Calming anxiety in your child.

A few practical hints how to deal with your child when becoming anxious in these times of uncertainty.

Please read and apply to support you in becoming more effective as a parent soothing your child.

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/coronavirus-calm.html

Worried about how to keep your children busy?  Here are links to some fun ideas that will keep them practicing their skills while spending some quality time with you.

Getting creative with paper plates:

https://www.craftymorning.com/christmas-paper-plate-crafts-for-kids/

Finger painting fun

https://www.amorecraftylife.com/fingerprint-christmas-tree-kid-craft/

Jumping elves:

https://kidscraftroom.com/jumping-paper-cup-elf-puppet-craft/

Sticker decorating:

https://handsonaswegrow.com/sticker-christmas-tree-craft-kids/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes

Hope these inspire you to have fun and get creative.

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Many parents find it difficult to know when is the best time to start weaning their little one off sucking dummies. Dummies provide a way for babies and toddlers to soothe and cope with stressors around them.  As your child gets older, they need to start relying less on dummies and learn other ways to find comfort.

Dummies may also impact teeth formation, which may impact your child’s speech development.  This can be avoidable. Thanks to the BabyCentre, they provide us with good ideas to help your child through this transition process.

https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a1040581/dummies-and-your-toddler

In today’s world, where children are constantly being compared and pushed to perform, it is easy to lose confidence and your sense of self-worth, if you do not feel you are the best or the brightest.   

Thank you to Karen Young, who posted valuable advice regarding the nurturing and building of your child’s resilience on Hey Sigmund.

All children face challenges and adversity.  Their ability to overcome this and to carry on, is determined by their resilience.  The idea is thus not to overprotect the child from all forms of stress and adversity, but rather to teach them the skills to cope and come out stronger on the other side.   Karen Young explains how to do this through the use of certain practical strategies. 

https://www.heysigmund.com/building-resilience-children/

When children are in close contact with each other (day care/ schools), viruses tend to spread like wild fire.  Constant visits to the doctor are expensive and it is not ideal to be on medication every other week.  It is thus important to research how you can boost your child’s immune system through the right types of food and supplements, enough probiotics, as well as enough relaxation time and sleep.  

Some foods rich in antioxidants and immune boosting nutrients are discussed, as well as tips in how to serve them in a child attractive manner.  Thank you to Donné Restom, for the valuable advice. 

Kidspot Kitchen also shares some delicious general recipes, guaranteed to wet your toddler’s appetite. 

https://www.kidspot.com.au/kitchen/articles/nutrition/how-to-boost-your-childs-immune-system-through-food

https://www.kidspot.com.au/kitchen/galleries/kid-friendly-recipe-ideas/finger-licking-recipes-that-will-sort-out-your-fussy-eating-toddler

Wet beds, wet pants, unmentionable messes… all parents have a story or two to tell about their toilet training journey. Especially those parenting children with special needs.

Here are a few tips, tricks and encouragements to keep you going.

10 THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN POTTY TRAINING A SPECIAL-NEEDS CHILD

by Ellen Seidman, mum of Max, who has cerebral palsy

https://www.babble.com/parenting/10-things-to-remember-when-potty-training-a-special-needs-child/

COLLECTION of RESOURCES AND ARTICLES

See this website for a number of articles and resources on potty training including a video by 2-year-old Alleke explaining the process:

http://www.oneplaceforspecialneeds.com/main/resources.html%23tab=resource_online&text=toilet%2520training