It is perfectly normal for small children to have anxiety fears at night. Usually this starts at the same age they start getting independent - you guessed it, age two! All of a sudden, they start waking up screaming in the middle of the night.
We didn’t know exactly why our toddler started having nightmares; causes seemed kind of unimportant, when we got down to it, we just wanted to know how to make the toddler nightmares go away!
I guess all the things our two year old daughter tackled so bravely with her mommy and daddy near during the daytime took on scary proportions in her dreams! We decided we had to solve her problems with sleep once and for all.
Ever hear of dream catchers? Now, I’m not going to go all spooky on you and say that they actually have mystical powers - you have to make your own judgments on that. All I know is my children believe, and dream catchers work for us!
A good friend of my husband makes Native American jewelry and ornaments, and she crafted the most beautiful dream catchers for our daughter and newborn son! They had a fine catgut web woven across a rawhide wrapped disk, with feathers, beads and silver charms.
We told our daughter that the web was like a strainer, keeping the bad lumps of nightmares out and only letting the sweet syrup of the dreams get through! She slept through that night and all the ones after without waking up once.
Our two older children still have their dream catchers hanging at the head of their beds, and I recommend them for anyone who has experienced sleep problems in children. They sure worked for our children’s nightmare problem! You can buy them or make your own - I have to get one soon for our new baby son, and am considering trying to make his myself!
Remember when all the maternity clothes looked like clown suits? They had polka-dots, and big ridiculous buttons. Fortunately for the women of today, looking gorgeous for all nine months is much easier.
First of all, maternity clothes don’t have to be shapeless and drab, nor do they need to be gaudy and loud. You should be able to extend your own personal preferences and styles into the months of your pregnancy. Maternity clothes should look AND feel great!
If you are outgrowing your bell-bottoms, chic jeans are available from Gap at QueenBee.com.au and other retailers. Even before you need maternity jeans, you can find cute extenders to cover your unbuttoned waistband and let you wear your favorite denims a month or two longer!
Tops from Japanese Weekend can be found at BloomMaternity.net and elsewhere. These floral designs are perfect for those hot summer months! Also try wearing stretchy long-sleeved layered Tees in winter, or a long soft sweater with a cowl neck.
Loose flowing dresses that have tucks or shirring in the top allow room for your tummy to grow. Match them up with leggings for cool fall days and you’re ready for a walk thru the neighborhood! Again, the Aussies have it at MaternityWear.com.au.
Are you on a shoestring budget? Shop local thrift and resale stores for brand names without the price tag, or try CravingStyle.com for consignment steals that will make you look like you just stepped off a runway. For casual times, MotherWear.com carries everything from loungewear to swimwear, again at unbeatable prices. They also have a full line of bras for all your needs.
Check out these options, or sew your own dresses if you are feeling creative! With so many pretty clothes to choose from, you can look and feel like a million bucks - without breaking your budget! Remember, pregnancy is a beautiful time in your life, and you should feel beautiful to match!
