I have been through starting school two years in a row; Stuntboy and Chatterbox are over 18 months apart, but just one school year. That meant I lost both my babies at the school gate within a whisker of each other. I have learnt a thing or two in the last two years, so here are a few tips to make that transition from pre-school to reception that little bit easier for everyone. Keep it low key; If you build up school to be this "big thing" then your child may be more likely to be a bit scared of it all. Yes, it's different, but it's not something to mention everyday for the week before they go. If you are relaxed about it, they will be too Try not to get too emotional in front of them; I know how hard it is to see them go. Believe you me, I have been there. But try not to let them see you are sad about it if you can help it. Children are mighty clever at picking up on our emotions. So the more chilled you are; the more they will be Read to them about it; If you have a child that loves reading,...

I have been through starting school two years in a row; Stuntboy and Chatterbox are over 18 months apart, but just one school year. That meant I lost both my babies at the school gate within a whisker of each other. I have learnt a thing or two in the last two years, so here are a few tips to make that transition from pre-school to reception that little bit easier for everyone. Keep it low key; If you build up school to be this "big thing" then your child may be more likely to be a bit scared of it all. Yes, it's different, but it's not something to mention everyday for the week before they go. If you are relaxed about it, they will be too Try not to get too emotional in front of them; I know how hard it is to see them go. Believe you me, I have been there. But try not to let them see you are sad about it if you can help it. Children are mighty clever at picking up on our emotions. So the more chilled you are; the more they will be Read to them about it; If you have a child that loves reading,...

I have been through starting school two years in a row; Stuntboy and Chatterbox are over 18 months apart, but just one school year. That meant I lost both my babies at the school gate within a whisker of each other. I have learnt a thing or two in the last two years, so here are a few tips to make that transition from pre-school to reception that little bit easier for everyone. Keep it low key; If you build up school to be this "big thing" then your child may be more likely to be a bit scared of it all. Yes, it's different, but it's not something to mention everyday for the week before they go. If you are relaxed about it, they will be too Try not to get too emotional in front of them; I know how hard it is to see them go. Believe you me, I have been there. But try not to let them see you are sad about it if you can help it. Children are mighty clever at picking up on our emotions. So the more chilled you are; the more they will be Read to them about it; If you have a child that loves reading,...

I have been through starting school two years in a row; Stuntboy and Chatterbox are over 18 months apart, but just one school year. That meant I lost both my babies at the school gate within a whisker of each other. I have learnt a thing or two in the last two years, so here are a few tips to make that transition from pre-school to reception that little bit easier for everyone. Keep it low key; If you build up school to be this "big thing" then your child may be more likely to be a bit scared of it all. Yes, it's different, but it's not something to mention everyday for the week before they go. If you are relaxed about it, they will be too Try not to get too emotional in front of them; I know how hard it is to see them go. Believe you me, I have been there. But try not to let them see you are sad about it if you can help it. Children are mighty clever at picking up on our emotions. So the more chilled you are; the more they will be Read to them about it; If you have a child that loves reading,...

Weaning’s one of those nightmare worries for parents. Will your baby eat or will they only ever want milk? Why are they so fussy or do they eat too much? How to introduce proper foods instead of pureeing? When to start? Although weaning is a big area of importance, there seems to be a lot less support around than there is for breastfeeding. As with much in childrearing, which area you live in can have a big impact in what support’s available. Even within the same town you can find one doctor’s surgery provides weaning talks, while another may not. Children centres often run sessions, but unless you go regularly you may miss out on hearing about them. I managed to wangle my way onto one by talking to my friends who had good doctors’ surgery which ran various sessions at the local children’s centre. As a parent, you need to have a lot of confidence that what you’re doing is right. I was convinced that I wanted to do baby led weaning (BLW) after hearing an acquaintance talking about their experience...

Weaning’s one of those nightmare worries for parents. Will your baby eat or will they only ever want milk? Why are they so fussy or do they eat too much? How to introduce proper foods instead of pureeing? When to start? Although weaning is a big area of importance, there seems to be a lot less support around than there is for breastfeeding. As with much in childrearing, which area you live in can have a big impact in what support’s available. Even within the same town you can find one doctor’s surgery provides weaning talks, while another may not. Children centres often run sessions, but unless you go regularly you may miss out on hearing about them. I managed to wangle my way onto one by talking to my friends who had good doctors’ surgery which ran various sessions at the local children’s centre. As a parent, you need to have a lot of confidence that what you’re doing is right. I was convinced that I wanted to do baby led weaning (BLW) after hearing an acquaintance talking about their experience...

Weaning’s one of those nightmare worries for parents. Will your baby eat or will they only ever want milk? Why are they so fussy or do they eat too much? How to introduce proper foods instead of pureeing? When to start? Although weaning is a big area of importance, there seems to be a lot less support around than there is for breastfeeding. As with much in childrearing, which area you live in can have a big impact in what support’s available. Even within the same town you can find one doctor’s surgery provides weaning talks, while another may not. Children centres often run sessions, but unless you go regularly you may miss out on hearing about them. I managed to wangle my way onto one by talking to my friends who had good doctors’ surgery which ran various sessions at the local children’s centre. As a parent, you need to have a lot of confidence that what you’re doing is right. I was convinced that I wanted to do baby led weaning (BLW) after hearing an acquaintance talking about their experience...

Weaning’s one of those nightmare worries for parents. Will your baby eat or will they only ever want milk? Why are they so fussy or do they eat too much? How to introduce proper foods instead of pureeing? When to start? Although weaning is a big area of importance, there seems to be a lot less support around than there is for breastfeeding. As with much in childrearing, which area you live in can have a big impact in what support’s available. Even within the same town you can find one doctor’s surgery provides weaning talks, while another may not. Children centres often run sessions, but unless you go regularly you may miss out on hearing about them. I managed to wangle my way onto one by talking to my friends who had good doctors’ surgery which ran various sessions at the local children’s centre. As a parent, you need to have a lot of confidence that what you’re doing is right. I was convinced that I wanted to do baby led weaning (BLW) after hearing an acquaintance talking about their experience...

It's the summer holidays, and everyone is getting on each other's nerves. The amount of whining a parent can take is fairly limited anyway. Someone should start using that sound as a deadly weapon. It would bring anyone to their knees....Patience is in short supply, and as we are approaching a month in, we are perhaps running out of new and exciting things to do with the children that don't mean we have to take out a second mortgage.As tempers fray, and the level of chaos increases, and your children aren't doing what you ask; stop for a moment....Remember the age of your child and what they are and aren't capable of doing.For example, younger toddlers don't understand "sharing" or "turns." Five or even six year olds struggle to empathise with others, so if you are upset that you are doing everything and not getting any help, your little one won't see the situation from your point of view so won't get why you are upset.And that's where we differ, us mums and dads. We CAN see things from our child's point of view...

It's the summer holidays, and everyone is getting on each other's nerves. The amount of whining a parent can take is fairly limited anyway. Someone should start using that sound as a deadly weapon. It would bring anyone to their knees....Patience is in short supply, and as we are approaching a month in, we are perhaps running out of new and exciting things to do with the children that don't mean we have to take out a second mortgage.As tempers fray, and the level of chaos increases, and your children aren't doing what you ask; stop for a moment....Remember the age of your child and what they are and aren't capable of doing.For example, younger toddlers don't understand "sharing" or "turns." Five or even six year olds struggle to empathise with others, so if you are upset that you are doing everything and not getting any help, your little one won't see the situation from your point of view so won't get why you are upset.And that's where we differ, us mums and dads. We CAN see things from our child's point of view...