Parenting Blog

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Books

Literary Classics Lend A Hand To Baby Naming

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Elinor, Holden, Hester, Winfield. For the common bookworm, these names are some of the most important names in the literary world. They come from stories that shaped and continue to influence our society.

Even if your little bundle of joy isn’t named after a literary character, he or she can still become the star of their very own book. Book-loving parents can create a personalised children’s book that will give their child their very own piece of literary loving. With a positive storyline, these books will make your child feel special with a story of their very own. [Read more…] about Literary Classics Lend A Hand To Baby Naming

Tips for Reading Bedtime Stories to Your Kid

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One common challenge faced by parents is how to put their kid to sleep. This can be a problem especially if you have a very energetic and active child.

But don’t despair because there’s always a solution to every problem and reading a bedtime story is one of them. Research has shown that dads who read bedtime stories help their child do well in school.

Reading stories at bedtime helps in developing a child’s brain, language and emotional responses. It lets them learn literacy skills in a fun way. It’s also an opportunity for them to learn about stories of people, animals and other things even if they’re just fairy tales. Emotionally, it helps to calm them down before they go to sleep after an active day.

Doing this action is a sign of good parenting. It is, therefore, a parent’s responsibility to find time to read a book every night. Consider this time as a bonding moment as well between you and your child and one that will always be carved in the mind of your kid.

An ideal way to start your storytelling session is to create a relaxing and quiet atmosphere in the bedroom. Turn off the TV, computer or radio and then encourage your child to listen closely while you’re sharing the story.

Avoid reading in a monotonous manner. Dramatize the story by using different voices depending on the characters involved.

If you have a toddler who’s still learning how to talk, you can repeat the story several times. This will help improve his memory and develop his language skills.

Remember that repetition is key to memory retention and it will allow the child to be familiar with words. So take the time to read a bedtime story to your child regularly and do it with enthusiasm.

Are Children’s Books Only for Children?

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We are all familiar with children’s books: colorful pictures, big texts, short sentences, simple stories, and a lesson at the end. Adults usually get to read them because they have to read to children. Seldom do they read children’s books for their own pleasure. I think this is lost opportunity to benefit in learning from simple lessons that are just waiting to be discovered.

A case in point is the book “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. It provides a tender story of unlimited giving and serene acceptance of the capacity of another to love in return. This story makes use of a tree as a giver and a young boy whose love for the tree is presented in varying degrees depending on his personal situation. Even if it presents the tree in a heroic light with its unending capacity to give way to the child’s needs, it is careful not to present the boy in a bad light and succeeds in making readers understand the very humanity of his actions. It touches on the happiness of being together, of the sadness of having circumstances pull them away, and the joy of being reunited after all that has come to pass.
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Are You a “Grown Up” Parent?

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How many times have you heard or uttered the phrase “Grow up?” I suppose that you can not count. This phrase is often used in a wide variety of contexts. Yet what does grow up really mean? What does it mean to be grown up? If you are of legal age and you have children, does that necessarily mean that you are all grown up?

Well, if you were to ask author John Cheetham, parents are not necessarily “grown up.” This author from Melbourne has a new book called “Grow Up! How to raise an adult by being one yourself” and in it, he challenges parents to quit behaving like overgrown children and start acting their age. I don’t have a copy of the book as of yet but the information presented in News.com.au has gotten my interest. Here’s a sampling:

He says parents should stop drinking, smoking, swearing and losing their temper – particularly when driving. He thinks parents are too over-emotional, too over-protective and over-react to their teens’ faults. “The most important thing is to remember the power of example,” Dr Cheetham said. “Parents need to be in tune with their emotions – it’s not what you say, it’s what you do. And this means not having an episode of road rage on the way to taking your son to get his learners.”

If you think about it, this is an age old principle. Walk the talk and so on. I suppose, though, that in this day and age of indulgence, we can always use a reminder like this book. Now here is my question: Are you a grown up parent?

Book In Focus: The Resourceful Mum’s Handbook

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Mums are always on the lookout for ways to save in these hard times, and that is totally understandable – even admirable. More than looking for ways to make some savings, however, it is also important that we ensure that we are not sacrificing anything in the quality department. Fortunately, there are a LOT of ways to do that. I am pretty sure that you already have your own stash of “secrets” but there might be more out there that you and I haven’t thought of.

Author Elen Lewis has come out with a book titled “The Resourceful Mum’s Handbook” and I think it is pretty interesting, especially in the times that we live in. I know every mother is supposed to be resourceful – that’s part of the job, isn’t it? – but we can always use a helping hand in the realm of imagination. The context of the book is geared more towards a British audience but it seems to me that the concepts contained can be applied practically anywhere in the world.

Elen Lewis opens the book with a rough estimate of how much it costs to raise a child from birth to the time he or she is 21 years old. Now, of course that is assuming that at age 21, your child will be able to stand on his or her own and NOT depend on you to exist. With figures such as £194,000, one can easily see just how financially crippling raising a child can be; that is, if you do not exercise sound parenting habits. One would think that in this day and age, there is no choice but to be a frugal parent; you just might be surprised at how some people do not seem to grasp that concept, though.

With this book, it seems to me that age old concepts are being brought forth anew. The concepts may seem familiar – that’s because they are not all novel ideas – although the context is pleasantly modern. Learn how to be more discerning when it comes to advertising (clothing, food, toys, etc.) and discover tips and tricks that you can use on a daily basis as you nurture your children and guide them into become self-sufficient adults.

I think that whether or not you already have a kid, this book might come in handy. And just in case you think you know it all (you may even really know a LOT), the book is worth it if just to make you laugh. Did I mention that the author has a pretty good sense of humor?

Sassy Little Girls

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TAD

Just the other day I got an email from my friend Katy telling me to check out the Tiny Art Director because it reminded so much of her daughter Max (who happens to be my Godchild). Maxine is an angelic looking 3 year old, who likes watching Igor in the morning and just had to have some scary dinosaurs at her birthday tea party. Katy said that she and her husband laughed, then breathed a sigh of relief when they read this blog, thinking that Max “Was not such a weirdo after all“.

And I totally agree with them, because my Nat was just like that at age 2,3,4. She even has a photo when she was around 3 where her expression and hair (and the angle) made her look just like that terrifying kid in the Ring. Her first word was “Wow” and she was such a tough, eloquent and opinionated little girl. She was sassy and certainly NOT your girly pink princess-loving little girl- and still is. That face on the book pictured above is very, very familiar to me, and I still get it now and then, despite her being in 1st grade.

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Most Popular Christmas Toys For Children

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Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS

Just a little more than a week and Christmas Day will be here! I bet that your kids can barely contain their excitement as you start your preparations for the big day. I know that in our house, putting up the Christmas tree and lights is making everyone jump and down with the anticipation of Christmas. But have you decided on your presents for the kids yet?

I have several in mind but to be honest, I won’t be doing my shopping till tomorrow. I am sure that I am going to regret keeping it till this late when I am met by throngs of late shoppers tomorrow as well. Anyhow, I found an article detailing the most popular toys for kids this Christmas. Some of the recurring items that I noticed were gaming consoles and iPods. Umm, I think I shall refrain from these this Christmas – it’s too early for these this year. Perhaps the Wii, but nothing more.

For girls, the things on the list include the Nintendo DS Lite, Webkinz toys, Hannah Montana toys, and Barbie (yep, she is still at it). For toddlers, some ideas include Tickle Me Elmo Live, Lamaza Baby Toys, Leapfrog Little Touch LeapPad, and V-Tech Vsmile Baby.

I am leaning towards the educational toys for toddlers although I am really thinking about giving more books than toys this year. Some might think that this is the boring route but then again, get your children used to books and you will see just how much delight they will take in them.

What are you getting the kids this Christmas?

Parenting Book in Focus: Building Better Families: A Practical Guide to Raising Amazing Children

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Building Better Families
Have you ever wished that you had a clear cut guide on how to raise your children? I know that I have and probably many other parents have as well. We all know, however, that there is nothing such as an absolute when it comes to rearing kids. Each person is different, each situation unique. Still, it would be nice to have a good guide as to how to go about being a parent, don’t you think?

Courant.com recently featured a book by Matthew Kelly that just might give us what we are looking for. Entitled Building Better Families: A Practical Guide to Raising Amazing Children, the book aims to empower parents in raising wonderful kids. Of course, there is no such thing as a guarantee when it comes to this, but critics hail the book as one of the best there is.

I honestly haven’t read it yet but from the reviews that I have been reading, I think I need to get my hands on a copy. Courant’s feature ends with this:

The book does not include a simple 10-step plan or suggest that parents embrace a specific discipline method, diet, exercise regime or work/play ratio. Instead, Kelly is all about using — and teaching your kids to use — a single guiding principle for decisions great and small. When confronted with a choice, they and you should ask this question: “Will this help me become a better version of myself?”

Sounds good to me!