Everyday Parenting

So what is a sleepover? Well, according to Wikipedia: ‘A sleepover, also known as a pajama party, is a party most commonly held by children or teenagers, where a guest or guests are invited to stay overnight at the home

“We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.” Stacia Tauscher Who, other than yourself and their other parent do they respond well to and why? When I work with groups of

September and back to school – or maybe it is September and time to start school! Each new year brings change in lots of ways but starting play school, big school, secondary or college are very much transitions. As parents

Why it happens Shocking as it may be to you (and onlookers), aggressive behavior is a normal part of your toddler’s development. Still-emerging language skills, a fierce desire to become independent, and undeveloped impulse control make children this age prime

What you should know! Recent opinion favours leaving the move to solid food until after the  six month stage when babies digestive systems are ready and able to cope with it. Any earlier may increase the risk of food allergies.

When you have one child you become a parent. When you have two (or three or four….) you become a referee! (Not sure who said this, but they definitely must have had more than one) I have often heard parents

1 Thing A Day You are the expert on you and on your child. You can read books, articles (and thank you for taking the time to read this) and listen to all the ‘experts’ to get information but only

I am a good parent if my child sleeps through the night….. He/She is a good baby because they sleep through the night…….. Everyone else’s child seems to go to sleep or stay asleep…….. Is it always going to be

Coming back from ‘Meltdown’! ‘There’s no point in being grown up if you can’t be childish sometimes.’ Dr. Who There is much written about tantrums and children. What are they? Why do they happen? What should a parent do before,

‘No matter how calmly you try to referee, parenting will eventually produce bizarre behavior, and I’m not talking about the kids. Their behavior is always normal.’ Bill Cosby As parents, we absolutely want to do our best and be the

o be or not to be – that is the question? Those famous words are often quoted and I do so again here in relation to the whole area of Godparenting. If and when it is relevant, it is an

‘Remember, if Christmas isn’t found in your heart, you won’t find it under a tree.’ Charlotte Carpenter It is nearly that time of year again and all the fabulous snow last week makes it easier to get the sense that

‘Lose an hour in the morning, and you will be all day hunting for it’. – Richard Whately They say that the first hour of the day is the rudder of the day. Get off to a good start and

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” Emilie Buchwald Having worked with hundreds of parents over the past few years, I know that one of the main ways that parents connect and have ‘down time with their’child

‘It is hard to be brave, when you’re only a Very Small Animal.’– Piglet, Winnie the Pooh A colleague of mine sent me an email with the above title. As a parent and someone working with parents, my curiosity got

‘A pat on the back is only a few vertebrae removed from a kick in the pants, but is miles ahead in results.’ Ella Wheeler Wilcox For some time now, parents have been aware of the importance of praising children.

“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” O. Fred Donaldson, American Martial Arts Master It may seem obvious to say that play is an important part of a child’s life but it is

As sure as the mercury drops, cold and flu viruses make the rounds through homes and childcare facilities each year. If only there were a way to guarantee that your baby won’t get sick. Is there? Read more at Baby

The guilt that sometimes comes with using childcare…..“I think I’ll stay with you today Daddy, and we can play all day”. This short sentence broke my heart recently. This short sentence left me struggling with guilt over some aspects of

There is no set time that you should get rid of your child’s cot and put him in a bed, although most children make the move sometime between ages 18 months and three and a half. Many parents switch their

‘There is a great difference between worry and concern. A worried person sees a problem, and a concerned person solves a problem.’ Harold Stephens From the moment a child is born, parents worry. In fact the worry often starts way

‘I daresay one profits more by the mistakes one makes off one’s own bat than by doing the right thing on somebody’s else advice.’ (Somerset Maugham) Chances are no one put up their hand for that one! When we see