Chances are that, before having kids, life was a little simpler.
After all, you could do the most basic things, like put your coffee on a table and walk off, pop down to the shops, or just step out of the room for a few moments without a second thought. Who would have thought that these small things the average adult takes for granted would suddenly become huge issues?
The mess!
Baby showers, birthdays, Christmas and grandparents all add to one huge pile of plastic strewn across the living room floor. As each month passes on to a new milestone, the stockpile swells with the never-ending procession of new devices and gadgets. Struck with guilt at the thought of donating them or worse, throwing them away (what if Granny should ask where it is?), we are left with the problem of taming the overflow.
In our house, we work off a color code system of stackable plastic containers. These lifesavers in a range of pretty colors, are transparent and fitted with secure lids and wheels. I work on a rotating basis, where containers are stacked and stored in the loft and exchanged weekly to keep toys fresh for kids. These affordable and durable containers can be a godsend when struggling to cope with clutter.
When playtime is over, encourage toddlers and young children to help you pack up. Kids love to help and these small efforts are the beginning of a training which will breed positive behavior as they grow older.
Feeding and fussiness
How often we as parents stress about the fact that our toddler won’t eat anything. My mother used to say I got fat on fresh air as she never saw me eat a bite.
The fact is unless the baby is sick, the world is far too full of curious and wonderful things to take time to eat. If you are struggling with this issue, only offer healthy, natural foods which are nutrient dense, to avoid deficiencies.
If you have a toddler, store food in sealable containers and place them out where baby can access them. Little ones seem to prefer single foods and will help themselves when they are feeling peckish.
Keep the food age-appropriate to avoid choking hazards and supervisor them at all times. Snack food ideas may include:
- Pumpkin and sunflower seeds
- Diced hard cheese
- Fruit – banana, berries or melon are ideal
- Sultanas (preservative free)
- Freshly popped popcorn with all the hard kernels carefully removed
An interesting side note to this is a controversial experiment carried out in the 1920’s where babies were given free range of healthy, wholesome foods to choose from, with no direction or guidance by adults.
The experiment lasted for several years and by the end, the babies were found to be in perfect health. It raised the question as to whether an instinctive mechanism can lead infants to make the right food choices when there are no unhealthy distractions available.
Travel, tears, and tantrums
Whether you are going on a trip to the shops or flying to another state, babies and toddlers can make you feel like you are carrying a time-bomb which is ready to explode at the most inappropriate of times.
The most common trigger is tiredness, and while you can plan shopping trips after naptime, airlines can be a little harder to regulate! The best coping strategies to deal with a fractious or irritated child are:
- Avoid becoming stressed-out yourself. Traffic, arguments and running late can build an atmosphere of heightened stress so leave plenty of time for your trip.
- Don’t feed them sugary drinks or junk food. Artificial additives in food have been linked to behavioural issues in children.
- Try to head off tantrums by using distractions. Keep a surprise toy, hand puppet or healthy treat in reserve for such an occasion.
Raising well behaved, respectful and responsible adults doesn’t happen by accident. Whatever situation you find yourself in, remember you are in charge and not there to give in to every whim of your child.
Babies and toddlers can be like rambunctious puppies. Without careful training and attention, they can prove a draining handful. However, by investing a little time and effort modifying their behaviour now, you can raise children who are a delight to be with.