When our kids start school, it’s not only daunting for the child. It can be scary for the parents too. How will they cope in the playground? What will the other mums be like? Will they end up standing on their own outside the cliques in the playground? As a working mum where you may not even get to do normal drop offs or pick-ups, the feelings can be more extreme . It’s even harder to speak to the teacher… Continue Reading “Working mums – how to cope at the school gate”
Whenever I hear parents at the start and end of school term worried about how tired and grouchy their children are, I think I’m relieved and pleased that so far N doesn’t show these traits. I’ve certainly lucked out with him, especially now he’s no longer waking at 5am every day, and mostly stays in his own bed. I just want to show that kids don’t always follow the usual expectations that we always hear, and that if your child… Continue Reading “Child development myths – my child is different”
Parenting advice seems to say to avoid negotiating with kids. I’m not sure I agree. We have a lot of negotiations in our house. Ever since N has grasped the fact that he might be able to get something following a discussion, there’s not much he asks for where he doesn’t back it up. He doesn’t always get his own way, but teaching children to negotiate and argue their cause is a pretty valuable skill for them to learn. I… Continue Reading “Negotiating with kids – for sheep”
This year’s holiday firsts were never going to beat last years when N went on a plane for the first time. But 3 weeks in to this summer and he’s already had some pretty fun firsts. As children grow up you forget the milestones and the firsts they’ve done, so sometimes it’s nice to remember and celebrate them. Last year N did a scrapbook for the summer, and I’d like to get him to do another one this year. Although… Continue Reading “Enjoying summer holiday firsts”
The long summer holidays are almost upon us which brings pleasure for children, and some parents. And horror for other parents. School holidays are when many parents (mostly mums) probably wish they only worked term time or were stay at home parents. For working parents holidays are a different matter. Employed parents probably find it harder with restricted time off. Although for self-employed parents, and even those working at home, there are changes that need to be made if they’re… Continue Reading “School holiday childcare options”
For a working mum things are a bit strange and detached when your children start school. When I compare my life and interaction with school compared with my mum’s (who was a SAHM until we were secondary school age), it’s so different. I work full time, although compress my hours earlier in the week so I can do 2 normal time drop offs and 1 pick up on a Friday. The rest of the week, N is in morning club… Continue Reading “When kids activities mean more than just activities”
Talking about the birds and the bees to our children. Always one of the topics that is sprung on us before we’re ready or prepared for it. Nowadays children are so much more savvy compared to when we were children. Added to that, they learn about sex education in schools much younger, so I want to be the one to tell N rather than waiting for him to find out from school. I remember my mum giving me a ‘how… Continue Reading “Birds and the bees talks with 6 year olds”
Sometimes you get moments in life which make you wonder why they happen. Then you get angry about it, moan and have a rant (ok, maybe that’s just me). Then you spend time wondering if you’ve reverted back to school days with wondering what other people are thinking and saying. Usually I’m on the outskirts of groups at school. I have a few friends amongst the mums who I’ll see outside school, mostly because I knew them beforehand and a… Continue Reading “The receiving end of gossiping mums”
Considering I didn’t ever really think I’d want to have children, I think we’ve had a pretty easy ride of it so far. Making the decision to try for a baby was a good one and it’s worked out well. Easy pregnancy, easy ‘labour’ (most calm unplanned c section ever), easy baby and so far, not too much trouble since then. While N has been a pretty easy going child so far, he does have selective hearing, never does the… Continue Reading “Teacher’s pet or super keen kids”
When I was a child I always struggled with my lack of imagination. I read lots but if I was tasked with writing a poem or story and I would find it really hard. I’d clam up and not know how to start. My teachers never really helped with how to improve. I just always thought I had no imagination. But now N says the same thing that I used to feel. He’s got the actual writing part sorted he… Continue Reading “Ultimate tips to encourage imagination for kids to write”
