When I picked Jamie up from Nursery on Friday, one of the ladies commented that, after she had called his name, Jamie had said. 'I am not Jamie. I am Super Jamie'.
Good job we are organising a 'Super Heroes' party for his 4th Birthday!!
Saturday 26 January 2013
Friday 18 January 2013
Being a mother....
Being a mother means doing a full days work before you go to work.......
........and another one when you get home again!
........and another one when you get home again!
Monday 14 January 2013
Saturday 12 January 2013
Santa Coming Again?
We have been forecast snow this weekend and Jamie seems to think if we get snow, Santa will come again!!
Friday 11 January 2013
"Wake Up"
Tuesday afternoon, and we were both a bit tired after a long weekend celebrating daddy's birthday, and then birthday shopping in the morning for mummy's birthday with Nana B, so we lay down on the bed for a little snooze - or so I thought......
A few minutes later, Jamie got out of bed, disappeared and then came back with his recorder, and then his drum kit.
He told me to go to sleep. And then made so much noise on the recorder and the drums, while at the same time shouting Wake Up!!
So I had to pretend to wake up, then pretend to go back to sleep, then.......you get the picture!!
Then, after he bored with that game, he started singing and drumming at the same time. Baa, Baa Pink Sheep, but he refused to let mummy sing (again!).
We never did get that snooze....
A few minutes later, Jamie got out of bed, disappeared and then came back with his recorder, and then his drum kit.
He told me to go to sleep. And then made so much noise on the recorder and the drums, while at the same time shouting Wake Up!!
So I had to pretend to wake up, then pretend to go back to sleep, then.......you get the picture!!
Then, after he bored with that game, he started singing and drumming at the same time. Baa, Baa Pink Sheep, but he refused to let mummy sing (again!).
We never did get that snooze....
Wednesday 9 January 2013
Pester Power
Very useful email from Bounty arrived this week; especially as me and Nana went for a bit of a shop yesterday. I was so pleased I did not give in until the very last shop and only then did I let Jamie have a small bag of Buttons - as opposed to more toys...
‘But I want it, Mummy!’ It’s the cry you dread, especially in public when a refusal to give or buy your child something you can’t afford or disapprove of, leads to a screaming tantrum. The temptation, of course, is to give in. However, if you can bear it, sticking to your guns presents a perfect opportunity to reinforce important and positive messages to your child about boundaries and personal values.
Why does my child do it?
It’s important to recognise that just as we adults live in a world of endless choice, so do children. Advertising to the under-5s is a multi-billion pound global industry. Toddlers may not possess advanced language skills, but a tempting display of sweets at their head height in a supermarket, or colourful TV ad between toddler programmes sends out a powerful early message. One study found that 69% of three-year-olds, for example, can identify the symbol for McDonald’s.
Bar moving your family to a remote Pacific island, however, there is little you can do to remove the constant temptation for a new toy or sugary sweet from your child’s life. You can, however, use each situation to reinforce the following positive messages:
Boundaries
Pushing boundaries – in this case, pestering – is a way for young children to assert independence. But by making it clear what is allowed in your family, and refusing to budge, you remind your child who's in charge. This is crucial, says Dr Nadja Reissland, a developmental psychologist from Durham University. "When we set boundaries we signal that we, the adult, are taking responsibility, which makes the child feel safe,’ she explains. ‘If we then move the goal post at their request, the child feels they are responsible, not the adult. The child doesn’t know which boundary to work towards any more and can feel unsafe."
Family values
A pester power situation is also a perfect opportunity to discuss with your child the importance of opinions and values. 'Just because I say so' is not enough for your child to understand the decision. Try explaining why you would prefer not to waste money on certain items - this allows your child to build up a picture of your family values - and as an adult they will then be able to choose their own values and stick to them.
Respecting other opinions
This discussion can then lead to the idea of respecting other people’s values, which may be different to yours. So while sweets might not be allowed in your house, you may decide to allow your child to eat them at a friend’s house, where they are allowed. This shows your child that it’s possible to negotiate around other people’s views without breaking the rules of your own house. Alternatively, you could ask them to explain to the mother that he or she is not allowed sweets.
1. Don’t feel guilty for not having a bottomless purse, especially if you want to give your child things you never had, says parenting charity Parentline. Children go through different phases every week. Explain why they can’t have everything they want. At Christmas, ask them to list presents in order of preference with a limit of five.
2. If your child wants the same toy as their friend, ask them to think of a toy they own which their friends likes. Then suggest they play together with both toys, sharing them. ‘Often children want something they think will earn them a place in a social group,’ says Dr Reissland. ‘Show them they can earn that place by sharing what they already have.’
3. When you say no, try to show your child you understand their disappointment. Especially if the desired object is something they want to impress their friends. Avoid being flippant about their wants and feelings.
4. Agree tactics with your partner and stick jointly to a decision.
5. Make treats what they are – treats. If you know your child will ask for a new toy or a sugary snack when you go shopping, take food and favourite toy in your bag to distract them. They will learn that your purse doesn’t come out for them every time you go shopping.
6. Don’t say ‘yes’ unless you mean it. If you feel put on the spot, say you will think about it so you can give a final answer rather than break a promise.
http://www.bounty.com/family-time/parenting/coping-with-pester-power?
‘But I want it, Mummy!’ It’s the cry you dread, especially in public when a refusal to give or buy your child something you can’t afford or disapprove of, leads to a screaming tantrum. The temptation, of course, is to give in. However, if you can bear it, sticking to your guns presents a perfect opportunity to reinforce important and positive messages to your child about boundaries and personal values.
Why does my child do it?
It’s important to recognise that just as we adults live in a world of endless choice, so do children. Advertising to the under-5s is a multi-billion pound global industry. Toddlers may not possess advanced language skills, but a tempting display of sweets at their head height in a supermarket, or colourful TV ad between toddler programmes sends out a powerful early message. One study found that 69% of three-year-olds, for example, can identify the symbol for McDonald’s.
Bar moving your family to a remote Pacific island, however, there is little you can do to remove the constant temptation for a new toy or sugary sweet from your child’s life. You can, however, use each situation to reinforce the following positive messages:
Boundaries
Pushing boundaries – in this case, pestering – is a way for young children to assert independence. But by making it clear what is allowed in your family, and refusing to budge, you remind your child who's in charge. This is crucial, says Dr Nadja Reissland, a developmental psychologist from Durham University. "When we set boundaries we signal that we, the adult, are taking responsibility, which makes the child feel safe,’ she explains. ‘If we then move the goal post at their request, the child feels they are responsible, not the adult. The child doesn’t know which boundary to work towards any more and can feel unsafe."
Family values
A pester power situation is also a perfect opportunity to discuss with your child the importance of opinions and values. 'Just because I say so' is not enough for your child to understand the decision. Try explaining why you would prefer not to waste money on certain items - this allows your child to build up a picture of your family values - and as an adult they will then be able to choose their own values and stick to them.
Respecting other opinions
This discussion can then lead to the idea of respecting other people’s values, which may be different to yours. So while sweets might not be allowed in your house, you may decide to allow your child to eat them at a friend’s house, where they are allowed. This shows your child that it’s possible to negotiate around other people’s views without breaking the rules of your own house. Alternatively, you could ask them to explain to the mother that he or she is not allowed sweets.
1. Don’t feel guilty for not having a bottomless purse, especially if you want to give your child things you never had, says parenting charity Parentline. Children go through different phases every week. Explain why they can’t have everything they want. At Christmas, ask them to list presents in order of preference with a limit of five.
2. If your child wants the same toy as their friend, ask them to think of a toy they own which their friends likes. Then suggest they play together with both toys, sharing them. ‘Often children want something they think will earn them a place in a social group,’ says Dr Reissland. ‘Show them they can earn that place by sharing what they already have.’
3. When you say no, try to show your child you understand their disappointment. Especially if the desired object is something they want to impress their friends. Avoid being flippant about their wants and feelings.
4. Agree tactics with your partner and stick jointly to a decision.
5. Make treats what they are – treats. If you know your child will ask for a new toy or a sugary snack when you go shopping, take food and favourite toy in your bag to distract them. They will learn that your purse doesn’t come out for them every time you go shopping.
6. Don’t say ‘yes’ unless you mean it. If you feel put on the spot, say you will think about it so you can give a final answer rather than break a promise.
http://www.bounty.com/family-time/parenting/coping-with-pester-power?
Tuesday 8 January 2013
Blog Baby 32
As Jon says: Elvis, Bowie, Ruben Clark. Happy Birthday fellas.
Friday 4 January 2013
"When Teddy Got Stuck Up The Chimney"
He needed a damn good wash afterwards!!
Came home to find one of Jamie's teddies on the radiator, so when I picked him up I asked what had happened. He was rather shy and did not want to tell me what had happened. I don't know whether he thought I would tell him off, but all I could get initially was the word 'Chimney'.
Apparently, teddy had been pretending to be Santa!!
Came home to find one of Jamie's teddies on the radiator, so when I picked him up I asked what had happened. He was rather shy and did not want to tell me what had happened. I don't know whether he thought I would tell him off, but all I could get initially was the word 'Chimney'.
Apparently, teddy had been pretending to be Santa!!
Thursday 3 January 2013
Spot The Difference
Was in bed with Jamie last night, reading his Peppa Pig annual that we bought him prior to Christmas - as it was cheaper than buying a magazine - and I was so proud when Jamie was able to spot all the differences in a puzzle on his own.
I think I have been under estimating my son....
I think I have been under estimating my son....
Tuesday 1 January 2013
Is it over already?
Not sure what happened there. One minute it was full-on Christmas, and the next minute it was all over....
Perhaps this was because New Years Eve was a bit of a damp squid. We need to make more of an effort next year. But I was still recovering from a snotty nose this year and I did not feel like doing much celebrating! (Although as it turned out, the best bit of New Years Eve was when we got home and Jamie played 'Silly Dress Up' with Daddy).
Or it may have been because we took the decorations down on the 28th in order to prepare for Daddy's big party this weekend!!
Perhaps this was because New Years Eve was a bit of a damp squid. We need to make more of an effort next year. But I was still recovering from a snotty nose this year and I did not feel like doing much celebrating! (Although as it turned out, the best bit of New Years Eve was when we got home and Jamie played 'Silly Dress Up' with Daddy).
Or it may have been because we took the decorations down on the 28th in order to prepare for Daddy's big party this weekend!!
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