November 4, 2008
· Filed under behaviours · Tagged attitude, behaviours, language
Ever find yourself reacting a particular way and thinking “oh my gosh, that’s my mum or my dad!”. Before you even get a chance to think about how you are going to react it just comes automatically.
Some behaviours are positive ones that put a smile on your face and then there’s some you wish you never had. How do you deal with that? How do you change behaviours in yourself, you and/or others, may not like? Ever stopped to think about them? Why not take a minute to do it….
How are our behaviours represented?
1. Through our language – how do we speak to people or our children, are the words we use encouraging or damaging?
2. Through our attitude – what do our children, friends, family or even colleagues see when we react to different situations? Would you be pleased with yourself if you stood back and observed your attitude?
3. Through our upbringing – was it a nuturing, loving environment or possibly hostile, distant, abusive or lack of emotional support? What were your family values?
4. Through our education – What was your experience at school – positive/negative, what teachers had an effect on you?
There are about 240 different behaviours (don’t quote me on that number there’s bound to be more!) – which ones are you happy with and which ones do you want to change?
Challenge yourself to see if you are on track with how you what to behave. Your kids will thank you for it!!!
October 15, 2008
· Filed under Events · Tagged Add new tag, babies, charity, national babies day
Did you know it’s National Babies Day on Friday October 17th?
There are plenty of activities held around the nation and surely something that will interest you. National Babies Day is supported by The Bonnie Babes Foundation.
The Bonnie Babes Foundation is an organisation that provides 24 hours a day, 7 days a week grief counselling for families that have experienced the loss of a child. They provide medical equipment for premmie babies, vital medical research and support for infertility, child abnormalities and child illnesses. Bonnie Babies is a non-government funded, non-profit, volunteer based charity.
Why not check out their website http://www.bbf.org.au/ and see what you can get involved in.
September 16, 2008
· Filed under marriage · Tagged family, marriage, positive, time-out
How do you keep your marriage alive? What do you do that’s fun, that makes you both laugh, that keeps the fire burning?
An idea I heard of was having “Our Time” and the more I talked to the older generation the more I learnt that many of them did this. This was how it looked for them: When the hubby got home from work they took the time to sit and be together and have a brandy or something. The house was clean, the children were quietly playing, dinner was simmering on the stove, lunch was made for the next day and they talked. Well the reality of this now is more like: driving children to and from activities, doing homework for them or with them, sorting out sibling arguments, having the readers read to you while you are driving, picking up dinner on the way home from work plus some extra groceries and feeling stressed from the day’s pressures.
Hang on a minute…. what has happened here!!! Why are our lives so busy, stressful and over-loaded? There is too much external pressure to be something we are not. To feel we need to live up to the neighbours or friends, to have the smart children, sportier children, clever children. Why not stop for a minute and think about the family you would like to be.
This all starts with us and having a positive marriage. What do we want our family to look like? By taking out a little time each day to talk together can start to heal a marriage or even save one. It only takes a few minutes but is worth every minute. Make it about ‘we’ and not ‘I’. Talk about your day, your dreams and your hopes for your family. Tell your children that “mummy and daddy” time is important and having this time together makes you better parents.
We have a little table for two on our front verandah. This is where we sit, when we can, to talk about how we both are. The children know this is our time and, if possible, not to disturb us. It has taken our five children a little practice but it is now working a treat. We both look forward to it.
Let’s take a leaf out of the older generations book and take a little time for us!! Isn’t our marriage worth it?
August 25, 2008
· Filed under Help with Parenting · Tagged baby, baby help, parenting, sleep help
Where do you search for help with parenting? Who do you go to when you have those tricky questions about your baby? Who listens to you? Who’s advice do you respect?
There are countless books out there, advice on the internet, well-meaning friends or family but what about you and your own family…..who supports you?
Have you ever visited parenting support places like Tresillian, Koala Cottage or similar and not got the support you’ve needed? I have known many friends who have had great success with these places but what happens if you need the help in your own home – where would you go?
The services at Baby ‘n’ Beyond are exactly that!! We come to your home, we listen to your specific needs, we see you in the comfort of your own home. If you have an issue about parenting or would like to talk with us to see if you are on track then give us a call on 0414 876 023 or email us at info@babynbeyond.com.au. We would love to hear from you.
July 24, 2008
· Filed under Losing a Child at the Shops
We did!! We were with our three children looking through clothes in a major department store, trying to keep an eye on all our children yet stay sane at the same time and get this shopping thing over and done with very quickly. Then in a split second we realised little Miss 3 year old was not with myself NOR my husband. We had both assumed she was with the other parent. So looking like a absolute mad women I threw back all the stands of clothes looking to see if she was hiding under them – nope not there. Looked in the changing room – nope not there. Looked around the immediate section and one next to it – nope not there. Yelling her name the whole time at the top of my voice. This was one of those moments you don’t really care what people think of you. Your mind is totally focussed on the task ahead – FIND THAT CHILD NOW!!
I quickly rushed up to a counter to ask them to page for a lost child and they said “Sorry we can’t do that for security reasons”. I didn’t stop to give them a mouthful, I just ran outside into the shopping centre feeling my blood pressure rising with every breath.
We were yelling and calling her name and then somebody came up to me and said are you looking for a little girl. My words didn’t really come out well but it was something like “yes, yes, yes…”. We confirmed the description of my little one and the kind person said they saw her walking alone and then two women came up to talk to her and were walking away from the department store with her. “OH MY GOSH!!”.
Lucky I had my running shoes on and not the heals because I bolted full pelt towards that direction literally pushing people out of my way!!! Crazy woman!!!
It seemed like hours but it was probably only about 3-5 minutes which seems like an eternity. I caught up with them.
No rational thought came to mind as I saw her holding the hands of these two women but my action must have seemed a little harsh. I snatched her back from these women and yanked her into my arms. All in the one breath I wanted to tell her how much I loved her, ask why did she walk off, get cross with for her wondering off, tell her not to go with strangers but all I did was cry and hug her.
I didn’t even thank the poor women who were taking her to the Information Desk. Oops, sorry. I just took her quickly back to my family and once again we felt complete. There was that quick realisation that these things happen all to quickly and it scares the daylights out of you. You become like a defensive lioness looking for her cub, stopping at nothing to find it.
Have you had something similar happen? Want to share it? We’d love to hear it?
July 4, 2008
· Filed under 6 Most Important Words · Tagged important, love, marriage, words
The Six Most Important Words:
“I am sorry, I was wrong”
The Five Most Important Words:
“You did it very well”
The Four Most Important Words:
“What do you think?”
The Three Most Important Words:
“I love you”
The Two Most Important Words:
“Thank you”
The One Most Important Word:
“We”
The Least Important Word:
“I”
July 3, 2008
· Filed under Discipline · Tagged Channel 9, Child Discipline, Deborah Thomas, Kerri-Anne, Mornings With Kerri-Anne, Womans' Weekly
I appeared on “Mornings with Kerri-Anne” on June 24th to give my views on a discussion about disciplining other people’s children. The discussion was with Deborah Thomas (pictured left), Editor in Chief of the “Woman’s Weekly”.
What do you think we should do about disciplining other people’s children, either in your home, at a park or shopping centre?
