Are the Signs There? How to Tell When Your Toddler Is Ready for Potty Training If you are parenting a toddler, potty training is probably sitting somewhere on your mental to-do list. Maybe you are gently preparing for it. Maybe you are avoiding it altogether. Or maybe you are getting well-meaning reminders from family asking […]
Ask any parent, and they’ll tell you that one of the greatest challenges of bringing a new baby home is coping with exhaustion. Nothing is quite as tiring as those first few weeks of bathing, feeding, burping, and soothing, then doing it all over again. Getting your baby settled into a predictable baby routine – […]
Few sounds hit the heart as sharply as a crying baby. Whether it is a newborn fussing on a flight or a toddler wailing in a shopping aisle, the tension rises instantly for everyone nearby. For mothers, the response is even more intense. Your body is wired to react to your baby’s cry; your heart […]
At a glance Teething is a normal, temporary stage but it can make days and nights feel very long. Sucking is a powerful built-in calming tool, which is why dummies help many babies settle, especially when gums are sore. Your baby’s unique sensory personality affects how they handle teething, crying and sleep disruption. Gentle, consistent […]
Bringing your baby home is a beautiful mix of joy and fear. You finally put them down to sleep and then find yourself hovering over the cot just to check that tiny chest rise and fall. If you’ve done this at 2 a.m., you’re not alone. Almost every South African parent has. This guide gives […]
It is important to realise that children need both their parents. The input of both parental temperaments – and the rich tapestry of what each parent brings to the child’s development. How can Dads make a real difference in the lives of their children? In my article Adjustment to parenthood I discussed the various ways in […]
When you have children, it is important you update your will because it offers you the peace of mind knowing that your child(ren) would be supported if an unfortunate event did take place – despite how unlikely it may well be. Every parent will know that times begin to change once they have a child; […]
Say ‘no’ to exhaustion and ‘yes’ to a balanced life After 11 years of living abroad, we returned home. When I look back at the past six months, I see waves of emotion that filled our hearts and minds when we packed up our home, said our farewells and lifted our heads in anticipation for […]
Becoming a parent, especially for the first time, is a life-changing event. Psychologists who have done research into the levels of stress attributed to various critical situations in our lives, suggest that the adjustment to the birth of a baby is not far removed from the stress attributed to death and divorce! This sounds really […]
The golden question: “When should my baby sleep through?” is one that needs answering as it determines what is reasonable to expect from your baby. Sleeping through is not just a luxury, it’s a developmental necessity. Both for you and your baby, a good night’s sleep is important. Firstly, it needs to be pointed out […]