The Lullaby Trust shares safe sleep recommendations for the winter months
Now that the temperature has dropped, you might be wondering about the best ways to keep your baby warm at night. With the rises in energy bills, many families may be concerned about how best to make sure that their children are warm and comfortable at bedtime.
Recycle Week – What to do with baby and child items that are no longer needed
This week is Recycle Week. Up and down the country, numerous businesses, families and individuals will be thinking about how they can improve their own habits when it comes to sustainability and recycling.
This year’s recycling week theme is ‘Let’s Get Real’, which is all about challenging perceptions and myths that surround recycling. As a parent, you will probably be used to lots of clutter that was once useful for your child, that is now lying around unloved – but you might be unsure about what to do with it!
Do you find it hard to ask for help? You’re not alone
A recent study[1] has shown that people close to families are much more willing to be involved than parents expect and see giving support as a positive experience.
Let’s take a look at this and explore how you can approach others for a little help when you need to.
“Boys don’t cry” – erm, yes, they do!
When it comes to children’s mental health, there are still expectations surrounding gender. A study by the Fawcett Society found that both educators and parents felt that gendered assumptions and stereotypes stopped young boys’ ability to talk about their emotions. So, what can we do about this?
The Fawcett Society report, Unlimited Potential, which was released in late 2020, looked at educators and parents of early years children, as well as toys. They explored the idea of gender stereotypes among young children, and the negative effects that were had – especially on childhood mental health.
A journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step – Lao Tzu
It’s a joyful moment when your baby first starts lifting their feet while holding your hands. They are at the beginning of a very exciting stage in their life.
The new adventure
Just eight more minutes’ sleep?
We saw a post on social media a couple of weeks ago: it said that sleep training leads to babies sleeping for an average of eight extra minutes a night. We know how precious that extra shut-eye is, but is it worth going through the process of sleep training for a mere eight minutes extra?
What we can learn from Bluey
By now, many parents will have heard of Bluey, the Australian television programme that somehow manages to be simultaneously funny, relatable and inspirational. We take a look at some of our favourite things about Bluey.
If you have come across Bluey before, perhaps you were as excited as we were about the newest series arriving this summer. It did not disappoint.
A celebration of the Queen’s life for you and your child
As the world comes to a pause on Monday for the funeral of our long-reigning Queen, your little ones probably won’t get what all the fuss is about. Instead, they might be delighted at having a day at home with you rather than going to nursery!
Sharing food is a social occasion as well as a great time for explaining to children things that are going on in the world. When they’re older, they may not remember the funeral being on TV, but might have fond memories of a special day at home with you when you had a lunch fit for a queen (or king).
You could just share a few of your child’s favourite foods or try these menu ideas:
How to talk to your child about the Queen’s death
Hearing the sad news about the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, no matter how you feel about the monarchy, is likely to have affected you in some way. It may be that it brings up the emotions and experiences of past grief, or fears for yourself or your family. It may be a tricky time for all of us, and this means it could also be a tricky time for your child, so we want to share some ideas for talking to your child about death.
Understanding is better than overhearing and becoming confused
Even if you feel you can shelter them from the news, or that it won’t seem like a big deal to them, remember that this period of national mourning will change lots of small things in your child’s day.