By Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller

“I love you” are three words all children need to hear often from their parents. Do you want those words to have real meaning to your child? Do you want them to connect one heart to another? Do you want to use these words to develop a level of intimacy in your family that communicates your heartfelt affection for your children? If so, consider strengthening I love you with the following suggestions.

1.) Use eye contact. Give your children your eyes when you say, “I love you.” Souls touch when meaningful eye contact is made during moments of intimacy. Touch with your eyes. It’s a way of connecting that helps you bond.

2.) Touch. A pat on the back, a hug, or a high-five will add meaning to verbal expressions of love. So will a slight squeeze of the shoulder or a kiss. Take your child’s hand in yours when you say, “I love you,” and add a tactile component to your words.

3.) Use names. The sweetest sound in any language is the sound of your own name. Names get our attention and build connectedness. Sadly, some children only hear their own names when they are in trouble. (“William, you better get in here!”) Add your child’s name to your expression of love. “I love you, Carlos,” or “Shingo, I really love you.” Watch their reactions. Their facial expressions will encourage you to continue the practice of adding your child’s name to “I love you.”

4.) Use the words son and daughter. These two words can add intense intimacy to your verbal expressions of love. “I love you, son” or “I love you, daughter” will create an emotion-filled statement that will invite an equally emotional response. Monitor your personal comfort level as you use these two important words. Notice your feelings as you say them, as well as the reaction you get from your children.

5.) Add nonverbal signals to your spoken message. Smile, wink, and add pleasant facial expressions to your words. Make sure the message on your face is congruent with the one coming out of your mouth.

6.) Do not use the word when as part of your vocal communication of love. “I love you when you smile like that” or “When you choose that happy mood, I love you” sends a message to your children that your love is conditional. What children often hear is “I only love you when….” To love unconditionally, say “I love you” without any condition attached.

7.) Remove the word but from your description of love. “I love you, but….” is usually followed by a concern, problem, or frustration. When we express our love along with a concern, we send a mixed message. When we do this, children get confused and conclude that the love part is a manipulation intended to soften them up before the real message is delivered.

8.) Add because you are loveable to your manner of expressing love. “I love you because you are loveable” is an important concept for children to learn. It helps them understand that your love is attached to no specific condition. It simply is. Be careful not to add any other words after because. “I love you because you are thoughtful” adds a condition that communicates conditional love. The only acceptable phrase to use with because is because you are loveable.

9.) Say “I love you” at unexpected times. Children often hear our expressions of love at familiar times. We typically say “I love you” when we are going out the door on our way to work. We say it when we end a phone conversation. “I love you” is often the last communication our children hear as we tuck them into bed at night. “I love you” at those times is often expected and certainly anticipated. To heighten the impact of these three valuable words, use them at unexpected times. Say them in the middle of a meal, as you are driving down the road in your car, or as you stand at the kitchen sink doing dishes together.

Some children are auditory and need to hear the words “I love you.” Others are tactile and need to be touched to feel loved. Still others are visual and need to see love on your face and in your actions. Why not give your children all three variations when you communicate your love?

About The Author
Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller are the authors of The 10 Commitments: Parenting with Purpose. They are two of the world’s foremost authorities on raising responsible, caring, confident children. To obtain more information about how they can help you or your group meet your parenting needs, visit their website today: http://www.personalpowerpress.com.

by Deborah Felker

My personal search for the perfect Irish baby name began many years ago, when my husband and I found out we were going to be blessed with another daughter. We knew we wanted an Irish name for our baby girl so we would always remember the spiritual connection that we shared.

After all, it was from this bond that she was conceived. In those early days and nights of endless romance and passion, practically all we ever listened to was Enya and Riverdance!

My husband and I knew we were soul mates who shared a strong “Celtic heartbeat”. Like so many other happy couples expecting a baby, we knew we had been blessed to find each other in a sea of lost souls.

It wasn’t long before we had formed a bond that we knew was eternal. And now that bond would become even more unbreakable…with the impending birth of our baby girl, Shannon.

“Shannon” is an example of a popular Irish name which is derived from a place, rather than a legendary character or historical person. The names “Tara” and “Kerry” are other examples. “Shannon” is the name of the longest river in Ireland.

The Irish have always held “the Shannon” in a special place of honor both as a source of life and a symbol of ancient wisdom. In fact, the accepted meaning of the name Shannon today is “wise one”.

So this Irish baby name seems to be fitting after all, since our daughter became part of the lifeblood of our home, just as the river is the lifeblood of the Irish countryside.

Our children fill our lives with warmth, laughter, and love; and they provide us with never ending opportunities to gain and pass on wisdom.

If you are filled with the Irish spirit like me, whether you have Celtic ancestors or not, there is no better way to pass on that legacy than to give your wee ones a Celtic or Irish baby name. But all too often, when you go looking for that special Irish baby name, you only find yourself frustrated by the lack of practical information.

On Fantasy-Ireland, you’ll not only find both popular and unique Irish baby names, you’ll also discover what they mean, how to spell them, how to say them, and more.

Irish Baby Naming Customs
There are many old Irish customs you can incorporate that will honor your Celtic spirit and pass on your Irish heritage to your children. If you have spent any time looking into Irish genealogy, you have probably noticed how often names recur within families. The reason for this is that there was a customary way of choosing baby names in Ireland that left very little room for the creativity we enjoy today.

Irish Customs for naming boys:
The oldest son was named after his father’s father. The second son was named after his mother’s father. The third son would be given his father’s name. The fourth son was named after his father’s oldest brother.

Irish Customs for naming girls:
The oldest daughter was named after her mother’s mother. The second daughter would be named after her father’s mother. The third daughter was given her mother’s name. The fourth daughter was named after her mother’s oldest sister.

Choosing a Creative Irish Baby Name
If you would like to carry on some Irish family names, but prefer to be more creative, perhaps you could trace your own family tree for Irish names that you find most appealing. Or you could name your child after a famous historical figure. Another option would be to choose the name of a legendary character in Celtic mythology.

The Evolution of Irish Baby Names
Prior to the medieval times, there were over 10,000 different names being used in Celtic territories. Many of these names were derived from combining one or two word elements which each had distinct meanings. Names would often be created using the words for lucky colors, plants, and animals.

Or names would be created using words for moral or physical qualities such as strength and beauty. For example, the name Muiriol is derived from the word “muir”, meaning “sea”, and the word “gel”, meaning “bright and shining”.

Just as our modern English language is drastically different than Shakespeare’s English, modern Irish is very different from ancient Gaelic. Irish baby names usually have many different forms, as well as an English version or two, which is often easier to pronounce and to spell.

Alternate spellings often emerged as a result of strict and oppressive English laws, which forbid the use of the Irish native language. Throughout those dark years in Ireland, it was illegal to speak Irish, so people were forced to use English versions of their names, even if the name lost it’s true meaning as a result.

Continue your cherished Celtic legacy by choosing the perfect Irish baby name for your child. Discover the meanings and stories behind the most popular and unique baby names of Ireland.

About the Author:
Deborah Felker is the creator and editor of Fantasy-Ireland.com, featuring the Top 30 Most Popular Irish Boy Names, the Top 30 Most Unique Irish Baby Boy Names, the Top 35 Most Popular Irish Girl Names, and the Top 35 Most Unique Irish Girl Names. Whether you want to use a popular name for your baby, or avoid one, Fantasy-Ireland.com is your best resource!

by Bob and Sue Hunter

As one of nation’s leading birth announcement companies, we’ve helped more than 1 million moms and dads share the great news! Of the many thousands of delightful conversations all of us at Stork Avenue have had with new moms and dads, how they chose a name for their baby is one of the most popular. From those conversations, we’ve come up with a few ideas…

Choosing your baby’s name can be a very emotional experience. Sometimes it’s easy. Usually, it’s not. There’s so much to consider, but the most important thing to remember is to love the name. Here are five tips to help you make the right decision:

1. Don’t rush!
It’s a good idea to have one or more names in mind, but try not to decide until you hold your baby in your arms. When you look into those beautiful eyes, you’ll know for sure.

2. Talk about it
Other than, “Is it a boy or a girl,” the question you’ll be asked most is: “What will you name your baby?” You’ve probably already heard that one a hundred times. Of course, the big day won’t wait, so you’ll need to make the decision. Talking with your spouse, family and friends makes it a team effort and it’s fun, too. You might even have a baby naming party. Check out your family tree. Call relatives, especially those you haven’t talked with in a while. Of course, don’t expect a unanimous decision, but everyone will feel like they helped play a role in an important family decision.

3. Say it out loud
How does it sound? Whisper is softly and then loudly. How about when it’s said with a middle name or your last name? Does it rhyme? If it does, does it sound good? Think about associated nicknames and say them out loud too. Does the name pass the “playground test?” Kids can be pretty tough. Would you say it loudly at a mall? If not, don’t give it to your child. Do you have another child with the same sounding name or even the same first letter? Sometimes, that can be confusing when said aloud.

4. Spell it out
It’s amazing how creative parents can be. Unfortunately, that’s not always best for their child. Creative spellings or pronunciations of popular names will have your child constantly correcting those who mistake it with its more popular version. You can’t forget the initials, either. What do they spell or represent? And, if you plan to call your child by a pet name, it’s probably best to register the full version at birth, so your child has the option to later use a more formal version.

5. Make it meaningful
Your baby’s name should evoke happiness and pleasant feelings. It should reflect qualities and traits that you hope your child will possess. Family names are great and give your baby a rich heritage, but if you don’t like the name, it probably won’t feel right, even if it pleases relatives. A unique name may make your child stand out and feel extra special. But, if it’s too unusual, it could cause problems. It’s also very important that your child has a name with clear gender identification. And finally, it’s always tempting to pick today’s most popular name, but will it be popular 10 or 20 years from now? And, do you really want your first-grader with the same name as four others in the same class?

We know this is not an easy decision, so we’ve developed a few “babynamer” tools to help. You can review lists of popular and unique names, search our databases for the origins and meanings of names and search by the name’s first letter. These databases are updated every day and we are always looking for more handy tools to help you make the best decision. CLICK HERE to go to our BabyNamer web pages.

Good Luck and Congratulations!

About the Author:
Bob and Sue Hunter are the founders of Stork Avenue.

By Criss White

A person’s name is something they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Selecting a baby’s name is an important, but often difficult decision for many parents. Follow our guide for a simple process in selecting your baby’s name.

Most people have some ideas for good baby names and have thought about it on and off throughout their entire lives. Remember that the other parent and people around you will also have opinions about baby names, so sometimes it is a good idea to consider these opinions. If by some chance you do not have enough ideas for baby names, then search the internet for a baby name directory.

Remember that your new child will be stuck with whatever name you give him or her for the rest of their lives. Common names are “normal” and “safe”, but sometimes easily forgotten, especially when you meet a lot of people all at once. Unusual names are hard to remember at first, but once remembered usually stick to memory much better. You may want to choose a name that is easily pronounced from the spelling. When trying to pick a name, decide whether you want the child to have a common name or an unusual name.

If you want a not too common name that is easy to remember, try to think of names of people that you have never met before. For example, I’ve never personally met anyone named Darien, so perhaps that name is not too common. Although this method is far from scientific, it is a good way to brainstorm.

Want to avoid common names? Check out the following website that allows you the search for the most common names by year: www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/.

Once you have a list of names, you can move onto the second step in the process – picking the best name for the baby. It should be noted that in most cases, the two people who have authority of a new baby’s name are the mother and father. The opinions of friends, family members, and other associates can be taken into account as well, but ultimately the parents should make the final decision. The name should be one that both the mother and father like. Here are some methods for selecting a baby’s name:

1. The most obvious way to select a name is to just have both parents talk about it until they reach a decision. Most parents can come to agreements this way, although others may be more fixated on their own name choices. If selecting a baby name becomes difficult, try the methods below.
2. The father picks a boy name and the mother picks a girl name before the gender of the child is known (or vice versa). If either parent does not like a name, they can veto the name. For example, if the father picks “John” for the boy’s name and the mother does not like it, she can veto. The father then has to pick another name. This process continues until both parents pick names that are mutually acceptable. This method works best for parents that are not too picky about names. Otherwise, the process could last a long time.�
    
3. If you want to involve friends and family, what you will need to do is make a list of names. Choose the names that you are most passionate about and make the list as concise as possible. Have friends and family rate the names on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being best (or rank them from favorite to least favorite). The parents can easily print out these surveys on paper or send the by email. Total up the scores and see what people around you think.

The reach a decision, parents must agree on a process and then follow it. In summary, following these simple steps can take the stress and difficulty out of selecting a baby’s name.

About the Author:
Criss White is a professional web writer on baby and new mother topics for baby and pregnancy websites. For more personalized gift ideas, go to Personalized Baby Shower Favors and for more candle gift ideas, see Baby Shower Candle Favors.

by Stephanie Gallagher, Editor The Shopping Mom’s Guide to Baby Gifts

Why do some baby gifts stand out from the crowd and others seem to get lost in the recipient’s memory, never to be found again?

Surprisingly, it has little to do with cost of the baby gifts. Rather, it’s the little, thoughtful touches that make all the difference.

Some tips:

Add an Element of Humor
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to give baby gifts that are memorable. Try putting together your own “Nursing Survival Kit,” with breast pads, Lansinoh cream, frozen peas (to ease nursing soreness), and a copy of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.

Put Together a Creative Baby Gift Basket
Create a “Sleep Like a Baby” baby gift basket with a soft baby blanket or lovey, a white noise CD (vacuum sounds are great!) and a Miracle Blanket (for easy swaddling).

Or transform a simple baby book into a “Remembering the Moment” baby gift basket, by adding a copy of the local newspaper from the day the baby was born, copies of Time and People magazines from the week the baby was born, a current postage stamp, and a sales flyer from the local grocery store.

Twenty years from now, the parents and grown child will have fun looking back at everything from the price of a dozen eggs to who the hot celebrities were back when junior was a baby.

For more gift basket ideas, check out The Baby Gift Basket: Finding the One That’s Guaranteed to Please

Include Everything the New Parents Will Need to Make It Work
Nobody likes extra work. So do whatever you can do to make it easy for the new parents to enjoy your baby gift.

For example, if your present requires batteries, include a small package of batteries (the correct type, of course,) with it. You don’t even need to give the whole pack — just the right amount for the item you’ve given. You’d be amazed how grateful the new parents will be.

Put it Together For Them
The best baby gifts for new parents are those that require no work on their part to enjoy.

However, this is a strategy that’s best used when you are absolutely positive the new parents want what you’ve gotten them. Remember, baby gifts that are put together aren’t so easily returned. So do this when you’re buying something off the registry or when the recipients have specifically asked for what you’re giving them.

Include a Gift Receipt
They may love what you’ve gotten, but they may have also gotten two or three baby gifts just like it. Make it easy to return yours, and they’ll be grateful.

Include Your Full Name and Address on the Card
After 36 hours of labor and two weeks of sleep deprivation, a new mommy can’t be counted on to remember her own last name, let alone yours. That’s true even if she’s your sister or best friend. So make it easy for her by writing your full name on the card. Including your address, too, makes it easy for to write the thank-you note.

About the Author:
Stephanie Gallagher, a.k.a., The Shopping Mom, is the author of several parenting books and Editor of The Shopping Mom’s Guide to Baby Gifts

By James McDonald

If a close friend or family member has recently had a newborn baby, and you are unsure as to what type of gift to give them, consider a personalized baby pillow. It is highly recommended as a gift for a baby because it is a great way to provide a keepsake memory. These personalized pillows are quite affordable, and are also used on a daily basis by the baby to sleep on. Design them to match the theme of the nursery with colors and animal prints.

A main reason why someone should think about purchasing a personalized pillow is because it will provide a wonderful keepsake memory to the baby’s parents. It is something that can be customized in almost any way possible. It can be stitched with the name, photo, and date of birth of the child when it is ordered. Not only is this a great memory for the parents, but also a wonderful memory for the child as they grow older and become more mature. They can store it away with their other personal belongings to display to their own children and grandchildren when they are young.

Another purpose for wanting to order this type of pillow is due to the fact that they are quite affordable gifts. If someone is looking for an inexpensive way to show that special someone congratulations on the birth of their newborn, then there is no better gift than a custom pillow made specifically for them.

A third reason for wanting to buy a personalized baby pillow for someone would be not only because it is appreciated as a wonderful gift for the newborn, or a memorable way to commemorate a new addition to a family, but it is also a gift than will be used each and every day. They can be used to rest the baby’s head on every night while serving as your reminder of the joy that everyone experienced when they arrived. Everytime they rest their head on the soft surface they will have pleasant thoughts and dreams. You can feel good knowing you had a small part in that.

The personalized baby pillow is a creative and thoughtful gift that will be truly appreciated by both the new parents and the little one who sleeps on it. As they grow and become more aware of things, they will recognize that you gave them this cherished item. Perhaps they will thank you in their own words some day.

About the Author
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of Nursery Bedding which includes Baby strollers, Baby car seats, and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.