Archives for "Parenting"
Chicco Polly Magic High Chair
Here is the first in our new series of product reviews or Mummy Must Haves. Don’t feel left out dads just view this section as “Daddy Can’t Do With Outs”.
As a mature mum of one lively and lovely two year old toddler I have bought lots of bits and bobs for my little one over the last few years some of which I would not have wanted to be without and some of which were a complete waste of money … cue one very unhappy hubby!
The first product I would like to share with you is the Chicco Polly Magic highchair which is suitable for your newborn baby and will take them right through to the age of three. Yes I did say “newborn” and that is what makes this high chair so special. The seat of the high chair can be tilted back and locked in to place then a wedge shaped insert is fitted which makes the seat a snug and safe fit for your baby until they are old enough to sit up themselves in a regular high chair environment. There is a five point harness which keeps your baby securely strapped in to the seat and as an added bonus there is a removable play arch giving your baby some thing to look at and reach for when they are in the chair.
Keep in mind that this is not intended as a place for your baby to spend extended periods of the day and not suitable for sleeping in but it is perfect to pop the little one in while you cook a meal meaning that they are your height while you work and allowing you to interact with them. Then when you are ready to eat your baby can experience family meal times in preparation for the time when they can eat with you.
At around six months your baby will be ready for the insert to be removed and the chair to be adjusted to the normal sitting position. At this point you can fit the main food table which has a removable feeding tray. This is a great idea as you can take it off after you little one has had their meal and although it was too big to fit completely in to my washing up bowl it still meant I could use hot soapy water to clean the area that my daughter ate her food off (not much stays in the dish when they are learning to eat). The whole food table can be taken off and stored around the back of the high chair. I didn’t actually do this because we have a dog and she would have enjoyed licking the tray but it did fit well and is a great idea for any one who lives in a pet free home.
When you toddler hits the ripe old age of one you can remove the feeding tray for good and adjust the height of the high chair so that it fits against your family dining table which means they are securely fastened in while being able to eat with mummy and daddy like a big girl.
Added plus points for this high chair are the small basket hanging under the seat to stow little toys in for times when your child finishes eating before you do and the folding feature which allows you to stow the high chair away when you are not using it. There are six height positions and three reclining positions for added functionality along with two wheels on the back legs to help move it around easily.
One thing to look out for … after each meal I wiped my daughters chair and then at the end of each day I gave it what I thought was a good clean … it was a while before I discovered the foot rest unclips and there was enough food stuck in there to feed a small army! When you do you washing up on an evening unclip the foot rest and wash it … saves an nasty surprises.
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Teaching Tomorrow’s Parents
Labour MP Frank Field, is working with the current government as the Poverty Tsar, to find effective ways of ensuring that parents in the poverty trap with children under 5, have the knowledge and help to ensure these kids have a better start in life – The Independent Monday 16th August
No one can argue with this. Good parenting skills ( or good enough parenting skills!) are essential to try and ensure that ALL children are given the chance to grow up as well balanced individuals, who, although they may choose not to contribute to society, will hopefully not detract from it either.
Mr Field suggests that a GCSE in parenting might be an option and I’ve often wondered why parenting skills were not taught or discussed in schools as it is the most important role anyone, from any background, can take on, and when done badly can have the most devastating effect on the whole of society. I’m not suggesting that parenting skills should be dictated, which is why I use the phrase ‘good enough parents’, and although what constitutes a ‘good’ parent is open to debate – it is quite easy to indicate bad parenting skills.
I’m also in favour of the proposed ‘initiation ceremony’ – I think that’s an excellent move that all parents are told what is expected of them when they register for child benefits.
I would also suggest that parents of kids who cause criminal damage and embark on anti-social behaviour should be held responsible and be subject to fines and property confiscation – it’s ridiculous that parents can be jailed for their child’s truancy, but not be held accountable for criminal behaviour. I’m certain that many parents would take a firmer stance with their children rather than lose their car or plasma TV !
Let’s start giving our children the choice and the tools to become better parents – and to start warning lazy parents that they need to tighten up or lose out!!
This applies to all sections of society – not just the poor!!
It’s Funny at 2 – Not So Much at 13!
Imogen is my 2 year old granddaughter, and like most 2 year olds is incredibly funny, sweet and intelligent, obviously! (yes, I am the doting Grandma).
Unfortunately she’s also hit the terrible twos. Now, here’s the thing, she doesn’t really ‘do’ tantrums – and, funnily enough, neither did her mum, or her 3 uncles.
Probably because it’s not something we would ever put up with. My kids knew if we said No – we meant No and very rarely changed our minds and they knew we had good reasons for saying No.
I think this stems from my childhood when my Dad just said No – whatever we asked for, the answer was always No – he could be very unfair, and I determined I would never do this to my children – and it did pay off.
Imogen simply knows she is right – about everything!
It’s not a large manta ray on Finding Nemo – it’s a big whale.
It’s not grandad’s door, it’s grandma’s!
No, she doesn’t like sausages, although she did last time!
It’s OK that she’s just wee’d all over the floor, because ‘I’m sorry, Grandma’, and ‘It won’t happen again, Grandma”. (although it invariably does – a post for later – we’re not getting hung up on it).
This can be very, very funny and the temptation is to a) wind her up and continue arguing, until she does have a tantrum or b) agree with her for a simple life.
I do neither, I explain why she’s wrong end the conversation and change the subject.
If parents could only project themselves and their children 10 years hence and imagine a similar conversation with a 12 or 13 year old – who will also be trying to push the boundaries. They’d soon realise that what’s funny at 2 and 3, can be quite horrendous when teenage hormones are involved!!
If you can’t control a 2 year old and find it easier to give in or try to placate them with bribery – you have no chance with a bolshy, stroppy 13 year old – who can, and will defy you, sometimes with devastating and long lasting repercussions.
It is funny at 2 – mmm, not so much at 13.
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