It’s easy for parents to butt heads over parenting styles—after all, it’s something that both of you care about very much. But just because you have different ideas about how to raise your children doesn’t mean that one of you is wrong. Kids need both parts of the parenting equation, and finding the balance between mom’s ideas and dad’s is a key part of parenting. Here are some of the common differences between men and women’s parenting styles, and some advice that will hopefully help you and your partner avoid conflict.

- Moms tend to be more protective of their children, while dads will encourage them to take some risks in their children. While mothers may flinch in situations where their kids could get hurt, it’s important to remember that risk-taking is a crucial way for children to develop confidence and a willingness to try new things. While no parent has to put up with anything that they’re truly uncomfortable with, ask yourself whether the activity could cause real harm, or just be slightly painful.

- Mothers are also more likely to ask for advice, compare parenting styles with other moms, and consult books or experts, whereas fathers can sometimes trust their instincts more than others’ advice. While there’s no reason to outright reject any advice, nobody knows your children better than you do—you have to have the confidence to trust your own parenting abilities.

- Men tend to be less concerned with minor details, as long as their child is safe and happy. This can be quite frustrating for mothers who feel pressure to have everything be perfect. To keep your and your partner’s sanity, decide what’s really important and what you can let slide. Learn not to sweat the small stuff.

- Dads also sometimes goof off with their children more than moms, who can get engrossed in moving from one task to the next. Humor and fun are obviously important parts of a youngster’s life, so make sure they get plenty of both. To make sure the goof-off time is evenly divided, however, split up the not-so-fun stuff down the middle as well, so that you’ve both got time to play.

- Another common difference between men and women’s parenting styles is that men will often let their children cry a bit longer before stepping in. Although this might make it seem like they care less, that’s not the case—they’re simply letting their children learn to deal with problems on their own. Being overprotective of your child can make them less-prepared for independence and adulthood.

- Men are also more likely to avoid direct confrontation with their children. Instead of forcing or commanding their children to do something they don’t want to, they’ll find ways to sneak the dreaded task in or to make a game out of it. This is also because fathers are usually less married to a strict routine and more flexible about when and how things get done.

Nurture your child’s creative side with this beautifully crafted puzzle from HABA!

If you don’t know about HABA already, they are a German toy manufacturer that’s been producing the highest-quality wooden toys for 70 years. They’re also staunch advocates of environmental protection and have won awards for family-friendly management.

This puzzle is one of their most popular wood toys. Its geometric patterns and bright, rich colors are not only gorgeous, but teach children to recognize visual patterns as well as create their own. The set features a 10” x 10” wooden frame 88 pieces, along with 10 different motifs to copy and expand upon. The pieces are also magnetic, allowing them to easily stay in place.

Allow your child’s inner artist to come out with HABA’s Indian Summer Wood Puzzle!

There’s almost nothing that toddlers love more than feeling like adults. That’s why kids are delighted to get their first backpack and head off for their first day of preschool. I found this great line of Stephen Joseph Go-Go Backpacks that have the most adorable designs to match any child’s personality.

These backpacks are made from durable, easily washable vinyl, and are just big enough to hold everything a toddler needs to carry around. But the best part about these packs is the designs. They come in more than 15 different varieties, from cowboys, monkeys, and pirate ships for boys to flowers, ladybugs, and cheerleaders for girls.
With one of these go-go backpacks from Stephen Joseph, your child will be all too eager to get up and go to school!

For over ten years, Stephen Joseph, a true mom-n-pop company, has been enthralling children and impressing parents with their adorable designs and quality construction. From lunch boxes to wallets to duffel bags, Stephen Joseph offers only the finest children’s accessories.

Stephen Joseph’s most popular items, however, are their backpacks. Their Go-Go Backpacks are made of vinyl and feature more than 10 different designs, each one more adorable than the last. The Stephen Joseph Quilted Backpacks feature a drawstring and a snap, and they certainly don’t skimp on the design either.

One of our best selling Stephen Joseph backpacks is the Flower Go-Go Backpack. With a simple, cheerful design featuring three bright, sunny flowers, this backpacks is just as stylish as it is practical. Kids will love being able to show off their personality with this backpack, and parents can rest easy knowing that it’s made of durable, washable vinyl. This backpack can even be custom embroidered to make it more personal and special.

Swaddling, in which babies are tied snugly in special blankets to restrict movement of the limbs, has been around for millennia. It was practiced by cultures throughout the world and is still popular for newborns today as a way of settling and soothing irritable infants. Swaddling can provide warmth and security for an infant who has just left the womb. Studies have shown that swaddling blankets can help a baby stay asleep for longer and wake up more rested.
A new generation of swaddling blankets, including the Little Giraffe Cotton Candy Baby Wrap, is made from stretchable, lightweight microfibers that allow the child’s skin to breathe while still keeping them warm. Made for infants up to six weeks, the Cotton Candy Baby Wrap also features a foam backing for neck support, and a satin trim provides a cool touch. This may be just the alternative to traditional baby blankets that you’ve been looking for.

It seems like every Hollywood starlet either just had a baby or is about to, from Halle Berry to Jennifer Garner. With all these newborns, celebrity mothers are dropping some serious cash on accessories for their little ones. One of the manufacturers benefiting most from this trend is Little Giraffe, maker of top-of-the-line blankets, pillows, and more.

Celebrities all over Hollywood can be seen toting their babies around in Little Giraffe blankets. Angelina Jolie was recently photographed in People magazine with her adopted daughter Zahara tucked into a Little Giraffe chenille blanket.

All the celebrity publicity has worked magic for the company. Little Giraffe blankets are now featured in over 4000 stores, boutiques, and specialty baby retailers, up from 50 at the company’s inception in 2000. Little Giraffe products can sell for up to $200. The future certainly looks bright for this hot new baby accessory manufacturer.

Babies can really never have too many blankets. One for the crib, one for during the day, one for the car—babies need all the comfort and softness they can get. That’s why Barefoot Dreams, one of our favorite makers of blankets, robes, and more, has come out with a travel blanket as an addition to their famed CozyChic line.

Perfect for both short outings and long trips, the  travel blanket is a perfect way to comfort kids on the go. It’s made from the exclusive CozyChic poly-microfiber knit, which means it’s guaranteed to stay lusciously soft without shrinking or pilling. It’s machine washable and dryable, making it perfect for hectic or busy occasions, and at 15” by 17” it’s big enough to be comfy but small enough to go anywhere.

The Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Travel Blanket is available in an assortment of mellow colors, and can be monogrammed for that special, personal touch. Why not get one for your child today?

Once you hold your baby in a chenille blanket from Little Giraffe, you’ll never want another baby blanket again! Mothers everywhere have discovered the luxurious softness that Little Giraffe has to offer, and now refuse let their babies sleep with anything less. Why?
These blankets are soft. They bring together lush chenille and silky smooth satin for a superior level of comfort for your baby’s sensitive skin. And the elegant design will turn heads everywhere you go. That’s why celebrity mothers can be seen toting their newborns around Hollywood in Little Giraffe’s satin and chenille blankets.

And since they sport the Little Giraffe logo, you can rest assured that these blankets are made with the utmost in quality and care. And mothers can breathe easy knowing that the entire line of Little Giraffe blankets, pillows, and towels, are all machine washable and dryable.
Once you’ve experienced the sumptuous softness of Little Giraffe baby blankets, you’ll never settle for another blanket again.

Stephen Joseph, now one of the largest baby accessory and gift companies in the country, was started when Alexandra “Alix” Buckley started sewing fabric frames on her kitchen table to make a little extra money. Within a year, however, Alix had quit her job teaching third grade to nurture her new business. Soon her husband was on board as well, quitting his job to help the brand flourish—Stephen Joseph truly started out as a ‘mom ‘n pop’ operation!

Nowadays, however, Stephen Joseph sells everything from apparel to backpacks, key chains, coin purses, clocks, and pens. The company has over a hundred employees and sells to over 10,000 accounts. Stephen Joseph is also committed to product safety, and guarantees that each and every one of their products meets or exceeds federal safety standards.
One of Stephen Joseph’s most popular items is their line of Go-Go Backpacks, made of durable vinyl and sporting appealing, adorable designs for both boys and girls.

As a parent, you want toys that are more than just entertaining—you want toys that will foster your child’s imagination and creativity as well as help them learn. These building blocks from Melissa & Doug do just that.

While it’s exceedingly simple, this 44-piece set can be arranged into an infinite numbers of buildings and structures, teaching your child to plan and experiment, and giving them a window into the world of physics and geometry. Children love the classic design of these well-crafted blocks, and will have hours of fun making new buildings then tearing them down again!

The set also includes a 12” x 15” x 4.5” wooden storage crate, encouraging youngsters to clean up after they’re done playing. And wood is a naturally germ-resistant material, so parents should have no qualms letting their children play with or even chew on these wooden toys. Why not get a set of wood blocks for your child today!