Thanks for sharing!  How old is your son?

For general discussion for everyone - how old are / was your child(ren) when they were ready for "potty training?"

Awesome!  Thanks Skylark and Kerileanne99 for the resources you use!  Any others out there?  Looks like there might be a few others with this same question....

Thanks Shen-Li!  What a great post and list of resources.

Thanks Manda!  I am in the United States.  It looks like Triple P might have some things available here.  I'll have to check it out more.  Thanks for the recommendation!

Oh and I have an iPod radio dock that she can use in her room should she ask for the stories at a different time.

Thanks TeachingMyToddlers! 

We purchased toddler-sized headphone for a plane ride and they do have an volume regulator on them.  I always test them before putting them on her ears.  In the afternoon we are both a little tired so we have cuddle time.  Just sitting quietly worked for a long time but now she's too busy to sit for more than a few minutes.  I would like to start to read my own books and model reading during this time and have her cuddle next to me and "read" her books.  So, under watchful eyes...no worries! 

Oh yes!  Skylark, to clarify - English, but any in Spanish or Polish would be great too!

Love, love, love this idea!  I'm in too!

My Girly loves the mail as well!  What a fun way to teach geography and share cultures!  Please PM me if you would like to exchange postcards. 

Hi there!  I am pretty new to this forum.  My Girly will be two at the end of this month.  Prior to the time she turned one, I was able to work with her on a daily bases doing little activities to build her motor and communication skills.  But since she started walking and having a greater need to move rather than sit and learn it has been hard for me to keep up.  Recently, I have only been reading to her out loud for her nap/bedtime routines.  Otherwise, she has some Montessori style toys and others that are in a similar style that are rotated out on a weekly basis but she seems like she needs more and is capable of learning so much more. 

I am now ready and able to create a better routine that includes more learning activities.  I have made a list of topic areas resourcing Montessori and Trivium learning styles that I would like to work on with my Girly and have started collecting ideas for "lessons / activities" on Pinterest.  But I am lost on the organization and how to have a basic plan for a toddler.  For example, what items to introduce when, how much do I need to prepare to always have something on hand to jump on learning opportunities, what does a "normal" day look like in your house, what do you do for yourself to keep balance between your needs and children's needs, etc.

Some other things you should know:  I am a Stay-at-home Mom!  My husband commutes far for work but is home most evenings and weekends and would like to be involved with the math / science learning.  Our daughter loves the outdoors, animals, and learning to jump with both feet.  Recently, we had major water damage to our home.  It has since been fixed and we are back home, but during our time away from home our Girly watched TV daily and several times a day.  We have now eliminated any TV watching in our home during the week and it will be restricted during the weekends.  The time needs to now be filled with some engaging work/play/activities for her.

So, there you have a part of my story!  How does this wonderful endeavor work in your home?

I thought this falls under learning to love to read and love stories. 

Can anyone recommend a good site for read aloud books (books on tape)?  Or a story hour?  I am looking for something for my soon to be 2 year old to have a little independent quite time.  I am also looking for these stories to not be mainstream character-based (i.e. Disney, Nickelodeon, Etc.).  I have an iPod touch that I could stream them for her with toddler headphones so she won't need access to a computer.  I also would like it to be spoken word only.  No images to go along with the story.  Thanks for any help in advance!   

Can anyone recommend a good site for read aloud books (books on tape)?  Or a story hour?  I am looking for something for my soon to be 2 year old to have a little independent quite time.  I am also looking for these stories to not be mainstream character-based (i.e. Disney, Nickelodeon, Etc.).  I have an iPod touch that I could stream them for her with toddler headphones so she won't need access to a computer.  I also would like it to be spoken word only.  No images to go along with the story.  Thanks for any help in advance!   

I've recently come across some articles on "Positive Parenting" and would like to get more information / training in this area.  Has anyone found any resources that offer in-person parenting classes? 

I should also add I have read the Parent Effectiveness Training book and will soon be reading How to talk so kids will listen, How to listen so kids will talk.  I have looked into classes at our local community college, park district, school district, and general google searches and haven't really found anything that is local to me.  It seems to me that there has to be some offerings in the area...  Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Is there anyone looking to start a group to meet on a routine basis to discuss any topics covered by the forum in person in the Northwest suburbs?