Is your child super-picky? It’s sometimes tough to know whether cautious eaters, as I like to call them, are getting proper nutrition. Here are a few strategies that have worked for getting my toddler to eat her fruits and vegetables. Every kid is different, but some of these tips might just work for you, too.
1. Bake fruits or vegetables into quick bread or muffins. My daughter’s favorite are apple-banana muffins.
2. Make a yummy casserole. My girl likes rice and cheese, so I make her a cheesy broccoli and brown rice casserole. She won’t eat broccoli by itself, but doesn’t seem to mind it in this dish.
3. Stir some pureed carrots or sweet potatoes into macaroni and cheese. The trick with this is to be careful not to change the color or the taste much. Orange or yellow veggies work best here.
4. Offer dried fruits. For example, some kids won’t eat grapes, but like raisins. These are highly portable, too. (Caution - may be a choking hazard for young toddlers.)
5. This may sound strange, but try offering a single bite-sized bit of fruit on a dish by itself. My daughter seems to like for her food to be separated and neat-looking. When she eats the first piece of diced peach, I put down the second, and so on. She ends up eating more than she would have had I given her the entire serving at once.
I’ve also found that if you offer the fruit or vegetable at the beginning of a meal when your child is hungriest, as an “appetizer“, he or she is much more likely to try it. Also, remember never to force your child to eat. It can take a lot of extra effort and creative thinking to get your kids to eat what‘s good for them. But hey, one day they might thank you for it.
by: Teresa Kolvek
6/11/2009
General Anxiety Disorders In Children
The manifestation and effects of GAD in children can be very harmful. Therefore, adults need to be alert to catch the problem as early as possible. Five major warning signs are as follows:
1. Children show extra concern about future - you will find that the children are too much worried about the "what ifs" of the future. Often the situation that they conjure would be ridiculously hypothetical, yet they would be worrying about it in all earnest. Do not ignore what they say or how important such things seem to them or they would stop sharing their thoughts with you. Rather, redirect their negative thoughts into positive ones with adequate subtlety.
2. Excessive fear of mistakes - is your child overly worried about making mistakes at school or favorite games? Is that fear interfering with their overall behavior and performance at school? Gently show them that perfection is not always an achievable goal. Do not allow them to indulge is excessive self-criticism, nor negative self-labeling. Help them understand the "you loose some and you win some" concept; it is all part of the game. Show them that as long as they did their best, they should not worry too much about the results.
3. Blaming themselves - some children have a terrible knack of drawing the blame of any type of problem that happens at home, on to them. This is particularly true when parents quarrel loudly in front of the children; or there is talk about divorce and/ or separation. Try to keep arguments out of the hearing range of children. In case you do find them blaming themselves for the animosity between you and your partner, try to explain to them that adults have sometimes adjustment problems, which are solely rooted in their perspective of life and basic values. Assure them that come what may, they would always be loved and cherished by both parents.
4. Anticipating the worst in every situation - watch out for signs of overreaction to problems and obstacles they encounter. If every time they have a problem they tend to anticipate the very worst to happen and become sick with panic, this is an indication of GAD. Ensure that they know what to do in case of the worst possible scenarios; reassure them that whatever happens, there is always a way out.
5. Low self-confidence needs constant reassurance - if the child is constantly appealing to you for reassurance and does not do anything on his or her own without your express approval or advice, he or she is very much likely to be suffering from GAD. Encourage your child to take his or her own decisions and offer effusive praise when the child does so. Enhance the child"s self-esteem through continuous positive reinforcement. Teach the child to respect and appreciate his or her own uniqueness.
by: Ian Spencer
1. Children show extra concern about future - you will find that the children are too much worried about the "what ifs" of the future. Often the situation that they conjure would be ridiculously hypothetical, yet they would be worrying about it in all earnest. Do not ignore what they say or how important such things seem to them or they would stop sharing their thoughts with you. Rather, redirect their negative thoughts into positive ones with adequate subtlety.
2. Excessive fear of mistakes - is your child overly worried about making mistakes at school or favorite games? Is that fear interfering with their overall behavior and performance at school? Gently show them that perfection is not always an achievable goal. Do not allow them to indulge is excessive self-criticism, nor negative self-labeling. Help them understand the "you loose some and you win some" concept; it is all part of the game. Show them that as long as they did their best, they should not worry too much about the results.
3. Blaming themselves - some children have a terrible knack of drawing the blame of any type of problem that happens at home, on to them. This is particularly true when parents quarrel loudly in front of the children; or there is talk about divorce and/ or separation. Try to keep arguments out of the hearing range of children. In case you do find them blaming themselves for the animosity between you and your partner, try to explain to them that adults have sometimes adjustment problems, which are solely rooted in their perspective of life and basic values. Assure them that come what may, they would always be loved and cherished by both parents.
4. Anticipating the worst in every situation - watch out for signs of overreaction to problems and obstacles they encounter. If every time they have a problem they tend to anticipate the very worst to happen and become sick with panic, this is an indication of GAD. Ensure that they know what to do in case of the worst possible scenarios; reassure them that whatever happens, there is always a way out.
5. Low self-confidence needs constant reassurance - if the child is constantly appealing to you for reassurance and does not do anything on his or her own without your express approval or advice, he or she is very much likely to be suffering from GAD. Encourage your child to take his or her own decisions and offer effusive praise when the child does so. Enhance the child"s self-esteem through continuous positive reinforcement. Teach the child to respect and appreciate his or her own uniqueness.
by: Ian Spencer
Bedtime Strategy for Kids
For many parents, bedtime is the most dreaded part of the day. With a firm hand and consistency in following this guide, bedtime will be the easiest part of the day in just a short time. All you will have to do is tuck in your little one, give a kiss on the forehead and say, "Goodnight."
Are you getting enough sleep everyday or are you staying up late at nights because your child just won’t go to bed when you want her to? You need proper rest to be a good parent. She needs proper rest to be a good child. Many children misbehave or cannot focus because they are tired. Besides this, children do most of their physical growing while they sleep. A toddler needs 12-15 hours of sleep a day, a baby even more. This means that your child NEEDS an early hour bedtime whether she wants it to or not and whether or not she feels tired. A good time would be 8pm. It is even hard for me, sometimes, to adhere to the 8pm bedtime. My little Theo will only be this cute and fun for a little bit and I want to savor every moment. I work all day so my time with him is limited. However, from observing what my friends go through, I know what happens when parents do not start the bedtime regimen early and stick to it: children are playing at all hours into the night, parents are yelling at the kids and the house is always a mess. Besides this, parents do not have time for themselves to catch up on the day, relax with a book, cuddle while watching a movie.
Ever since my little boy Theo was a 4-month-old my friends have been amazed at how easy it is to put him down at bedtime. No muss, no fuss. I begin Theo’s nightly routine at 7:20. He takes a bath. He drinks his bottle while I read him a story. Then hugs and kisses are given all around for Mommy, Daddy and Theo. Theo usually takes a few minutes to say goodnight to his stuffed animal buddies before laying down to rest for the day.
This happens in our home every night! It can happen in your home too in just a few days! Believe it. A good age to start having a set bedtime is when your baby is about 4 months old. This guide works with older children as well. The KEY is to be firm and consistent! Decide on a bedtime regimen. Wind down the baby quietly. While you give your baby the nighttime feeding, dim the lights, turn on some quiet music. When she is done feeding, place her in the crib, say, “Goodnight, Sweetie,” and walk out of the room. If she cries, wait a minute to see if she stops then check on her. If she is safe and nothing seems to be the matter, say, “Goodnight, Sweetie,” again and walk out of the room. Do not go back in if she cries again. You will be very tempted to go back in to comfort her. Do not do it! I repeat. Do not do it! She needs to know that you mean business when you say, “Goodnight,” aka “No getting out of bed to play.” In a short time, you will know when your little one is crying for something she needs or if she is crying to get out of the crib. Be firm and consistent with your regimen. Even a sweet 4-month-old knows how to manipulate your emotions. You can later pick a day of the week to hide the clock for family time.
by: Kimberly Wilson
Are you getting enough sleep everyday or are you staying up late at nights because your child just won’t go to bed when you want her to? You need proper rest to be a good parent. She needs proper rest to be a good child. Many children misbehave or cannot focus because they are tired. Besides this, children do most of their physical growing while they sleep. A toddler needs 12-15 hours of sleep a day, a baby even more. This means that your child NEEDS an early hour bedtime whether she wants it to or not and whether or not she feels tired. A good time would be 8pm. It is even hard for me, sometimes, to adhere to the 8pm bedtime. My little Theo will only be this cute and fun for a little bit and I want to savor every moment. I work all day so my time with him is limited. However, from observing what my friends go through, I know what happens when parents do not start the bedtime regimen early and stick to it: children are playing at all hours into the night, parents are yelling at the kids and the house is always a mess. Besides this, parents do not have time for themselves to catch up on the day, relax with a book, cuddle while watching a movie.
Ever since my little boy Theo was a 4-month-old my friends have been amazed at how easy it is to put him down at bedtime. No muss, no fuss. I begin Theo’s nightly routine at 7:20. He takes a bath. He drinks his bottle while I read him a story. Then hugs and kisses are given all around for Mommy, Daddy and Theo. Theo usually takes a few minutes to say goodnight to his stuffed animal buddies before laying down to rest for the day.
This happens in our home every night! It can happen in your home too in just a few days! Believe it. A good age to start having a set bedtime is when your baby is about 4 months old. This guide works with older children as well. The KEY is to be firm and consistent! Decide on a bedtime regimen. Wind down the baby quietly. While you give your baby the nighttime feeding, dim the lights, turn on some quiet music. When she is done feeding, place her in the crib, say, “Goodnight, Sweetie,” and walk out of the room. If she cries, wait a minute to see if she stops then check on her. If she is safe and nothing seems to be the matter, say, “Goodnight, Sweetie,” again and walk out of the room. Do not go back in if she cries again. You will be very tempted to go back in to comfort her. Do not do it! I repeat. Do not do it! She needs to know that you mean business when you say, “Goodnight,” aka “No getting out of bed to play.” In a short time, you will know when your little one is crying for something she needs or if she is crying to get out of the crib. Be firm and consistent with your regimen. Even a sweet 4-month-old knows how to manipulate your emotions. You can later pick a day of the week to hide the clock for family time.
by: Kimberly Wilson
6/08/2009
The Benefits Of Infant Massage
Most mothers instinctively lovingly massage their babies. Perhaps it was by understanding this and observing the effect upon the infant that the idea of infant massage was born. Actually infant massage has been in practice for many years. But recently its popularity has taken off worldwide. It should really come as no surprise since both babies and parents enjoy the benefits. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of infant massage below:
Infant Massage Facilitates Bonding
Touch between mother and baby is extremely important during the early months in order to develop the bond that will help the baby thrive and grow into a happy well adjusted child. The mother and father are able to provide gentle nurturing touches which the baby associates with love and being cared for. Infant massage helps the baby and parents get to know one another and spend quiet quality time together, communicating through touch.
Infant Massage Relaxes the Infant
A newborn baby’s life is pretty stressful when you think about it. He gets hungry and cold and the only way he can let anyone know he needs attention is to yell for it. Infant massage can help relax a stressed out baby that has just had too much activity or is suffering from stomach upsets. When infant massage is part of the baby’s normal routine, there is a good chance he will grow into a child who knows what relaxation is and how to achieve it to escape the stresses of life.
Infant Massage Improves Baby’s Sleep
It follows that a baby lulled into relaxation by an infant massage will quickly succumb to slumber. The upside is that infant massage may help to promote sounder and longer sleep periods. Parents will also benefit from a soundly sleeping baby which will give them much needed rest also.
Infant Massage Supports Communication
Infant massage opens up a new channel for communication among baby and parents. Parents will learn to pick up on nonverbal cues from the baby. The infant will grow to feel as if he is being heard and attended to without having to clamor for it.
Infant Massage Relieves Discomfort
Studies indicate that infant massage releases endorphins and oxytocin into the baby’s body. These elements may act to relive the common discomforts a baby struggles with such as teething, stress, congestion, and colic. Watch any mother trying to comfort an unhappy baby as massage, rubbing, and patting just come naturally. The movements help to settle the child, relax him, and alleviate his discomfort.
Infant Massage is Fun
What better reason could there be for infant massage other than the simple fact that the baby and parents think it is fun? It is a great way to get some giggles and coos from the baby and have an enjoyable time together.
So given the above benefits, it is no wonder that infant massage is so popular. Of course mothers have been massaging their babies since the beginning of time, but when we speak of the formal infant massage you should know there is actually a method to follow. Certain types of movements act to calm and relax the baby before bedtime and other types of movements will energize him. Still other types of massage movements act to relieve discomfort. So if you would like to learn formal massage for your baby and experience the benefits above, ask around and see if you can find a local infant massage class that you and your baby can attend together.
by: Anne Morris
Infant Massage Facilitates Bonding
Touch between mother and baby is extremely important during the early months in order to develop the bond that will help the baby thrive and grow into a happy well adjusted child. The mother and father are able to provide gentle nurturing touches which the baby associates with love and being cared for. Infant massage helps the baby and parents get to know one another and spend quiet quality time together, communicating through touch.
Infant Massage Relaxes the Infant
A newborn baby’s life is pretty stressful when you think about it. He gets hungry and cold and the only way he can let anyone know he needs attention is to yell for it. Infant massage can help relax a stressed out baby that has just had too much activity or is suffering from stomach upsets. When infant massage is part of the baby’s normal routine, there is a good chance he will grow into a child who knows what relaxation is and how to achieve it to escape the stresses of life.
Infant Massage Improves Baby’s Sleep
It follows that a baby lulled into relaxation by an infant massage will quickly succumb to slumber. The upside is that infant massage may help to promote sounder and longer sleep periods. Parents will also benefit from a soundly sleeping baby which will give them much needed rest also.
Infant Massage Supports Communication
Infant massage opens up a new channel for communication among baby and parents. Parents will learn to pick up on nonverbal cues from the baby. The infant will grow to feel as if he is being heard and attended to without having to clamor for it.
Infant Massage Relieves Discomfort
Studies indicate that infant massage releases endorphins and oxytocin into the baby’s body. These elements may act to relive the common discomforts a baby struggles with such as teething, stress, congestion, and colic. Watch any mother trying to comfort an unhappy baby as massage, rubbing, and patting just come naturally. The movements help to settle the child, relax him, and alleviate his discomfort.
Infant Massage is Fun
What better reason could there be for infant massage other than the simple fact that the baby and parents think it is fun? It is a great way to get some giggles and coos from the baby and have an enjoyable time together.
So given the above benefits, it is no wonder that infant massage is so popular. Of course mothers have been massaging their babies since the beginning of time, but when we speak of the formal infant massage you should know there is actually a method to follow. Certain types of movements act to calm and relax the baby before bedtime and other types of movements will energize him. Still other types of massage movements act to relieve discomfort. So if you would like to learn formal massage for your baby and experience the benefits above, ask around and see if you can find a local infant massage class that you and your baby can attend together.
by: Anne Morris
Planning A Baby Shower From Start To Finish
Planning a baby shower is one of the loveliest gifts you can provide a mother to be. But where do you start?
If you are a first time planner or an experienced planner, you can benefit by following some simple strategies to ensure your baby shower goes off without a hitch.
Here’s what the experts recommend when it comes to baby shower planning:
1) Decide when the shower should be held. Most are held before the baby comes but some mom’s are superstitious and would prefer a shower be held after baby’s arrival. Be sure you check in first to plan accordingly.
2) Decide where the shower will be held. Usually this is a location other than the mom to be’s home.
3) Decide who should be invited. If you are hosting, you should always ask the mom to be who she wants invited before you make a list. You may find she wants a co-ed party or a small family only affair. Be sure you check in with her before you get started.
4) Send out invitations and be sure to include R.S.V.P. information and baby registry information. You’ll want to know exactly how many people are coming and your guests will want to know where they can buy the guest of honor some great gifts.
5) Decide on a theme. This doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. It can even be as simple as ‘pink’ if the mom is having a girl. You might consider asking the mom to be, she might have a theme in mind. This will help you plan decorations.
6) Order a cake or decide on the type of cake you want to make. A cake is a must have for all baby showers.
7) Plan on having some appetizers for guests. You don’t have to provide a full meal, but snacks are a nice touch.
8) Pick a few baby games out so you have something to do during the party. You can find hundreds of baby shower games on line.
Once you have planned all of these essential steps, the rest of the baby shower is easy! You simply need to set up house, decorate and welcome your guest of honor on their big day.
Most baby showers last about two to three hours. The first ½ hour or so guests can spend mingling and munching on goodies. You can then spend another ½ hour playing a couple of games.
Then allow your guest of honor to open her gifts! Be prepared to write down who all the gifts came from so your mom can send thank you notes.
After the gifts are open, usually guests have some cake, mingle some more and then leave. You might consider having some party favors available for guests. A great idea is mini baby bottles filled with jelly beans or some other inexpensive treat!
The most important thing to remember about baby shower planning is that everyone should have a good time. Sit back, relax and don’t stress about minor details. Most people are just looking for a good laugh and some time to pat mom to be’s growing belly!
by: Adwina Jackson
If you are a first time planner or an experienced planner, you can benefit by following some simple strategies to ensure your baby shower goes off without a hitch.
Here’s what the experts recommend when it comes to baby shower planning:
1) Decide when the shower should be held. Most are held before the baby comes but some mom’s are superstitious and would prefer a shower be held after baby’s arrival. Be sure you check in first to plan accordingly.
2) Decide where the shower will be held. Usually this is a location other than the mom to be’s home.
3) Decide who should be invited. If you are hosting, you should always ask the mom to be who she wants invited before you make a list. You may find she wants a co-ed party or a small family only affair. Be sure you check in with her before you get started.
4) Send out invitations and be sure to include R.S.V.P. information and baby registry information. You’ll want to know exactly how many people are coming and your guests will want to know where they can buy the guest of honor some great gifts.
5) Decide on a theme. This doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. It can even be as simple as ‘pink’ if the mom is having a girl. You might consider asking the mom to be, she might have a theme in mind. This will help you plan decorations.
6) Order a cake or decide on the type of cake you want to make. A cake is a must have for all baby showers.
7) Plan on having some appetizers for guests. You don’t have to provide a full meal, but snacks are a nice touch.
8) Pick a few baby games out so you have something to do during the party. You can find hundreds of baby shower games on line.
Once you have planned all of these essential steps, the rest of the baby shower is easy! You simply need to set up house, decorate and welcome your guest of honor on their big day.
Most baby showers last about two to three hours. The first ½ hour or so guests can spend mingling and munching on goodies. You can then spend another ½ hour playing a couple of games.
Then allow your guest of honor to open her gifts! Be prepared to write down who all the gifts came from so your mom can send thank you notes.
After the gifts are open, usually guests have some cake, mingle some more and then leave. You might consider having some party favors available for guests. A great idea is mini baby bottles filled with jelly beans or some other inexpensive treat!
The most important thing to remember about baby shower planning is that everyone should have a good time. Sit back, relax and don’t stress about minor details. Most people are just looking for a good laugh and some time to pat mom to be’s growing belly!
by: Adwina Jackson
Learning Curve: The Birth Of A Selective Eater
When I was pregnant with Amelia, I had big plans for her nutrition. She wasn’t going to be one of those kids eating sweet, processed cereal bars for breakfast, or hot dogs and French fries for dinner. Oh, no. She was going to eat only fresh or minimally processed, whole grain, organic foods. She was going to eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables each and every day. Her diet was going to be naturally vitamin-rich and full of variety, to include everything from cantaloupe to quinoa.
And then she arrived, strong-willed and sure of her likes and dislikes. We started her out on rice cereal at four months, as recommended by her pediatrician, and had just begun to add fruits and vegetables when the rebellion began. For months she refused solid foods. She just didn’t like pureed baby food at all, period. Not sweet potatoes, not peas, not pears or apples. Nothing. Well, okay, she occasionally would eat pureed bananas, but only the jarred kind - never fresh. (Go figure.) I had even purchased a cool little baby-food-making kit, which I used exactly once. It was only when we began giving her finger foods that she started to change her mind a bit. Maybe she liked having some control over the food.
Now she was eating, but only a few limited things, and tiny amounts. Macaroni and cheese, rice, occasionally some diced pears. Most other things she wouldn’t touch. I tried everything; I even resorted to trying to offer ice cream and cookies in a desperate attempt to get her to eat. (She wouldn’t touch the ice cream… liked the cookies, though.) She refused to try the cake at her first birthday party, much to the disappointment of family and friends. I read all the tips and tricks I could find online; most didn’t work. I had what could officially be classified as a “picky eater.”
Now seventeen months old, she is still extremely selective and cautious when it comes to food. For example, she won’t touch anything red, be it strawberries, popsicles (I tried the natural fruit kind, hoping to sneak in some kind of fruit), spaghetti, or ketchup. She refuses pizza and most breads, although she will eat muffins as long as they don’t have any kind of crumb topping on them. She will drink only milk or water. This means I can’t give her fruit juices or smoothies, which rules out what would have been a fairly easy method of getting fruit into her. The only green thing she will eat now is peas, which leads me to hope that all nutrition to be had from veggies is contained in those little green globes. And yes, she does eat French fries.
Amelia is an enigma to me, because she is so different from me. She is an amazing kid, and definitely her own person. She has taught me so much, not least of which is not to judge other moms by what their kids eat!
by: Teresa Kolvek
And then she arrived, strong-willed and sure of her likes and dislikes. We started her out on rice cereal at four months, as recommended by her pediatrician, and had just begun to add fruits and vegetables when the rebellion began. For months she refused solid foods. She just didn’t like pureed baby food at all, period. Not sweet potatoes, not peas, not pears or apples. Nothing. Well, okay, she occasionally would eat pureed bananas, but only the jarred kind - never fresh. (Go figure.) I had even purchased a cool little baby-food-making kit, which I used exactly once. It was only when we began giving her finger foods that she started to change her mind a bit. Maybe she liked having some control over the food.
Now she was eating, but only a few limited things, and tiny amounts. Macaroni and cheese, rice, occasionally some diced pears. Most other things she wouldn’t touch. I tried everything; I even resorted to trying to offer ice cream and cookies in a desperate attempt to get her to eat. (She wouldn’t touch the ice cream… liked the cookies, though.) She refused to try the cake at her first birthday party, much to the disappointment of family and friends. I read all the tips and tricks I could find online; most didn’t work. I had what could officially be classified as a “picky eater.”
Now seventeen months old, she is still extremely selective and cautious when it comes to food. For example, she won’t touch anything red, be it strawberries, popsicles (I tried the natural fruit kind, hoping to sneak in some kind of fruit), spaghetti, or ketchup. She refuses pizza and most breads, although she will eat muffins as long as they don’t have any kind of crumb topping on them. She will drink only milk or water. This means I can’t give her fruit juices or smoothies, which rules out what would have been a fairly easy method of getting fruit into her. The only green thing she will eat now is peas, which leads me to hope that all nutrition to be had from veggies is contained in those little green globes. And yes, she does eat French fries.
Amelia is an enigma to me, because she is so different from me. She is an amazing kid, and definitely her own person. She has taught me so much, not least of which is not to judge other moms by what their kids eat!
by: Teresa Kolvek
5 Things You Must Do When You Have Twins
Do you have twins or are you expecting twins? As a twin mum myself twice over I have a few recommendations of things that will help to support you in your role.
Join a Twin forum where you can chat to other twin parents who can empathise with your situation and fully understand where you are coming from because they have been direct experience to draw from.
The benefits of joining a twin forum or a twin website are priceless. You can tap into readily available information specifically related to having twins. You can chat and ask questions to the other twin mums who have been through the experience already or those that are going through the same thing as you are. You can also help others at the same time by swapping tips, read about recommended products that have already been tried and tested and product reviews. You could take part in one of the normal topics of debate that surround twins such as “should we dress our twins the same?”
Join a local twins group.
By joining a local twins group and attending their meetings and get togethers it will help you make some new friends who know exactly what it’s like to be a parent of twins. Although many existing friends with or without their own children will want to help but they can’t fully understand what you are going through and sometimes its nice to speak to a fellow twin mum who can completely relate to you.
Accept all offers of help from family and friends in order that you can get out and about with your twins.
It can be a daunting prospect trying to take your twins on an outing out of the home where you know you can at least cope and you may find yourself choosing to stay at home because of it. As friends and family to accompany you on an outing with your twins even if it’s just to the shops at first. As your twins get older and the feeding less frequent you will begin to feel more confident about taking them out and with some assistance a trip to the park or play centre can be twice the fun.
Arrange play dates for your twins with other children even when they are babies!
Not only does a play date give you the opportunity to have some adult conversation in the home it allows your twins to learn those important social skills. This is a particularly good way of helping your twins play with other children rather than relying on one another.
Search for baby products which will make the practical challenges of raising twins easier or at least manageable.
There are many practical difficulties when bringing up twins mainly related to safety, one pair of hands never being quite enough or the time it takes to do every task. When you face a hurdle try to find a solution, be creative. Speak to other twin mums and discover how they have managed. There are many great products on the market now that can be of use with managing twins.
by: Angela Manton
Join a Twin forum where you can chat to other twin parents who can empathise with your situation and fully understand where you are coming from because they have been direct experience to draw from.
The benefits of joining a twin forum or a twin website are priceless. You can tap into readily available information specifically related to having twins. You can chat and ask questions to the other twin mums who have been through the experience already or those that are going through the same thing as you are. You can also help others at the same time by swapping tips, read about recommended products that have already been tried and tested and product reviews. You could take part in one of the normal topics of debate that surround twins such as “should we dress our twins the same?”
Join a local twins group.
By joining a local twins group and attending their meetings and get togethers it will help you make some new friends who know exactly what it’s like to be a parent of twins. Although many existing friends with or without their own children will want to help but they can’t fully understand what you are going through and sometimes its nice to speak to a fellow twin mum who can completely relate to you.
Accept all offers of help from family and friends in order that you can get out and about with your twins.
It can be a daunting prospect trying to take your twins on an outing out of the home where you know you can at least cope and you may find yourself choosing to stay at home because of it. As friends and family to accompany you on an outing with your twins even if it’s just to the shops at first. As your twins get older and the feeding less frequent you will begin to feel more confident about taking them out and with some assistance a trip to the park or play centre can be twice the fun.
Arrange play dates for your twins with other children even when they are babies!
Not only does a play date give you the opportunity to have some adult conversation in the home it allows your twins to learn those important social skills. This is a particularly good way of helping your twins play with other children rather than relying on one another.
Search for baby products which will make the practical challenges of raising twins easier or at least manageable.
There are many practical difficulties when bringing up twins mainly related to safety, one pair of hands never being quite enough or the time it takes to do every task. When you face a hurdle try to find a solution, be creative. Speak to other twin mums and discover how they have managed. There are many great products on the market now that can be of use with managing twins.
by: Angela Manton
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
