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Surf, research, browse, chat to friend, chat in forum, shop, email, FB, Blog
Cook, eat or Zumba
Or just sleep!
I started this blog after making the huge decision of giving up work to spend the precious early years with my two children, now 5 and 3 What started as a record of the creations we make together in the kitchen has now become an online diary of our adventures beyond.....
Friday 16 March 2012
Rain in Spain on Valentine's Day
We went to Barcelona for the half term. We had such a good time and spent it mostly sightseeing. We took a tour bus and walked the well worn tourist path for the whole 5 days we were there. But still a lot of fun. As it was February, it was very cold, but I can imagine how different and lovely it would be in the summer, with the trees full of green and the outdoor seating in coffee shops and restaurants overflowing the ramblas. I realised how little I know about this huge land of Spain and its amazing history. I have a lot to learn about it and I am now convinced that Spanish is a more important language to learn than French.
There is such diverse history in Spain and it is evident in the different regions because so much of it survives to the present day. One day I will be going back to Spain, to explore and learn more about this fascinating country and its history.
Pictures of our trip coming soon
There is such diverse history in Spain and it is evident in the different regions because so much of it survives to the present day. One day I will be going back to Spain, to explore and learn more about this fascinating country and its history.
Pictures of our trip coming soon
Winging it vs Winning it
Always treat your child with respect
Get down to eye level and make eye contact
Never lie
You are their role model. In fact, in the first few weeks and months of their lives, you are their whole world! If you see behaviour in your child that you do not like, ask yourself why and the answer probably is that you do it too!
Your child is a reflection of yourself. Literally. They copy what you say and what you do. They revere you!
Take 10 minutes per day per child to give them your undivided attention while playing a game of their choice and following their rules on how to play it. This means no tv or music on in the background, no interruptions from phone calls, emails, or other messages, and sounds a lot easier that it is.
These 10 minutes of quality, one on one time means the world to them and is more valuable than spending the whole day around them with no attention, and is the same as being away from them all day at work.
Talk like you mean it, whether you are being serious, or joking
Instruct using positive language and choice of words
Don't throw sand out of the box
Please keep the sand inside the box
Children learn by repetition, repetition, repetition.
Explain, repeat. 25 times if necessary
Please keep the sand inside the box
Please play without throwing sand
Please play inside the box
eg because if you throw it out there will be no sand left to play with
Unwanted behaviour: ignore, ignore, ignore. Exception: when it is dangerous.
Do not eat the sand, it is not food and it will make you ill.
Wanted behaviour: praise, praise, praise
I like the way you are making a sandcastle
Be firm but fair. No need to be cruel to be kind.
Discipline can only work when it is positive discipline. PD rewards good behaviour so the child is encouraged to repeat it.
Negative discipline forces a child to be obedient. It creates a fear of the carer and does not understand why.
Praise using the following:
I like the way you....
Well done for trying....
Thank you for being....
Children copy behaviour, you know the saying, "what monkeys see, monkeys do"
So make sure they see and hear the behaviour you want them to learn, and make extra sure that they DO NOT see or hear the behaviour that they shouldn't learn.
Deal with anger the way you want your children to deal with anger
Toddler groups are the best thing for you and your child. There is nothing worse than being a stay at home when all you do is literally stay at home. Your child needs to be exposed to adults other than yourself, and to other children.
Get down to eye level and make eye contact
Never lie
You are their role model. In fact, in the first few weeks and months of their lives, you are their whole world! If you see behaviour in your child that you do not like, ask yourself why and the answer probably is that you do it too!
Your child is a reflection of yourself. Literally. They copy what you say and what you do. They revere you!
Take 10 minutes per day per child to give them your undivided attention while playing a game of their choice and following their rules on how to play it. This means no tv or music on in the background, no interruptions from phone calls, emails, or other messages, and sounds a lot easier that it is.
These 10 minutes of quality, one on one time means the world to them and is more valuable than spending the whole day around them with no attention, and is the same as being away from them all day at work.
Talk like you mean it, whether you are being serious, or joking
Instruct using positive language and choice of words
Don't throw sand out of the box
Please keep the sand inside the box
Children learn by repetition, repetition, repetition.
Explain, repeat. 25 times if necessary
Please keep the sand inside the box
Please play without throwing sand
Please play inside the box
Please keep the sand inside the box
Please play without throwing sand
Please play inside the box
eg because if you throw it out there will be no sand left to play with
Unwanted behaviour: ignore, ignore, ignore. Exception: when it is dangerous.
Do not eat the sand, it is not food and it will make you ill.
Wanted behaviour: praise, praise, praise
I like the way you are making a sandcastle
Be firm but fair. No need to be cruel to be kind.
Discipline can only work when it is positive discipline. PD rewards good behaviour so the child is encouraged to repeat it.
Negative discipline forces a child to be obedient. It creates a fear of the carer and does not understand why.
Praise using the following:
I like the way you....
Well done for trying....
Thank you for being....
Children copy behaviour, you know the saying, "what monkeys see, monkeys do"
So make sure they see and hear the behaviour you want them to learn, and make extra sure that they DO NOT see or hear the behaviour that they shouldn't learn.
Deal with anger the way you want your children to deal with anger
Toddler groups are the best thing for you and your child. There is nothing worse than being a stay at home when all you do is literally stay at home. Your child needs to be exposed to adults other than yourself, and to other children.
Post Half Term blues
Sobbing on the drive home from the airport after seeing dad off listening to Adele's 21 album.
Coming home and going straight into my husband's open arms for a comforting cuddle, and without a word being uttered, I felt better.
Feeling relieved that the children had been showered and fed by my husband, and were ready for their bedtime story.
Coming home and going straight into my husband's open arms for a comforting cuddle, and without a word being uttered, I felt better.
Feeling relieved that the children had been showered and fed by my husband, and were ready for their bedtime story.
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