Today Tile Triggered Content

Burnout might be a word you associate with the world of work, but increasingly researchers are recognising that parental burnout is a very real thing which needs to be researched more widely. The good news is there are some simple steps you can take to avoid burnout.  

Defining parental burnout 

You may have memories from childhood of someone telling you to ‘pay attention,’ but might have never really thought about all the skills needed to do this. Being able to focus attention on a sound, sight, smell or other sensation is an important skill that helps us to learn. As your baby is beginning to show what sounds they are listening to, by turning or looking, it’s useful to know more about auditory attention. 

Auditory attention – choosing which sound to focus on 

Parenting can feel like riding a roller coaster of emotions – and as your baby seeks more independence this can lead to moments of frustration for you both. You’ll find information about your baby’s growing autonomy in the app, along with suggestions to support you both as your baby becomes a toddler. But sometimes just thinking about how you view your baby’s actions can help reduce frustration.  

Why ‘unconditional positive regard’ could be a good place to start (we’ll explain!) 

Some babies will sit still while you dress them (we haven’t met many of those babies – apparently, they do exist!). But as they develop more awareness of themselves and have experienced getting dressed a lot, your baby might be eager to help. At times this can be a source of frustration for them and you – they want to do things for themselves but don’t quite have the physical and cognitive skills to get dressed without help. And sometimes you just need them to be dressed quickly so you can go out!  

We think we know what will help: backwards chaining and forwards chaining. Doesn't sound like it has anything to do with getting dressed, we know, but stick with us and we’ll explain!  

Teddy bears are one of the classic children’s toys that will never go out of style. Many children have a favourite bear that is by their side from the early days. As well as providing comfort, teddy bears can be lots of fun to play with! 

Teddy bear’s picnic 

You may have experienced signs of separation anxiety from your baby. They might be upset and clingy when it's time to leave you; this struggle to say goodbye and separate is because of the close bond you've formed. Separation anxiety is a completely normal part of the journey of being a parent, but it doesn’t make it less upsetting or tricky to deal with. These three key tips should help.  

Looking for some simple ideas for finger foods? This sweet and savoury mixture will serve up some tasty snacks while giving your baby a good fine motor workout too!

• Toast strips 

Lightly toast some bread, spread a thin layer of peanut butter on top and cut into thin strips (only do this if you’ve given your baby a small amount of peanut butter before). 

The intricate and magical illustrations will capture the imaginations of both young and old, while the rhymes and repeated refrains will keep your child desperate to turn the page. 

Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg is a classic picture book. It is short, simple and sweet and makes the perfect bedtime story. Its beautiful illustrations are great for your baby who is beginning to focus on images on the page, observing the shapes, colours and details that interest them. 

Mealtimes are the perfect opportunity for your baby to explore a variety of sights, smells, textures and flavours. If you are stuck in a rut with mealtimes, here are a few foods that you could try as part of meals or snacks.  

Sweet potato 

When it comes to building and construction, sometimes you can skip buying expensive toys and reach for some real-life objects instead that are just as fun.  

Cups