Posts tagged parenting tips
Does Baby ALWAYS Come First?
In 2005, the author, Ayelet Waldman, wrote an essay for the NY Times declaring that she loved her husband MORE than she could ever love her children. All hell broke loose in the mom universe. A mother of four, she asserted that if one of her children died, she could get over that, but without her husband, her life would “have no joy.” She could not “picture a future without him.” (more…)
Taking Care of Yourself – The importance of Recharging
Me Time
Have you ever put a week of your life on a spreadsheet and accounted for every hour of your time? Have you ever tried to find time for the “ME” in your life somewhere on that spreadsheet? (more…)
Rituals and Routines – The first “discipline” of consistency
I have an 8X10 photo of myself almost 1 year after the birth of my youngest daughter and there are two dark holes with a little speck of light where my eyes should’ve been. I was more messed up than I thought! With too many things only I could do and not enough of me to complete the list, I needed an intervention!
Let’s just tell the truth. Many of us moms secretly love the chaos of motherhood. It gives us purpose—to face each day as an unexpected surprise and then see how effective we can be against the challenges our children present. Babies have a way of being just unpredictable enough that something is bound to come up that throws you off the rails.
But here’s the catch: (more…)
Baby Comparisons: Infancy Is Not a Contest!
I attended a lecture last week that was very interesting. It was given by Michael Thompson, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist who has written several parenting books, including The Pressured Child, the main theme of the meeting. While Dr. Thompson is not an infant specialist, he made a closing remark that I think is relevant for parents at any stage: “Your child is on his or her own journey, not yours.” He urged parents to do two things:
- Let your children have a childhood.
- Don’t use your child’s life as a way of proving your own effectiveness as an adult.
“Easier said than done,” I thought. After all, parenthood is also a journey, and we are learning as we go.
Besides, new parents should get a reprieve for their ego-involvement during Baby’s first year or so of life; it is the parent’s responsibility to guide, protect, and yes, More >
Watching Babies Think: Babies Know More Than We Think and More Than They Can Speak
Anyone who has seen the 2004 comedy, Meet the Fockers, starring Robert DeNiro and Ben Stiller will remember the singular obsession of DeNiro’s character. As Jack Byrnes, an uptight former CIA agent and grandfather to Little Jack, he is hell-bent on using “the latest” child development principles to advance his grandson’s development. So when it comes to vocabulary building he takes sign language to a new level using a “drill and more drill” learning approach only to be foiled by his prospective son-in-law’s utterance of a profanity that is readily imitated by Little Jack!
When child development experts recommend talking to your baby, Jack Byrne’s approach is not what the scientific community had in mind. We can all just chill and do a great job of parenting and language development with less obsession. Here are a few ideas: More >
Baby’s First Haircut
Has the time come for your little one to get their first hair cut? Although you may be filled with mixed emotions, as you are starting to see your little one grow-up right in front of your eyes, taking your little one for his or her first haircut is very exciting. This is just one of the many ‘first’ experiences you get to share with baby, as it marks a special milestone.
Discover the right time to go. There’s no wrong or right time to head to the salon. It all depends on how much hair your little one was blessed with. If you see hair starting to get in baby’s eyes, it might be time to start planning a trip to see your trusty stylist.
Share the experience with them. The salon is a new and unfamiliar place for baby. Having someone squirt water on your head and hold scissors near your face can be quite intimidating. Show them what’s More >
