Music & your Child
Most children love music, whether it’s singing nursery rhymes complete with actions (of course), having a little dance or even listening to something more soothing before they go to sleep.
My Mum loves to tell people about how I would make up my own songs when I was little (well perhaps ‘songs’ is pushing it) they were more like stories which I’d sing to myself – e.g.:
I’m certain that they weren’t necessarily particularly tuneful, and I probably never sang the same song twice. I don’t have much recollection of doing it as I was too young really, but apparently I’d keep myself amused for hours. So, suffice to say, music has always been really important to me – perhaps even before I can actually remember!
Should You Encourage Children to Make New Year’s Resolutions?
Well, it’s a brand new year, and (for some at least) I’m guessing that New Year’s resolutions are front of mind.
They certainly are on the Supernanny website, where they’ve compiled a list of potential New Year’s resolutions for kids. On the face of it, I have to confess it sounds pretty good, right? You and your child agree a set of resolutions which they’ll try to stick to.
The only problem is, well let’s be honest now. When it comes to New Year’s resolutions we don’t necessarily take them all that seriously. Normally my resolutions last around a week or so, or possibly if I’m very focused, until the end of January; then – well they just sort of fall by the wayside. Read more »
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!
Christmas Car Journeys – A Survivors’ Guide
Many of us make trips to visit family and friends around Christmas and of course over the New Year.
As such I get lots of questions from frazzled parents enquiring whether I have any tips to make those long Christmas car journeys go smoothly.
Well, smoothly might be pushing it somewhat – but I certainly have some suggestions which hopefully you’ll find useful.
