Audrey Lai asked:


When it is time for a toddler to move from the crib to a bed, many parents fuss over the safety aspects of a twin bed. At the same time, they feel that a toddler bed is a waste of money as most kids would quickly outgrow such a bed by the time they are five or even sooner.

 

If you are seriously thinking of skipping the toddler bed stage and let your child graduate straight to a twin bed, you can try considering the following methods to make the transition safer for your child.

 

Put Mattress On The Floor

 

The most worrying factor for parents when they move their toddler from the crib is the risk of their child rolling off the bed while they are asleep in the middle of the night. One way you can minimize this risk is to let your toddler get used to sleeping on a twin mattress first.

 

Buy a twin mattress and put it on top of a foam puzzle mat. You can make the mat slightly larger than the mattress to ensure that your child would not land on the hard floor should he or she happens to roll off the mattress. Alternatively, you can line the sides with cushions and pillows to prevent the same.

 

Once your toddler has learned not to roll off the mattress, you can then move him or her onto the bed. Of course, you can always resort to a portable bed rail and it is indeed recommended to keep your toddler safe and secure while asleep. But one other reason why you should start by putting the mattress on the floor is the risk of your toddler falling off the bed when awake.

 

Buy Yourself Some Time

 

You have to bear in mind that some toddlers may have a habit of standing and jumping on the bed. Depending on your child’s development, some toddlers may still have problem with balance when standing on a mattress which can be unstable and soft. Others may still require an adult’s assistance in getting on and off the bed. Putting the mattress on the floor first buys you some time until your child is truly ready for the bed with minimal risk of falling off it.

 

Step Stool And Low Beds

 

As twin beds are higher off the ground from toddler beds, you can also get a step stool to make it easier for your child to get on and off a twin bed unassisted. You can also try to get one which has a mattress base which is lower to the ground. Different twin beds have different heights and you wouldn’t want to end up with one which is too high for your toddler to climb on.     

 

Of course, how high it will eventually end up will also have to do with the thickness of your mattress. So, do not be tempted to buy an overly thick mattress that makes the bed higher for your toddler.

 

Extra Wide Bed Rails

 

As mentioned, a portable bed rail is recommended with a twin bed. If you are truly worried of your toddler falling off the bed, you can try installing an extra wide bed rail to take care of the problem. Some bed rails are up to 56 inches in width, securing a greater area of the bed to keep your toddler from rolling onto the floor.

 

At the end of the day, a toddler bed is not always necessary. Once your child has grown too big for the crib, you can always move him or her to a twin bed by assessing his or her readiness and taking the necessary precautions to make it safe and secure.  

Atheist Gal asked:


work well under stress. I care for six toddlers now. I would like to go back to school to be a nurse. BUT I have a problem. I am okay with blood, urine, poo, and all that stuff, but the gory stuff like major injuries I am not so sure I can handle. Should I give it a try?

Jennifer M asked:


Any tips on how to ween my toddler of the pacifier? She only has it at nap and bed time. She will be 2yrs the end of March and we are currently potty training.
Thanks

Keith J. Valentine asked:


How will I find my dream job on a cruise ship? Who will hire me? What do I need to know? Where will I get tips for getting hired? You will find the answers to these and other questions about working on a cruise ship if you read the following excerpts from Mary Fallon Miller’s book ‘How to Get a Job with a Cruise Line’. You’ll get to know how much they will pay you, what you’ll be doing and how long you will be doing it.

Imagine what it takes to operate a floating resort - a virtual city. That is what a cruise ship is. It employs experienced workers in over three hundred kinds of jobs to run this kind an enterprise. Here are some good tips for getting hired! Those people that are seasoned in the entertainment industry will be considered first - and then if you are proficient in such occupations as hospitality, tourism, restaurants and bars, teaching, childcare, sales, customer relations, gaming, marketing, fitness, health and beauty, medicine and healthcare, administration, banking, accounting and financial management, your skills will also be in demand.

Cruise lines hire dependable, competent people with outgoing, positive attitudes, students, career-changers, retirees - “people” people, who enjoy working with others. Your number one priority as a cruise line employee is to provide a safe, fun and memorable vacation experience.

To get hired on a cruise ship you need to: Know the players - Royal Caribbean International, Princess and Carnival are known as the ‘Big Three’, with the largest fleets in the industry. These employers should be at the top of your list. Choose jobs that interest you - Practice public speaking whenever possible, study a foreign language or get your CPR or Lifesaving Certification. Sell yourself - Apply early and often - but don’t pester the Personnel Office by phone. Send follow up letters and resume updates. Great tips for getting hired!

The cruise industry hires year-round and seasonally. Most employees work for a period of six to nine months with one to two months off. Many departments add staff for holiday cruises, and peak sailings through winter and spring. Doctors and nurses can find year round employment or assignments as brief as two to three months. Peak hiring times for youth counselors? Holidays and summer - perfect for students or teachers who love to travel. List your specific dates of availability (e.g. from May 15 to Sept. 1) so the Personnel Office knows how to schedule you.

The pay compares to good jobs ashore - plus you save a lot of money because most expenses are left behind. On board ship your room and meals are included. No more rent, grocery, electric, or gas bills! You can bank your salary and tips, or blow it all in ports of call. Sample current pay ranges: Casino Manager: $2,000-3,000 per month (revenue sharing.) Gift Shop Retail Sales: $1,000-1,500 per month (commission included.) Hairstylist / Beautician: $1,000-1,300 per month (tips included.) Shore Excursion Manager: $1,800 - $3,000 per month, plus commission.

If you really are interested in learning how to get a cruise ship job, you’ll need to know what you want to work at, find out who’s hiring, determine how to get hired, establish whether it is year-round or seasonal employment you’ll be involved with and how much they will pay you. Make a plan and stick to it!

Keith J. Valentine began his career at 16 in the Royal Air Force and has worked in the materials management and information technology industries for years. Now 52, he writes online articles about his experiences in the work force. For more on careers, tips and a free e-zine, please visit 101 Easy Articles at http://www.EasyArticles4u.com