Raymond Parenting

Blog

Guarding Your Child’s Free Time

Posted September 1, 2009

(class offering):  "Free Time, ages 0-16 years, Tuesday / Thursday afternoons, 3PM to 6Pm.  Cost: negligable; Location: your home."

If you were to run across this listing in the extra-curricular booklets for fall '09 would you register for it?  Would you sign your child up for it? As school resumes, preschool starts and gym/swim or music lessons begin I would like to put in a word in favor of free time for your child.

Historically, free time had a good reputation.  Everybody wanted some so they made it for themselves and gave it to their children.

Times have changed; now, keeping busy is more highly valued - it almost doesn't matter with what.  Playdates, swimming, piano, basketball, hockey, gymnastics, choral activities and more playdates.  If you child has a free afternoon you might feel almost apologetic about it, explaining to friends that you tried to get her into the such-and-such for 7 year olds program but it was full.

For emotional health, children need free time. This means time without TV or computers games, without homework or chores. 

"But mom, that sounds so boring!  I don't want free time. I want to have a friend over or go somewhere." 

Mom says: "Those things will happen on other days.  Thursday afternoons are saved especially for you to be able to do nothing or do 100 things.   But you have to think of them yourself and learn to spend time with yourself.  You have a science kit, you can read, you can pretend or have the water on in the back yard.  You can play outside or inside and do whatever you want to do." 

"I don't want to do anything! "

Mom says: "That is a normal way to feel at first but soon you may start looking forward to your quiet Thursday afternoons, when this special time is saved just for you."

 

 

 

(2) comments

Read more...

Filed under: Daily Routines, Interesting Parenting Matters, Play

---

Three R’s for Good Sleep

Posted August 6, 2009

  In my new book The Manual - Birth to 3 Months, I stress that babies gain a sense of security when their Routines are predictable and will come to rely on the Regularity of a consistant schedule.  Reduction of stimulation is the final key to helping your baby learn self-calming skills.

Stimulation -just the right amount and no more - is already provided during feedings, diaper changes and short, cuddley playtimes. Don't believe the marketing ploys designed to make you buy brightly colored products to hang all around your baby's environment.  In fact, over-stimulation is a common cause of sleep deprivation in newborns.

The Manual - Good for parents, Great for babies!  Download your copy today (ebook).

(5) comments

Read more...

Filed under: Daily Routines, Feeding and Eating, News from Kitty, Sleep

---

Daylight Savings Time is Over on November 1: Tips to Help Your Child Adjust

Posted October 20, 2009

Just when you think your child has a predictable sleep routine, along comes a time change.  YIKES! Is your well-oiled machine  about to fall off the rails?

Maybe not.  A little planning ahead helps and once you've done what you can to prepare, your child will gradually re-set his/her clock.

As with most changes in sleep patterns, it will take about 3 nights and 4 or 5 mornings for your child to get in tune with the new schedule.

Below is a chart from the sleep store (online store in New Zealand) which describes an ideal 3-day adjustment plan for babies up to about 1 year.  In my opinion, the same plan will fit for toddlers.

The trick for parents is handling the mornings when your child is still waking according to their biological clock setting.  Be sure you resist going in when they wake up early, even if they cry.  By being left to sort the time out for themsleves, their little bio clocks will make the quickest transition for them.

Assuming a 7pm bedtime:

 

Day	Routine during the day	Bedtime
Wednesday	Usual sleep & feed times	7.00pm
Thursday	Sleep & feed times 15 mins later, (eg first feed at 7.15am not 7am).	7.15pm
Friday	Sleep & feed times 30 mins later (eg first feed at 7.30am not 7am).	7.30pm
Saturday	Sleep& feed times 45 mins later (eg first feed at 7.45am not 7am).	7.45pm
Sunday	Wake your child at 7am (new time), then your usual routine times for feeds & sleeps.	7.00pm (new time)

• If your baby or toddler wants to sleep in a bit later (after you start adjusting their bedtime, then allow this.
• Try and adjust the routine from the first feed of the day by 15 mins each day. if your baby can't last first thing in the morning, just try to make the routine adjustments as the day goes on.

• Put your clock back on Saturday night before you go to bed.
• Check your smoke alarms at the same times.

 

(3) comments

Read more...

Filed under: Daily Routines, Sleep

---

Page 4 of 6 pages « First  <  2 3 4 5 6 >

Parenting Seminars
and Support