A Baby for all Seasons
A good friend of mine was told last week that her five-year-old daughter would always be at a disadvantage educationally because she had been born in July. This advice was given to her by an experienced teacher at a well-known secondary school who said that this was such a well-known phenomenon as to almost go without saying.
I must admit that, as an August baby myself, I was slightly taken aback at the suggestion! It’s also not something that I have ever worried about in all my years of working with young children. However, five minutes with Professor Google suggests that there is at least some science to support the theory.
Things to Do this Half Term
It’s half term next week – seriously, this year is just flying by!
As parents, it’s often a bit daunting to figure out what to do with the children during half term – particularly in February when the weather can so often work against you. So, I’ve pulled together some ideas for things to do over the half term week – hopefully, you’ll find them useful!
A Winter Picnic - Obviously this is somewhat weather permitting! Fingers crossed we manage a few dry days – as long as it’s dry (and not absolutely freezing) in my book, you can wrap up warm and picnic. I take hot soup (well it is a winter picnic) in addition to the usual fare and we head to the park. Of course, if the weather’s really bad and going out is a complete no-no, then I have also been known to picnic at home on a blanket on the living room floor; the children love it!
Visit the Library - check out what’s going on at your local library – over half term, you’ll often find libraries have various events on, story time sessions and visiting authors. Even better, sessions are normally free!
Baby Steps for Bedtime Routines
Again, this week I thought I’d share one of my own experiences as a parent.
With newborns it can be really difficult to get into a bedtime routine which works for both you, and the baby. Most parents (myself included) bathe their newborn at around 7pm and then pop them down with a feed at around 10pm-10.30pm.
Now whilst this often works quite well for your baby, it’s not necessarily the best for you as a parent. Of course our newborns are the centre of our worlds, but still, it would be nice to reclaim a little of your evening back right? Sit down and have a proper conversation with your partner, or maybe read a book or magazine, have a bath – oh the possibilities!
Helping Your Child Adjust to a New Baby
This week I thought I’d share a story about my own experiences as a Mum.
Our son was 23 months when I brought our daughter home for the first time. Now, there are lots of different opinions over what to do when introducing a new baby to your toddler for the first time. It can be a difficult time for the firstborn child. Of course they’ll need lots of love and reassurance as you don’t want them to feel like they’re being replaced by a newer model!
What’s in a Name?
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.*”
It’s a fabulous quote and one which springs to my mind whenever the subject of baby names comes up in conversation.
But the truth is, naming your child is perhaps one of the biggest decisions we have to make as parents. How do you feel about your name? Do you like it?
Perhaps you wish that your parents had been a little more bold, chosen something more unusual for you. Are there entirely too many people on the planet with the same name as you? Or perhaps you wish that your parents had been a little less inventive. Having an unusual name might be great as an adult – but did you hate it as a child? Read more »
