Survival Guide, Infant

Have you ever tried to explain something to your kids using language that they are simply too young to understand? Or, worse yet, using language with your teenager that is more appropriate for a toddler? Either way can be a waste of your time and your child's time.

Having a baby quickly changes a man's outlook on life. That box of magazines and videos you've been collecting for years? It's now a trunk full of evidence that you were once decadent and sleazy. All that loud music? Those CDs are now just glorified baby alarm clocks. And your man cave, filled with all your trophies, figurines, video games, comic books and posters? Sorry to tell you this, but your special place is a big, fat choking hazard.

Finding the ideal pediatrician might be one of the most important decisions you'll ever make concerning your child. As a dad, you might be compelled at first to find the pediatrician with the most attractive nursing staff. While it might be the best choice for you, it might not be best for your child.

Few things hurt a dad's heart more than dropping a toddler off at day care for the first time and watching them bawl their eyes out as you leave. The look on their face almost makes you want to run back and hold them until they stop crying. But that's the last thing you want to do if you want to encourage your toddler to feel comfortable about you leaving.

Today's the day. The doctor has signed the release form, your wife is in the wheelchair, and you've got your brand new baby in the crook of your arm. You're taking your family home. Let the fun begin.

One of the most precious things in the entire world is watching your baby sleep. Their soft breathing, cute face and tiny bodies are enough to just melt your heart. But the kicking and screaming before they fall asleep is enough to drive you crazy!

Anyone who has ever seen "A Christmas Story" certainly understands the value of teaching your child good table manners. In one of scene of this holiday classic, the mother, in an attempt to get her child to eat his mashed potatoes, asks her son to show her "how the piggies eat."

One of the hardest things to do as a new dad is to watch your toddler cry as you drop them off at preschool. You know they think you're abandoning them and the vision of their teary eyes and outstretched hands just breaks your heart. It makes you never want to leave them anywhere ever again.

Most travelers would agree that when you're on an airplane, there's nothing worse than sitting next to a parent with a screaming baby. But you know what is worse? Being that parent.

The newness of your fatherhood has worn off and now you're wondering what to do if your infant won't stop crying. This happens with every infant at some time or another and different babies will have varying patterns of unstoppable crying, too. The simple answer for this problem is to invest in a good set of earplugs. But that isn't the best way to deal with your baby's noisy nature.