Advertisement feature in association with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
When you close your eyes and think about the best bits of Christmas, what do you see?
*closes eyes and smells mulled wine*
It’s probably not the frantic gift buying and wrapping, or the vast amounts of cooking and washing up. Chances are it’s not even the presents. It’s more a feeling isn’t it? The wrapping paper has been squeezed into the recycling, the leftover turkey is in the fridge, and everyone is snuggled up on the sofa. Perhaps there’s a chocolate orange casually placed on your lap, (just in case, because you never know when you might need a chocolate orange), and you’ve just found a film that everyone’s excited to watch.
You take a big happy sigh, a swig of your Baileys, give your kids a squeeze and everything’s good. That’s the kind of feeling that I get when I think of Christmas.
You can’t buy those kind of moments though can you? You can’t give someone the gift of a snuggly evening on the sofa.
Or can you?!
DUM DUM DUM DUM!
(That was me making a dramatic noise.)
You can make a jolly good start at it by getting the family one of these family movie advent calendars from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment:
Did you know that this week – November 11th – 15th – is Anti-Bullying Week? The theme this year is ‘Change Starts With Us’, and the goal is to help parents, teachers and children work together to take collective responsibility to stop bullying.
As a parent though it’s tough to know how best to approach it. I was never seriously bullied at school, but my mum’s answer to anybody picking on me, name calling or things like that, was to tell me to just ignore them. ‘They’re just jealous’, she always said. I suspect that was a lie, but it stood me in good stead.
At the other end of the spectrum you have those parents who say to fight back, that the only way to stop a bully is by giving them a taste of their own medicine, but two wrongs don’t make a right do they? Dealing with a bullying by punching them in the face doesn’t feel like a solid plan to me.
So what should you do if you think your child is being bullied? What can you say to reassure and support them and what practical steps can you take to tackle bullying? Today I’ve got Simon Benn in, the UK’s first Children’s Happiness Coach, to give us some tips – 11 things in fact that you need to know if your child is being bullied. Simon has years of experience working with children across the UK and further afield, helping them and their parents to build resilience and immunity to bullying.
Here’s what Simon has to say…
I’ve helped more than 1,600 children understand how to be happy and what I’ve learned is that when it comes to being bullied, how the parent responds is one of the most important factors in the determining the outcome and future happiness of the child.So, if your child is being bullied, here are 11 things you need to know as a parent.View Post
Advertisement feature in association with Yelloh! Village
Planning a holiday that appeals to a whole family is tough. There’s always some chump who thinks that back to basics camping would be ‘fun’*, the younger kids want ‘things to do’, (gross), and the older ones are just annoyed that they have to been seen with you in public and are already on the verge of breakdown in case there isn’t WiFi.
And you? Probably all you want is to lie in a darkened spa with a glass of wine and the latest issue of Good Housekeeping. (Me.)
How do you choose a family holiday then that ticks everyone’s boxes and is still affordable? I think Yelloh! Village might just be the answer.
Yelloh! Village got in touch recently to enlist my help to let more people know who they are and what they do, (I’d never heard of them so don’t feel bad), and after having a good look through their website and reading lots of reviews, (they have an excellent Trustpilot rating), I was sold. I definitely want to take baby Joey on a Yelloh! Village holiday next summer when he’s good and chubby and toddling about.
Yelloh! Village is part of the European ‘glamping’ scene – pre-pitched tents and holiday homes on complexes offering a whole wealth of hotel style facilities like indoor and outdoor pools, spa and wellness and loads of outdoor activities for kids and adults. There’s so much choice, you’ll be hard pressed not to find something to suit. View Post
Today I have a review of the Cozy Mum and Me baby wrap from Bee and baby Joey, who is now over three months old! Can you even imagine? I’ve been a Granny for over three months! Bee was very kindly gifted a baby wrap from Cozy Mum and Me, and here’s what she and Joey think.
…
When I was pregnant I was a bit of a sceptic when it came to baby products. I was so desperate not to fall into the new parent trap of over buying loads of fad items that I was more on the unprepared side if anything. I pretty much just bought a multipack of vests and a second hand Snuzpod (which he never wants to go in, typical) and apart from that I was lucky enough to have my mum picking up loads of clothes at new to you sales for me and I also received some really nice gifts.
Two gifts that I definitely couldn’t have lived without have been my breast pump, which I use all the time and could never have afforded, and our Cozy Mum and Me baby wrap.
I’d never been particularly interested in using a wrap because I didn’t think they were all that useful and I didn’t understand how they worked – how does just one strip of material secure a small baby to your body with a few folds?! But our Cozy Mum and Me wrap has been an absolute life saver.
Once you get the hang of it and realise that the baby isn’t suddenly going to drop out of the bottom of it, a wrap is really useful even if you don’t use it as your every day way of carrying your baby. As well as being able to get on with things around the house, you can use them on walks outside and also just as a way to comfort and bond with your baby at home. It’s a really easy way to get some quality skin to skin time in while still being practical enough that you have a bit of freedom to do other things too.
As I write this, Belle is upstairs putting together a flat pack hamster cabinet. (Best not to ask.) It struck me that there are probably plenty of 17 year olds who wouldn’t know what to do with an electric screwdriver and set of flat pack furniture instructions, and so I indulged in a brief moment of parental smugness.
‘Haven’t I done well,’ I thought, ‘bringing up such capable, independent children.
It reminded me of when Bee went off to university, which was six years ago now, if you can believe it, which I can’t. In her first year she lived in halls in a flat with seven other people and when she arrived she was the only one of them that knew how to use a washing machine.
That’s not cool is it? To get to 18 years old and not even be able to wash your own clothes is worrying, to say the least. I blame the parents, obviously, because I am 99% sure I am peri-menopausal and so I say things like that now.
It got me thinking about some of the useful things I’ve taught Bee and Belle over the years, as well as some of the life skills I probably SHOULD have taught them, and so I’ve put all of these thoughts together into a helpful list of seven things to teach your kids before they leave home. View Post
Every parent of a first-year student can relate to the nagging concern that their child isn’t taking care of their own health. It explains the food parcels, the multi vitamins posted special delivery and the strict instructions not to drink too much, sleep plenty and phone home when stressed. For most parents, there’s little need for concern. Their adult child gets along just fine and at the end of the first term returns home for Christmas looking exactly like they did in September.
For parents of children with asthma it’s often a very different story. According to Asthma UK, young people with the condition are more likely to have uncontrolled asthma and least likely to get life-saving basic care. 18-34 were the least likely to have a personalised asthma action plan, with only 26% saying they used one. They were also the age group least likely to attend their annual asthma review, with only 64% doing so. View Post
As a parent, it’s crucial to understand your baby’s development. The childhood developmental milestones mark important stages, including motor skills, communication or language development, psycho-social skills, cognitive development, and emotional well-being.
In this post, you’ll learn the importance of understanding the baby’s development, so you’ll be guided in helping your little one successfully pass through different developmental stages.
You Can Engage With Your Baby Using Play
A part of children’s development is playing. Babies need time and attention from their parents in the form of play. By six weeks up to three months, most babies produce vowel sounds, coo, and gurgle, and these are the preliminary actions babies do to engage in play.
Look into your baby’s eyes and bring your face closer to give due attention to your baby. By the 6 month old development, babies can sit up alone and rock back and forth, which helps them develop motor skills required as they grow and start learning to move and play. Mothers notice their babies smiling and laughing as you they to them face to face, carry or swing them, make jokes, sing, or praise.
Babies have fun and enjoy seeing familiar faces and discovering different facial expressions, which is a form of communication, engagement, and playtime. To learn how babies start to learn the concept of play, watch this:
As your baby turns into a toddler, gross and fine motor skills are slowly developed. Between 18 months to two years old, toddlers run fairly well, squat to play, jump, throw a ball, and use ride-on toys.
Playtime is crucial in helping your child enjoy and get the most out of the experience to develop the essential skills needed in adult life. You can also finish your household chores while your child is busy playing and learning.
Here are some tips and tricks when playing with your little one:
Get together different things to allow your child to explore and think about creative ways to use them in the form of play.
Make everything you’re doing interesting and fun for your child.
Dedicate certain times of the day to focus and play with your child.
Give your baby opportunities to run, jump, and climb.
Understand Your Baby’s Cry to Better Respond to His Needs
New parents have a lot of fears about their baby’s health and well-being. It’s hard to guess what your baby needs and wants. But how can you understand your baby without using words? Well, there are many signs to help you understand and interpret your baby, like crying. Babies express their needs through crying, especially during the first four months of life.
Here are some tips to help you understand whether your baby is crying because of pain, hunger, or something else:
Calling Cry: The baby continuously cries for five to six seconds, followed by pausing for 20 seconds, like waiting for the results. This cycle repeats until the baby cries continuously.
Crying Because of Hunger: The baby starts crying with a calling cry, and the crying continues and becomes hysterical. Also, your baby might keep rotating his head and make smacking sounds with his mouth.
Crying Because of Pain: The baby cries monotonously, loudly, and constantly. Also, there might be hysterical bursts as the pain increases. A sick baby has a monotonous, but quiet cry, because of insufficient strength and energy to make loud noises.
Crying Due to Physiological Processes: The cry of the baby resembles squeaking or whining when urinating, defecating, or perspiring due to very hot weather.
Sleepy Cry: When your baby wants to sleep, but distracted or cannot fall asleep for some reason, the cry is described as smooth whining and offended, followed by yawning. Also, your baby rubs his eyes and ears.
Crying Due to Discomfort: Your baby may intermittently cry and feels irritated as evidenced by fidgeting, flailing, and arching. Better check your baby’s diaper or if your baby is feeling too hot or too cold in their clothes.
Know the Meaning of Your Baby’s Body Language
Parents should understand their baby’s development to know the meaning of body language, which speaks a lot about their well-being. In that way, you can protect and safeguard your kid’s safety. For instance, the arching of the back of babies under two months old could mean response to colic and pain, requiring a doctor’s checkup.
Babies older than two months old who keeps moving when eating indicates a bad mood or tiredness. When babies are around unknown people or before falling asleep, they rotate their heads to calm themselves. When a baby grabs his ears, it can be a sign of body self-exploration. But if it’s followed by crying, consult a pediatrician if it happens too often.
If your baby clenches their fist, this sign means that your baby is hungry. Also, a baby tries to ease colic and tummy pain by lifting their legs reflexively. If the baby jerks their arms, it indicates that your baby is frightened. A bright light, a loud sound, or sudden awakening provokes startle reflex, so you need to comfort your baby if you notice these signs.
Conclusion
By understanding the development of your baby, you can guide, engage, and help your baby grow healthy, active, and strong. You’ll be more knowledgeable in supporting the physical, emotional, mental, and social needs of your child. Also, you can help instill fun, optimism, and discipline to your baby better.
This is the first September in 37 years when I haven’t done ‘back to school’.
That’s bonkers isn’t it?? 37 years!
I was still at college when Bee was born, and she had started school by the time I finished my degree, so it’s been genuinely 37 years of either me or one of my children being in full time education.
No special relevance to this picture of Bee and Belle, I just love it. ‘Welcome to this special documentary about donkeys, over to you Bee.’
Last year was a little different as it was Belle starting college rather than going back to school, but it was the same rituals, the same slow build of anxiety and worries about outfits and timetables and friendships.
Belle has decided college isn’t really her jam, which is totally fine, it’s not for everyone, but it means that my life, for the first time since I was four years old, isn’t held in place by the academic year. The day doesn’t flow from 9am to 3pm, there are no regular school holidays to dread and look forward to in equal measure, it’s just this now. Forever I guess.
Did you know that September is Colic Awareness Month? No, me neither. Only I do now obviously, as do you. To celebrate, if that’s the right word, I’m hosting a giveaway in association with Infacol. Infacol is Britain’s number one colic remedy and has been used by generations of parents to soothe trapped wind, colic and griping pain.* It can be used form birth onwards, it’s sugar, alcohol and colourant-free.
The prize bundle includes lots of treats for a new baby, including a sleep suit, some Infacol, Izzie the elephant cuddly toy and muslin cloth – head to the end of the post for details of how to enter.
Before you do that though, Bee has written a letter to her partner about all the things she was worried about before baby Joey was born.
Taunton (where I live) has a toad trail going on at the moment. It’s one of those things that’s meant to get kids excited about being outdoors and walking further than the toy shop to McDonald’s. There’s a trail map, an app and colourful painted toads dotted in and around Taunton.
(I just had a look at the website to find out exactly how many toads, and it says ‘over 22’, which seems weird to me. ‘Over 20’ maybe, but ‘over 22’? What does that mean? Are there 23?)
We lived in Bristol when the original Gromit trail took place and honestly, we got a bit obsessed with it. I say ‘we’, but I don’t remember Bee being exactly cock-a-hoop about it. Bee is adamant though that in a picture we have of her with a ball, not even two years old, (which I can’t find), she was thinking to herself ‘this is boring, I wonder when I’m allowed to stop?’ I told her she seemed to be enjoying it at the time but she says she was just pretending because that’s what she thought she was meant to like.
Belle got on board with the Gromits though, and we found all 80, although on reflection she may have been humouring me. She even let me have fridge magnets made of the photos.
Where am I going with this? Oh yes. At the time, wandering all over Bristol, following a map and looking for giant dog statues, I thought I was doing it for the kids. Ditto years of crazy golf, murder mystery trailers, organising stationery drawers, watching animated films at the cinema, that sort of thing. Oh the sacrifices I made! So selfless! Of course I’d have rather been at the opera or reading the news or whatever it is grown ups like to do.
Only it turns out it’s not true.
Turns out IT WAS ME ALL ALONG.
‘Do you want to see if we can find all the toads?’ I keep asking Belle. I want her to ask me how many there are so that I can say ‘over 22’ but she has yet to show that level of interest.
‘No,’ is always the disappointing answer, which makes me sad because IS a 41 year old woman allowed to look for giant painted toads on her own??
Okay, so I’m not going to go as far as a rebrand or anything, but if you follow me on social media AT ALL then you cannot have failed to notice that one week ago today Bee gave birth to a baby boy! Does it seem ages since I teased you with the scan photo? It feels like a REALLY long time to me.
It turned out to be even more exciting than I was expecting it to be, as Bee hadn’t realised she’d be allowed two people in the delivery room, and so when she found out, she asked me to be there.
Casually, like ‘if you fancy it.’
I definitely DID fancy it.
I’ve actually always wanted to see a baby be born. It’s weird, because although I’ve done it twice obviously, you don’t get to really SEE it. You’re so involved in the searing pain, ripping of flesh etc, that you can’t exactly concentrate on watching and marvelling at the miracle of birth.
Bee was absolutely amazing, as I knew she would be. Although I know she worries a lot about things, she has this incredible way of handling stress or pain, where she just seems to focus inside herself and go all quiet and calm and powerful looking. She did it when she had her skull drilled into, and she did it again last weekend.
Bee’s partner was an absolute star too – they make an adorable couple and he couldn’t be a better daddy.
Advertisement feature in association with Plusnet and Internet Matters
Internet safety can be a really overwhelming topic for parents. It seems as though every week there’s something new we should be looking out for online and it’s becoming ever harder to monitor everything our children come into contact with on the internet without physically looking over their shoulders all the time.
While many apps and content designed for kids can seem safe at first, it feels as though some people online are going to new lengths to get inappropriate content in front of children. It’s easy for kids too to accidentally find themselves Googling inappropriate images, as evidenced recently by my 10 year old nephew, who is not very good at spelling, trying to search for Pokemon.
As they get older though, is it really reasonable to ban them from all social media and video content, especially when they’re coming up to being teenagers and want a little more online freedom? How do we really know what they’re seeing on their phones and tablets if we can’t watch with them every single time? Do you feel confident that your child would highlight unsuitable content to you and know how to correctly report it to stop it from happening again, or do you think they would they be more likely to be drawn in by things they knew they weren’t allowed to be seeing? View Post
