Wednesday, December 11, 2013

10 tips to bring up your child


I read this post someone shared on facebook. This is a really enlightening read. Parents out there please take note. In Syaa Allah we will raise our children the right way.

10 tips from a Child Psychiatrist

1. Let children play with Sand, Bubbles, Grass and Plasticine.
This is to ignite their motor and sensory skills.

2. Don't expose children to any gadgets
Keep any interaction with the tv/ipad/etc to a maximum of 10 minutes. Never leave the child alone with any gadget.

3. Stimulate their imitation Skills
I didn't know that this skill is important. So when my husband is horsing around with the lil baby mimicking him is actually a good thing.

4. Let them play with concept toys instead of figurines
I did notice my lil baby have more fun with toys that he can interact with. He never likes any of the stuff animals or teddy bears at home.

5.Teach the baby using words instead of sentences.
This I have to remind myself to do. I did however notice that he is able to concentrate when we interact him using one word with emphasis on the tone.

6. Teach children to high five if they are afraid of strangers.
This is really interesting. Read the explanation from the link.

7. Explain and rationalize with the child when he does something wrong.
Explain to the child and scolding him. Make sure you are at eye level with the child.

8. Overly attached to one person is not a good sign.
I did notice the lil baby getting too attached with me the week his grandmother went to Singapore. Also I had used that week to try and sleep train him. However the method did not work. He became clingy and still wasn't sleeping throughout the night. He was also crying a lot.

We tried something different the next week. I would pump and feed him through the bottle. Let other people feed him as well. Also to not let him cry. Everytime he was about to cry, I would smile and laugh at him and pick him up. He became much more confident and happier.

9. Let him explore and play according to his interest
Lil Baby is at the stage where he is exploring his surroundings. I'm not the type of mother who buys him a lot of toys. I don't believe in buying too many toys. Just a few good ones. He is at the stage where every single thing is exciting. Even the senduk from the kitchen. So basically now someone just follows him around the house to ensure his safety and let him explore.

10. When you ask a question to your child, give him a few options as answers.
This is to enhance their communication skills. When he gets upset, you might ask "Why are you crying?"
Answer the question with a few options as your child isn't able to speak yet. In time he will be able to give you a signal and answer your question.

Monday, December 2, 2013

You have to Learn the Art of being a Parent

No one is born with an innate sense to know every baby or child's needs. Not knowing first hand does not make you to be a bad parent. However, deliberately being ignorant for not learning the right or wrong way to be a parent is unforgiving. Especially in this age of technology where every piece of knowledge and information is right at your fingertips.

I have been appalled at numerous occasions of what some parents constitutes as ok.

Story 1

The father is trying to stop smoking and is using vapour ciggs at home. Both parents are constantly on their gadgets while the son is left to play on his own. Buying toys at toys r us is considered 'luxurious' so instead they gave him a non working vapour cigg as a toy. What is so wrong with the picture is that his own grandmother thinks that it is good that the grandson learns what the vapour cigg is.

This scene is so wrong and appalling at so many levels. Parents do not spend time with the child. Family values are twisted. Parents are selfish and do not invest anything into their greatest asset, which is their own son. Giving their son a cigg to play with is so horrifying to the extend that if you call child services to report on it they would probably take the child away. Parents are unfit to take care of child'd needs.

Just writing this down makes me so so angry. How ignorant can you be to your own child??? (Screams at parents!!!!!)

Every parent has to educate themselves. You can't just have a child and let them grow on their own. They need love and care and constant attention from you.

What can you do when you become a parent?
1. Buy parenting books. Read and educate yourself. BBW is just around the corner. No reason to not buy good books at value prices.

2. Attend parenting conferences or workshops. Sometimes baby fairs have free workshops for parents to attend. Join in and learn something from it.

3. Join a group. There are many support groups out there. There is also a group for fathers to meet other fathers. I think this takes place at the Shah Alam library every fortnight.

Give yourself a chance to be a good parent. Having a child be dependent on you is a good thing. There is no other feeling like that in the world.