You can make life easier for you and your toddler by establishing a bedtime routine.  Consistency and predictability will help your child relax and get ready for sleep and enjoy a good night’s sleep.

Every family with a bedtime routine has a slightly different set of rituals.   Here are some ideas that other parents have found to be successful:

Bath time: An evening bath is one of the most popular bedtime rituals.

Read a bed time story: This is a great way to calm your toddler down, especially if after bath time.

Relaxing sounds: Quiet lullabies or a sound machine are nice ways to help your toddler fall asleep.

Remember that bedtime can be a special bonding time, especially for parents who are away all day at work.  For more ideas, read visit BabyCenter.com.

We love Moms Who Blog, and we’re not alone.  Advertisers have long recognized the value of blogging moms.  This became even more apparent at the recent BlogHer ’10 conference in New York City.  Many companies sponsored special events for female bloggers (many of whom were moms).  Participating companies included Pepsico, McDonalds, Gold’s Gym, Ralph Lauren and Proctor & Gamble.

A Retail Advertising & Marketing Association study from December 2009 reports that 13% of U.S. moms of childrens ages 8 to 12 (the tween category) maintain their own blog and 52% read blogs on a regular basis.

Read more about Moms Who Blog at the BlogHer website.

Baby Diaper Cakes are one of the newest gift ideas for baby showers. The “cake” is actually made from tiers of diapers which are wrapped with ribbon or a baby blanket. The center of the cake can include bottles of baby lotion, baby oil and powder. Other baby items such as wash clothes, onesies and bibs can also be tucked into the tiers of the cake. Soft toys and rattles are used to decorate the tiers.

In addition to being a wonderful baby shower gift for any expectant mother, a Baby Diaper Cake makes a beautiful table centerpiece for the baby shower.

You can buy a ready-made Diaper Cake online or make your own. This YouTube video shows a nice example of a homemade Diaper Cake:

You can see more pictures of Baby Shower Diaper Cakes at Creative Baby Shower Ideas.

Having a pet is an important part of childhood. Besides teaching children responsibility, a family pet can foster a lifelong love of animals. Here are some tips on deciding on the best type of pet for your family:

Dogs – A dog is an active pet that can be a child’s best friend. Dogs also require the most care. Make sure your family is ready for a new member of the family before acquiring a dog.

Cats – A cat can be a fun pet for children who are satisfied with petting and cuddling. Most cats won’t play the way a dog will and can be aloof at times, but in general they’re easier to take care of than dogs.

Hamster or Gerbil – These are among the easiest pets to take care of and are good for families who are away from home during the day. The hardest things about hamsters and gerbils as pets is keeping their cage clean and not letting them escape in the house!

Before choosing a pet, evaluate how much free time you have and how much time you’re willing to devote to caring for a pet. Also consider how much money you’re able to invest over the lifetime of the pet. Larger pets like dogs and cats can be a lot more expensive than a hamster or goldfish.

Read more about choosing a pet for your family at Parents.com.