Back to bed! How do I stop my toddler getting up at bedtime?
As much we love our children there’s nothing better than when they’re sound asleep. But what do you do when they won’t stay in bed, or continue to call out way after you’ve turned off the light?
Keeping your toddler in bed when they need to quieten down and fall asleep can be tricky, but there a few simple solutions that might help to get that night routine back on track.
Why do children get up out of bed?
Sometimes children get up out of bed or call out because something is wrong such as needing to go to toilet, or being scared or anxious. In these situations you should go to them and offer comfort. If they’re suffering from anxiety you might also want to consult your GP.
However, if your child simply wants to stay up or is wanting you around at bedtime, then you can either try to re-settle or find ways to change the night routine to stop this from happening.
Create a routine
Having a bedtime routine can be very helpful in this situation and is an important part of getting your child to settle and go to bed each night. According to parenting website Raising Children, this consists of doing the same things each night, avoiding loud energetic games before going to bed and also avoiding screen time at least one hour before bedtime.
It’s all in the timing
If your child isn’t going to sleep quickly, you may be putting them to bed too early. It might be more effective to put them down closer to the time they actually fall asleep. When you put the lights out, it can also help to do a quick check to see of they’ve done everything they need to do such as go to the toilet and brush their teeth. And finally let them know what you expect, by saying things like, “It’s time to go to sleep now” and “I’ll come back to check up on you when you’re quiet” and of course, “I Iove you, have a good sleep.”
What if they keep getting up?
If your child gets up from bed, try saying something like, “It’s time to sleep. Please stay in your bed”. Then quietly and calmly put your child back to bed. And if they continue to get up, you should continue to put then down until they settle.
If they keep getting up, you could put out a baby gate and say that if they’re good and settle down then the gate can stay open. If not it will have to close. Similarly, rewards charts can help, but only for children over the age of three.
Mum’s bedtime hack
Having some sort of physical barrier is not a bad idea, which is what TikTok mum Taylor discovered. Taylor posted a video of her son opening his bedroom door, obviously getting out of bed when he was supposed to be going to sleep. But the caption on the video clearly explained her idea: “Tip #317 How to use a plastic goose to keep your toddlers in bed”.
We see her son opening the door but Taylor was ready with a plastic goose outside the bedroom. So when he got up, the little boy saw the goose and got such a fright that he immediately retreated and closed the door with a terrified look on his face. A tough approach, yet certainly effective. And funny to watch.
The video attracted a huge response with over over 11 million views. It received 1.5 million likes and nearly 9000 comments. However not everyone agreed with the idea. Many of the viewers felt this might be traumatic for the child, with comments such as, “Isn’t this fear tactic harmful to the child’s emotional well being?”
“It works in the short term,” wrote another. “But in the long term it can do a lot of damage such as causing lack on trust, playing harmful planks on other kids etc.” And yet another commented, “Parents don’t realize the trauma and lifelong anxiety this can cause their children.”
Meanwhile many other viewers thought it was funny and actually a great idea, with comments such as “I will be trying this” and “Brilliant”. One viewer said, “The people in the comments saying that the kids are going to need therapy, you’re effing kidding me right???” Another also said as a response, “My dad did something similar when I was younger and now it’s a funny story.”
If your child is highly anxious maybe the plastic goose isn’t such a good idea. Perhaps talk to your GP or health practitioner instead. But if your child is just continuing to get out of bed for no reason when they’re supposed to be going to sleep, then maybe a little barrier of some sort is enough to break the habit. Anything’s worth a try.
Now where’s that plastic goose?
Video of toddler seeing mum for first time goes viral: “Best moment ever!”
Every now and again, a video pops up that brings a happy tear to your eye – and this one, recently uploaded on TikTok, is definitely one of those.
A mum shares the precious moment when her legally blind toddler is finally able to see for the very first time and the little girl’s reaction is priceless.
The mum explains in the video that her little girl Riley was legally blind. “We noticed around 2 years old that she called everyone ‘mom’ and ‘dad’ because she couldn’t recognize faces,” said the caption. “So we were able to get her glasses around Christmas time.”
The following moment is absolutely magical as Riley gets to see clearly for the very first time.
“Best moment ever”
When her mum puts the glasses on her, Riley’s reaction is instantaneous. She starts twirling around the space with absolute delight and amazement, as she takes in the world around her. “Her reaction was amazing,” said the post. And it really was. The mother says, “I’m gonna to cry” and we hear the parent’s emotional reaction with both tears and laughter. The final image is divine with Riley giggling joyfully and flinging herself at her mum, giving her a kiss. And the caption says it all: “She finally saw mum’s face for the first time.”
After recent times, online audiences can’t get enough heartwarming baby scenes and not surprisingly, the post attracted a huge response. It has been viewed over 11 million times and has received 2.2 million likes, as well as thousands of positive comments.
“She’s spinning around taking in every single new detail,” said one viewer, while another said, “The way she keeps spinning and looking at everything, we really do take things for granted sometimes.”
Other viewers, despite all efforts, found it hard to hide their emotions, leaving comments such as, “I’m not crying. I’m not crying. I’m not crying.”
Another said, “I’m definitely NOT crying like a baby in my car in the parking lot at Target. I’m not.” While others could not deny their tears, such as one viewer who said, “I’m crying. Such a beautiful moment.”
Interestingly, one person could completely relate to the situation. “I have really bad eyesight and got gasses at 3,” explains one viewer. “Apparently my first words while wearing them were ‘mommy I can see you.’”
While we can’t wait to clap eyes on our little ones when they finally arrive, it’s hard to imagine what it would be like if they couldn’t see us. Especially when a child instinctively seeks out their mother’s face. This video is a reminder of the challenges faced by many, while also offering a beautiful scene of true love and happiness.
Now where has that box of tissues gone…
Household choking hazards: You’ll be shocked at what’s on the list
The thought of your little one choking is absolutely terrifying, but it can happen more easily than you think. Nikki Jurcutz, who runs Tiny Hearts Education with her sister Rachel Waia, recently revealed all the different choking hazards around the home. And many may come as a surprise.
Educating parents
Nikki and Rachel started Tiny Hearts Education eight years ago with the aim of helping parents and caregivers learn about childhood hazards and first aid.
“As a paramedic, I would often be called to jobs where, had parents been confident with simple first aid, the outcome could have been very different,” Nikki says on the website. “Kids could have been treated at home by their parents or, even more devastatingly, lives could have been saved.”
Recently Nikki took to Instagram to list the many choking hazards you might not expect, captioning the post with “SEND to someone you love and above all, LEARN first aid for babies and children”. Reading through the list there are definitely some surprises in store, which is probably why the post received nearly 9,000 likes.
Hidden dangers
The first item on the list is marshmallows, which is definitely unexpected as they’re so soft, you can’t imagine them posing a problem. However, Nikki says they should be avoided until at least 3 years of age. “These sticky treats are a huge choking risk, which is tricky because they’re often served with babycinos,” she wrote.
Lollipops are also a no-no until 3 years, and popcorn should be avoided until 5 years of age.
Grapes, cherry tomatoes and large blueberries should all be cut up for little mouths. “Grapes are the perfect size to bock an airway,” wrote Nikki. “Chop them into quarters or halve for older kids.” Similarly, care needs to be taken with chunks of meat like sausages and watermelon, which should all be cut up into tiny pieces.
As well as food items, Nikki has included household objects such as those white plastic bread clips, which can sometimes be within easy reach of little hands. Also coins, button batteries, magnets, hair clips, Lego and jewellery, to name but a few.
One item I hadn’t considered was a power point cap, something usually used to baby proof the house. It may be protecting your child from electricity, but it could also be adding yet another huge choking risk.
Recently, one mum had a massive shock when her daughter, Brianna managed to swallow a trolley token. The 11-month-old started gasping for air and vomiting, and mum Kristen knew something was wrong. X-rays by hospital staff revealed that an Aldi shopping token was lodged in her throat. Fortunately the round disc had a tiny hole in it, which allowed some airflow. “She would have been able to get a little bit of oxygen in but it would have been a lot worse,” the mum told Channel 9. “All they had to do was put the tweezers down, grab the top of it and literally pull it out so yeah, very lucky.”
Tiny Hearts Education recommend that parents and caregivers do a first aid course so they know what do should something like this occur. “It can be the difference between life and death,” Rachel commented in an interview with Channel 9. “Knowing what to do in those initial moments for an emergency is critical.”
Kristen has now band all objects according to Tiny Hearts Education guidelines from the house, and has done a refresher first aid course. “It takes the stress of you when you know just the basic,” she commented. “The basic helps you so much.”
Avoid at all costs
Below are objects on the Tiny Hearts Education list of choking hazards:
Marshmallows
Popcorn
Cherry tomatoes
Nuts
Grapes
Sausages and hotdogs
Chunks of watermelon
Large blueberries
Raw apple and carrot
M&Ms
Coins
Magnets
Battery buttons
Bottle caps
Leaves form garden
Garden rocks
Lego
Jewelry
Large dog kibble
Bitten dummies and bottle teats
Screws & bolts
Power point plastic covers
Bouncy balls
Balloons
Win a Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight+ car seat
Some of the biggest purchases parents need to make are car seats. With the intimidatingly high number of options available out there, it can be a daunting task to decide which one is best for bub while providing the most value for price.
Britax Safe-n-Sound has launched their latest car seat in the range of their next generation car seats, the Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight. Designed for children from 6 months to approximately 8 years, this harnessed car seat provides complete safety without compromising on comfort. This car seat is the perfect solution to keep bub harnessed for longer.
Partnering with Tell Me Baby, Britax will be giving away one Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight+ harnessed car seat valued at $799!
So, why the Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight? We’ll let the features speak for themselves.
The ClickTight installation technology: The harnessed forward facing car seat comes equipped with the ClickTight installation system, which not only reduces the chances of an incorrect installation, but also makes the process a breeze. Designed to reduce everyday misuse, the ClickTight installation system is fast, easy, and secure ensuring a perfect installation every time.
The Grow-With-You™ Adjustable Crotch Buckle: Imagine all the fuss you go through every time your car seat needs an adjustment, with the uninstalling, adjusting it and putting it back in. The Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight car seat is just the perfect solution to all your adjustment woes. It comes with their patented Grow-With-You™ Adjustable Crotch buckle and the Hassle-Free Harness making life easier.
Advanced Side Impact Cushion Technology (SICT): When it comes to this car seat, there is no shortage of safety features. Let’s face it, many accidents happen due to an impact from the side. In order to keep bub completely safe, this car seat also has Advanced SICT that creates a barrier between the car seat and the door. Along with the protective shell, it keeps bub perfectly safe and secure in the protective elements of the car seat.
The Thermo5® High Performing Fabric: Not only does the car seat come with all the essential safety features, it also does not compromise on the comfort factor. The High Performing Thermo5® Fabric and luxurious cushioning provides an uncompromised comfortable ride in the car seat.
The texSeries comes with the advanced combination of Thermo5® and Nanotex® fabric which is resistant to spills and moisture and makes cleaning on the go a breeze!
The +Series, exclusively available at Baby Bunting, comes with Thermo5® fabric and memory foam which provides active comfort to your child where needed.
Enter your details below to go in the draw to win a Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight harnessed forward facing car seat to give bub the safest and most comfortable car rides.
Competition closes 11.59pm (AEDT) December 31st, 2021. Full terms and conditions here.
Review: Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight tex
By Tell Me Baby Mum Critic Road Tester Taiha
First of all I need to say that I have used many car seats in the past. I have installed, cleaned and adjusted many, but the Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight tex by far has completely exceeded my expectations.
>> WIN a Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight+ harnessed car seat, valued at $799 – enter here!
First impressions
When I first opened the box I was impressed. The car seat just looks and feels luxurious and plush.
The manual was very easy to read and follow as well. The car seat came with a seat protector and infant insert (however I removed this for my son).
I love the outer protective shell at the back that encloses the car seat, it gives an overall smooth design.
My first impression was that it just looks so comfortable!
The Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight tex unboxed, and the ClickTight Installation System’s yellow seatbelt path.
Installation
I installed the seat myself, using the instructions provided. The instructions were very clear, step by step and provided handy images also.
The two features of the car seat that were new to me in installing and setting up a carseat were the ClickTight feature and the Grow-With-You crotch buckle. I have to say these are really handy features. Installing and adjusting car seats is normally such a chore – however I found this process really easy.
The ClickTight made it so easy to get such a secure fit. The actual seat base of the car seat lifts up, this is easily done by pushing and turning the button on the front of the car seat. You are then able to feed the seat belt through the proper front facing seat belt path, which is easy to find thanks to the yellow markings, and then buckle it in (shown above right).
Once it’s buckled you then push the seat back down and it locks it in place so securely. I have never had a car seat fit so securely and not move an inch! The only thing about this is you need to give the seat a very firm push back down to lock it back in place, you will know when it’s in correctly as it’s a nice firm click.
The other really great feature is the Grow-With-You buckle – this was also new to me as I’ve not had a car seat that has an adjustable crotch buckle, however this makes so much sense as the seat is designed to grow with your child. The adjustment for this is also under the seat, so when you lift it up during the seat belt installation, you can also use this time to select the number length for the crotch buckle – it has 4 settings that you can choose from which is great as you can adjust this to suit from 6 months all the way to 8 years (shown below).
I also like that the instruction manual gives you a clear guide to measure correctly for your child where the crotch buckle should actually sit in relation to your child’s thighs.
The headrest and buckles are also really easy to adjust. The headrest glides easily up and down (shown below, along with the Side Impact Cushion Technology) and the height range is fantastic. I love that this will be able to be used for a long time and grow with us.
Overall I would have to say this was the easiest car seat installation I have ever done and also feels the most secure – The ClickTight feature is a game changer here when it comes to car seat installation!
QR Code
The QR code on the car seat and the manual was great as it took me straight to a collection of videos showing the features and how to install.
Favourite feature
My favourite feature is the ClickTight – being able to get such a secure, firm fit so easily and fast was impressive. I would happily take this car seat out, change cars, reinstall without a care. It really just made it so easy to install. The cup holders are also great and easy to use, also on both sides!
“The seat is also quite deep, so he really looked snug.”
I also have to say that the fabric being easy to clean is such a bonus as we all know how messy car seats can get – especially with toddlers! The Nanotex repels moisture and stains and a huge bonus is that its machine washable. My son spilt some water and it just rolled off the seat – I think that this is such an important feature for a car seat – especially one that you plan to have for a long time as it’s growing with your child.
Child comfort & other seat comparison
The first impression I had of the seat looking so comfortable was true – my son loved the seat, and did not look cramped or uncomfortable. The ability to adjust the crotch buckle to his perfect height was great. The seat is also quite deep so he really looked snug.
Overall I absolutely love the seat – it’s a definite 5 stars!
>> WIN a Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight+ harnessed car seat, valued at $799 – enter here!
Review: Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight+
By Tell Me Baby Mum Critic Road Tester Jen B.
I’m beyond impressed with the top-of-the-line safety features, sleek look and feel, and just how easy the whole installation process was with the Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight+!
>> WIN a Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight+ harnessed car seat valued at $799 – enter here!
First impression of the Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight+
My first impression of the seat was just how plush and incredibly sturdy it is! It definitely offers luxurious safety. The back of the seat is so solid and there’s so much protection around the head area – straightaway I felt confident that this seat is going to keep Jake (6 years old) safe when we are on the road.
I also loved how luxe the seat looks, it really is such a stylish car seat! I love the contrasting rose gold coloured stitching and logos; the fabric is soft and plush, and the dark fabric colour will be great for hiding any marks. It’s the perfect colour palette to blend in with the interior of my Mazda CX7.
The Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight+ unboxed.
Installation of the Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight+
In the past I’ve dreaded installing car seats and have given this job to my husband. But when I saw that the instruction manual had a QR code, I watched the brief 3-minute step by step installation demonstration video and was pleasantly surprised at just how easy the process looked.
So, for the first time ever I installed the car seat myself! It was so easy and quick.
It was a little heavy to lift and position in the car, but once in place the entire process was completed in 5 minutes, which is amazing!
Here’s a quick summary of steps:
The first step was to twist and push the ClickTight button which easily flips up the bottom of the seat.
Next you feed the seat belt through the bright yellow sections and click the seatbelt into place. (Shown below)
A feature I had never seen before is the adjustable crotch buckle, which is amazing as the seat grows with your child. There are 4 levels to choose from, and you simply slide the lever up to your desired level. Jake has just turned 6, so I moved it to level 3 which fitted him. Once that was done, I pushed the bottom of the seat back into place. (Shown below.)
Next you anchor the top tether straps to the hook in the back boot.
Then I needed to get the headrest in the correct position. Again, this was so easy to do, as you just slide the lever up and down until it’s in the correct position.
The seat comes with Advanced Side Impact Cushion Technology, which is designed to provide optimum safety in the event of a side collision. This is a new feature I haven’t had with the previous seats but it is very reassuring that in the event of an accident Jake will be as protected as possible. He’ll be so safe. For this step I simply turned the 2 knobs until they were at full extension.
I pulled on the seat with force and was beyond impressed at how it was anchored down to the car and there was NO movement – it was like it had been professionally fitted!
And that’s it – the entire installation was complete!
‘It’s so comfy, Mum!’
Our previous booster seat only used the adult seat belt, so I was worried Jake might think he’d reverted back to a babyish seat with the harness belt. I didn’t need to worry as he jumped straight in and when I asked him what he thought he said ‘It’s so comfy mum’. That’s a big win for me, especially as we go on a lot of road trips, so comfort is key.
Jake was excited to discover he had TWO drink bottle holders, which were very easy for him to open and close. These have come in handy as he uses one for his drink bottle and the other to store his favourite toys he brings with him when we are on the go!
Overall
Jake’s previous booster seat was nowhere near as secure as this one, plus he could move around a lot with the adult seat belt. The switch back to a harnessed style is very welcome as he just looks really safe and secure. This seat is really plush and I can see why he finds it ‘so comfy’. Plus on the rare occasion he might have a quick nap in the car he has great head support!
I also carpool to school and sport, so it was great to see that although the seat is very solid and sturdy it’s slimline and everyone in the backseat has enough room and is comfortable!
The Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight+ gets 5/5 from me and Jake.
>> WIN a Britax Safe-n-Sound b-grow ClickTight + harnessed car seat valued at $799 – enter here!
Your December baby (and how to keep them happy when Christmas and birthdays collide)
There’s a lot going on in the month of December with Christmas, end of the school year, summer holidays and endless parties and family get-togethers. Throw a baby in the mix and life gets even busier. I should know, as I went into labour on Christmas night with my first child, and gave birth in the early hours of Boxing Day morning.
But there’s something very special about December babies. It’s a unique time of year and those born during this month have a host of wonderful traits and characteristics. So if you’re due this December, you’ve got a lot to look forward to.
Longer life expectancy
A study published in the Journal of Aging Research looked at the link between birth month and life longevity. The article refers to earlier German research, which revealed that those born in December are more likely to live to 105+ than those born in the month of June. So if your baby is born in December, they’re set to enjoy many more birthdays to come!
A rare breed
A December birthdate is much more rare than other months, making your Christmas bub even more unique and special. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the most popular birthdate is September 17th, which means high competition for your future birthday party dates around then. December babies, however, have the rarest birthdays of all, with the least common birthdates being on the 25th and 26th. So having a December baby means your little one will stand out from the crowd, as there will be less birthday parties around the same time.
It’s all in the stars
If you have a December baby they will be either a Sagittarius or a Capricorn, both star signs with appealing traits. Those born before the 21st will be under the sign of Sagittarius and are said to be honest, fair-minded and optimistic. They will love freedom and travelling and attract friends, be absolutely hilarious and will attract friends easily.
On the other hand, those born from the 21st on will be under the sign of Capricorn. These babies are ambitious, persistent, sensitive, hardworking and responsible. They have enormous energy and thrive in positions of power of leadership. Whichever sign your December bub falls under, there are some excellent characteristics in store!
December celebrities
If your baby is born in December, they’re in good company, as there are many famous and hugely successful December babies in the world. Listed below are but a few:
Bette Midler (1/12/45)
Britney Spears (2/12/80)
Walt Disney (5/12/01)
Nicki Minaj (8/12/82)
Emily Dickinson (10/12/1830)
Frank Sinatra (12/12/15)
Mayim Bialik (12/12/75)
Steve Buscemi (13/12/75)
Taylor Swift (13/12/89)
Beethoven (16/12/1770)
Jane Austen (17/12/1775)
Billie Eilish (18/12/01)
Brad Pitt (18/12/63)
Christina Aguilera (18/12/80)
Steven Spielberg (18/12/46)
Jake Gyllenhaal (19/12/80)
Samuel L. Jackson (21/12/48)
Denzel Washington (28/12/54)
LeBron James (30/12/84)
Henri Matisse (31/12/1869)
How to keep your December child happy
On one hand, it’s fantastic to have a birthday in such a celebratory month, but it also means that with all that celebration, a December birthday can get lost. However thanks to my own December baby, I have some hot tips to ensure your little one is smiling the whole month through:
Try to keep their birthday and Christmas celebrations completely separate.
2. Don’t combine birthday and Christmas presents – and encourage relatives and close friends to do the same.
3. Buy non-Christmas wrapping paper, ribbon and cards for their gifts. It’s tempting to make use of the Christmas paper, as it’s readily available and “will just be ripped off anyway” – but don’t do it!
4. Be ready with party preparations and organise the birthday party before Christmas, as families tend to go away on holidays afterwards.
5. Ignore random people you meet in the street, at the shops, the park even at the hairdressers, who always feel compelled to express sorrow and pity for your child born around Christmas, and tell your child all the time how lucky they are to, firstly be born, and secondly, be born into such a fun and exciting month!
Review your Medela breast pump to win
Have you used a Medela Freestyle Flex, new Swing Maxi, or Solo breast pump? We’d love to know what you think of it – and when you leave a review on Tell Me Baby, you’ll be in the running to win a $200 Baby Bunting voucher, or one of 20 runner-up prizes worth $10.95 each!
How to enter
It’s simple to enter – just leave a review of one of these Medela products and you’ll receive an entry into the draw:
If you leave 3 original photos with your review, you’ll get an extra entry!
A few tips for your review: Firstly, be honest – other mums want to hear what you really think. Only review products you’ve tried, and don’t copy other people’s reviews.
Try to answer questions others may have, such as:
What do you like most about the item?
Would you say it offers value for money?
Would you make any changes to the product if you could?
Do you have any advice for others when they use it?
Would you recommend it to a friend?
You’ll also earn reward points for your review: 200 points for a written review, and 300 points if you include at least 3 photos. (Not a member of our review/rewards program? Learn more and sign up here.)
Fantastic prizes up for grabs
One lucky winner will receive a $200 Baby Bunting voucher!
But that’s not all: 20 runner-up winners will receive a box of The Mum’s Room goodies valued at $10.95 each, including Disposable Bra Pads, Breast Milk Storage Bags, a Purelan sachet, and Quick Clean Microwave Bag samples.
This competition ends December 31st, 2021. Read the full terms and conditions here.
Expert’s two-second trick for dealing with tantrums divides parents
Leading parent expert and author Maggie Dent recently revealed her top tip for dealing with your little one’s tantrums. And it’s a lot easier than you may think.
On an episode of Parent TV, Maggie explains that when your child is having a tantrum, the best way to approach the situation is to ask a question. This will distract them from whatever is making them angry and focus on what you’re saying. Maggie suggests simple questions such as “Was that Daddy’s car?”, “Do you want a drink?” or “Shall we go outside and play?” This helps the child to move on from what is upsetting or worrying them and think about something much more enticing. And according to Maggie, this two-second trick works every time.
Maggie Dent is not the only expert to suggest this technique. In an interview with the Daily Mail Australia, parenting expert and educator Sharon Witt said that distraction can be a useful technique when trying to deal with your child’s tantrum.
“Sometimes, when our children are in the midst of a tantrum, it can be very difficult for them to control their emotions, much less regulate their thoughts,” she said. “This is when parents can step in and give a simple, calm distraction that can provide a short circuit distraction – giving our young people the change to stop, and calm themselves.”
Popular parenting website Raising Children also believes that distraction can be an excellent way to manage your child’s behaviour, particularly if they’re getting cranky, they’ve been sitting still for a long time, or are having trouble taking turns with others. Changing the topic, offering a new toy, singing a song together or suggesting another activity, such as a game outside, can help calm a cross child.
However, the website also advises that distraction is not effective if the child hurting someone as, they need to know that this behaviour is not okay. It also suggests that if they’re really upset and having a tantrum, it might be more helpful to acknowledge your child’s feelings.
Not everyone agrees
When Maggie’s fast and effective technique was posted to Facebook, parents were quick to voice their opinions. Many were in favour of the simple distraction tool and believed it to be a brilliant way to deal with a tantrum. “Yes, it’s good to try and change the subject and train of thought to something more familiar!” posted one follower. “This is great,” said another.
However some were completely opposed to the idea, saying that it’s better for kids to “let them feel an emotion and process it.”
“Kids are intelligent enough to pick when adults are being disingenuous,” wrote one parent. “Repeat that approach enough and they quickly lose trust in you, or the child internalises the gaslighting and loses trust in themselves.” Another parent commented, “Let’s gaslight our children instead of dealing with their actual problems and emotions.” Another added, “I don’t know if this method is any good, it fails to teach children emotional intelligence and teaches kids to ignore/ dismiss their feelings.”
Processing feelings is important, however there’s a lot going on for a toddler emotionally, especially when they’ve lost it in the supermarket. It’s not always possible for them to process what they’re feeling. A distraction may help to calm a situations first, which is where Maggie’s technique can come in handy.
True, it might not suit everyone, but in the throes of a tantrum, it may be worth a try? And you never know, it might just do the trick.
Baby names of the future: check out the hot favourites for 2050
Yes, you read that correctly: we’re talking about favourite baby names for the year 2050. Sure, we often write about predictions for the following year maybe two years away, but 30 years from now? How can you possibly predict a name trend so far in advance?
The next generation
It took the baby name experts from the popular naming website Nameberry to nut this one out. Since the release of their first book in 1988, called Beyond Jennifer & Jason, the team has been predicting all sorts of trends in the baby name department such as unisex names, nature names, names starting with ‘U’, even super cool French-inspired baby names.
“So, we challenged ourselves to do the same thing with the 2020 list,” Pamela Redmond, co-founder of Nameberry reported to the HuffPost. “We picked 30 years ahead because it’s a generation in terms of baby names – when today’s babies will be naming babies.”
How did they do this?
The Nameberry team examined thousands of names that were given to less than 25 babies born in 2020. From these they picked 10 not-so-common girls and boys names that they they believe will likely take off in thirty years time. “We’ve been looking at generational changes in names and discovered that many trending names today were extremely rare a generation ago, in the 1990 U.S. statistics,” Redmond commented. “It’s fascinating to look through the bottom of the extended list of names in 1990 and find names like Luna and Harper that are so hot right now. Only 12 girls were named Harper in 1990, and it’s now a top 10 name. Only 15 were named Luna.”
Will these names really be popular?
The names on the list may not appeal to parents of today but that stands to reason according to Pamela Redmond, as later generations don’t ever like the names their parents picked. “Every generation of parents needs to reinvent baby names,” she said.
“We hope to encourage parents to look further down the popularity list if they want a really rare name. There are a lot of treasures hiding down there that are going to sound really good for decades.”
Here is the list released by Nameberry with the top 10 girls and boys names that they believe will be favoured by the parents of 2050 – and we have to admit there are some excellent choices.
