One of the most important qualities I wanted to make sure my now teenager daughter and I had with each other while she was growing up were honesty and trust. I raised her with manners and morals — important values I think that all children should have. And now, raising a teen and a toddler, I’ve realized that these life lessons are important for my little one to learn, too. In fact, they’re a good life lessons for us all.

When times get tough and my tot and I are in the middle of a temper tantrum stare down, here are the most important things I always try to remind myself of:

1. Lead by example. If you want you toddler to be and act a certain way, make sure your actions are consistent with that, too. Get down to their level and look them in the eyes. When you do this you communicate better with them and let them see through action you respect them. If they turn their eyes away, direct them to look into your eyes so they understand what your expectations are. You will be surprised how much this works (I certainly was!).

2. Use an “inside voice” no matter what. It’s hard, but one thing I never let my toddler do is raise their tone with me. It is easy for the habit to start when the little ones are young and as parents we tend to let them get a pass because we think they don’t know any better. I disagree. They are perfectly aware around 2 years old that screaming at their parents is not okay. When your toddler gets crazy, try to turn the discipline into a fun game of “Follow the leader” or, “I do, you do.” This shadow game is amazing as your kids grow –  they won’t even realize their actions are being redirected!

3. Weekly check-ins: Use them! Start with mommy and me time when your kids are younger. As you child grows, turn it into a movie night, a mommy and me date night, or just making sure to ask how their day was at dinnertime. I love this time together! It allows us to better understand our children as they are grow into individuals.

4. Do more things together. Try to pick  one thing — no matter how big or small — that you two can do together. It helps children learn the boundaries of work and play (since we can’t devote every hour to our little ones!). Setting aside time together will help them realize, too, that they don’t have to act crazy to get your attention — they already know they’ll get it. All it takes is five minutes. I practice this with my toddler son by playing puzzles after we finish eating breakfast. We do puzzles and play together. It’s our time together and I know how much both of us value it. Also, try to give your little one a chance every now and then to call the shots — you’ll learn a lot about how their mind connects things and what they enjoy.

5. Be open and honest. Be sure to recall what you didn’t like about how your parents did things with you. Keep that in mind when you interact with your kids. It’s okay to make mistakes (hey, no mama is perfect!) but I always like to keep it in perspective. If I didn’t like one way my parents raised me, or if I saw a friend treat her child a certain way and I didn’t like it, I try not to emulate that.

6.Teach them that there’s a time (and place!) for a disagreement. In my house, we have a rule: discuss disagreements in private. The tug-o-war scenario will not be a pretty one if both of you are in a public place. The privacy of discussion will show that you respect your growing tot enough to not humiliate or embarrass them, even if they are wrong. Plus, it sets up a model for how your kids will handle arguments as they grow. With friends, significant others, you, your husband or even their siblings — they’ll want to keep their disagreements private and out of public eye!

7. Never let them see you sweat. Seriously, mama! Be clear. Be firm. And always take a breath before reacting. It is so difficult to be rational and clear headed about what you are trying to communicate when you don’t think about it first. I literally say to myself as I take a breath, “composure” because it helps remind me to keep my cool. Also — they’re kids! Of course they’re going to look for any opportunity to stump, rattle or break you down! It’s in their nature. If you say no, mean it.

Remember: It all starts with us.

How did you teach your kids morals and values? Was it hard? Share your tips!

Plus, more from The Bump:

Does “Time Out” Work for a Toddler?

How to Tame a Tantrum

How to Get Your Toddler to Do Stuff He Doesn’t Want to Do

This morning, the CPSC and Carter’s issued a recall of over 218,000 units of infant clothing with zippers. The one-piece footed infant clothes pose a choking risk to children — the zipper pull can detach and is hazardous to young children. So far, no incidents or injuries have been reported.

Here’s what you need to know:

The recall includes eight different styles of the one-piece, footed cotton clothing made for infants by Carter’s. Every style has a zipper from the foot to the neck. All were sold in sizes: newborn, 3, 6 and 9 months.

Baby B’gosh®, Child of Mine® made by Carter’s or Just One You® made by Carter’s can be found printed on the fabric inside the neck area. The style number is also printed on a side seam label.

Brand, Style Number and Description:

Baby B’gosh: 414-208 — Yellow with white quarter moons and gray and white stars print.

Child of Mine: 715-839 — Baseball-style, white with blue stripes, yellow accents and  “Little Brother” printed on the chest.

Just One You: 520-242 – White background with navy stripes and green neck  binding. This product was usually sold in a two-pack with:

Just One You: 597B537 — Light blue with a nautical and green crabs print and “Captain Cutie” on the left chest.

Just One You: 520-24 – White with a pink cupcake print. Usually sold as 2-pack with:

Just One You: 597B53 – Pink with small polka dots and a bunny ballerina on the left chest.

Just One You: 520-244 — White with green stripes and an elephant and duck on the left chest. Sold as 2-pack with:

Just One You: 597B539 — White with a gray elephant, gray bear, green frog and yellow duck print.

If you own one of the recalled infant one-piece footed clothing styles, immediately take it away from infants and return it to Carter’s for a full refund. The products have been sold at the following retailers: OshKosh B’gosh, Walmart and Target nationwide from December 2012 through January of 2013 for anywhere between $7 and $20. Baby B’gosh sleepwear was also sold online at Osh Kosh B’gosh’s online store.

The CPSC announced a recall of the Bugaboo Cameleon3 strollers in the United States and Canada. Over 9,200 strollers have been recalled so far in the United States and close to 1,000 have been recalled in Canada. A recall has been issued because the stroller’s carrying handle can break and detach, which poses a fall hazard for young children.

Here’s what you need to know:

The stroller has an aluminum and plastic frame with rubberized wheels, a removable seat, bassinet and “U”-shaped carry handle. The stroller has a sun canopy, is also sold in a variety of colors and the words “Bugaboo” and “Cameleon3″ are visible on a fabric tag on the side of the sun canopy. The serial numbers listed in the recall range from:19010, 11153, 00001 to 19010, 51248, 00215. Serial numbers are printed on the horizontal bar of the stroller’s chassis, beneath the seat.  So far, over 16 reports of carry handles breaking have been recorded but no injuries have been sustained.

The Cameleon3 Stroller is sold at stores nationwide: BuyBuyBaby, Toys R Us, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and online at Bugaboo.com. It was sold from September 2012 to March 2013 for anywhere from $889 to $1,600.

If you own a recalled stroller, immediately remove the carry handle from the stroller’s bassinet (or seat) and contact Bugaboo for a free replacement handle. You can continue to use the seat/bassinet while you wait for the replacement to arrive, but only when the seat/bassinet is attached to the chassis. You should not use the seat or bassinet separate from the chassis.

Want to make sure you don’t have any recalled baby gear at home? Read more of the latest baby product recalls.

Today, the CPSC announced a voluntary recall of the Imaginarium Activity Walkers, sold exclusively at Toys R Us. There is a small bolt and spacer that attaches each front wheel to the walker — it can detach, causing a choking hazard. Roughly 9,000 walkers have been recalled. Though no injuries have been reported, Toys R Us has received five reports of the front wheel detaching.

Here’s what you need to know:

The Activity Walkers were sold nationwide and online from August 2011 through January 2013 at all Toys R Us locations.

The recalled walkers have the model number Toys ‘R’ Us 5F5E972 printed on the bottom of the activity walkers. The barcode number is 3700217300319 and can be found on the bottom of the activity walker box.

If you own the recalled walker, stop using it immediately. The product can be returned to any Toys R Us store for a full refund or store credit.

Want to make sure you don’t have any recalled baby gear at home? Read more of the latest baby product recalls.

The latest research suggests that drinking caffeinated drinks during pregnancy will raise your risk of giving birth to baby with a lower birth weight.

Though caffeine has been linked to having adverse effects on pregnant women, a limit has been set on what pregnant would should consume, if they can’t do without a caffeine kick. But, there have been a fair share of conflicting reports from differing health organization as to what pregnant women can safely consume. The World Health Organization recommended a limit of 300 milligrams of caffeine a day (which is about three 8-oz. cups of regularly brewed coffee), while the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended 200 milligrams per day in 2010. The 200 milligram limit, they stated, would not increase the risk of miscarriage or preterm birth.

But this latest study, which was published in the BMC Medicine journal, found that a child lost between three-quarters of an ounce to a full ounce in birth weight for every 100 milligrams of average daily caffeine intake from all sources by the mother. Researchers collected data on nearly 60,000 pregnancies over a 10-year period. And while they did find an association between caffeine and low birth weight, a correlation with caffeine consumption and the risk of preterm birth could not be found.

The study author, Dr. Verena Sengpiel of the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden, said that the findings were not definitive because the study was observational — so that correlation (in this case) does not equal cause. What Sengpiel is able to suggest, though, is that women should put their caffeine consumption “on pause” while pregnant, or at least stay below two cups of coffee per day.

Did you drink caffeine during your pregnancy?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Will Caffeine During Pregnancy Harm Baby?

Could Caffeine Put My Fertility at Risk?

What to Avoid During Pregnancy (and How Not to Miss It Too Much)

This morning, the CPSC and Mutsy USA announced a voluntary recall of the EVO strollers due to a strangulation risk. The fear is that young children could slip between the grab bar and the seat bottom, entrapping the child at the neck if not properly harnessed in to the seat.

The recall includes all EVO strollers manufactured between February 2012 and November 2012. Here’s the model numbers to look for:

MT 12-03, MT 12-11, MT 12-14, MT 12-31, MT 12-34, MT 12-37, MT 12-39, MT 12-42, MT 12-43 and MT 12-48.

Model number and date code can be found underneath the stroller seat on a white sticker.  The strollers are made with black or silver-colored metal frames with brown, navy blue, black, or white seats.  “EVO” is printed on the lower back frame of the stroller.

The product was sold at stores nationwide and also online at websites including Amazon.com between April 2012 and December 2012. If you own the stroller, you should stop using it immediately and contact Musty USA to receive a free replacement seat unit and grab bar.

Want to make sure you don’t have any recalled baby gear at home? Read more of the latest baby product recalls.

As a first time mom living in west Michigan, safe driving has been on the top of my mind this winter season. Each morning when I wake up I look out my window and think, “Gosh, I wonder what the roads are like today.” Driving during the winter months used to be a bit stressful, but adding a newborn baby into the mix really amped up the stress levels.

To help all of us out, here are five winter driving tips to keep you and baby safe in the snowy, rainy and cold weather (especially since there’s a Nor’easter poised to smack the northeast this weekend)!

Check the Road Conditions

Sometimes I am so determined to get errands done that I do not even consider how safe the roads might be — and it’s a terrible mindset! Over this past weekend, I headed out on an errand only to turn around and go right back home. Icy and snowy roads are not always worth the risk. If the errand can wait, let it. Stay inside, and cuddle up with that cute baby of yours. And if you’re really not sure about when it’s safe/unsafe to venture out, use this winter driving tips as a helpful guide.

Take Your Time

With baby in tow (and maybe a few more kids), it is nearly impossible to get anywhere with time to spare. During the winter months, make sure to leave tons of extra time when traveling. Also, decide ahead of time that it is okay to be late if it means keeping your family safe.

Get a Car “Check Up”

One sure fire way to keep everyone safe while driving this winter is to make sure your vehicle is in tip top shape. Have a check up done on the following items: battery, tires, antifreeze levels, and whatever else is recommended by your mechanic. Once your vehicle is in optimal shape, add a few supply items and create your “survival kit”. Items like a flashlight, ice scraper, first aid kit, blankets and maybe even some non-perishable foods are great ideas and easy to store in the trunk, glove compartment or backseat.

Keep Baby Warm — But Don’t Overdo It

Naturally, one of our instinctual desires is to stay as warm as possible in the winter. As a mom, you want to keep your little ones from getting too cold, too. A few steps you can take to keep baby warm while traveling include: using blanks over the car seat, dressing baby in multiple light weight layers, and storing the car seat in a warm place. Try to stay away from dressing your baby in a heavy snowsuit or thick apparel because this prevents the car seat from working and fitting properly. By simply adding the blanket over top the the fitted harness, you can keep baby safe and warm. Adding an extra layer (we use a long sleeve onesie and a t-shirt) can help keep baby warm without the bulk!

Visit a Car Seat Safety Check

When my husband and I were expecting our son, we decided to attend a car seat safety class. As first time parents we had no idea what we were doing with a car seat. It was astonishing to learn how many car seats are misused everyday! Luckily, they had certified instructors who not only gave us the ins and outs of car seat, but they also showed us how to install it in our actual car. Another perk? The class was free! No reason not to do it.

Any other safe driving tips to add? How do you stay safe on the roads?

Plus, more from The Bump:

What to Know About Car Seat Safety

You Know You’re a Mom When…

Driving With Baby — All the Safety Tips You Need for Every Age!

Early this morning, the CPSC and Fisher-Price Inc. announced a voluntary recall of about 800,000 Newborn Rock ‘n Play Sleeper™ based out of the company’s East Aurora, N.Y. importer to inspect for mold. If you are in possession of a Rock ‘n Play, the CPSC and Fisher-Price advise you to stop using it immediately if mold is found. Units currently in retail stores are not included in this recall.

The major concern is that mold can develop between the removeable seat cushion and the hard plastic frame of the sleeper if it is weight and/or infrequently cleaned. The CPSC advises that mold has been associated with respiratory illnesses and other infections in infants. Although mold may not be not present at the time of purchase, mold growth can occur after use of the product.

At the time of the recall, Fisher-Price received 600 reports of mold on the product, with sixteen customers reporting that they had their infants treated for respiratory issues, coughs and hives after sleeping in the product.

If you purchased the sleeper at mass merchandise stores nationwide or online since September 2009, your product is subject to recall. Sleepers sold in retail stores are not affected by this recall.

Contact the Fisher-Price for cleaning instructions and further assistance  at service.mattel.com/us or by contacting the firm at (800) 432-5437.

Want to make sure you don’t have any recalled baby gear at home? Read more of the latest baby product recalls.

With every New Year comes a new set of resolutions! So many people like to get back into shape after the holidays and just because you’re pregnant, it doesn’t mean you can’t join in on the exercise fun! While it’s great to stay fit, there are definitely a few exercises that you will want to avoid to keep baby safe. Watch to find out which workouts are best to steer clear of when you are expecting.

Plus, more from The Bump:

Fit exercise into your busy schedule

10 pregnancy superfoods

The best prenatal workout DVDs

With Christmas right around the corner, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping, baking, and wrapping the mounds of gifts you picked out for your little guy. But you definitely shouldn’t forget about baby’s safety in the midst of all the holiday craziness! From hanging childproof decorations on your tree, to making sure his gifts are age appropriate — watch to find out what else you shouldn’t overlook when getting ready for this seasons festivities with your lovable bundle of joy.

Plus, more from The Bump:

The hottest gifts for baby & toddlers!

First holiday with a newborn

Tips for traveling with baby this season