It’s not an easy task to teach your child to learn how to share but one that they must get the hang of before they start school, college or anywhere that they will want to have friends.When two toddlers decide that they want the same thing at the same time it can be tricky to try to explain to them to take turns and more often than not your explanation of why they should share will fall on deaf ears. All they will be thinking is ‘I want it now!’Children see everything as theirs and they will probably be often heard yelling ‘MINE’ to their friend when in fact it is not theirs and may well belong to their friend whom they are trying to wrestle it away from.Teaching them to respect other people’s belongings can be a difficult task but one that needs to be taught to ensure your child can be taken to other people’s houses, shops or on outings without them taking claim for every toy in sight.

·         If they want to play with some-one else’s toys get them to learn to ask first. Stop them from running and grabbing the toys and encourage them to ask before they take. If it is your home, your child will relax knowing that if a child comes to play they will have to do the same. If they don’t want another child to play with their favourite toy then don’t make them, ask them which things the visiting child is allowed to play with. You may find you hear them offering toys and saying you can play with these all the time, you don’t need to ask! This will work well with siblings. A child needs to have things that are solely theirs but they must respect that others will also have things that they will not have to share.

·         If you are outside and an argument breaks out over something that neither child owns it is often better to explain that they have to take turns so they both get to play with it or if they don’t you will take it away. This may result in both of them being upset if the object is removed but it will start to teach them that they have more fun when they share.Sharing can take time but children learn a lot from their siblings, parents and people around them. Stick at it, be firm and don’t give in or back down and you will soon have a child who will happily share and have more fun doing so!

Do you remember your favourite childhood books. I remember reading my favourite books over and over again and getting my parents to read the same bedtime story every night.  I knew every page, every word and if whoever was reading to me tried to skip a line or two I was always quick to set them straight.With so many other means of entertainment now it is easy to forget about reading. Television programmes, game consoles and portable music-video systems mean that sometimes books get forgotten! The choice of reading material for children is endless but the classic stories always seem to prove a hit. Fairytales of princesses meeting their prince may be a little dated but little girls still love these magical romance stories. Boys seem to enjoy some of the old tales too where the hero saves the day and gets rid of all the bad guys.If you want to get your children’s imaginations running wild and spend a little quality time with them, forget a new game for their console and take a trip to the library or local book store. The choice is over whelming but it’s great to take your time and let your children choose with you.If you fancy trying out an old but popular favourite here is the list of the best selling children’s books……..1.      The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey (HC) 2.     

We’ve been on a couple of very expensive days out (despite taking a picnic and telling ourselves we won’t spend too much). Themes parks are great to entertain the children, although far too expensive and exhausting to do everyday, so what do we do for the rest of the school holidays?

• Having their friends over to play can relieve you for a few hours although the tidying up after will more than keep you busy as they play with each and every toy within grabbing distance.
• A trip outdoors is always good to relieve them of their endless energy and it keeps your house tidy.
• The swimming pool is good for everyone and can be stretched out with the promise of cake in the café afterwards.
• Baking, arts and crafts will keep them occupied for an hour or possibly two.
• Board games are fun and great for counting and learning the art of not always winning!!!

Then what?

The favourite play of my daughter is ‘let’s pretend’.

First of all I have to point out that I find this play particularly difficult as she expects me to play as a fellow 5 year old. I try, I really do but I do find that after an hour of looking after her numerous babies, changing their nappies, feeding them and walking them, I generally feel like I’m loosing the plot!

My husband actually does have his concerns as he came home early the other day to find me sitting in her plastic play house in the garden looking after her ‘babies’ whilst she was sitting indoors on the comfy sofa. Do you know I actually enjoyed sitting out there in the playhouse as I had sneakily taken a magazine and was enjoying my ten minutes of peace and quiet!

How far will you go? Am I alone in the fact that sometimes it all seems a bit much and I feel guilty if I am not making their summer holidays fun?

The school holidays are here and the time where we think about taking the children off for a day trip or maybe even a holiday. 

If you are travelling with children can mean a fraught journey full of shouts of ‘are we there yet?’, fighting with their siblings or needing toilet stops every 10 miles, however, it doesn’t have to be like this or at least there are a few things we can do to make it easier! 

• Be prepared – fill a bag up with plenty of wet wipes, snacks (preferably without lots of E numbers) and lots of refreshments.
• Take a change of clothes so it won’t matter if they spill their drink or squash a nice big piece of chocolate into their shorts.
• If they have a machine to play games on make sure it has plenty of batteries and they have all their favourite games. You could even swap with a friend for a few days so both your children get to try a new game.

Don’t forget all the old favourite journey games! 

• Eye-spy is one we all probably remember and if your children are too young to play using letters than try eye-spy using colours.
• Another great one, all choose a colour and get a point for every car in your colour.
• The ‘YES/NO’ game is a quick fun one.
• Older children may like playing the game where you name celebrities throughout the alphabet. Start with A and work your way throughout the alphabet until a player can’t go. You don’t have to use celebrities, you could choose animals, places etc.

There are plenty of games to try, and don’t forget it’s also a great time to talk to your children about where you are going and what sort of things they will find when they get there. Chat to them about what things they want to do when they arrive and let them take a photo of each other on the journey so they feel their journey is the start of their day out or their holiday and part of the excitement.  

You may feel guilty that your son’s best friend has the best of everything. Designer clothes, games consoles and all the latest trends but don’t feel guilty if you can’t do the same for your child.

Giving you child everything they want and never saying ‘NO’ may seem like you are doing your best for them but what they need more than anything is our love. Material possessions are not the same as spending quality time with your child which is invaluable.

·        Let them choose an activity which you can do together. It can be as simple as baking a gooey chocolate cake, or making something with some messy arts and crafts.

·        Read with your children, let them read to you and take it in turns. Make a little time every night before bed to tell them a story. They will remember the fairytales or stories you tell them and will enjoy the undivided attention.

·        Go to the park, take a ball, a kite or simply go on a nature trail. Just enjoy being out in the fresh air with them.

·        Make meal times a chance where the whole family can sit together and talk. Let it be a time where they can talk to you about places they would like to visit, find out who their latest best friend is and show interest in them. It’s good if they can share their fears, excitement and worries with you without it becoming a ‘big deal’.

·        Start up a new family hobby, such as bike riding, playing skittles or even starting a vegetable garden and letting everyone choose what they would like to try and grow.

Sometimes it can be hard to find time to dedicate it just to your children, with piles of ironing, washing, hovering and meals to cook. If this is the case ask them to help. Pop on some funky music and get busy in the kitchen. Let them help you cook, make sauces or lay the table whilst doing a boogie. Show them your best disco moves whilst dusting and get them to join in. It may not be as perfect as you’d like but as least you had fun!

In many years ahead your child will remember the funny stories you told at bedtime or the crazy dances you used to do together. These make much better memories than a child who had everything he wanted except his parent’s time!

Children have constipation just like adults and perhaps more often since they don’t like to eat food that has a lot of fibres. Children with constipation can use the same natural remedies as adults, but in lesser amounts.You can use these guidelines for children 3 and older. Children should have a bowel movement everyday. If your child is having three or less bowel movement per week, it is time to get worried and take action.

1. Drink more water - children are very active and will perspire more than an adult during the day and lose water. If the body needs water it will take from the stools and make them hard and difficult to expel.

2. Eat more fibre - fruits and vegetables is where the fibre is. Using artificial fibre and laxative products is not a good idea. The body can become dependent on these products and lose its bowel sensitive and colon wall tone.

3. Having a bowel movement when it is time - teach your children to go to the bathroom when they get the urge. A lot of times they will put it off if they are playing or doing something they like. Putting it off will de-sensitize the colon and it will stop giving the bowel movement signal after a time. This will lead to constipation.

4. Use natural products that promote bowel movements - there are many fruits and vegetables that promote bowel movements. Use these as snacks. In cases where you use a natural remedy that is bitter, remind your child that it is medicine to help them go to the bathroom more frequently.

Coping with a baby who doesn’t sleep well is not only physically draining but emotionally draining too! 

If you are blessed with a baby who sleeps well then that’s fantastic, but for many, a good night’s sleep can seem like a vague memory.

If you are really suffering and finding it hard to cope then don’t suffer alone. Sleep deprivation is a form of torture and can leave you feeling irritable and it will affect concentration and your ability to function normally.

Talk to your health visitor who can assess your normal routine and offer advice on what things you could try in order to get your baby to sleep for longer periods.

• Babies like routine so try the bath, milk and then lullaby bedtime routine. If you do the same thing every night they will get used to the procedure and know that it is time for sleep.
• Check that they are not waking through hunger. If they slept well before and then suddenly start to wake it could be a sign to increase their food intake.
• Some people swear by controlled crying, others can’t face the heartache of hearing their child upset. Only do what you feel comfortable with.
• Get help. Ask your partner, family member or anyone who you feel comfortable with looking after your baby to help out. Let them take your baby or child out for a long walk or trip to the park while you catch up on sleep. Take turns in getting up in the night.

Sleep deprivation affects many parents and all of them will probably tell you about the things they tried and solutions that worked for them. Don’t suffer in silence, and don’t feel like your failing with parenthood if your child doesn’t sleep through.

Does your baby have cradle cap?

Symptoms of cradle cap

 ·         Yellow crusts on the scalp

·         The scalp may have red sore looking patches

·         The scaly patches may look like crusty flakes attached to their scalp and hair. Although it may be tempting to pick the cradle cap off or to try to loosen it, you should avoid doing so as it could cause an infection.The causes of cradle cap are not really known although many professionals say it is related to over active sebaceous glands. They state that the sebum produced causes old skin cells to build up and stick to the scalp, which results in the yellow crusts forming.Cradle cap is not contagious and does not mean that you are not washing your child thoroughly. It will eventually clear up on it’s own but there are a few things you can do to help.

·         Wash your baby’s hair and scalp with a mild shampoo.

·         Massage a small amount of oil into the scalp to help loosen the crusts but avoid picking or scratching them.

·         Brush your baby’s hair gently to remove and pieces that have come loose and may just be attached to the hair.Many baby’s

have cradle cap, some worse than others. It won’t last forever and will clear up without the need for any harsh treatments.

Avoid the use of artificial milk formulas
The use of artificial milk formulas, when there is no medical reason for doing so, can:

• Interfere with the establishment and maintenance of successful breastfeeding
• Increase the risk that your baby will become sensitive to cows milk protein or other allergies
• Reduce the length of time you can breastfeed for
• Increase the risk of upper respiratory tract infection, ear infections, heart disease and obesity.

If your baby needs complementary feeds, it is preferable to use expressed breast milk.

Where to get help

• Your midwife
• A lactation consultant - contact the Australian Lactation Consultants Association Tel. (02) 6295 0384
• An Australian Breastfeeding Association breastfeeding counsellor Tel. (03) 9885 0653
• Your local child and family health nurse
• Your doctor

Things to remember

• Breastfeeding within the first hour after birth has many benefits for your baby.
• Avoid the use of dummies and bottles, as they can prevent your baby from attaching properly to the breast.
• Avoid artificial milk formulas where possible, as they may reduce the duration of breastfeeding and make your baby sensitive to cows milk.

After delivery, a baby is usually alert and will spontaneously seek the breast. Research suggests that, ideally, a mother should allow her baby to feed before they are weighed, bathed and dressed. When this is not possible, skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby that allows a ‘getting-to-know-you’ time can occur later, prior to breastfeeds.

Breastfeeding within the first hourBreastfeeding within the first hour or so after birth is important because:

• It makes you as the mother more confident that you can breastfeed.
• The baby starts to receive the immunological effects of colostrum (the first breast milk, which provides protection against infection and disease).
• The baby’s digestion and bowels are stimulated.
• Sucking difficulties may be avoided if the baby feeds properly at this stage.
• The bond between you and your baby is enhanced.

Breastfeeding after a caesarean sectionIf you have delivered your baby by caesarean section:

• The first breastfeed may occur in the operating room with the baby passed under the sterile drapes while you are being stitched up. When this is not possible, it will commonly occur in the recovery room, as soon as possible after delivery, or as soon as you return to your room.
• The feeding behaviour of your baby may be affected if you have had general or epidural anaesthesia.
• The midwife should stay with you during breastfeeding if you are on intravenous drugs to relieve pain.

What to do if your baby will not latch onIf your baby will not latch on or suckle within the first hour:

• Express colostrum directly into your baby’s mouth or give it by teaspoon or cup. This can stimulate your baby to seek the breast.
• Gently stroke your baby’s abdomen and legs, to stimulate them to wake and seek the breast.
• Hold your baby close and have lots of skin-to skin contact.

Your baby may be very sleepy for the next 24 hoursIt is normal for babies to become very sleepy after their first feed. Putting your baby skin-to-skin on your chest can help them to waken and seek the breast for a feed. If sleepiness persists after the first day or so, you will need to wake your baby at least every three to four hours for a feed. 

Avoid dummies and bottles in the early daysDummies and bottles can interfere with your baby’s ability to attach properly to the breast. This can lead to:

• Breast engorgement
• Breast refusal
• Low weight gain
• Blocked milk ducts and breast inflammation (mastitis)
• Premature weaning.

Exclusive breastfeeding promotes strong sucking, which is vital for milk production. It also helps your body return to its pre-pregnant state.