We are all hesitant to try something new. Be it a new type of food, a new product or even a new travel destination.
But how do we get our little ones to try something new when we ourselves have trouble taking that big step?
First.... we need to lead by example. Such a simple yet difficult task I know. We all have the best of intentions but when there is something you are not fond of, but are trying to get your little one to try, suck it up and eat it anyways.
Second.... try a one bite rule when it comes to eating something new, or even something they believe they do not like. Just one bite and that is it if they don't like it. But keep encouraging it and keep getting them to try it. I have read on many occasions that it takes up to 5 times for a taste to fully develop. Just when you think you don't like something.... sometimes it can change so easily.
Third, if you go out.... get the kids to try what you are having, especially if you are having something different or even exotic. You never know.... they just might like it!
There are so many tricks to get the kids to eat what they should, whether it is sneaking veggies in sauces either pureed or small diced. Get them to drink smoothies and make homemade applesauce or fruit sauces.
Most kids have cycles with their eating habits as well. They love something for a week, then they don't touch it. Just be consistent and remember to try and make it fun. Include them in the meal planning, have a shopping list with pictures so they can help with the grocery shopping.
Trust your instincts.... you know your children best.
Till next time,
Aly
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Friday, 17 February 2012
Proud mommy moments... Who is really interested?
Before having kids you heard mothers and fathers alike talking all about their children's accomplishments and always thought it weird that they would talk about how old they are in months or how they peed on the potty for the first time. But as a parent, we finally get it.... Those small milestones that fill our lives with excitement, and how we cannot wait to share them with others!
But.... When is it not ok to share that information? Do others really care
That my child slept through the night? Or that the finally gave up their soother and is now toilet trained?
It is quite a different world we live in now.... As parents we find that our world has changed much more then we ever could expect! We all know things are going to change and that we will have to adjust our lives to fit this new life into ours.
I have read so many articles about trying to keep in touch with childless friends and keeping the relationship open and relaxed. There is work involved in keeping those friendships alive. We sometimes have to remember to talk about something other then our children and know we can still be proud of our children without telling every little detail ( I must admit I myself am guilty of this as well)
Even though it may seem like they don't care, the reality is that they just don't understand what it is like to be a parent. That does not make their views
Or interests wrong, just different! Be patient and kind and most of all, put yourself in their shoes. It will be a nice break for you to escape parenthood for a little while and in the long run, you will be so happy you did!
Till next time,
Alyson
But.... When is it not ok to share that information? Do others really care
That my child slept through the night? Or that the finally gave up their soother and is now toilet trained?
It is quite a different world we live in now.... As parents we find that our world has changed much more then we ever could expect! We all know things are going to change and that we will have to adjust our lives to fit this new life into ours.
I have read so many articles about trying to keep in touch with childless friends and keeping the relationship open and relaxed. There is work involved in keeping those friendships alive. We sometimes have to remember to talk about something other then our children and know we can still be proud of our children without telling every little detail ( I must admit I myself am guilty of this as well)
Even though it may seem like they don't care, the reality is that they just don't understand what it is like to be a parent. That does not make their views
Or interests wrong, just different! Be patient and kind and most of all, put yourself in their shoes. It will be a nice break for you to escape parenthood for a little while and in the long run, you will be so happy you did!
Till next time,
Alyson
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Sleeping patterns!
I often wonder, as I put my family to sleep, why I am unable to lay down and fall asleep with the same ease that my husband does! I have always had an overly active imagination that I have so proudly passed on to my girls.... And I think that has to do with why, as an adult I am unable to just shut my brain off and go to sleep!
Now on to another lovely subject related to sleep...
Nightmares and Night terrors!
They are seemingly alike but in fact, there are many differences. They both create a feeling of horror or fear. But where nightmares are common.... Night terrors affect approximately 15% of children.
Amazing how all these years later I can still remember some of the feelings I had as a child as my subconscious was wracked with a nightmare. Terrifying and almost crippling with fear as a child, I often had trouble going back to sleep!
As for night terrors.... I had those too. Luckily enough, they do not stay with you and there is absolutely no recollection of what transpired in the middle of the night. But my parents remember and often describe the episodes as me waking them up with my screams and how I could have very well been under attack with the fear in my voice!
There are no known causes but some believe it is vaguely linked to the REM sleep cycle. There are believed to be triggers such as stress and even high fevers. They are hereditary and I passed them on to Gigi. Thankfully they DO grow out of them and she hasn't had one in quite a while.
Night terrors can be very difficult to deal with. It is highly recommended not to wake a child having an episode, which of course is your first instinct. The child will often be sitting up, eyes wide yet unreponsive to you. They usually will cry out or scream which is usually how you know what is going on. You sit with your child, sometimes unable to touch them or hug them, as they interpret your help as a threat in their semi-conscious state. You feel helpless but eventually find out what works best for your child.
When Gigi had her episodes, talking to her calmly and singing to her helped most of the time... But sometimes all you could do was wait it out.
Most often then not, the episodes would not last beyond 15-20 mins.... But every once and a while, it lasted for much longer. Sometimes I was stuck in bed with her because she had multiple episodes in one night.
So far... We have only had 2 or 3 episodes with Bella.... Hopefully she has missed them altogether! We can only hope!
But don't mistakenly intentions. his blog is not meant to cause an alarm! I have no intention to scare you whatsoever. However, I hope you can read this, take the knowledge and store it in the back of your mind. Knowledge is power. If one day your child has one of these episodes, you can think back to this moment in time and hopefully remember a little of the information I have chosen to share with you.
After all this sleep talk.... Looks like it is finally time for me to say goodnight to the sandman and head off to dreamland!
Till next time,
Aly
Now on to another lovely subject related to sleep...
Nightmares and Night terrors!
They are seemingly alike but in fact, there are many differences. They both create a feeling of horror or fear. But where nightmares are common.... Night terrors affect approximately 15% of children.
Amazing how all these years later I can still remember some of the feelings I had as a child as my subconscious was wracked with a nightmare. Terrifying and almost crippling with fear as a child, I often had trouble going back to sleep!
As for night terrors.... I had those too. Luckily enough, they do not stay with you and there is absolutely no recollection of what transpired in the middle of the night. But my parents remember and often describe the episodes as me waking them up with my screams and how I could have very well been under attack with the fear in my voice!
There are no known causes but some believe it is vaguely linked to the REM sleep cycle. There are believed to be triggers such as stress and even high fevers. They are hereditary and I passed them on to Gigi. Thankfully they DO grow out of them and she hasn't had one in quite a while.
Night terrors can be very difficult to deal with. It is highly recommended not to wake a child having an episode, which of course is your first instinct. The child will often be sitting up, eyes wide yet unreponsive to you. They usually will cry out or scream which is usually how you know what is going on. You sit with your child, sometimes unable to touch them or hug them, as they interpret your help as a threat in their semi-conscious state. You feel helpless but eventually find out what works best for your child.
When Gigi had her episodes, talking to her calmly and singing to her helped most of the time... But sometimes all you could do was wait it out.
Most often then not, the episodes would not last beyond 15-20 mins.... But every once and a while, it lasted for much longer. Sometimes I was stuck in bed with her because she had multiple episodes in one night.
So far... We have only had 2 or 3 episodes with Bella.... Hopefully she has missed them altogether! We can only hope!
But don't mistakenly intentions. his blog is not meant to cause an alarm! I have no intention to scare you whatsoever. However, I hope you can read this, take the knowledge and store it in the back of your mind. Knowledge is power. If one day your child has one of these episodes, you can think back to this moment in time and hopefully remember a little of the information I have chosen to share with you.
After all this sleep talk.... Looks like it is finally time for me to say goodnight to the sandman and head off to dreamland!
Till next time,
Aly
Another day...
Another day and the adventures begin again!
An extra early wake up this morning to get Gigi off to school for 8 am. She is part of the Drum club at school, such a great experience for her! The librarian/music teacher has a huge passion for music and the children are certainly lucky to have him at their school. She is getting very active in music these days with Drum club and now piano. She is also getting pumped up about the upcoming soccer season. My little soccer star :)
Now I just have to figure out what to put wee Bella in. Debating a dance class in the early spring before she starts soccer as well.
Trying to keep them active and in activities they enjoy is always a challenge, but I am always up for a challenge!
Till next time,
Aly
An extra early wake up this morning to get Gigi off to school for 8 am. She is part of the Drum club at school, such a great experience for her! The librarian/music teacher has a huge passion for music and the children are certainly lucky to have him at their school. She is getting very active in music these days with Drum club and now piano. She is also getting pumped up about the upcoming soccer season. My little soccer star :)
Now I just have to figure out what to put wee Bella in. Debating a dance class in the early spring before she starts soccer as well.
Trying to keep them active and in activities they enjoy is always a challenge, but I am always up for a challenge!
Till next time,
Aly
The Beginning!
What better way to start my new adventure then with an introduction.
My name is Aly and I am the mother of two little girls we will name Gigi, age 10 and Bella, age 3 for the sake of my blog. They are amazing little girls that alway manage to surprise me and keep me entranced with their thirst for life and learning. They certainly keep me busy with all of their vibrant energy. I am married to a wonderful man that I learn from every day.
But it does not end there.... I am also a flight attendant. I have been fortunate enough to have been doing this for 12 years and it certainly has not been without its ups and downs. It has been a big adventure of seeing the world and contant change. Between scheduling issues, and juggling family time, exaustion and the need to see as much as possible in a short period of time.... it has certainly been another major contributer to my every day chaos and fun.
I am hoping in this new world of blogging, I can share with you my experiences and perhaps even a little advice in what it is like to be a mom in this crazy world today. It will be a scattered collection of stories, recipes, achievments and failures in my day to day life.
I look forward to this new venture and I invite you to please share anything you might want me to blog about! I love feedback so feel free to leave your stamp.
Cheers,
Aly
My name is Aly and I am the mother of two little girls we will name Gigi, age 10 and Bella, age 3 for the sake of my blog. They are amazing little girls that alway manage to surprise me and keep me entranced with their thirst for life and learning. They certainly keep me busy with all of their vibrant energy. I am married to a wonderful man that I learn from every day.
But it does not end there.... I am also a flight attendant. I have been fortunate enough to have been doing this for 12 years and it certainly has not been without its ups and downs. It has been a big adventure of seeing the world and contant change. Between scheduling issues, and juggling family time, exaustion and the need to see as much as possible in a short period of time.... it has certainly been another major contributer to my every day chaos and fun.
I am hoping in this new world of blogging, I can share with you my experiences and perhaps even a little advice in what it is like to be a mom in this crazy world today. It will be a scattered collection of stories, recipes, achievments and failures in my day to day life.
I look forward to this new venture and I invite you to please share anything you might want me to blog about! I love feedback so feel free to leave your stamp.
Cheers,
Aly
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