The question of when to transition a toddler from their crib to a "big kid bed" can be a stressful one for parents. Friends, experts and in-laws all seem to have their opinion - which are often conflicting and confusing. As a parent, you know your child best and are in the best position to determine the right time for your toddler to move into a big bed.

I know one family whose little boy was such a nibble climber that at 12 months he would pull a Tarzan in the middle of the night, leaping from the bed to the floor and then toddling into their room at 1, 2 and even 3 am. Needless to say, they determined that his safety was at risk and quickly moved him to a toddler bed with side rails.

In our case we decided to move our little one from the comforts of her crib when one and one became not three, but four. Choosing the right bed became our primary focus: twin bed or toddler bed? We learned that toddler beds are low to the ground, which made us worry less about our little one falling out of bed in the middle of the night. Fanciful beds like the Princess Toddler Cot made our little one actually want to leave the crib. What a relief!

A few years ago, I gave birth to our third baby girl and as she and her sisters have grown I've noticed a startling change in me. The practical, sensible woman that I had become began to give way to the girly-girl within. I fell in love with flowers, frills and fancy things all over again. I began to wonder why I always chose the comfortable flats instead of the stylish heels, why I wore only black, beige and periwinkle and why I had chosen a wash-and-go haircut.

I watched with delight as my little girls put together outfits that consisted of red, hot pink, orange and yellow, completing the look with a lovely, flowing floral scarf. I longed to wear such joyful combinations with the abandon that I saw in my little ones.

I decided to redo their room with an eye toward embracing all things feminine and beautiful. Sheer, flowing canopies are draped over their beds and each girl has floral bedding in their favorite shade of pink. When I saw the Princess Vanity & Stool I knew the girls would love it. I could image them trying on all of their dress up jewelry and admiring themselves in the non-breakable plexiglass mirror. Perfect.

With three little ones under our roof the influx of stuff can be truly overwhelming. Loving grandparents enjoy showering their little darlings with gifts throughout the year. And of course, there are the gifts received during the holidays and birthdays - times three. Then, add in trying to "rotate" all of these toys and games to keep them "new" for the kids can be down right exhausting.

One friend has asked all of her relatives to give gifts of time, which results in the child and relative enjoying a play or museum together. I haven't been that brave and I worry about stealing the joy a grandparent feels when buying something special for their grandchild.

Another friend suggests buying plastic containers and filling them with the various toys. When her kids get bored of certain toys she simply takes the container filled with that toy, puts it in the closet and pulls out a container stored there with different toys. This is especially easy to do when all of the containers are the same size and have a designated location like the Storage Cubby. Built of solid wood and designed to hold up to 500 pounds, this piece is both sturdy and functional.

Those first few steps your little one takes can be both exciting and anxiety provoking. As you watch them precariously toddle away from the safety of the table's edge you may wonder if they're ready.

During the first year of life your little one has mastered rolling over, sitting up and crawling or scooting. These achievements have helped build your child's muscles, coordination and motor skills - all of which physically prepared your little one for those first steps. Now that they possess the confidence to develop their walking skills a push toy can provide you with peace of mind and provide your child with a safe and fun way to explore.

The Walk a Buddy Princess Cart is a favorite among girls - and boys who like pink. The handle provides beginning walkers with added confidence, while the "carriage" allows your little princess to keep her favorite doll or stuffed animal nearby.

For those who do not like pink, the Radio Flyer Classic Red Car is a good option with a walking bar and interior space for collecting interesting things along the way.