Monthly Archives: May 2016

Dated Blogs, Other Tips / Hints, Toddler Related

Parental advice?

Ha ha ha!

Now I’m no one to be handing out parental advice, however I have had 2 different situations with my 2 very different children.

I received, and still do revive plenty of ‘advice’ from others. I listen yes, however I choose what I want to take on board and stuff I choose to pass on. We all have our own ideas on what is right or best for us, what we are willing to accept and what we are willing to try.

My first born, my now 3 year old boy. Well I de everything the ‘wrong’ way.
Perhaps because I was only learning myself? Perhaps because I couldn’t bare to hear him whimper, let alone cry?
Perhaps because he was my first born and I wanted to be awake all night? 😉😆😏 (not)

I’m not quite sure? However I would rock him to sleep every night, whilst I would pace up our hallway. I did this until he was 2 years old. I’d then carefully put him in his cot, if he would stir I’d then have my hand resting on his chest for ‘reassurance’. I’d then sit in the floor with my hand in between the cot slats (almost like a jail cell door) and slowly and gently pat him until he would go back to sleep. This could take hours (no I’m not joking)

He would also wake 5 or 6 times per night, sometimes more and then the whole ‘routine’ would start again. The picking up, holding, rocking, shushing, pacing the hallway, the resting hand, gentle pats whilst sitting on the floor and hand dropped through the side of the cot….. Over and over until he was fast asleep.

When I was almost due to have my second child I couldn’t bare the thought of doing this with 2 little ones. I thought I’d go crazy and not manage so we got an amazing sleep nanny in who helped with our little guy and after 4 nights of her advice. Guess what? He slept through and to this day, he still does. He goes to bed at 6:15pm, is asleep by 6:30pm and sleeps through until about 6:30am. With no pacing, no patting, no shushing , nothing. We brush his teeth, read a book, then it’s lights out with him alone in his bed calming himself to sleep. No pitter patter coming out, nothing. What a game changer!

Sure I miss the extra cuddles and laying with him, however I know it’s good for him to self settle and good for me to not be over tired. Amazing how much more energy I have and less snappy I am with getting a good nights sleep and rest. For the both of us. Because he also needs his sleep in order to grow, learn and be attentive and energy to play.

Our sleep nanny is a wonderful woman Jenny. I have attached her website below for those in Sydney NSW Australia, interested in her services.

Rest assured when number 2 came along, I didn’t do any of that. And you know what? She survived. I survived and we are both still alive and well.

She may just be a ‘better’ sleeper. She is a different person yes. From 4 weeks old she slept through the night. 6pm until 6:30am every night. Now I’m not telling you this to brag. I’m telling you this as all children are different.

When my little girl had her 4 month growth spurt or as some would call it a ‘sleep regression’ it was hard. She did wake for 2 weeks straight every 2-3 hours every night and I was beside myself as I was used to getting a good nights rest and a full 8 hours sleep. So I called in Jenny again. And, within 3 nights our little girl was sleeping through again.

She had her first birthday over the weekend just passed and has slept through every night since she was 5 months old. Thanks to Jenny!

Jenny didn’t punish her, didn’t have her scream the house down, none of that. She basically monitored her over night (let me sleep through) and then left me with her tips / ideas on what may work to get our little girl to sleep through, and yep, they worked.

Now this may not be for everyone. However I was feeling overwhelmed, I needed a full nights sleep for my sanity and also to re connect with my husband.

We would be sitting watching TV or eating a lovely meal, or just spending time together and each night, without fail, the pitter patter of little feet.

I can totally relate to this ‘Scary Mommy’ post. Gosh I think most of us can. It’s worth the read for the little giggle at least. 😉😊

http://www.scarymommy.com/earlier-bedtimes-healthy-children/
http://www.solvebabies.com.au

Twitt
Dated Blogs, Husbands & Wives, Inspiration, Other Tips / Hints, Toddler Related

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Sometimes you don’t know what the future holds.
Sometimes the cards your dealt are not the one’s you hoped for.

Sometimes you end up with a situation that throws all of your plans into the abyss.

However I wouldn’t change any of this for the world.

Happiness is to me, is my little mans sticky kisses or hug attacks with fingers covers in some sort of sauce.

Happiness is drawing with chalk on the floor tiles on a rainy day.

Happiness is playing hide and seek for the umpteenth time.

Happiness is early morning cuddles (5am) in mummy’s bed with freezing feet snuggled in on mummy’s warm tummy.

Happiness is the last half hour before the kids go to bed reading books and telling stories to each other, recapping the day and working out what toy was going to accompany my 3 year old to bed that night. (High probability of Wonder Woman)

Life changes so frequently. Plans get thrown to the wind and changed but my 2 little ones are my constant reminders that small things matter.

Just to see their faces when having a tough or bad day puts life into perspective.

I’m so thankful for my 2 gorgeous (bias) children that bring so much happiness and joy into my life. I feel so blessed and often wonder what I did to deserve them.

As a mummy myself, I want to wish all the other mum’s, mumma’s, mummy’s, grand mummy, nan’s, nana’s, noona’s, and mummy’s to be, a wonderful Mother’s Day!

However your spending Mother’s Day, enjoy it. The washing can wait, the beds don’t need to be made, tell the people that you care about that you love them. Take a deep breath and know how important you are.

Twitt
Dated Blogs, Exercise Tips

Holiday exercise

Quick and easy exercises that can be done anywhere!

Whilst on holiday I don’t generally make time for the gym. I do however try to do little things just to keep active. Pending where your holiday or what your doing, these exercises can be don’t in your hotel room or at a local park.

If we are somewhere with swimming facilities, I’m always swimming with my 2 little ones. Not doing ‘laps’ but general playing with them, treading water, swimming races etc. this is an ‘incidental exercise’ (I have previously posted about incidental exercise).

Key to these are to always hold in your tummy – this activates your core muscles which also help with good posture.

3 X Plank for 30 seconds rest 10 seconds
– You can do this on your knees or toes pending your fitness ability. Get into the ‘push up’ position with your elbows directly below your shoulders, you can clasp your hand’s in front if you like or have your forearms crossed. Keep your knees / toes approx the same width as your hips. Keep your back straight. Hold your tummy in tight and keep he whole body still.

3 X 20m Walking lunges
– keeping shoulders back and your tummy in, take a step into a lunge position, keeping your knees at apex a 90 degrees angle, then pushing up from the front leg and taking the next step forward again into a 90 degree angle remembering to keep your back straight and core activated. Repeat until you have done approx 20meters. You can do 10 steps one way then 10 back if you are space confined. Walking lunges use your thighs and bottom, which are larger muscle groups therefore a very effective workout.

3 X set 12 Squats
– keeping your back straight, tummy in and shoulders back. Have your knees a little over shoulder width apart. Knees and feet slightly turned out. Pretend your going to sit into a chair controlling the movement down slowly, hold this position at 90 degrees and slowly come up. When coming back up squeeze your bottom in. Again using the thighs and bottom, core.

3 X sets laying bike
– laying on your back, bring your knees to a 90degree angle, feet raised from the floor (imagine a box under your calf muscles and up against your bottom. Slowly straighten one leg out at a time and hold your tummy in, lowering the leg to approx 10cm off the floor. Rotating each leg. Repeat until you have done 10 each side. Rest 30 seconds then repeat until you have done 3 sets on each leg. You can also rest your hands under the lower part of your back to help stabilise if needed.

Remember that all exercise should be done using care. If your in pain at all or during and movement, stop. (Bad hurting not lactic acid burn) You should also speak with a doctor if you suffer any injuries prior to any exercise.

Also remember that walking is great exercise. Whilst we are on holiday I quite often walk over taking a bus or taxi. It gives me fresh air, I get to see the ‘sights’ easier and more freely and pushing a pram is extra weight therefore added resistance, especially up hills.

Twitt