and play. A small yard might be ideal for a Yorkshire terrier, but less accommodating for a border collies for example.

Temperament: Are you a mellow person or an avid outdoorsman? Keep in mind that pets have personalities too, and as your baby animal grows older, this personality is more likely to rear itself. Certain breeds are calmer than others. If you live in an apartment and consider a day of watching TV athletic and motivating, choosing a baby greyhound might not be the best option for you. Consider a hamster or parakeet instead.

Investment: Some animals require more of a time and financial investment than others. Cats for example, are known to need a great deal of grooming, and are prone to more illnesses including a particular virulent form of kitty leukemia. If you are looking for a pet that is low maintenance and doesn’t require a costly output, you might consider investing in some fish.

Family Status: Consider whether you live at home alone or have a large family. There are certain baby animals that might not be well suited in families with young children around. A high strung energetic puppy for example, might require just as much attention as a newborn or infant,
and thus might not be the best selection for a family with young children or a blossoming family.

Baby animals are wonderful additions to any family. They provide companionship, love and hours of playtime and amusement. Before purchasing a pet however, take into consideration your lifestyle, personality and housing arrangement to ensure that you acquire the best pet possible.