Traditionally, a close female friend throws the Baby Shower and invites all the women close to the mother-to-be, to shower her with gifts and well wishes for the coming baby. While this is still the idea, the etiquette has changed from generation to generation.

Proper etiquette is very specific about the Baby Shower – never should the mother-to-be’s family throw the shower, lest people think they were asking for gifts.

Skipping the surprise shower can really ease the planning of any Baby Shower. If it’s not a surprise, the parents-to-be can help out with the guest list and help you avoid scheduling conflicts.

Grandma and Grandpa may not be the guests of honor, but you don’t want to find out too late that the most important guests can’t attend. So check with the parents-to-be to make sure you haven’t left out anyone who should be included, and lets get this party started!

Once you have a general idea of the number of guests, you’ll want to start thinking about where to have the Baby Shower. You can host at your own home, reserve tables at your favorite restaurant, rent a reception hall, picnic at a park if you’ll be including children, or if this is a small group of female friends, why not make it a day at the spa with a catered lunch?

If you’re planning to rent or reserve space for the Shower, check on these details when looking around:

• how many guests will this location hold
• is it available on your chosen date
• can you decorate prior to the shower
• what is the cost
• what does it include
• who is responsible for clean up

It’s always a good idea to schedule the Baby Shower about two to three months in advance of mom’s due date. Unless, of course, you are having the shower after the baby is born.

“Hello World, Here I Am” Showers are a popular way to ensure everyone gets to see the new baby, and you’ll want to wait at least a month after the baby is born for this one.

The time of day to host the shower is personal preference, and can be used to determine appropriate food and drink. If you just don’t know, ask the mother-to-be what part of the day she usually feels her best, and go from there.

Finger foods set around the room work great and encourage guests to mingle. If you don’t want to prepare the food yourself,  many bakers or grocers make deli trays of vegetables, fruit, or meats and cheeses.

They’re arranged beautifully for any occasion and can be a life-saver, as well as a time-saver. When choosing drinks to serve, remember to include non-alcoholic and decaffeinated alternatives.

Coordinating is the easy part, but you probably don’t want to do everything by yourself on the big day. Depending on the number of guests, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and miss some of those small details that mean so much.

With all your planning, don’t forget a gift for the parents-to-be. Maybe your gift to the parents-to-be will be the Baby Shower itself, but if you’re looking great gift ideas, try a customized Special Baby Gift Basket, diaper cake or something just plain adorable from the baby gift store.

Don’t lose sight of what this day is all about…a celebration! So remember to relax and have fun with your planning and hosting.

For more ideas for shower games, see the guide Best Baby Shower Games On The Internet.

To begin, designate an appropriate area in the house where the child is isolated from interacting with others. It can be a corner in their bedroom, a space on the kitchen floor or a special chair that’s labeled specifically for time outs.

The length should be age appropriate. A good rule of thumb is generally one minute per year of age. A kitchen timer is helpful in counting down your child’s punishment time.

Time out for toddlers is used to give them a chance to regroup and calm down. It’s doubtful they will sit completely still, and they should not be forced to try.

All children should be asked in a firm but pleasant tone to complete a designated task or stop an undesired behavior. If their behavior persists, they should be verbally directed to behave once again, with eye contact being made and the time out spot pointed out. If after this warning the behavior still persists, they should be escorted to the time out location and told exactly why they are being sent there. Maintain a calm but firm tone with them.

Once they’ve quietly served their time in the time out location it’s important to discuss with the child why they were sent there and that if the behavior occurs again, they will again be sent to time out. Older children should then agree to do what you told him to do or cease misbehaving.

Children who leave their time out location before their time is up must be made aware that privileges will be lost as a result.

It’s likely that your time out method will have to be modified to fit the temperament of your child and your own parenting style. And remember to reinforce positive behavior with praises, hugs and smiles.

Time out can successfully be used outside the home such a grocery stores, restaurants, or shopping centers.

It’s important to emphasize to the child that time out will be enforced should they misbehave while there. Be consistent and place the child in time out should they misbehave in the store.

If you don’t, they’ll get the message early on that you’re inconsistent and will be more likely to test your boundaries.

You can get more help in creating a well behaved child in this guide: 21 Days To A Happy Child Guide – Turn Misbehavior Into Great Behavior.