He's asleep

Again...all this little guy does ;-)

How is Creativity linked to learning to sleep?

Creativity often comes from self confidence.

So how does creativity link with sleep?

Well for me it is learning from the beginning as a parent that each person is different and that they have their own style, taste and way of learning. Learning to sleep, walk, talk…..

We can use a book or bad advice to train our baby to sleep, keeping to ridged secludes "this is the way it’s done" kind of thing…or we can allow the personality of the child to develop on its own with us as parents there only to guide for safety.

Self confidence is one of the key things Attachment Parents aim to teach their children…from birth. A child cry's its need, it is answered and from there the parent and child begins to 'tune in' to each other and communication is developed. Communication self confidence and creativity…are all linked.

A child's need is filled which gives the right impression to the child that they are worthy of love, care and attention….thus growing self confidence to explore the world with love not anger, fear or worry.

I watch my own daughter who now has jumped fully into self directed play with lots of imagination. I who come from a "this is the way its done" era have to restrain myself from saying "no, not like that dear like this"….

Who says that houses have to have walls just so…who says that the train track must run around just like this?

My daughter will learn what is possible through trial and era and it’s through my own adultness of letting her do what she wants that she can truly call her own creativity her own.

Some of my posts I will probably re-visit as I am able to do more research.

Goodnights sleep

As my blog is on child sleep its only right to blog about my own family and their sleep.

We have gone through the first month and a bit, learning each others ways (we still have a little to go yet).

We've had colic.

We have 'the cold'...of which I've got the cough which could come from an old smoker, oh its yuck!

We've been up and down with runny noses.

We've had a few scream ups as we learn needs and wants.

I've wanted to write a post on falling into the abyss and finding calm...but have not got to that.

My readers follow me might know I'm not the calmest person and often find myself becoming angry...but the last 2 weeks once I went over the edge one night...I had to leave Hamish with Dadda while I held Ara and cried....it was a good healing cry....I have since become calm, in love and very very happy.

Now for the good part....

I have to say well done team!

Last night was GREAT!

Thanks to Bevy....I've "double bagged" with Hamish's nappy... a composting disposable, a cloth nappy and a good old fashioned fluffy.

I've been reading Elizabeth Pantleys book again and have stopped feeding the sleeping baby (well he was never one to need much so far anyway...but we have teeth to go and many more colds I suppose).

I've taken Ara to the toilet before bed (and if forgotten just got up as soon as she wakes reassuring her that it is ok to wake in the night to go).

My family slept and it was wonderful to watch...me I tried not to cough (but it didn't bother them in the slightest when I did) and blew my nose quietly ;-)

But even me got some good sleep and I've got a smile on my face.

Love

m

Wow is this what its like

Parenting a baby with no pressure...following your heart....trusting your own instinct.

I'm in tears with joy its just so lovely.

Hamish is springing through colic with me off the dairy, gluten and drinking some good teas with good herbs.

I've realised that I missed out on bonding with Ara like I am with Hamish (and it does make me sad, but I can't take back time). So I am spending as much time as I can holding and hugging.

I've had such big smiles....truly melts my heart.

I feel lucky that I am able to pick up both my children (with Hamish in a sling or Mei Tai). I had quite look from a strapping young man down the road carrying both my children.

My only problem at the moment is night time nappy/diaper...we leak everywhere and get so cold...we then have to change and poor Hamish is woken up.

We all also have the flu (just the common one I'm sure)...which keeps up the coughing and snoring.

Something else which has made me more aware of taking time with my children and loving live as it is...is the spot on my leg. I've lots of spots but knew this one was not good as it just appeared in summer... I couldn't do anything about it while pregnant but now its time to get it chopped off. The tests have come back with bad cells ...so on my birthday its in for some surgery...wish me luck ;-)

Colic newborn and Highneeds toddler

Life has turned into one big juggling act where some times I drop a ball...hey I'm only human.

I've got my own Nana here at the moment and feeling a little on top of it all so I thought I would catch up with you all.

I have to say that things the second time are very different but the same in many ways.

Hamish is a very good sleeper when not in pain from colic.

I've been babywearing (goodness me what would I do with out a sling or Mei Tai...what life saver)

Ara has had her nose out of joint (you can only expect her to be a little confused at this new life she now has)

Ara now asked Hamish to be put into the sling so I can "come be with me" and "Oh he's hungry just feed him in the sling and come out and watch me".

I've found a natural medicine called "Calmnurse" which has just AMAZING calming all of us down and helping Hamish's colic. Ara has returned to my angel and I can use nice words talk nice rather than yell ;-) only human again.

I've dropped all dairy products (which a pone Dave returning to work I lapsed for one week...and paid big time for) I've also dropped all gluten as well. Hard work eating round here as I'm not used to it but feeling better.

Dave has been really great. Last time he did not like the idea that I gave the label colic to Ara...but this time he understands and has been so helpful.

I would also like to say a big thank you to Daves work for letting him come home. We are now a family again as Dave can work from home 4 days a week.

My parents have just been so amazing the house can look like a bomb site and I manage to get to sleep with both my two and wake up and its pretty cool.

Ok best go nappy change.

Love

m

Plunket leading our country

While sitting feeding my new born in my arms I was randomly flicking through the "Well Child" Plunket book which every new parent receives….and came across this little bit of advice.

I read it out to my husband and we both thought the same thing. No wonder our countries new parents are so confused…they are getting bad advice…and when their breastfeed babies do not conform to "standard" well your Plunket nurse is there to help you learn how to "cry it out".

oh and their breastfeeding advice

out of date too....I had hoped we were moving forward Plunket...come on up with the play

Is our culture changing

In talking to my midwife the other day I asked her if she had noticed any change in the way that people parent....and example "Are there more attachment parents".

She felt that she was hitting her head on a brick wall.

My Dad turned up the next day with this artical from the news paper.

My personal feelings are that while - yes there are heaps of terrible books out there and heaps of horrible advice from the past...we are of the information age and people do want to learn, grow and become better people.