A reader of this blog recently contacted me for advice on a universal parenting issue.

She said:

“My son sucks his thumb.  Even the ultrasound images showed him with his thumb in his mouth.  He’s almost six years old!  Do you have any suggestions on how to break this habit?  As cute as it was, it’s starting to affect his teeth.  We tried bargaining with him, to buy him some cowboy boots if he could stop.  He got very excited for about 5 minutes, then he just automatically started again, right after I turned away.”

Autumn brings families lovely weather, festivals, and other exciting activities.  But at times, Halloween can be a little too exciting for your baby or young child.

An infant who has just discovered the joys of stranger anxiety is in no mood to put up with a bunch of folks who look even stranger than usual for a few days in October.

Keep reading to see what you can do to help your child weather this season.

Firestations and petting zoos have their place, but when you want to take your child on a journey of discovery, a walk in your own neighborhood (with curiosity as his tour guide) is more than enough.

Your young child’s natural inclination to touch and gather is a good instinct for today’s art activity, making collages. Tomorrow and the next day, your preschooler will be able to enjoy his art, and remember the process that led to the finished artistic product. Many tomorrows later, you’ll be gazing at what remains of that day.

This week, MommyGarten.com is on vacay, yet focused on Mommy’s needs. Flowers and strawberries have their place, but MommyGarten.com gives new moms a gift unlike any other: Sugar-free peace of mind.

We’ll use this week to make sure that all the new mommies who are enrolling at MommyGarten.com every day are caught up on the lessons of parenthood.

So, please enjoy this look back at excerpts from previously published posts on what every Mommy needs to know about her baby’s emotional development.