Christmas, Hanukah and the school holidays are on their way. Are you
prepared! For those looking for holiday ideas I have included two
great spots which are both family friendly under our 'What's Happening?'
heading.
Enjoy this month's newsletter; I hope you find
something of interest that may help you or your friends and family in
their journey as parents.
A Note from the Editor
Thank you to all those who have given me feedback
on the articles. Please keep your comments and suggestions coming. If
you have anything you would like others to know about (non commercial)
then please send me an email so I can include it in this section. This
includes baby/children’s products that you would like to pass on to
others.
In this month's Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting
Solutions service I would like to move on from babies and take a look at
our service for the older child; our parenting assistance for Toddler and Child.
If you are unaware Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions, as the name
suggests, provides assistance to parents with children from birth to 5
years. Our Toddler and Child service is for children from around 18
months up to and including 5 years of age.
Toddler & Child
This service addresses problems or difficulties
primarily around behaviour. We cover topics such as recognising the
needs of your child, developing their self esteem, teaching techniques
promote sleep, bedtime routines and night waking, moving a child from
the cot to the bed and teaching them to stay in their bed, establishing a
daily routine, dispelling temper tantrums, how to address problems
before they begin, advice on weaning, solids and food refusal, toilet
training, non acceptable social behaviour such as biting, pinching and
hitting, preparing for a new baby, tips on sibling rivalry, ideas for
play and development, and very importantly - time out for yourself.
Our visits may cover an overnight stay to assist
with sleep routines and night waking issues. Alternatively we may offer
a three hour or extended day visitation to cover topics involving
behavioural management.
This service includes information on your child’s
age related needs, two weeks of follow up phone calls, a series of
weekly e-letters to assist you for a month and an e-book with
information on age appropriate tips on parenting, our monthly newsletter
and access to our member's area. Cradle 2 Kindy also provides an
opportunity for parents to have time off by providing Respite for Parents a Night Nurses or a Professional Babysitter.
Before your personal parenting coach from Cradle 2
Kindy comes to your home we suggest both parents prepare a list of
questions you would like to cover. We will then go through this list as
well as other topics we thing may be appropriate for your particular
family situation to help enhance your parenting skills and achieve a
harmonious household.
Testimonial: "C2K has changed our
household beyond belief. If someone had told me that by putting the
steps in place discussed in one phone call our 2yr old would be staying
in bed within 10 minutes and sleeping through the night and back to
having day sleeps after 3 nights I wouldn’t have believed it. C2K has
given us the tools to be better parents, and given us the chance to
spend time together once the kids are in bed by 7pm...not 10pm! Even
though we only spoke on the phone and emailed for our coaching we are so
pleased with the results! Sally was always available whenever we had
any queries and always took the time to talk through the process without
it ever feeling rushed or that our 'issues' weren’t important".
Danielle, South Australia
If you know anyone with a baby who you think may
benefit from a visit from Cradle 2 Kindy please feel free to forward
them our contact details. On the other hand you may like to give them a
Gift Voucher for a Baby Care visit.
Franchisees
We still have some openings for the right women
to join Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions franchise in Orange or
Bathurst area, Newcastle and Wollongong. If
you, or anyone you know, are interested in helping parents with children
from pre-birth to five years old, here is a fantastic opportunity to do
so. Read more at Franchises Available or on the News page.
Parenting e-books
Our e-books available online through our Publications are: 'The Cradle Will Rock' 0-3 months (86 pages), 'Rock a Bye Baby' 3-9 months (103 pages), 'When the Wind Blows' 9-18 months (88 pages), and 'When the Bough Breaks' toddler and child (74 pages).
E-book testimonial: "We have found your
Toddler and Child e-book a great help with our daughter. It not only
provides practical tips but it is also very straight forward. We found
the tips on behaviour very helpful for our 3 yr old especially in
regards to setting boundaries, preparing for a new baby and sibling
rivalry. We have put many of these techniques into practice
particularly in preparation for our second child which we feel had
really helped our daughter now that the baby is home. We have now
ordered the 0 - 3 month e-book. They are a great asset to me and my
husband. Thanks. Janelle"
We would love to hear from others who have found our
e-books or any of our products helpful. Please email me via our Contact Us page
Warm regards,
Sally Hall
What's Happening?
November 14-20 is Postnatal Depression Awareness Week. To assist us
help raise awareness and reduce the stigma of PND I have asked Beyond
Blue to provide us with some facts.
"Depression affects one in 11 women during pregnancy and one in seven
mums will experience depression in the year following the birth of their
child. Having depression and anxiety is not a normal part of having a
baby, having the ‘baby blues’ and/or sleep deprivation is not PND.
Postnatal Depression does not go away on its own. But help is available
and with the right treatment, you can recover. It’s important to get
help early – talk to your GP or contact beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or infoline@beyondblue.org.au
Help
raise awareness and reduce the stigma of depression by doing sometimes,
simple – talking about it. Talking openly about depression and anxiety
does help reduce the stigma. To find out more and share the facts
with your family, friends and local community go to the beyondblue
website."
Holidays are just around the corner! Have you made
any preparations? Are your thinking of taking a trip interstate and
wondering where to take the family? I have just the place for you. Are
you wine lovers? Take a look at Quince Cottage in Gracetown WA. Views of the beach and a short drive to Margret River. Maybe that's a bit far, why not try The Terrace Grove in Ocean Grove VIC. Kid's and pet friendly. It's just a short walk to the beach and the surf.
This Month's Article
After attending a conference last month where Dr.
Janet Green (PhD Senior Lecturer at the University of Technology,
Sydney) spoke on the dangers of Iodine deficiency I asked her if she
would allow me to share her facts with you. The Article is titled
'Iodine Deficiency'.
"Congenital hypothyroidism due to iodine deficiency
is the most common preventable cause of mental retardation in the
world." .....click here to read more.
Parents Testimonies
Kathaleen's story
“We had ongoing problems getting our toddler to bed and getting her to
stay in bed during the night. She was constantly fighting us in the
evenings and often falling asleep in the lounge watching TV. We knew
this was not right but what else could be do! When put to bed asleep
she would wake during the night and sneak into our bed. If we were to
exhausted to move her she would often stay there till the morning. We
called Cradle 2 Kindy in desperation. Our coach stayed two nights
providing assistance and practical tips that really helped. After 4
nights of following the routine our daughter now happily goes to bed and
sleep in till 7 am. What a change. I wish we had called them
earlier.” Penrith, NSW
Any Questions?
If you have any general questions about Cradle 2
Kindy Parenting Solutions service or would like to arrange another visit
please don’t hesitate to call Sally on 0409 721 145.
I'd love to hear from you!
All articles on this website have a copyright any the use of any
material must have permission from Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions.
Disclaimer: Information we provide is for education
purposes only. Please consult with your doctor to make sure this
information is right for your child.
Happy Mother's Day and welcome to our May edition of Cradle 2 Kindy
Parenting Solutions newsletter.
A Note from the Editor
I hope you found the last edition informative and
the article by The Gidget Foundation interesting.
This month I would like to introduce you to the MUM
FOR MUM program. This is an outreach service for mothers of infants and
women in the last trimester of pregnancy. The program offers home-based
emotional support to mothers with little or no family support nearby,
who feel isolated or who feel overwhelmed by the challenges of
motherhood. The program matches up mothers with volunteers who have
completed the MUM FOR MUM volunteer training program. The volunteers are
not health professionals but mothers themselves who can appreciate your
challenges. MUM FOR MUM is free of charge and currently services the
eastern suburbs of Sydney.
MUM FOR MUM also offers a unique volunteering
opportunity for mothers who are passionate about improving the wellbeing
of other mothers. By being a MUM FOR MUM volunteer you assist another
mother enjoy motherhood and help her establish a nurturing bond with her
baby. MUM FOR MUM provides training and ongoing support. It’s a great
way to give back to your community. For more information please go to www.mumformum.org.au
or call them
on 02 9363 0257
We still have some openings for the right women to join Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions franchise in Wollongong, Orange/Bathurst and Canberra. Thanks to everyone for putting the word out in these areas. If you, or anyone you know, are interested in
helping parents from pre-birth to five years old, here is a fantastic opportunity to do so. Read more at Franchises
Available or on the News
page.
Our e-books continue to be a great tool for parents. Mothercraft nurse Sally Hall has put together professional yet
practical tips for parents who would like to be just one step ahead of their children. For more details or to purchase these e-books with
their practical parenting tips please follow the link to our Publications.
With every purchase you will receive a free copy of '1300 RUN 101 The
Fundamentals of Parenting'.
Our e-books available are: 'The Cradle Will Rock'
0-3 months (86 pages), 'Rock a Bye Baby' 3-9 months (103 pages),
'When the Wind Blows' 9-18 months (88 pages), and 'When the
Bough Breaks' toddler and child (74 pages).
E-book testimonial: "We found 'The Cradle
Will Rock' e-book has been very helpful in many practical ways. We were
also amazed how quickly our baby responded to the tips and suggestion
for settling our baby, I also liked the way it debunked many of the
myths surrounding sleep. I feel I am now more confident in my parenting
and would not hesitate to recommend these parenting e-books to others
especially if you are a first time parent like us. We are on to our
second edition!" Fiona
We would love to hear from others who have found
our e-books or any of our products helpful. Please email me at: info@cradle2kindy.com.au
Warm regards,
Sally Hall
What's New?
We have added a few more helpful links to our Links
& Contacts page including: The Gidget Foundation and Mum for
Mum. If you have any suggestions on what you think might be helpful
links to include please let us know.
For those who have the DVD and books 'Your Baby Can
Read' we have just re stocked our 'Your
Baby Can Learn' books. These books teach: Shapes -Babies will learn
geometrically-related shapes instead of
the typical shapes found in most baby books. Numbers -Dr. Titzer uses research from infant
perception studies to
help your baby learn the concept of number as well
as learn to read
numerals. Patterns -This book teaches logic patterns using
colourful
photographs and words. For example, "big dog, little
dog, big dog,
little dog, big dog, little dog, big dog, What
comes next?" Colours -This book teaches lighter and darker
shades of colours. Prepositions -Some of the most frequently
used words in English are
prepositions. Most babies are not specifically
taught these words.
Imagine how much more language your baby will
understand if she or he
comprehends prepositions.
To order on line just click onto the drop down and
choose 'Your
Baby Can Learn' The set of 5 books are $69.95
If you have missed out on our last baby wrap sale
don't fret we have our
extra large Stretch Cheesecloth baby wraps going for
an amazing
$22.00. These wraps are ideal for the coming cooler
months and are
guaranteed to fit any baby. Take a look at our
infamously large wraps
and the wide range of colours and fabrics displayed
in Our Shop. All our baby wraps are made here in Sydney. Order on
line and support our Ozzie economy.
Our unique Gift
Ideas for newborns continue to be on
sale. Why not make up
your own selection from our list of products then
let us put it together
for you in a decorative box. Or buy a Gift
Voucher for a personal home visit. A very
practical gift
idea! What better way to help parents start off
well.
If you are looking to buy a product and what to know
what other parents or health professionals might suggest take a look at
our 'Product
Reviews to help you make your decision. Don’t forget to let us know of any products you have
found useful so we can add them too.
Join other parents on the Forums
or start up a new topic. This is a great place to support each other
in the very important role as parents.
This Month's Article
Due to inquiries and interest in children with
allergies amongst the clients visited recently, I have continued on the
topic of food with the title 'Allergies'.
This article contains information on foods which are both high and
moderate in natural chemicals. "In today’s society children face many of
life’s obstacles very early, even while at the breast. ...". click here to read the full story.
Parents Testimonies
Thanks to all the parents who contribute to this
section through filling out our online evaluation form. Keep those
testimonials coming!
Danielle's Testimonial
“C2K has changed our household beyond belief. If
someone had told me that by putting the steps in place discussed in one
phone call our 2yr old would be staying in bed within 10 minutes and
sleeping through the night and back to having day sleeps after 3 nights I
wouldn’t have believed it. C2K has given us the tools to be better
parents, and given us the chance to spend time together once the kids
are in bed by 7pm...not 10pm! Even though we only spoke on the phone and
emailed for our coaching we are so pleased with the results! Our
parenting coach was always available whenever we had any queries and
always took the time to talk through the process without it ever feeling
rushed or that our 'issues' weren't important". Koolunga, South
Australia.
Roslyn's Comments
"Our coach was professional, friendly and skilled.
Always responsive on the phone and with emails. We appreciated the
mothercraft advice that was as an additional service to the circumcision
support provided. It was very practical mothercraft advice. We also
appreciated the routine provided. Even though I was a bit reluctant to
try it at first, it has been working perfectly".
If you have been or are a client we
would appreciate if you fill out the Evaluation
Form. We would like to share your testimonials,
comments or stories
to help encourage other parents who may be in a
similar situation.
Thank you.
Any Questions?
If you have any general questions about Cradle 2
Kindy Parenting Solutions service or would like to arrange another visit
please don’t hesitate to call Sally on 0409 721 145.
I'd love to hear from you!
All articles on this website have a copyright any the use of any
material must have permission from Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions.
Disclaimer: Information we provide is for education
purposes only. Please consult with your doctor to make sure this
information is right for your child.
Happy New Year. I hope you all had a relaxing, safe and joyous holiday season with your families as I did in my short visit to Perth.
A Note from the Editor
God willing, before our next e-letter we will be looking for our first franchisees and a new receptionist. Details of these positions will be posted on the News page of our website.
If Cradle 2 Kindy were to have a Facebook page would you be interested in joining us? If so, please let me know.
For the launch of our new E-books we have a special offer. With the purchase of any of our parenting e-books you will receive an e-book FREE.Normally selling for $12.95, '1300 RUN 101 The Fundamentals of Parenting' is yours for free with every order.
1300 RUN 101 is booklet on the fundamentals of Parenting - Responsibility Understanding & Nurturing. From conception through to 5 year old. 101 things parents should know and what to expect. Suggestions, tips and myths surrounding parenting. Our second e-book is ‘The Cradle Will Rock’ a comprehensive parenting guide for parents with babies from birth to three years old. All the practical tips to help parents avoid the common problems that often occur during this period.
Our highly experienced midwife Grace Ugbor is working on an e-book from Conception to Birth. Put your order in now so you don't miss out. A great gift for those planning a family or extending one
E-books available: 1300 RUN 101 The Fundamentals of Parenting. A Twinkle in Mother’s Eye Preparation for Parenthood: Conception through to Birth. The Cradle Will Rock Parenting skills for Newborns: 0-3 Months. Hush a Bye Baby Parenting skills for Babies: 3-9 Months. When the Wind Blows Parenting skills for Infants: 9 -18 Months. When the Bough Breaks Parenting skills for Toddler & Child: Behavioural Management.
Our frequent visitors will notice many changes including the home page which now has a list of links to help you quickly find what you're looking for.
Our Shop now includes e-book Publications and the Safe T Sleep baby sleeping harness that you can also purchase from your parenting coach when they visit.Please download your special free e-book and let your friends and family know about this free offer.
Our summer range of wraps continue to be very popular make sure you don’t miss out, some stocks are low. The Gift Ideas for newborns are selling well. Remember when you purchase 'Your Baby Can Read' from Our Shop a percentage of these sales goes to help support under privileged children in Indonesia, Zambia and Uganda.
Don't forget, if you have discovered a fantastic product or have some helpful tips, then you can help others by adding to our 'Shopping Guide' or posting on our forums. Look at who has added their photo to our brag book. Keep those photos coming.
This Months Articles
I would like to thank Dr Karen Simmer PHD FRACP. Professor of Newborn Medicine, University of Western Australia for her contribution to this newsletter article 'The Solids Controversy'. And I continue with the series on Disciple.
Our son was a cranky baby right from the start. Health workers consistently described him as “colicky”, but as the months went by and nothing changed, we became desperate to find the root cause. We discovered he had an intolerance to certain foods which gave him reflux, but even after those foods were eliminated from my diet (and his) and the vomiting stopped, his mood was still terrible. My partner and I were convinced that he was overtired, but try as we might we could never get him to sleep for more than half an hour or forty five minutes during the day; he had developed some very bad patterns due to being held and rocked so much to alleviate his discomfort from the reflux. Enter our parenting coach. Using the settling techniques recommended by Cradle 2 Kindy, our seven month old son was soon napping for much longer periods. On the same day that the coaching started, he had two naps that lasted over two hours. We didn’t realise he was capable of sleeping so much! Since the coaching session we have modified our son’s routine and settling procedures slightly, but he is a changed boy and everything is still going very well. He still wakes up very early in the morning (5 AM--aagghh) but he is now generally happy to stay in his cot and chatter away to himself for about an hour. We are much more relaxed and well rested these days! The other positive outcome from the coaching session relates to our son’s physical development. He always hated tummy time and as a result was very late rolling over, but having a coach present to reinforce the importance of lots of tummy time, he was soon setting personal bests.
Yvonne's Comments
Thanks to C2K I survived my son's Brit Milah, I was kept busy talking before and after the ceremony which kept me distracted. Our nurse was very helpful, informative, and comforting.
Any Questions?
If you have any general questions about Cradle 2 Kindy’s service or would like to arrange another visit please don’t hesitate to call Sally on 0409 721 145.
I'd love to hear from you!
All articles on this website have a copyright any the use of any
material must have permission from Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions.
Disclaimer: Information we provide is for education
purposes only. Please consult with your doctor to make sure this
information is right for your child.
Welcome to our third new-formatted issue of Cradle 2 Kindy parenting solutions newsletters!
Now I know it is early but as you know we don’t have a December newsletter so all of us at Cradle 2 Kindy would like to say a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Seasons Greetings to all of you. May you and your families have a relaxing, safe and joyous holiday season!
A Note from the Editor
Brigit, our receptionist, unfortunately was unable to continue due to family commitments. I’d like to thank her for all the work she did including helping to sort a few things on the administration side of the business. The position is again open to anyone who might be interested, so please let people know. Information about the position is on our News page.
If Cradle 2 Kindy were to have a facebook page would you be interested in joining us? If so please let me know.
I’m also working on a series of parenting manuals which will be made into e-books as well as hard copy manuals, available for you to purchase online soon. I'm also working on a condensed version covering tips and suggestions from pre-birth to five years old for FREE! At the moment I’m in the process of learning how to put these into the correct format so God willing, some of them will be available before Christmas. The first parenting manual will cover babies from birth to three months old. All of our manuals will have our practical parenting tips that many of you have come to know and trust.
Next year we have some interesting info on Starting Solids that I'd like to share.
Please let me know if there is anything you would like to include in our newsletters by emailing me at info@cradle2kindy.com.au
This section is to draw your attention to what has recently been added to our website.
So what's new this month?
I have been busy sewing the summer range of wraps – cheesecloth and beautiful sheer muslin which are just right for our hot summers and a perfect gift for Christmas or any occasion along with our Sleep CD and Gift Ideas for newborns. Choose one of our gift ideas or make up your own and let me know your choices.
Thanks to everyone who has made suggestion, contributed to the forums and submitted your favourite photo for our brag book. Thank you to all those who have passed on your helpful tips, they have been a great success. I’ve added them to our 'Shopping Guide' . We can always add more so please keep sending them in so that other parents can learn from your experiences
'Your Baby Can Read' if purchased through Our Shop helps support under privileged children in Indonesia, Zambia and Uganda
This Months Articles
I would like to thank Dr Katrina Warren for her series on 'pets and children'. I'm sure many of you benefited from her advice. I have asked Dr Kobler to give us some insight on ankyloglossia and we continue on our ‘discipline’ article.
Cradle 2 Kindy was recommended to us by a work colleague the day before I went on maternity leave. Of all the baby recommendations that were given to us it’s been the best. Our coach came to us on day 2 after coming home from hospital. By having her in so early, it helped us get confidence where we had none as we had no prior experience in parenting or indeed with young children.
Our baby boy looks like he has reflux and our coach gave us some practical solutions to try and overcome this early. She taught us about the importance of trying to get into a routine and gave us lots of settling techniques to try and ensure we do the best for our baby and retain our sanity. We had no idea what to expect and what was “normal baby behaviours”.
The time when you come out from hospital is when you are most tired and vulnerable – and it’s when you need most energy and knowledge to get through the first few weeks! C2K’s home visit helps get you over that hump and gave the three of us lots of ideas and helped get us some rest! She didn’t judge us by how tidy our house was or how stressed or emotional we were.
Now we are learning every day and with our coach providing us an invaluable back up by phone service it has helped us to tackle things head on and with a lot more confidence than we would have had otherwise.
Any Questions?
If you have any general questions about Cradle 2 Kindy’s service or would like to arrange another visit please don’t hesitate to call Sally on 0409 721 154.
I'd love to hear from you!
All articles on this website have a copyright any the use of any
material must have permission from Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions.
Disclaimer: Information we provide is for education
purposes only. Please consult with your doctor to make sure this
information is right for your child.
Welcome to our new second issue of Cradle 2 Kindy parenting solutions newsletters! These letters are to help you get to know us and our service better and to link you through to our most recent articles. Each issue will provide you with our latest client testimonies as well as to help guide you through the website to pages that may be of interest to you. Enjoy!
A Note from the Editor
I hope you have been exploring our new site. Thanks to every one for your feedback and encouragement, it is great that you feel part of the family and what we are trying to achieve. I've had lots of positive comments about how helpful our 'Shopping Guide' has been too. If you have any other items you would like to include please let me know.
To those who were able to attend the ‘Your Baby Can Read’ workshop I'm sure, like myself, you were able to learn so much more about this helpful learning/activity tool for your children.
Just to remind you that from all of your purchases through 'Our Shop' a part of the money goes towards the under privileged children we supports in Indonesia, Zambia and Uganda.
I'm still looking for someone to man the phones, so if you know of anyone who may be interested, please direct them to the following link -Franchising - News
This brings me to my next exciting news. God willing, the paperwork and legal matters for the franchising will soon be complete, which will bring us to the next stage - advertising for franchisees. Once these are complete, the Franchising pages will be open to the public.
Once again thank you for being patient with us as we iron out some of the glitches which come with launching a new website. If you have any problems or see anything that needs to be adjusted, please let me know immediately.
Please let me know if there is anything you would like to include in our newsletters by emailing me at cradle2kindy@optusnet.com.au Warm regards,
In this section I would like to draw your attention to what has been recently added to our website.
So what's new this month?
I have updated some of our baby wraps which are selling very well. Thanks to all of you who are letting your friends and family know about out top quality extra large wraps. I have added a new flannelette blue strip as the blue cheque sold out. We are also about to change our product logo so keep your eyes open for this new exciting change.
The shop has also been going well. Have you seen our special Gift Ideas - ideal for anyone having a baby. They include one of our infamous wraps free!
Take a look at what postings are new on the Forum. Please make good use of the forums as they are there for you to make contact with other families in similar situations.
What's new on our Links and Contacts page - Helpful Hands. A great idea for any busy family or as a gift idea for someone expecting a new baby. Please let me know of any other sites you have found which have been helpful, so we may consider having a link exchange with these too.
Also new is the Mum for Mum program run by the Jewish Women's of Aust and is a home based support group, reaching out to new mothers who may be needing some moral support.
This Months Articles
Just reminding you that we are no longer putting our latest articles in this newsletter, instead we are putting the topics straight onto the Articles page and providing you with a direct link instead. We hope this will make things a lot simpler and email's less bulky.
Dr Katrina Warren continue with her series of articles on pets for young families, this one is titled 'Cat's and Children'. Thus the black cat on this newsletter. I've also written an article on 'Time Out' which I hope will be helpful.
We received practical information and help that I was able to use immediately. I came away from the session feeling much better equipped to settle my baby.
Danielle's Testimony
WOW! After I thought 11 months was too late to try changing my daughter's sleep routine, ie rocking her to sleep, along came Cradle 2 Kindy coach, now it's a matter of putting her to bed awake, and off she goes into sleep slumber!! Thank you Cradle 2 Kindy, you have also given me more husband time!! He thanks you also!
Jenny's Comments
We learnt so much for our coach she gave such wonderful advice. All my questions were answered and the advice and tips through the day were very helpful and practical both my husband and I benefited from the visit. Being a first time mum I am unsure of what the correct or best thing is for my child. Our coach helped me set a routine which makes me feel more confident in what I am doing. We are very grateful for all we have learnt from such a kind, patient and very knowlegable woman we would like to thank her for all her help.
Any Questions?
If you have any general questions about Cradle 2 Kindy’s service or would like to arrange a visit please don’t hesitate to call our head office on 1300 786 101.
We'd love to hear from you!
All articles on this website have a copyright any the use of any
material must have permission from Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions.
Disclaimer: Information we provide is for education
purposes only. Please consult with your doctor to make sure this
information is right for your child.
Autumn will soon be upon us again! Thanks to every one for their suggestions and input for out newsletters, it is very much appreciated. Thank you also for all of you who have returned you evaluation forms with comments and testimonies I often hear how your stories have helped other parents is a similar situation.
Once again Dr Katrina Warren has provided one of her articles this one is for these planning to choose a dog or cat for their young family. The Medical Journal of Australia and Professor Trevor S Parry have given their permission to share with you some interesting information on learning and behavioural problems in children. And information about Dr Taitz courses.
Please remember, we do have a copyright and permission must be granted before any of our articles or information can be used elsewhere or put to print. Contact us on cradle2kindy@optusnet.com.au
Dr Jonny Taitz, well known paediatrician in Sydney has begun a series of fist aid talks for new parents. There are 2 different talks provided. The first talk covers the essential illness and injury topics of young children. Topics include bronchiolitis, croup, gastro, meningitis, common injuries and reflux to mention a few. The session is interactive and is generally 2.5 – 3 hours duration. Ideal numbers are 10-15 per group. Small groups are encouraged to stimulate debate and allow all present to feel comfortable to ask questions. The session is ideal for mother’s groups although dads and grandparents are equally welcome and encouraged to attend.
The second talk is an extremely interactive and hands on demonstration of basic life support and how to deal with a chocking baby. During the session all present will be instructed in life support and chocking. Participants will have the opportunity to practice on a mannequin under supervision.
Again numbers are limited to a maximum of 15 so as to allow everyone an opportunity to ask questions and develop confidence in dealing with life support and chocking. The duration of this session is roughly 2.5 hours.
Dr Taitz is flexible with time and venue. Generally speaking one member of the group would host the evening at their home.
Handouts on both sessions are made available to all participants.
This information was reproduced with permission from Professor Trevor S Parry and the Medical Journal of Australia from his article on Assessment of developmental learning and behavioural problems in children and young people.
There is a lot of talk about ADHD and other developmental disorders which has triggered my desire to include an article on this topic. It is also a topic close to my heart as I was diagnosed with dyslexia and never officially treated.
Not all children have learning difficulties and some children have more than one developmental problem or a combination of several. I would like to take a quick look at the three most common.
What are these disorders?
ADHD is now well established as a genetic, neurobiochemical and developmental disorder. Symptoms such as hyperactivity–impulsivity, unable to be organized or self-regulated, not being able to handle multiple stimuli, noise or crowed situation, resistance to change, need to be present before the age of 7years.
Dyslexia is related to a learning difficult with reading and spelling but may also involve difficulties with mathematics, and handwriting.
Autism is often seen by a child’s inability to interact socially, showing poor communication skills, delayed speech, sometimes strange repetitive and ritual behaviour.
Please note that these behaviours should not be confused with normal variations associated with develop. Being aware of what to look for in your child may help them adjust and cope better throughout their life.
Some Developmental Difficulties
(From Parry TS. Modern Medicine 1998; 41: 56-63. Reproduced with permission).
Birth – Two year
Delayed pincer grip (after 10months)
Inability to crawl – bottom shuffling
Delayed walking
Absence of single words (by 18months)
Two – Three year
Poor sleep
Irritable
Not climbing or fear of climbing
Not stacking blocks
Avoiding pencil tasks
No interest in books
Reduced imaginative play
Excessive tantrum
Three – Five year
Delayed or awkward running
Not pedalling a tricycle
Bumping into objects
Excessive falling
Not hopping
Difficulties with cutting or threading
Avoiding puzzles and constructional toys
Difficulties with dressing and buttons
Finger feeding rather than using utensils
Not using developed simple sentences (by 2years)
Speech unclear to strangers
Use of gestures or mime more than words (by 3years)
Unsettled sleep
Persistent tantrums
Inability to play with peers
Inability to self-dress and unawareness of toileting skills
What’s the next step?
If you suspect your child has a behavioural or learning difficulty you will need professional assistance from your doctor or a paediatrician with additional training in developmental and behavioural paediatrics as well as possibly speech and occupational therapists, educational and clinical psychologists.
You may also need the help of a social worker and a visit to a child development centre where they can assist in further assessment of the problem and provide guidelines for early intervention. Early intervention may help improve emotional and social problems which will assist your child throughout life.
Growing up with a pet can be a wonderful experience– pets provide children with company and unconditional love as well as teaching them responsibility and how to care for another living being.
These days pets are considered valued members of the family but remember that a dog or cat may share your life for 15-20 years, so choosing the right one a very important.
It is hard to be definitive about breed selection because all dogs and cats are individuals and although breeds have common behaviour characteristics, their temperaments can vary enormously.Just as important as selecting the breed is the individual temperament of the animal and the way it is socialised and managed by you.To complicate things further, many of the cats and dogs in Australia fall into the categories of “moggie” or “mutt”- crossbreeds whose breed is often difficult to define but which can make great pets.
The main things to think about before choosing a dog or cat for your family are
the type of lifestyle you lead,
the age of your children,
the type of accommodation you live in,
the amount of time you spend at home,
the amount of exercise and
how much time and money you’re prepared to spend on your pet.
All of these things will influence the way you interact with your pet on a daily basis and determine whether you meet each other’s needs.
CHOOSING A DOG
Many breeds of dog have been developed for a specific purpose and this can have a large impact on the way they behave around people
Working breeds such as Australian Cattle Dogs, Kelpies and Border Collies, like my own dog Toby, have been bred to herd and chase and even nip, they are very energetic and have a strong instinct to herd. These breeds of dog frequently become bored in a suburban backyard and can become over excited around children. They are more suited to the active family with teenage children who include their dog in their outdoor activities.
Guarding breeds such as German Shepherd Dogs, Maremmas, Rottweilers, Dobermans and Akitas can be very protective and although loyal and safe with their own family members, can sometimes resent outsiders coming into their territory. This could potentially cause problems with visiting friends. On saying this, I have seen individuals of all these breeds that are truly wonderful with children.
Small Breeds some people mistakenly believe that they are better off to buy a small dog. This is not always the case as many small dogs are intimidated by children’s behaviour and may not be comfortable being chased by a toddler. This can result in snapping – many reported dog bites in Australia are from small dogs. Also, most small terriers like Jack Russell’s and Fox Terriers are very energetic and love to chase and catch things. This can be problematic when kids are involved.
Large Breeds it is essential that any large dog has a good level of basic obedience, otherwise his/her sheer size will be a problem as it is easy to knock a small child over.
As a general rule your family should try to buy a dog with a low activity level and because most families with young children are time poor, choose a dog that won’t require a lot of grooming.
Try to meet both parents of your potential pup- temperament is partly inherited so if either parent is shy or aggressive, then avoid. If both parents are delightful with kids, you are heading the right way.
It is essential that your pup/dog is well socialised with humans and other animals.
Every dog should receive some basic obedience training and know how to sit, stay, drop and come when you call it.
Firm ground rules must be laid down for your dog but children must also learn to follow rules such as not patting your dog when it is sleeping or eating.
Children need to understand that a dog is not a toy and must be treated appropriately.
Although the individual personality of each dog differs widely depending on its genetics as well as upbringing, the following breeds generally have a good temperament around children.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel
Golden Retriever
Great Dane- but sheer size means they are better for older children
Labrador Retriever
Maltese/ ShihTzu cross – while not officially a ‘breed’ these crosses are usually great with kids
Pug
Whippet
CHOOSING A CAT:
Cats are slightly easier to choose, the vast majority of cats in Australia are moggies and most moggies and pure breeds of cat will adjust well to family life. Some breeds of cats such as Abyssinians and Burmese are usually playful and energetic and adapt well to a life with active children. Others such as Siamese can be very vocal and demanding of attention, so not necessarily the best choice. Be sure to do some research if you want a purebred and ask the breeders opinion about whether the breed is kid friendly.
Cats are a lot more independent than dogs and some cats just do not want to socialize with kids- it is best to just give them the space that they want and not try to force your children upon them
Try to choose a kitten which seems interested in people and is happy to be held
Avoid kittens or cats that are very shy or growl and hiss when you approach
If you have young children, consider adopting a kitten older than four months. Young kittens are very tiny and could easily get hurt
Adopting a mature cat is a great option for a family. Ideally adopt a cat where you have a good idea of its history and know that it has previously lived in a family environment. Failing this, spend as much time as possible with the cat prior to the adoption and see how well it interacts with your children.
If you’re having trouble choosing between breeds it can be useful to attend a dog or cat show. You’ll be able to see how the various breeds appear and behave all in one spot, and you can talk to the breeders about the suitability of their breed for your family.
You could also visit the website www.petnet.com.au and use a free service called Selectapet which provides information to help you select the right breed of dog or cat to suit your lifestyle. Remember to always buy purebred animals from registered breeders.
When it comes to crossbreeds, many wonderful dogs and cats in need of a home can be found in welfare shelters such as the RSPCA, Animal Welfare League, Cat Protection Society and the Lost Dogs’ Home all have pets available and many of these facilities will help you to choose an appropriate pet for your family.
If you are considering adopting a pet visit DOGMATCH or CATMATCH - a free online service bringing you dogs and cats from all over Australia that need new homes. They have animals from welfare agencies, pounds, the public, vet clinics, breeders and pet shops all waiting for someone to love them.
Please make sure you take plenty of time to find the right pet for your family. Manage them responsibly and lovingly and your family will be rewarded with unconditional love, loyalty and companionship.
For more information on pets please go to Dr Warrens website www.drkatrina.com
My husband and I have 2 year old twin boys, they (and we) had slept through the night a total of 5 times since they were born. We were convinced they were just ‘bad sleepers’ so became used to sleep deprivation. Finally we saved our money and asked Cradle 2 Kindy to send around a parenting coach convinced that she will meet her match with our two and we would be up for the next two nights trying to teach them to sleep. Well, it took 15 minutes! No Kidding! That was 2 weeks ago now I am getting too much sleep. The boys sleep through every night. We almost felt embarrassed that she could teach them so quickly. It was amazing, our only regret is no getting a parenting coach earlier.
Gayl’s testimony
Fantastic! Invaluable! The standard of care was far more than we could have ever expected. As a second time mum, I was amazed at the amount of hints and tips we were taught in the first hour. Then throughout the day we were blown away with the new techniques taught to us that settled our baby instantly.
Our parenting coach came to us to help with the circumcision of our son. We were both blown away by the care taken, extensive knowledge and wonderful persona of our parenting coach. I would thoroughly recommend this service to any new mum, second time mum or any carer of a baby, toddler or child, to help or gain knowledge from a parenting coach from Cradle 2 Kindy. What I though would be a stressful day, turned out to be the most wonderfully educational day and totally invaluable. Thank you for ‘saving the day!’
Seeother testimonials related to the headings throughout the web site or read through those on our Mothercraft Home Service web site, through the link on our articles page.
All articles on this website have a copyright any the use of any
material must have permission from Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions.
Disclaimer: Information we provide is for education
purposes only. Please consult with your doctor to make sure this
information is right for your child.
Welcome to our winter edition of Cradle 2 Kindy’s newsletter. Please remember you will only be able to click onto the newsletter through the link from your email page. We do have a copyright and permission must be granted before any of our articles or information can be used elsewhere or put to print. See contact details below. (photo by BIG Australia)
Continuing on from our first issue for 2007 on Sibling Rivalry, I’d like to cover the topic a little further as I have had several inquiries about disciplining, boundaries and conflict management for children.
I have also been asked to do an article on colic/reflux which I have called the irritable baby syndrome as it used to be called many years ago when we knew little about reflux. This article may help parents with an unsettled baby discover what is causing their baby to be so unsettled. It is only a guide-line so if your baby or your friend's baby continues to be unsettled, please don't hesitate to give us a call at Cradle 2 Kindy to help you overcome this problem.
Thanks to everyone for your comments and suggestion, I hope you find this issue informative.
Children are never too young to learn good behaviour. Start with simple to understand language and instructions and spend time to explain things, helping them to understand not only their feelings but the feelings of others.
Help your children know how to resolve conflicts by using their words not their actions. ‘That’s not friendly’, ‘We need to be friendly if we want others to be friendly to us’ – are phrases I encourage parents to use with their children to help them understand how we are to treat others. Teaching children how to use their words instead of hitting out in frustration will empower your children. Children generally react out of frustration, not knowing how or what to do in a situation. We as caregivers need to step in and give them the right tools.
When talking with little children, get down to their level, look them in the eye and explain that their actions are not friendly, give them a warning and follow through with the appropriate action if needed. Never give a warning that you can’t carry out. Let your ‘Yes’ be yes and your ‘No’ be no. Give lots of praise when your children are playing nicely together and treating each other with respect. Comment on their good behaviour. “I’m so proud of you both playing so nicely together. I’m sure it makes you feel good too?”
Set some time aside to talk with your children after the heat of the moment has subsided to help them talk about their anger or unacceptable behaviour. Do not use this time to blame or to accuse but to talk about their feelings and ways they may be able to resolve their differences. Discuss with your children how everyone is different and we all have different ideas and ways of doing things. Being different is not being wrong. It is not who wins the fight but how we fight that matters. Teach your children how to say sorry, how to apologies for their bad behaviour and angry outbursts. Encourage them to hug and make up. Remind them, when they are shouting or becoming aggressive, to use their ‘friendly voice’.
Never compare one child against the other or speak badly about your children within their hearing or their sibling's hearing. Children understand and take in a lot more than we think. Speak positively over your children for either way, they will try to live up to what you have spoken whether positively or negatively. Enjoy each child for their individual qualities and traits.
Parents need to be flexible yet consistent with their approach on discipline. Discuss and agree on what boundaries and the method of discipline the family will use and support each other, showing that you are united and working together. Happy families communicate. Communication is learnt from our parents and those around us. Make sure you as parents are instilling the right communications skills. What a child learns at home, they will continue to use throughout their lifetime in school, work and marriage.
Here’s a little anonymous poem I found that may encourage you as parents.
If I had my child to raise all over again,
I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I’d finger-paint more and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connection.
I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.
I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I’d do more hugging and less tugging.
I’d model less about the love of power,
And more bout the power of love.
As a mothercraft nurse, I visit many homes with unsettled babies. Parents pacing the floor, pulling their hair out having tried every remedy and potions family and friends have suggested with little or no improvement. The nightmare some families go through with their babies often results in shattered confidence, mental and physical exhaustion which can lead to postnatal depression, family feuds and marital breakdowns.
So why are these babies so unsettled?
There may be several reasons why a baby is unsettled. One of which may be what is commonly called 'colic'. So what is 'colic' any way? Good question. The pharmacies shelves have been filled with remedies for colic, special bottles and teats and liquids. So is it colic or something else that is causing so many babies to be unsettled? And if it is colic why aren't these remedies working as well as they should? Someone said it may be reflux but my baby doesn't vomit.
What is the difference between colic and reflux?
'Colic' is an unsettled baby with lots of wind. Reflux babies also have a lot of abdominal wind. If you look at the symptoms of colic they are similar if not the same as those of a baby with reflux. So what is the difference between reflux and 'colic'? I, and many health professionals will agree with me, believe that colic as it was commonly known, is today known as 'silent reflux'.
What is reflux?
Reflux occurs when the acid content of the stomach rises into the oesophagus causing discomfort and burning. This understandably causes a baby to be very irritable, to raise their legs or back arch and to cry inconsolably. Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is common in babies but often goes undiagnosed as many think it is colic. If untreated, reflux can cause complications such as increased risk of SIDS, ear and respiratory infections and ulcerated oesophagus.
There are two types of reflux -
Common (vomity) reflux - where a baby will regurgitate frequently, sometimes in large amounts.
Silent reflux - when a baby rarely regurgitates but is very unsettled. This type of reflux is rarely picked up and often goes undiagnosed. It may start from birth or it may develop later from three weeks or three months.
What to look for:
When visiting a family, I look for four things to determine whether a baby has a sleeping, feeding or a physical problem.
Does your baby snack feed? (often falling asleep at a feed)
Is your baby able to self settle, not just cat nap for 45mins or less?
Are you over handling your baby? How long are they awake and how long do they sleep according to their age appropriate needs?
Does your baby have an infection - urinary, ear or chest infection?
Depending on your answers you may have a baby who suffers from reflux, hunger or one who just need to be taught how to sleep and how to self settle. Many babies have a degree of reflux. Not all babies suffer from acid reflux, some vomit frequently but are not bothered by it, other babies don't vomit at all but are in terrible pain.
An irritable, unsettled baby if encouraged to sleep well between feeds and not cat nap may quickly become a more settled baby, but if their irritable periods continue and they refuse to sleep, they may be suffering from acid reflux. If you suspect your baby has reflux, take a look at questions listed below.
How does one detect reflux
Firstly I take a look at the family tree. Ask your parents if you or any of your siblings has 'colic' or were very unsettled or vomity babies. If so it is more likely that your child may also have reflux.
Is your baby very unsettled at a certain time of the day more than any other? Often in the 'witching' or 'arsenic' hour between 2pm and 9 pm. Take into consideration whether they are over tired, over handled or possibly just hungry.
Is your baby often unsettled from one feed to the next? Dozing between bouts of uncontrollable crying?
Does you baby prefer sleeping in a rocker, over your shoulder, in a pouch or in an upright position?
When asleep, are their periods where he/she wakes suddenly and cries out seemingly in distress? Or is grunting in squirming in their sleep?
Does you baby back arch, pull their legs up, fight their wrap and generally look uncomfortable?
Do you use a dummy to help pacify your baby during these unsettled periods?
If you have a family history of unsettled babies and you answered yes to most of the above, then read on to see if your baby has any other symptoms of reflux.
Some symptoms that can indicate reflux including silent reflux are:
irritability and pain
poor sleep habits typically with frequent waking
grunting and wriggling during sleep
arching their necks and back during or after eating or at sleep time
gulping, coughing or re swallowing hours after a feed
frequent hiccups
sinus congestion
food/oral aversions
constantly needing to suck
swallowing problems, gagging, choking, coughing
gagging themselves with their fingers or fist (sign of oesophagus)
bad or acid breath
flatulence
running or blocked nose
sneezing
excessive drooling
frequent red, sore throat without infection present
neck arching (Sandifer's Syndrome)
vomiting or projectile vomiting (seldom in silent reflux)
If reflux is untreated it may lead to:
refusing food or accepting only small amounts despite being hungry or the exact opposite requiring constant small meals or liquid
Many reflux babies are unsettled only at certain time, ‘the arsenic hours’ and sleep well after this time.
At Cradle 2 Kindy we train our parenting coaches to recognise signs of reflux. As many of you, our clients, know we are able to offer many tips that will help parents through this difficult time.
This information has since been updated and is under the topic Colic/Reflux
We needed someone to help us with our children's behaviour as things had gotten a little out of hand. We were amazed at the simple techniques that transformed our household. We now have children who listen to their parents, have less fights with each other and enjoy a more harmonious meal time. We would recommend other families calling Cradle 2 Kindy for assistance before things get out of hand.
Karyn’s story
Our 20 month old son was throwing tantrums and we were having trouble disciplining him. Our parenting coach came around and showed us how to 'positive parent' and the time out method. Literally within days his behaviour had improved dramatically.
Prue’s comments
I was given the confidence to help our son with his bedtime and early waking issues. I am sure going forward with the techniques we were taught will not only help our son get more sleep but the entire family.
Amelia’s story
Our son was approaching three months and was only sleeping in my arms during the day and would only sleep in his cot at night due to sheer exhaustion. We needed someone to come to our house to observe what we were doing and how we could change things for the better. Cradle 2 Kindy sent a parenting coach and immediately we felt a sense of relief that it wasn't a quick visit, she was going to be here for a while. We were shown how easy it was to settle our son and within 48 hours he understood that it was okay to sleep in his cot. Our coach also discovered that our son probably has reflux which put most of the questions on his unsettled behaviour to rest. Although some days are better than others, we now are aware of what we have to do and he has made an amazing transformation.
Michelle’s story
Our daughter had reflux from birth which was only diagnosed at 10 weeks. By 18 weeks she was waking at night every two hours and during the day, the only time she slept was on me after rocking her or feeding her to sleep. We had so many bad sleep habits. Our coach taught us how to put her into a routine and allowed our daughter to get the amount of sleep she needed. Thank you very much.
Kelly’s story
We had a near angle baby for the first six weeks but then she stopped sleeping through the day and screamed in pain constantly. Our parenting coach immediately recognised the signs of reflux, and with her techniques on managing the pain and starting our daughter on Losech, she has started sleeping again! We have time to spend with our toddler and our whole family is happier and more settled.
Sam’s comments
Calling Cradle 2 Kindy for help was the best things we did after our 10 weeks of chaos. We had been to several GP's seeking help for our three month old baby who was screaming every night. After being told this was normal for babies, we finally called for a parenting coach who suggested that our little girl had silent reflux. Our coach was extremely supportive, she not only put us in touch with a paediatrician (one who understood reflux) she also gave us lots of tips to settle our baby and get some sort of order back in our family. Thank you Cradle 2 Kindy.
See other testimonials related to the headings throughout the web site or read through those on our Mothercraft Home Service web site, through the link on our articles page.
All articles on this website have a copyright any the use of any
material must have permission from Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions.
Disclaimer: Information we provide is for education
purposes only. Please consult with your doctor to make sure this
information is right for your child.
Welcome to our first 2007 newsletter in our new format. Please forward the email with its link to your friends and family. There will be fewer articles and less advertising as many contacts and information can be acquired through the web site. I will continue to keep you informed of any changes and new ideas.
As mentioned the email the newsletters will no longer be posted on our web site nor will there be a link to them, so if you would like to save any of these articles please download them for later reference. We do have a copyright and permission must be granted before any of our articles or information can be used else where or put to print. See contact details below.
Sibling rivalry is a normal part of family life - it is learning to live with one another. In a sibling relationship we learn how to share, co-operate with one another, listen, communicate, deal with our feelings, understand others point of view and feelings, and how to resolve conflict.
Preparation for a new baby
Before your new baby arrives home, prepare your older child for the expected arrival. Talk about where baby will be sleeping etc. Change your child’s routine as little as possible and keep the boundaries as they are. The fewer the changes the better your child's transition. If changes are needed, it is advisable to do so well in advance. For example moving from cot to a bed, changing rooms, attending child care. This will give your child plenty of time to adjust. Enrolling your toddler into activities away from mum such as child care, will teach them more independentce, help them make new friends and to learn how to mix with their peers. This will also give mum time alone with baby. Let your toddler know when you are going to hospital and have a gift from the baby to give to their older sibling.
When baby arrives home help your older child become involved with the care of the baby according to their ability. eg. fetching a nappy, holding the baby (with supervision). This will also help them to see their place in the family unit as being important. Help your toddler to understand what she is going through by talking about her feelings as well as the baby’s is important. Explain to her that sometimes you will need to spend time with the baby. During this time be prepared with activities to entertain her. eg when feeding the baby. Spend quality time with your older child when baby is sleeping. Reassure her with lots of cuddles and hugs during this time.
Outside help is best utilised to enable you to spend more time with your older children.
Conflict management
As parents, we set the example through role modelling. Watching parents argue and how they make up sets the pattern for our children to follow. Show your children constructive conflict resolution. Supervision is needed for young children and babies as they may be at risk of being hurt. With older children, much of their bickering can be ignored. Don’t take sides or compare one child with the other as this may only stir up the tension between siblings or encourage stubbornness. Parents need to be flexible yet consistent with their approach on discipline. Discuss and agree on what boundaries and the method of discipline the family will use and support each other, showing that you are united and working together.
Tips to avoid family conflict
Use your words not actions
Speak in a friendly voice - don’t shout
Respect one other and their belongings.
What causes conflict?
Jealousy, different interests, temperament, personalities and age
Attention seeking, boredom, testing their limits or egocentrism
Continuing from our last newsletter, Philipp lets us know what to expect when arriving home with a new baby.
On your arrival home with your baby make sure that you give your pets the attention and greeting that you would have given them had you just been away on holidays. Perhaps giving them an extra treat or a new toy will let them know that you didn't desert them but had just been away for a while … and happened to bring someone else home with you.
First impressions
On introducing the baby to your pets initially, have one adult holding the animal and another holding the baby. Ensure both are getting appropriate attention but are in the same room. Gradually you can bring the two of them closer together, always ensuring that the pet is under control. This process can take anything from a few hours to a few weeks depending on the nature of the pet. If your pet has a history of showing any signs of aggression towards strangers or other animals, you must do this incredibly cautiously. Don’t try to do it on your own, a dog jumping up to investigate a baby can easily accidentally scratch them or even bump them out of your arms. It doesn't matter how much you trust your pet, they must never be left alone with a baby or an infant.
Pampering
It is important to ensure that your pet gets some ’special time’ with you, just like they did before the intruder arrived home!! Perhaps an extra cuddle when the baby is asleep or taking your dog for a walk, without the baby, will ensure that they realize you still love them just as much as always, but you are just a bit busier these days. Sleep deprivation doesn’t always allow hour-long walks but going to a park, sitting in the sun and throwing a ball or a stick can do wonders for your sanity! It will give you a chance for a bit of ‘baby-free’ time, something that doesn't happen that often as a new parent. Perhaps this is a reason to love your pets that bit more. I personally got a 6-week old Border Collie puppy when I was six and a half months pregnant and already had a 9 month old kitten. Everyone told me I was crazy and that I was creating so much extra work for myself. How would I possibly find time to walk the dog when I had a newborn? And the cat would definitely want to get into the cot and cause all sorts of problems, not to mention all the germs!!
Best of pals
After following all the above ideas, my 8 month old daughter breaks into a beaming smile whenever she sees the dog and the dog is incredibly adoring of her as well. She lets her stroke her head (always under supervision of course) and even lets her little fists pull at her ears. My gorgeous ginger kitten looks at Lucy from afar but really isn't that interested in her. Never once has she jumped into the cot and neither of them goes into the nursery, even when the door is open, if I am not with them. Sure, I spend a fair bit of time picking up poo of one sort or the other, but basic hygiene methods such as regular worming, hand washing and vacuuming has meant that all of us are nice and healthy. It is now considered that children who grow up with pets are much less likely to suffer asthma or any other allergies. As a new mum, to a human baby and two of the furrier varieties, all three of them make my day in different ways. Philippa Warren BVSC (and mum!!)
The time I spent with our nurse was invaluable as a first time mother, the hands-on experience and tips made my confidence grow.
Prue’s story
I was given the confidence to help my son with his bedtime and early rising issues. I am sure these methods will not only help our baby get more sleep but the entire family.
Samantha’s comments
Excellent advice and care regarding our sons circumcision, very reassuring. Newsletters are excellent. You should consider seminars write a hand book or give postnatal lectures to new parents to guide through the more important issues.
Kate’s story
Our daughter of three months was unable to sleep without movement—we had made the error of rocking or pushing her to sleep. In four hours our nurse from Mothercraft Home Service was able to break this habit and get our baby to sleep in a cot. These and other good habits taught to us should last well into childhood.
Karyn’s story
Our 20 month old son was throwing tantrums and we were having trouble disciplining him. Sally came around and showed us how to 'positive parent' and the time-out method. Literally within days his behaviour had improved.
See other testimonials related to the headings throughout the web site or read through those on our Mothercraft Home Service web site, through the link on our articles page.
All articles on this website have a copyright any the use of any
material must have permission from Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions.
Disclaimer: Information we provide is for education
purposes only. Please consult with your doctor to make sure this
information is right for your child.
Children are never too young to learn good behaviour. Start with simple to understand language and instructions and spend time to explain things, helping them to understand not only their feelings but the feelings of others. 
things. Being different is not being wrong. It is not who wins the fight but how we fight that matters. Teach your children how to say sorry, how to apologies for their bad behaviour and angry outbursts. Encourage them to hug and make up. Remind them, when they are shouting or becoming aggressive, to use their ‘friendly voice’. 
arrival. Talk about where baby will be sleeping etc. Change your child’s routine as little as possible and keep the boundaries as they are. The fewer the changes the better your child's transition. If changes are needed, it is advisable to do so well in advance. For example moving from cot to a bed, changing rooms, attending child care. This will give your child plenty of time to adjust. Enrolling your toddler into activities away from mum such as child care, will teach them more independentce, help them make new friends and to learn how to mix with their peers. This will also give mum time alone with baby. Let your toddler know when you are going to hospital and have a gift from the baby to give to their older sibling. 
Tips to avoid family conflict 
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