I remember well-meaning friends who encouraged me to sleep as much as I could during my pregnancy...as if anything could prepare me for the years of sleep deprivation that go hand in hand with becoming a parent. Parenting a child is exhausting...mentally...physically...emotionally. But it's also one of the most rewarding aspects of my life.

There are a several parenting philosophies, many of which directly correspond to their sleep approach. Because my husband and I practice attachment parenting, our philosophy on sleep may differ from the norm. Here are some of our tried and true methods for getting all of us a good night's sleep.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel - I strive to maintain perspective by looking at the bigger picture when it comes to parenting. Each stage is short-lived, and before you know it, your infant is a walking, talking toddler. While sleep deprivation is serious with potentially negative consequences, it's temporary. Keeping that little fact in the back of my mind was just one way I dealt with the emotional side of sleep deprivation.

Defining "Sleeping Through the Night" - Once I achieved a 4-6 hour stretch of sleep, I felt like we had reached a milestone. That is because both of my children woke up every 1 1/2 to 2 hours in those first few weeks of life. Sleeping through the night can mean one 5 hour stretch to one mother and a full 8 hours of synchronized sleep for another. How long a baby sleeps is also related to whether a baby is breast or bottle feeding. Typically, bottle-fed babies sleep through the night earlier than breast-fed babies and sleep for longer stretches. It's important to define and set realistic goals about sleep, ideally during pregnancy, so that you are prepared with a plan once the baby is born.

To Co-sleep or Not to Co-sleep? - I've spoken to families who slept better when they co-slept and families who could not sleep while they co-slept. I will say that neither I, nor my children slept well when they were in their cribs. We found that it worked best to co-sleep safely because that is how we achieved the most amount of sleep, particularly when I was nursing. Co-sleeping is a very personal decision and one that families should make with guidance from their pediatrician.

Follow Your Child's Cues - Temperament and personality have more to do with sleep than you would think. Some babies like to be rocked, patted, or swung while others are content to nurse or suck on a pacifier to go to sleep. Very quickly, you'll determine what does and doesn't work for your child. While there are some very informative books on the market about the subject, remember to follow your child's cues first.

Set Realistic Expectations - I can't tell you how many times I was told by well-meaning parents how their baby was sleeping through the night by 6 or 8 weeks old. Fortunately, I did my own research and confirmed what I had learned about infant growth and development as an RN. Physiologically, an infant is not capable of sleeping through the night until 3-6 months of age. Knowing that little fact helped me understand and anticipate my children's awakenings.

Foster a Healthy Sleep Environment - Sleep is the time when the body repairs itself and rejuvenates for the day ahead. I want my children to embrace sleep, rather than fight it or be afraid of it. My husband and I routinely survey our son's room to ensure that it is dark, quiet, and free from distractions. We also strive to convey sleep as a positive experience.

For some babies and toddlers, music or white noise and a small night light can provide the security a child needs to sleep restfully. Experiment to determine what works best for you and your child.

Create a Healthy Sleep Routine - Unless we're out, our sleep routine is the same. Dinner, downtime, baths/toothbrushing, stories, hugs, and tucking in with Mr. Bear and my son's favorite blanket. Sometimes, when we're in a rush, we'll try to skip a step. But my son thrives on that routine and reminds us that we've forgotten something. When it's done right, my son happily goes to sleep, stating, "I'll see you in the morning Mommy."

Stay Consistent - Every night, we aim to get my son upstairs in his bed at 8:00 pm. On those nights when we're out and my son is ready to go to sleep, it shows in his behavior. That is because his body is accustomed to going to sleep at the same time each night. The same is true for his wake-up time; thus the importance of being consistent with his sleep times.

Be Patient - It takes much longer to help your child learn to sleep than it does to say goodnight and let your child figure it out on his own (aka the "cry it out" method). Sleep is just one of the many lessons you'll teach your child. And just like teaching your child to read or ride a bike, it takes patience, time, and love.

Ask for Help! - I had the advantage of living close to my parents when my son was an infant. Once my husband had exhausted his vacation time and returned to work, I wasn't shy about eliciting the help of friends and family members so I could rest. You would be surprised at how willing people are to help you if you just ask.

Sleep is the foundation for mental, physical, and emotional health.  I hope these tips serve as a starting point for helping you teach your child healthy sleep habits. 

By guest blogger, Caryn Baily, Rockinmama

For most parents, child care is sought out because of necessity. I didn't realize how important and complicated the process was until we were knee-deep in reference checks and interviews.  Whether it's a 9-5 job or simply a much needed date night, finding the right person or entity to take care of your child is an important process.

Determine your needs.  If you will require 30-40 hours per week of child care, it might be wise to consider a preschool or child care center with an organized program.  On the contrary, if your child care needs are sporadic or flexible, an occasional baby sitter might be more appropriate.  Sitting down to discuss or write down your exact child care needs will help focus and guide your efforts to find the solution.

Do your homework.  Does the preschool you're looking to place your child in follow state-mandated ratios? Have you completed a background check on the nanny you're looking to hire? Does the teenager you're speaking to about babysitting for the occasional night out have experience taking care of infants, todd

lers, or preschoolers?  Be sure to research your options carefully so that your child is cared for in a safe, healthy, loving environment.

Be cost conscious. With pencil in hand, calculate the true cost of child care versus the amount of money you'll earn from employment.  For some families, full-time child care, particularly for more than one child, may negate the earning potential of one parent.  Evaluate your budget and determine if other cost-saving measures can be implemented so one parent can stay home if desired.

Go with your instincts.  Sometimes, I'll meet someone and we'll click, a friendship developing almost instantly.  Other times, a connection is just not meant to be.  Give yourself the time and the freedom to interview and meet with several facilities and potential child care providers.  If you're undecided, take some time to think over the situation and plan to meet again.

Get recommendations.  For six months, we employed a part-time

nanny, recommended by a fellow mom at the playgroup our children attended.  Friends, family, neighbors, and fellow parents can serve as a resource for a nanny who may be looking for additional hours, a local preschool you may not know about, or a fabulous home day care program.

Schedule a trial.  During the interview process, I scheduled a trial day with the nanny to observe how she interacted with my son and how my son responded to her.  Similarly, many preschools and formal day care programs will allow a trial day to help make a decision about the facility.  This is your time to observe child/provider interactions, routines, cleanliness, and more.

Entrusting your child to another is a difficult decision.  As a parent, I want to find someone who I trust will care for my children in much the same way I would.  After I've spent time researching the right option, I have to trust that I've made the best decision possible.  Knowing that my son's preschool has an open door policy assures me that at any moment, I can drive the short distance to his school to check in.  Surprisingly, I've yet to feel compelled to do so; hence I know that he's in good hands.

By guest blogger, Caryn Baily, Rockinmama

I wish I could get someone else to potty train my child. There. I said it. It might be my very least favorite part of parenting. I’m so grateful that the peer pressure potty training technique of my sons’ preschool has been so successful. It seems that nothing can motivate a toddler like the opportunity to sit on the potty with his friends – AT THE SAME TIME IN THE SAME ROOM! Placing three little bums on three little potties in a row is genius in my book.

If only the preschool staff made house-calls to deal with the overnight situations or the out-and-about errands. Oh well, I guess I have to conquer some of these tasks on my own.

Here are 5 universal truths about potty training I’ve gleaned from my half-hearted participation in the toilet education of my own children.

You can lead a toddler to the toilet, but you can’t make her pee.
Yes, I have observed that children do it when they’re ready. It will never be on my own time-table, and I’m a control freak, so this one really hurts

When you ask, “Do you have to pee?” most children will lie to you.

I have asked this very question seconds before my child has wet himself in the car seat and on the couch. Ugh and ugh.

Sweatpants are your friend.
For quick potty runs, it helps toddlers to have pants they can pull up and down on their own-- and quickly.

Candy and stickers will only get you so far.
I am not above bribing my child for the desired result, although I do think we need to be careful not to throw a parade for every deposit in the toilet. (When does it end?  Will they ask their Kindergarten teachers for M&Ms? Their college roommates?) Wishing for a one-size-fits-all approach, I have been dis

appointed to learn that some personality types love the sticker chart and candy bribes while others could care less.

The range of normal is broad.
Wondering when your child will stop needing diapers at night? I just learned that between age 3 and 7 is considered normal. That’s pretty wide open, but should offer you some comfort if you find yourself tossing a package of pull-ups into your shopping cart for the same kid who correctly read “Gun Show Coming Soon” from a highway billboard

My only real tip after my battle-scarred journey down the potty training path is to offer opportunity and don’t force the issue. Children can smell your anxiety and pressure and they rebel against it.

Do you have any tips or lessons learned to share?

By Heather from rookiemoms.com

[photo credit: Child Care Learning, Ontario]

I can count on one hand the number of times my husband and I have had a date night sans children in the past three years. In the midst of sleep training, diapers, and meltdowns, it's too easy for the weeks and months to go by without some alone time as a couple.  But like any relationship, tim

e and communication are vital for growth and renewal.  Here is some inspiration for securing regular date nights:

Make a schedule and stick to it. While I realize how unromantic it seems, we'd likely never have a date night if it wasn't on the calendar.  Scheduling date nights ensures we have child care and allows us to make reservations, pre-order show tickets, or any other prep necessary to make the most of our night.  Blocking those nights off also gives us something to look forward to and ensures that this time together does not take a back seat when life gets busy.

Make a trade with another couple.  For some families, the cost of child care prohibits regular date nights.  Offer to take turns babysitting for another couple so that each of you can enjoy a night out together every other month.  Not only will you save money, you'll develop and deepen a friendship with another family.

Make it a night in.  If finding child care is simply too difficult or expensive, commit to regular date nights while the kids are sleeping.  Regularly pencil in a date to spend time with your spouse.  Whether it's playing board games, watching a movie, cooking a special dinner, or simply engaging in a long conversation, these moments to reconnect will do wonders for your relationship.

Make it memorable.  And by memorable, I don't mean expensive. This is your opportunity to reconnect as a couple, so decide together how you will spend your time away from your kids.  Some of our best date nights didn't involve lavish dinners or swanky hotels but rather conversations into the early m

orning or snuggling with hot chocolate and a movie at home. Take a long walk, explore a new museum, work on a project together...the possibilities are endless.

Make your spouse the priority.  I'm guilty of stealing every moment I'm away from my kids to catch up on housework, errands and life. Be sure to preserve this time of togetherness by committing to focus this time on your spouse.  Before your scheduled time away, talk about how you'll deal with distractions that threaten to get in the way of your time together.

Date nights are like fuel for your relationship.  Regular time together will improve your relationship with each other and your relationship with your children.  This commitment to each other also sets an example for your children as they begin to learn about relationships.

By guest blogger, Caryn Baily, Rockinmama