Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Cincinnati, OH

Nothing can really prepare you for parenthood, right?  It's amazing how having a baby puts everyone on an even playing field.  Once you've experienced motherhood there is a bond between mothers that is obvious as Moms discuss food intake, peeing, pooping.  I mean, really.  Who else could understand the absolute significance of otherwise mundane events?!  I was one of those people who said I'd never talk about such things.  But, when my kids were losing weight and not breastfeeding well, believe me, there's nothing I talked about more!

That being said, advice from other moms can only get you so far.  I can't keep calling my friends at all hours asking for advice.  Sometimes, I'd like to think I know what I'm doing.  So, I fake it.  By reading books. 

My absolute BIBLE of baby stuff was The Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. 

One of my best friends turned me on to it (maybe she was tired of hearing my questions constantly!)  Whatever the case, it worked wonders.  Growing up with no siblings in my house and little experience babysitting, I was clueless.  This book helped me look a little less so (I hope).  Just an fyi, though - I didn't care for the Toddler Whisperer, the follow up book.  Instead, I liked Touchpoints by T. Berry Brazelton.  He also offers a line of smaller, quick-reference type books co-authored with other physicians.  My favorite is the Discipline book.  Very cool.  And, just to feel sane, aren't the Girlfriends' Guide books hysterical?  It makes you feel normal!   Siblings without Rivalry was a book I read when my two oldest were 2 ½ and six months.  It was good then and only becomes more relevant.  And my all time favorite parent guide????  Ta-da

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child.  A MUST READ FOR PARENTS WHO WANT SLEEP!

Now, please CHIME IN:  What books are out there on these adolescent-acting 7 year olds???  Someone has got to enlighten me - soon!

As for my favorite parenting tools?  Well, once again, never say never.  Years ago, I swore I'd never count 1-2-3 while waiting for my kids to do something.  But, fast forward a few years into parenting and it works!  And, of course, the rule is "whatever works".   

I have a daily chart that has clock-time on it and the digital time written for each hour.  Each night, I write on it what we're doing the next day.  My 6 year old can tell time from it and my 4 year old can read it.  I use pictures when I can for the 3 year old and tell him he's a "good picture reader". 

Please share your ideas!