Shrove Tuesday Blog

 Yes guys it is pancake day today, and I had some already yesterday evening. Sorry no pictures as I just wanted to eat them, and no they were not handmade "Shame on me", but thank you Waitrose for just being down the road. No I am not sponsored by them, they are just convenient to get to. 

So I have been reading Jo Frost's book, Toddler Rules, 5 Steps Guide to Shaping Proper Behavior. 

It has been really helpful, but if you are a new mum or perhaps you have had children with a long gap in between and so feel like it is all new to you again, you may read it and start to have that negative feelings of "I can't get this right", "I have been doing this all wrong". 

If you are having these sorts of feelings, then it is good to either chat with someone else about it and your fears, or write a journal of your emotions, as this really has helped me, not just through motherhood but in life in general too. 

I would say like all guides, they use the word "Guide" for a reason, so not to follow it to the letter "That is what you have got to do", but take tips and advice that will help you to learn as a parent, alter your routine slightly if some parts are not working, as you would like for your child, and help teach your baby or toddler, to behave, because they will try and test you. 

The techniques about S.O.S, (Step back, Observe and Step in), really has helped and having a more of a bedtime routine, as well as a daily routine has really made things a lot more calming for all of us, with Henry settling to bed a lot better. He is generally a good sleeper but every now and again, and since he has been unwell, has had really bad nights, so having a more structured bedtime routine has really helped. 

I thought I would share this with you,of our sons bedtime routine, as sharing tips from other mums, has really helped me and I really want to do all I can to help and support other mums out there too. 

***

Henry's bedtime routine

So it is more of a ritual and letting him know bedtime is coming up. 

• 5pm   All toys away, curtains pulled, little light not too much, and we play his favourite song "Only You" by the Flying Pickets, and we start getting Henry ready for bed. 
• 6pm  Any medicines we need to give to Henry and Dinner time
• 6:45  Story time (read to him downstairs)
• 6:55  Take Henry up to his cot give him a kiss and cuddle, then read to him whilst he is in his cot, with a little light, and then once he looks like he is about to drift off, I quietly walk out of the room. 

****

I would love to hear from other mum's what routine you follow for your children's bedtime. Elv and I finally managed to get our son into a routine, when he was about 5 months old and even when you have a child, and then another, it can still take a while to get into a routine. 

However having a routine does really help them, and yourself, so stick to it and be persistent. 

It can become a juggling act and if I could step out of myself and speak to the self who starts to stress and worry about doing a good job I would say "You are doing a good job, and never fear there is always a solution, and someone to help". 

Many thanks for reading, have a good week people and I will blog again on Friday,


Carrie X

---