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For Those Struggling to Breastfeed
Society labels breastfeeding as the natural choice. Therefore, many mothers feel like it should come naturally. They are often frustrated when they find that they are struggling to breastfeed. When breastfeeding doesn’t work, we can feel like there is something wrong with us as mothers. Nothing could be further from the truth. Breastfeeding struggles are common. According to a 2019 study, 70.3% of mothers experience difficulties of some sort and 80% stop breastfeeding earlier than they want to. (Gianni et al., 2019) Are the benefits of breastfeeding worth the battles? What can be done to overcome some of the most common difficulties? Benefits formula feeding Breastfeeding is pushed hard in…
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How to Help Children Cope with Death
How to help children cope with death, is a question we will all face eventually. Death is a fact relevant to all humankind. It is one that many people struggle to come to terms with. Even adults find the mortality of those that they love difficult to acknowledge. It is no easier for a child. In the West death can be a taboo subject, meaning that many children will not encounter the concept until it affects them personally. Childhood is a vulnerable stage of life. Our little ones depend on their adults for their survival. Therefore realising that a person can go from being there to being gone, can…
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The Difference Between Discipline and Punishment
Is there a difference between discipline and punishment? I grew up in the age of authoritative parenting. “Spoil the rod to spare the child,” was the mantra that my parents and their friends lived by. Oh, did we learn the rod! In those days, if you stepped out of line then you felt it. I know that my parents did what they truly felt was best for us. But was it really the best way? Are punishments the only way to discipline? Are they the best way to discipline? Or, can discipline mean something different? What is the difference between discipline and punishment? At the very heart of it, discipline…
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How to Make Reading Fun for Children
If reading has become a chore for your little one, you may be wondering how to bring the fun back. Reading should be a joy. A good book can open your child’s eyes to so much wonder. It can take them to depths of the ocean, or outer space. However, as children struggle with the mechanics of language, and grammar, it is easy to see how the magic gets lost. Benefits of reading If you are an avid reader, you will know the fun of reading, but can it be more than just fun? Many studies show reading can benefit children in a myriad of ways. Reading can increase a…
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10 Ways to Practice Self-Care as a Parent
Self-care as a parent may seem selfish. That is not true. Looking after yourself can help you give your best to your child. Here is a great article, explaining how your own self-care can benefit your child. By looking after yourself you will be showing your children how to do the same. As your children grow and develop, they will learn more from what you show them, than what you tell them. You can teach them by daily example, how to prioritise their own wellness. Let’s explore some practical ways that we can care for ourselves, in the midst of our full schedules and chaotic lives. 1. Declutter your…
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This Too Shall Pass- for Good Days and Bad
“This too shall pass.” There are many different stories about the origin of this adage. It has been around for a very long time. However it is still relevant. As we journey through parenthood, there is a lot that these words can offer us. They are a reminder to slow down and cherish the sweet times. They are also a promise that whatever you are going through, be it sleep deprivation, tantrums, potty training or worse, it will not be your forever. When you feel at your wit’s end When my eldest child was a baby, he went through sleep regression. By six weeks old he was sleeping through the…
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How to Encourage Your Child to do Homework
Homework can become a battle. Does it need to be? Is it possible to encourage your child to study independently? I remember being a child and hating homework. When I encourage my children to study it’s not without empathy. Amongst the parents I know, there are wildly different attitudes to the idea of schoolwork outside of school. Some believe there isn’t enough time for children to play, so are happy for homework to be forgotten. Others will sit with their child and ensure every task is completed. Is homework beneficial? As with many topics, experts do not agree if homework is beneficial, or not. There is more consensus that homework…
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When to Set a Routine for Your Baby
When you have a baby, you will hear lots of talk about setting a routine. This might not sound like the worst idea. Life with a newborn can feel chaotic. Babies are little, but they have a huge impact. A lot of new parents may feel eager to calm the chaos. Many grown-up humans love predictability and preset plans. Babies, however, come to us unprogrammed, with no concept of time or scheduling. Their constantly changing and unpredictable needs can be exhausting. Babies are little, but they have a huge impact. A lot of new parents may feel eager to calm the chaos So, when can you set a routine for…
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Calm to the Storm- an introduction
Parenthood can be magical. Cuddles with your newborn, days at the beach watching your toddler play with the waves, pumpkin patch adventures, or muddy puddle walks; These are the moments many of us look forward to when we welcome our first child. The reality of parenthood If you already have children, you know that there is another side of parenting. It is often messy, exhausting, and demoralising. Parenting can bring out the very best in us, but often also our worst. Since I became a mother, I have found a side of me that is kind, resilient and resourceful. I have also discovered how grumpy, controlling, and impatient I can…
