Recent Posts
Apparently this is true. When before having two children was just fine and dandy for many people, the new two is now three.
This of course has implications for all of those parents out there who have only two children. They will now have to get going if they want to keep up with the trend. Otherwise they will be past it.
Just joking, obviously, but it is becoming more popular now to have three and stop at three. Well, that's what a friend told me the other day, and she is expecting her third.
Any ideas or responses to this? I feel a research topic coming on!
Don't know about you, but one of the most stressful times in the day has to be mealtimes, especially dinner, when everyone is tired out and the smaller members of the household know that the day is pretty much over.
But being a responsible parent, I decided to look into ways to make this time of the day more bearable. If you are like me, you probably hate sifting through reams of info to get to the practical stuff, and you just might be getting a litle sick of those 'ten things' lists that are everywhere at the moment. So what I've done is prepared a list of two things to do to instantly lift mealtimes so that your family are closer to dinner party etiquette than ever before, or something like that.
Let's get to it then, number one in a list of two...
Time them and stick to it. A tried and tested favourite that I've only just latched on to. Get out the old audible timer and set it for, say, 15-20 minutes. Tell your brood that if they eat their meal before the timer stops, they get dessert. And that's it. Don't get involved with any kind of nagging or that awful cheerleading that we all do (Go on, you can do it! - they know they can do it, they really do), just let the timer tick-tock away, and watch them eat their meal. Won't happen on opening night of course, give it three days. Worked a charm for me. My clan are still finickey eaters, but less so. So it is healthier already in the kitchen.
The second tip is the slightly controversial one. Every parenting book you can buy says that the family has to eat together or you'll end up bringing up a set of serial killers due to their communication skills defecits. Rubbish. Remember the Responsible Parent Rule Number One (which I've just invented) - It's Your Family. If you've been eating together every night because the books told you to, stop it.
On Fridays and Saturdays our two young gents eat together, while their parents sit in the other room. The boys aren't traumatised, and we get some relaxation. You do what you feel is right. Let your children get distance and, more importantly, get used to eating without the mealtime cheerleader crew in the background (GO ON, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!).
If you have an only child, however, this second one may not work/be humane.
Try these two, give them a go, and, if anything, things will be less stressful.
While at the dentist with our eldest (three years) we asked about brushing. 'Don't' said the dentist, sincere as you like. 'Well, I mean, brush them well at least once a week, but don't worry too much.'
Great advice. But when you think about it, there is the fact that they will grow another set eventually. Like buying a new car, I suppose. All shiny and new at the start, then you get that first mini scratch and you hear yourself saying 'well, it's only a car..'
But something wasn't quite right. Something was bugging me. So, being the curious person I am I decided to do some research for the rest of you parents out there.
Basically, in the UK at least, there is currently an alarming level of tooth decay among the under fives. In the major cities and the poorer parts of our fair isle, tooth deacy is so bad and so common that the number of children under five who have to be sedated so that their two front teeth can be taken out is actually rising year on year.
So I got to wondering why.
And it's dead simple really. All the parents out there who work hard to brush their children's teeth (more than once a week) and cut out sugary snacks from the family diet have absolutlely nothing to worry about.
Tooth decay among the very young only happens because they are eating rubbish. That's a fact.
After learning this (I know, it isn't rocket science, but still sufficiently complex to evade the understanding of the majority of parents in the poorer parts of Manchester) I had a sudden moment of clarity. As in I knew where the problem lay. It's the parents.
So I've started a campaign. It is a big campaign. It involves other issues, not just dental care, things such as good manners, good behaviour, and good old-fashioned respect for our elders.
I'm calling it RP for Responsible Parent. I'm renaming this blog so that it represents it.
My opinion is that the world is becoming lazy when it comes to parenting, and I want each and every one of you parents out there who are responsible enough to read this to get on board.
Comment, make some noise, share ideas. How do we make our kids into good people, people who care about the next generation, the planet, their teeth?
There will be tee-shirts (honest), and this blog will be the place where good old-fashioned decent parents can get involved and try to make our collective children mentally and physically healthy.
We'll only get heard if we say something. I will post on the big issues parents face in trying to bring their children up well. You make comments.
I'm sick and tired of lazy parenting, lazy officials, and this belief that children can just 'get on with it'. I work hard as a parent, and I want to make a fuss about it.
So let's build something here.
Tried hardest to get the youngest to brush his teeth last night.
For what seemd like the millionth time he thrashed and wailed, and basically made me feel like Laurence Olivier out of Marathon Man
[ Click here to read more ]
|
|
Recent Comments
I've not commented on anything yet :(
|
Add Comments
Comments (1)
Read More