Friday, December 26, 2008

Year End Inventory Reduction SALE

We have put a lot of item on sale at 25% off retail.

We also have a very unusual coupon code

DEC25MPK is worth 25% off your order

Valid even on sale items
Expires 12/31/08
One use per household
Limited to stock on hand
Not valid on wholesale orders

We have 120 products: child safety, baby gear, child proofing, potty training, baby sign language, booster high chair, Radian car seat, shopping cart covers, swaddle blankets, SIDS monitor, baby scale and much much more!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Twitter with us

Be sure to follow us on twitter. I post give ways, coupons and other freebie information. I post linsk to articles and our blog as well. We have 3000 followers and would love to have you follow us on twitter too.

http://twitter.com/MyPreciousKid

A twitter.com account is free. If you own a business we highly recommend getting your twitter account user name to match your business name like we did.

I also got a personal twitter account

http://twitter.com/KayGreen

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Tips for The Expectant Mother


If you're a mom, then most likely you get excited when you have a friend or even an acquaintance to find out that they are expecting. More often than not, finding out that one is expecting leads to a conversation that includes lots of “know how”. You know what I mean everyone in the group seems to know more than each other about pregnancy, babies, and other related topics. Pretty soon the conversation sounds more like a list of tips for the expectant mother. And honestly, that may be good. As we could all use a few tips now and again right? Especially, when it comes to bringing a new baby into the world.

So, the following are a few tips for any expectant mother that you know, who knows it may even be you. They include:

1. You may have to change your diet. In fact, expect a change in your diet in some form or fashion while you're expecting. Either you will have to eat more frequently to prevent morning sickness or you will have to abstain from eating certain types of food to keep from getting ill, or you may have to eat more just to feel full, no matter what there is sure to be a change in your diet.

2. There are certain things you should avoid. These include: the kitty litter box, chemicals, alcohol, drugs, smoking, and fish with high levels of mercury. Some of these things seem like a given while others you may wonder about, regardless take the tips of others and avoid them.

3. Take a break. Pregnant women need frequent breaks as you will most likely experience more fatigue than you normally do when you're not with child. Taking a nap during pregnancy can do you much good.

While taking a rest be sure to read Child Safety Guide for Expectant Parents http://www.mypreciouskid.com/child-safety-book.html These are special purchase price of $7 for a limited time.

Monday, December 15, 2008

7 Tips to Child Safety in the Holidays


In this business season we are out in public with our kids a lot. How can we make certain your children are safe and secure? What things can you do to feel at peace while shopping with your kids? As a mom of 4 I learned to teach them early what to do in scary situations.

1. Teach your child to wear an ID. Your child should wear a physical ID (ID Bracelet, Shoe ID Tag, Personalized Dog Tag) every time you go out. The ID should contain your cell phone number so if you are separated you can be reached

2. Teach your child "If Mommy is lost find another mommy with kids and show her your ID so she can call me

3. Teach them to stay put if you get separated. Wait with the mom they found in the location they lost you.

4. Teach them to be attentive. "What color is Mommy wearing today?"What is Mommy's other name?"

5. Play "What if?" Game - "What should you do IF Mommy is lost?"

6. Take a picture of your child with your cell phone as you start shopping. If a child is separated you want to provide a photo. Better yet carry a photo ID card of your child. Put an ID on your child's car seat too.

7. Keep all children under age 12 with you. Do not allow them to wonder away to look in different aisles while shopping. Where you go they should go. I teach my 8 yr old daughter to keep one hand on the cart.

Find more child safety & safe baby gear at http://www.mypreciouskid.com/

Thursday, December 04, 2008

POTTY TRAINING



Potty training a child has got to be one of the most difficult parenting tasks. Like with most other things associated with children, every child proves to be very different, whether it is due to personality, or maturity, potty training for even the parent who has done it multiple times can still end up being a struggle.

You may have heard that girls or easier or maybe just the opposite that boys potty train faster, no matter what you've heard once you begin to train your own child you'll begin o have opinions and stories of your own. Some stories you may be dieing to share or others which you wish had never happened to you.

No matter how difficult potty training may seem as you begin it and are going through it the truth is it is something that your child must do in their own time, and on their own schedule. It is like many other facets of life a learning process, maybe even as much for you as for them.

Try to be as understanding as you can with your child as they go through the process of potty training. Keeping your cool and your patience will make things go much more smoothly. Do not set your expectations too high from the beginning and you will be successful.

Also try to make the process fun for the both of you. Getting into the process and making it something you and your child can look forward to doing together rather than dreading on a daily basis. Then, before you know it they will be a happy independent potty goer.

Check out Kay's POTTY 101 article and awesome potty training products to make the process even easier.

Alyssa Avant
Christian Writer, Speaker, Podcaster & Blogger
http://alyssaavant.com

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Disaster Preparedness

Disaster Preparedness
Dr. Jeffrey Upperman, director of the Disaster Preparedness project at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

Imagine it is the middle of the day. Your kids are in school, you are at the office. The building begins to sway and then the lights go out. You grab your phone and call your child's school, but you cannot get through. The building starts to shake violently, like nothing you've felt before. Is this the quake they've been warning everyone about? Where is your child? Is she safe? Who is taking care of her? Is she as frightened as you are?

Most parents work to make sure their children are prepared to cope with whatever the world throws at them. We help them with their homework to make sure they are ready for school. We try to make sure they eat the right foods. And, we want to keep them out of harm's way. But do parents really teach their children what they need to know in the event of a disaster? Many parents in California have an emergency kit in the house and car, but are our children ready? Would they know how to cope and keep themselves safe if they were separated from us?

Dr. Jeffrey Upperman is director of the Disaster Preparedness project at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. He has spent years making sure public health institutions are prepared to address the needs of children in an emergency. Through his practice he has also learned a good deal about what families can do to prepare themselves-and their children-for the consequences of a disaster.

Experts say that children as young as age three can begin to understand earthquakes, floods, fires and other disasters. They should also be able to understand some simple steps you can take together to ensure they stay safe if you are not there to help them. Dr. Upperman's top tips for you and your children:

* Create a "business card" or ID CARD for your child just like yours. Include their name, address, phone number on the front, and a list of emergency contacts on the back, including out-of-state relatives and your pediatrician. Make them promise to keep the cards in their pocket or backpack.

* Coordinate with other parents to arrange for each of your
children to have a "buddy" - another child in their class or playgroup that they should stay close to in an emergency. Get parents and buddies together every six months to review family disaster plans.

* Make sure your children know who to call if they cannot reach
you - designate an out-of-town friend or relative to be a point of contact. Once a month, schedule a time for your child to call that relative just to say hello. The more regularly they communicate, the more comfortable they will be calling in an emergency.

* Every household has features that can be dangerous in the event
of a disaster-things like overhead lights, unsecured water heaters or bookcases, toxic or flammable household cleaners or chemicals. Get your children to help you search the house and make a list of potential hazards. Use the search as an opportunity to teach them about the importance of household safety.

* Volunteer to work with your children, their classmates and their
teacher to create a checklist the class can use in the event of an earthquake or other emergency. Create the checklist as a group, and produce pocket-size copies of the checklist for your children to keep in their desks at school.

* Create a list with your children of all the "helpers" they can
count on if there is an emergency and you are not together. The list would include teachers, doctors, nurses, firemen, policemen. With young children, create a collage with pictures of the helpers. The goal is to ensure kids will feel comfortable and safe with caretakers and emergency workers.

* Have your child create a shopping list for the family's disaster
preparedness kit and shop for the items together. Have them help you pick the storage place, and put them in charge of one of the items in the kit.

* Role play with your children-act out what might happen at
school. Let your child be the adult, and you play the child who needs to be told what to do in an emergency.

* Talk to your children and make sure they talk to you. When there
is news of a disaster or emergency in the world, use the news as a "teachable moment," a way to remind your child how to prepare so that your family will be safe.

Friday, November 28, 2008

This is what I know about blogging...

GUEST BLOG ARTICLE

1) content needs to be added on a regular schedule. Minimum is 3 times a week, more is better.

2) blog posts should be around 250 words per post. This is long enough to deliver your message, but short enough to keep people reading and interested..

3) break up your paragraphs with bulleted lists, bold words and headings. (Not every single paragraph, but where appropriate).

4) you MUST have a photo for every post. That said, use ONLY one photo per post unless you need more to illustrate your point or show how to do something (or if you're a photographer doing a photography blog).

5) use good photos. If you are not a photographer, use stock photos. (always keep a digital camera with you. You never know when something will pop up that is a perfect shot for your blog post)

6) keep your content focused. if your posts don't stay on track, you lose people. If you have something off topic to talk about, start another blog.

7) for the overall look of your blog, break up your space. Don't have one huge blank, white page with text on it. Use templates, as this will help with the layout.

8) make your "about me" section really personable. People feel more comfortable reading your blog if they feel like they are getting to know you. It establishes a connection with your readers.

9) when somebody comments, you should comment back on your blog, as well as in a direct email to the reader. This encourages repeat visitors.

10) have fun with your blog. if it becomes a chore, this will show up in your writing as well as your readership.

Tiffany
Ohma's Cookies

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Black Friday is coming

Black Friday is only a few days away. Are you like me? Do you love the early morning shopping on black Friday weekend? And I am also doing a lot of shopping online this year.

I created a page of some fabulous coupon codes just for Black Friday weekend.
http://www.mypreciouskid.com/black-friday.html

Feel free to share this with your readers, friends and family.

Also watch for our CYBER MONDAY specials coming too!

Friday, September 12, 2008

POTTY TRAINING 101

I have had the wonderful privilge of potty training my own 4 kids plus helping dozens of moms train their children. The newest member is my 21 month old grand daughter. http://marteneylove.blogspot.com/2008/09/potty-time.html
She is doing great with it.
Below is the article I wrote to help other moms train their children using my system.

I teach an online class for moms at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PottyTeach101/

You will also find product such as the potty doll, traning pants, and toilet seat at http://www.mypreciouskid.com/potty-training-doll.html
POTTY TEACHING 101 Kay Green © 2008

READINESS: Haley had never gone in the potty when we started - even though I had been sitting her on it for several weeks before bath, when I went to the Bathroom etc. At age 18 months I start pre-training. I get a potty video that we watch every day. I got potty books that we read every day. We started talking about potty.

Her readiness signs to me were that she could follow a simple command (pick up the ball), she would show a sign when she when potty in diaper (hold herself, do the little dance, hide for BM), and was staying dry an hour or more at a time. She was between 21-24 months. I have found that 21-24 months is the window that I see that almost all kids are ready unless medical, physical or mental disability. I trained all 4 of my kids between this age range, with them being completed by their 2nd birthday. And I have helped dozens of moms train their children in this same age window.

PARENTS: You are right to wait until you are ready. When you know you can commit a couple weeks to it and be there to help with every accident very quickly. Look over your calendar and find a 2 week window when you can give this your full attention.

BOYS: Potty Teach them sitting down. I do not let them stand up while training. We do this for several reasons: bathroom cleanliness and it encourages then to have their bowel movement in the toilet. Some moms who train them standing up have issues getting them to have a BM. My hubby insists that my son learn sitting down. You know I never have pee on the toilet unless a visiting man is in our home!

BEFORE YOU START

At age 18 months I do the following
1. Buy 10-12 pairs of training pants
2. Buy 3 pairs of vinyl covers
3. Read TOILET TRAINING IN LESS THAN A DAY
4. Have my child watch a potty VIDEO each day
5. Read a potty BOOK to my child each day
6. Practice giving them verbal instructions ( bring mama the ball)
7. Get a potty seat or potty ring. Let the child see and sit on it.
8. Get a potty doll that wets
9. Buy dollar tree treats for reward system

BEFORE starting: Things to consider finishing:
Wean from bottle and nursing and binky
Have child in their own bed
Teach them to pull pants and up and down on own

WHEN TO START:
When mom is ready to focus and can stay home for most of the next 2 weeks.When the child is staying dry for an hour or 2 during the day.
When child can follow verbal cues (pick up the ball). OPTIMAL AGE: 21-24 months in my opinion. (age 24+ months may take twice as long to train for some children because of will issues) I personally find training between 21-24 months easier than potty training between 24-36 months. At age 2 they love to say NO! Before age 2 most kids love to mimic what you are doing.

START and do NOT STOP: Every time you put a pull-up or diaper on them after starting the training you may confuse them and cause the training to take longer.

Now there may be times that you make a decision to stop the training for personal reasons. Everyone has seasons in their life. That is fine. Just know that the next time you start it may take twice as long from the mixed messages.

REMEMBER: Accidents are not to be avoided. Accidents are a teaching tool. You cannot potty teach w/o accidents. The urine leak down the leg feels out of control to them. Most kids will say Uh-oh the first time. Also the leaking accident prompts the parent to act quickly.

TRAINING: Toilet Teaching is just like teaching them to eat with a spoon, stay in their car seat, dress themselves, and obey their parents. You are the parent and treat it like other areas of obedience. Make it fun and encourage them but expect them to comply. Expect and want accidents. This is what teaches them the consequences and the need to potty in the toilet

PULL-UPS: NO diapers or paper pull-ups ever - get them out of the house.
They may ask for them back. I just say the diapers are all gone since she is a big girl.
If you give them back the diapers they will usually regress and it will take longer next time. Go forward. Pull-ups will delay the training process. If you must use a pullup at night put it over a pair of training pants.

The biggest challenge for me in the first few days is the child learning to turn ON the urine flow. Some kids get this faster than others. Haley got it the third day. Some kids get it the first day.

THE SYSTEM: Train the DOLL to go Potty. Take the child to potty often. Set a timer. Give immediate positive reinforcement when they go in toilet. Practice walking to the potty, clean up and change clothes for every accident. MY CHILD: With his system Haley did not go in potty at all first couple days. We quickly changed after every accident. She would grab herself and say uh-oh when she went since the cloth makes the feelings wet and uncomfortable. Third day she said uh-oh and had not gone in panties so I took her to potty and she went. We clapped, shouted, got a treat, called daddy! Over the next 3 days every day was less accidents and more successes. After a week she had it mostly down so I could take her out. I used vinyl pants over cloth to protect when out and about.

DAY ONE: I taught Haley how to have the doll go potty in the big toilet rewarding the child when the dolly goes potty. We played this game off and on all day. This is the teaching day.

DAY TWO: POTTY PARTY: I tell her she is a big girl like dolly. Put her in CLOTH training pants give her lots to drink. Every half hour check panties. If dry take to potty. If goes in potty reward with candy or sticker and lots of praise. Expect lots of accidents the first couple days until they get the uh-oh and are still dry. REWARD EVERY SUCCESS! For every accident help her run to the potty and say Uh-oh we must potty in the toilet then help her change into dry pants. Practice walking back and forth from the place of accident to potty.

CONTINUE for the next 2 weeks. Praise every success. Help change every accident quickly. At the end of 2 weeks you will be having more successes than accidents. I find most kids really get it in this 2 week period.

TIMER: Use your timer. At first I set it for 30 minutes. I take her in every 30 minutes until we have a dry day. Then I go to 45 minutes until we have a dry day. Then I move to 1 hour. I stay at sending them to the potty every hour for several weeks. Then as they start asking to go potty you can move the timer to 1.5-2 hours.

BED TIME: For nap and bed put a sheet protector under the sheet. Put on two pairs of cloth training pants and vinyl pants over. Change them to dry panties immediately upon waking. Use vinyl pants over cloth training pants only when out in public or in bed.

OLDER CHILDREN: If your child is over 24 months expect it to take longer as you are in the MY WILL stage. They may fight you. You have to be the parent and firmly, lovingly, and with joy help them comply. Make it fun and exciting. Diapers are no longer an option. I do not ASK if they have to go potty. I ANNOUNCE that it is POTTY TIME. With my son I use to scoop him up over my shoulder and dance to the potty with him laughing.

I am not the expert at all but do have 4 successes under my belt and have helped many other moms succeed as well with this system

Kay Green, Founder of http://www.mypreciouskid.com/ Child Safety Products

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

POTTY READINESS QUIZ

The Potty Training Readiness Quiz

Potty training is easier and happens faster if your child is truly ready in all three areas: physical, cognitive and social. But the big question is: How do you know when your child is ready? If you have never traveled this road before, you likely don't even know what signs to look for. Take this quiz to find out where your child is on the readiness spectrum.

1. I can tell by watching that my child is wetting or filling his diaper:

a. Never.
b. Sometimes.
c. Usually.

2. My toddler's diaper needs to be changed:

a. Frequently, every hour or two.
b. It varies.
c. Every two to three hours--sometimes less frequently.

3. My child understands the meaning of wet, dry, clean, wash, sit, and go:

a. No.
b. Some of them.
c. Yes.

4. When my child communicates her needs, she:

a. Says or signs a few basic words and I guess the rest.
b. Gets her essential points across to me.
c. Has a good vocabulary and talks to me in sentences.

5. If I give my child a simple direction, such as, "put this in the toy box," she:
a. Doesn't understand or doesn't follow directions.
b. Will do it if I coach or help her.
c. Understands me and does it.

6. My child can take his pants off and put them on:

a. No.
b. With help he can.
c. Yes.

7. When I read a book to my child, he:

a. He ignores me.
b. Sometimes listens, sometimes wanders off.
c. Sits, listens and enjoys the story.

8. My toddler wants to do things "all by myself":

a. Never.
b. Sometimes.
c. All the time!

9. I think that it's the right time to begin potty training:

a. No.
b. I'm undecided.
c. Yes.

Total the number of responses for each letter:

a. __________ b. __________ c. ___________
QUIZ SCORE:

Most answers are A: Wait. Your little one doesn't seem to be ready just yet. Test again in a month or two.

Most answers are B: Time for pre-potty training--get ready! Your child is not quite ready for active training, but you can take many steps to prepare your toddler for the future. Gradual introduction of terms and ideas will make potty training easier when the time comes.

Most answers are C: Your toddler is ready to use the potty! It's time to start your potty training adventure. Good luck, and have fun!

Are you between two scores? Just like any parenting situation, there are choices to make. If your child is hovering between two categories, it's time to put your intuition to good use. Your knowledge of your own child can direct you toward the right plan of action.

Excerpted with permission by McGraw-Hill Publishing from The No-Cry Potty Training Solution (McGraw-Hill 2006). http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth/books/0071476903.php

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Safe Sippy



I have been reading more and more about the dangers of certain plastics for our kids. So as a mom and grandmother I went looking for a better solution to the plastic sippy cup. One of the moms in the new moms class I teach sent me a link to the SAFE SIPPY cup. I was impressed. So I called the company and spoke to the president about his product and ideas. I was even more excited then.

As a small company I am very careful about what products I carry. I like to bring in a sample and test every product before selling it. So now my 8 yr old daughter and 20 month old granddaughter both use the SAFE SIPPY. They are very happy with them.

We brought in the first 2 cases and were surprised when they sold out in 10 days. When we tried to order them we found the company was out of stock of the 16,000 they recently created. So we order KLEAN KANTEEN sippy cups in the mean time.

We are happy to say we now have both the Safe Sippy ( pink, blue or green) and the Klean Kanteen (silver, pink and blue - 12 oz, 18 oz, 27 oz) in stock online.


I personally like the SAFE SIPPY for the younger children. It has removable handles and a firm sippy straw shaped opening. It also has colorful silicone wrapper over the stainless steel.


I am finding the older kids really liek the KLEAN KANTEEN with the sports bottle top. They have a look the older kids seem to really like.


Which sippy water bottle would you child prefer?

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

New Store


On June 2, 2008 we moved the MY PRECIOUS KID business from my home into its new store front in Hillsboro Oregon. After 7 years of working from home it was time to more. We needed more room for the products and inventory. http://www.mypreciouskid.com/

MyPreciousKid.com carries nearly 150 products and has 4 employees. Daily we process and ship out 30-50 orders.

We are all very excited by the new exposure the local sore brings plus the added room for day to day business. If you are in the Hillsboro Oregon area please stop by and see us at 5th and Baseline Streets.

Here are some pictures of our new store http://www.mypreciouskid.com/location.html

Here at the photos of my staff http://www.mypreciouskid.com/staff.html