10 activities to do, for when you hear...."I'm bored"

I was searching some websites today looking for some Easter activities we could do with Miss EJ. I know I'm a little early on the Easter department, but I am trying to find something which we will be able to do together as a family and hopefully turn into a tradition. While looking for ideas I came across this article written by Lauren Rowland, "10 boredom-busting activities that beat TV" which I thought may come in handy for those rainy days ahead. You can read the full article at http://www.kidspot.com.au/MySpot-home-10-boredom-busting-activities-that-beat-TV+4862+173+article.htm which includes lots of different ideas for each activity.

10 boredom-busting activities that beat TV

“Mum, I’m soooo bored! Bored! BORED! Can we watch TV?” Regardless of how many toys and games kids have, the lure of TV is strong – and the temptation for us to hand over the remote to get some quiet-time is even stronger.
But while TV is great as an occasional treat, it’s by no means an actual activity and won’t do a whole lot for your child’s development. Get your kids off the couch and into one of these 10 fab kids’ games and activities that will not only help them learn, but will be so distracting they’ll totally forget about the TV!

1. Get crafty - Kids love craft. Not only will some glue, paper and crayons ban your littlie’s boredom and silence the call of the TV, craft encourages creativity and co-ordination too.

2. Read a book - Don’t forget the age-old activity of reading as a TV alternative. Not only does story-time support further reading down the track, it will ignite your little’s imagination and creative thinking too.

3. Have an indoor picnic - The perfect TV alternative for a rainy afternoon is an indoor picnic. Simply pop down a blanket, get out the plastic cups and plates, serve up some yummy treats and use teddies as stand ins for extra guests.

4. Make play dough - Play dough is nothing but unrestrained creative squishiness – far more appealing than a repeated episode of Dora! (See our February blog for a great play dough recipe)

5. Go on a Treasure hunt - Want to perk up your bored bunch? Excite them with a treasure hunt! It’s super easy and best of all, kids will be nowhere near the television. Remember any Easter egg hunt idea can easily be modified for any time of the year.

6. Book a playdate - When kids are among kids the drive to watch TV dramatically lessons – and they certainly won’t be bored! Plus, play dates improve social skills and help your child make lifelong friendships.

7. Help out with chores - “Ha!” you say! But in all seriousness, getting the kids to help out around the house can be achieved – especially if you turn housework into a game.

8. Get into cooking - Kids love getting their fingers dirty in the kitchen which makes cooking one of the greatest television diversions ever! Check out these easy recipes your mini masterchef will love to make.

9. Throw a tea party - A fancy tea party is a bit more upscale than going on an indoors picnic, and sure to delight any bored little princesses. Set up a table fit for her guests (which can be siblings, friends, you, dolls - or even imaginary friends!) and serve up some juice as ‘tea’ and some yummies. What TV?

10. Hold a puppet show - Banish boredom by acting out stories with a puppet show. Your kids can even re-enact their favourite TV shows or movies if they like – but there’s little chance they’ll want to.

Miss EJ's favourite activity this week is to build a cubby using the dining chairs and a few blankets, and to sit in there and read books with her dollies and teddies.
What is your little one's favourite activity this week? We would love for you to share it with us.

PS. If your in Perth this weekend, don't forget the teddy's bear picnic at the Zoo on Sunday! http://www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/Whats-On/Events/Teddy-Bears-Picnic/

Baby Massage

Recently I came across a few articles on the benefits of baby massage, that got me thinking about our own experience with baby massage, which I thought I might share with you. We first decided to try baby massage when Miss Ej was only a couple of weeks old as we found she was getting distressed when bath time was over. At first it was for only a few minutes at a time as she was not that receptive to the massage, but gradually as she became used to the routine she enjoyed the experience and it also became a special bonding time shared between hubby and her as it was something they could do together. We found also that during the day if she would become restless it was something we could use to settle her, as she suffered at times with bad wind. Still today we always finish her bath time off with a massage which she loves, in fact sometimes she is trying to hop out before she has had her bath just to have her massage, We have found that it helps her to be calm and relaxed ready for bed.
Below is selected extracts from one of the articles which is written by Pinky McKay, I thought it may be of interest to you if you are thinking of trying it. For more information or to have a look at some of her books which are available go to her website http://www.pinkymckay.com.au/

The Benefits of a Loving Touch
Although it is difficult to measure the effects of spontaneous touch between parents and babies such as all of the smooching, tickling and blowing of raspberries and tiny tummies, there are a number of studies into early skin to skin contact and baby massage showing amazing benefits for babies.
By taking a little time each day to introduce baby massage it can be a wonderful time of sharing for either parent. Massaging your baby stimulates all of your little one's senses through skin contact, eye contact and your familiar smell as well as hearing your voice and experiencing a focused response. This loving interaction and sensory experience is hard wiring your baby's immature brain for emotional and neurological development. As you touch and talk to your little one and share eye contact, you stimulate the development of connections between nerve cells in your baby's brain that will form foundations for thinking, feeling and learning.

Do you have time to massage?
It can be daunting to think you have to fit another activity into your already busy day, just because it is good for your baby, but massage and 'touchy feely' games ('round and round the garden' or 'this little piggy') can be easily incorporated into the busiest days, even if you have several littlies.

Giving your baby a mini massage
Set up a quiet, warm space. Sit comfortably and relax breathing deeply. Undress your baby and keep him warm, then pour a small amount of natural vegetable oil (such as olive oil) in your palm and rub your hands together as you make eye contact and ask your baby, "would you like a massage?"
Legs and feet (one leg at a time)
Cup your hands and alternating your hands (one supports baby's ankle as the other strokes) 'milk' baby's leg from hip to ankle. Firmly stroke baby's sole from heel to toes then roll each toe. Finish by stroking both legs together from hips to ankles.
Stomach
With one hand following the other, massage baby's stomach in continuous clockwise circles(following baby's colon as this is the direction the food travels).
Chest
Place both hands on baby's chest. With fingers flat, stroke up baby's sternum, around the top of the chest, out to the shoulders, then back down to the bottom of your baby's sternum, making a heart shape. Then, stroke gently outwards over baby's shoulders.
Arms and hands
'Milk' the arms one at a time, from shoulder to fingertips, then massage baby's hands by pressing your own thumbs into his palm, before gently squeezing and rolling each finger. If baby's hands are clenched shut, stroke or kiss the back of his hand to encourage him to open his hand.
Face
With both hands supporting baby's head, make gentle circles on baby's scalp. Then with flat fingers, stroke from the centre of the forehead out to the temples. With your fingertips, massage in small circles around baby's jaw.
Back
Roll baby over onto his tummy or (if he resists tummy time) place him on his tummy (with his arms forward) across one of your thighs. With one hand on baby's bottom, swoop your other hand from baby's shoulders to buttocks. Finish by lightly 'combing' baby's back with your fingertips, from shoulders downwards, alternating hands. Gradually stroke lighter and slower, then finish by placing your hands on your baby's back and breathe slowly with your baby
Enjoy a cuddle with your calm, relaxed baby.

Do you have an experience with baby massage that you would like to share? We would love to hear from you.

Books, Books, Books,

I have always had a love of books! Right from when I first became pregnant I would always stop in book shops and browse the children's section looking for stories I would be able to read to my new baby.

By the time Miss EJ was born I had quite a collection. Each day no matter how busy, we have always found time to sit and read together. It has become one of our favourite times of the day, some days we would only make a few pages, but now it can be 2 or 3 books. It amazes me in such a short period of time how she will now sit and study the pictures and loves pointing at everything and waits in anticipation for you to tell her what it is. Our favourite book at the moment is Old McDonald had a Farm, illustrated by Mandy Foot. The Illustrations are nice and bright and she loves making the animal noises.

I came across an interesting article about reading with children recently. The below 'Tips for storytellers' is an extract from http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/stories_-_cyh.html where you can find the full article.

Reading with Children

Whether they are stories you tell, or stories in books, stories are one of the ways that children learn to enjoy reading. Children can also learn that books are a way to find out lots of useful and important things. Many people look back with pleasure on their favourite stories from childhood.

Tips for storytellers

• Whether you read or tell stories to your children you will be helping them in many ways. It is best if you can do some of both. Some of us don't like telling stories very much, others don't like reading. Do what works best for you and your child.


• You can get picture books that don't have words, so you can make up the story about the pictures for your child.


• Follow your child's lead when you are reading or telling stories so she can be a partner in the reading time - read the bits that she especially likes over and over again, stop when she wants to stop, skip the bits that she wants to skip.


• Be guided by your child as to what she likes but try out a range of books/stories so she can explore. Lists of suitable books for your child's age can often be found at your local council library. School and preschool libraries usually have large selections of books. If you have never been to a library before it could feel strange at first. Try to go on a weekday when the library is not busy and ask the librarian to help you find your way through the children's section. Librarians are pleased to show you what the library has to offer and are trained to know which books children are likely to enjoy.


• Borrow a number of books each time you go. If your child especially likes one and wants it over and over again, this is the one to buy and own.


• Browse through bookshops or garage sales. Often really good books can be bought in paperback and are not very expensive.


• It is enjoying the reading that counts. Starting with cheap books from the supermarket is a good way to help children to have some books to 'own'.


• Take your children to a pantomine or children's theatre where they will see stories acted out - or go just for the fun.


• Give your child books for birthdays, Christmas, name days or just because you want to give your child a special treat. They are great presents.
  

Do you and your little one have a favourite book you enjoy reading together?, I would love to hear about it.

Cost Free Ways to Give Baby's Brain a Work Out

It's an unseasonably wet day today, which means if you are anything like us you will be stuck indoors and looking for lots of different activities to keep your baby occupied.  Belinda Butler, in her 'Brainy Baby' Practical Parenting magazine article shares the following cost free activities that use everyday things found around the home to not only keep baby entertained but also help boost their cognitive skills!

Keep a lid on it!
Raid the kitchen cupboards to find plastic containers of varying size, shape and colour.  Pop some interesting things - such as egg rings, measuring cups and pegs - into the containers and put the lids on, but not too tightly.  Show your baby how the lids can be removed and put back on.  Allow her time to explore the containers on her own.
What are the benefits?

• Develops problem-solving skills as she matches lids to containers and works out how to remove contents.
• Helps her understand cause and effect as she opens different containers, takes out the contents, puts them back in, then repeats the task.

Chit-chat
Your voice is one of the most powerful learning tools your baby will have access to.  Talk as much and as often as you can about: Body parts, pointing to your baby's nose, ears, eyes, mouth and toes; What you are doing that day; Family and friends you visit; What's for lunch or dinner; Animals and the different noises they make; Toys he likes to play with.
What are the benefits?

• Language and listening skills are practised
• Develops knowledge of the world, what things are called and how they work
• Fosters feelings of being valuable and loved as you take the time to interact with him.

You've got mail
Before you throw the junk mail into the recycling, stop!  Sit your baby on your lap and look through the catalogues toether.  Point to pictures of familiar things such as people, home items, toys or food.  Say, "Look, there's some bread.  We eat bread, don't we? What else can you see?" Encourage her to point to items she recognises and name them for her.
If she doesn't point to anything, she may just be enjoying the sound of your voice and cuddle time, so keep talking and try again later.
What are the benefits?

• Develops memory as she recalls things she has seen before
• Builds knowledge of the world as she discovers new items
• Works on language skills as she puts labels to what she sees
• Increases self-esteem as she spends some close, quality time with you

Bits and bobs in a box
In a shoebox or a large plastic bowl, place items your baby sees every day - shoes, a toothbrush, a soft hairbrush.  Take each item out one by one, saying, "What is this? It's your brush, isn't it? What do you do with your brush?" Hand it to him and let him do something with the brush.  If he hasn't started to brush his hair himself you could say, "Here you go, you brush your hair." Then, put all the items back into the box and allow him to explore them without any prompting.
What are the benefits?

• Develops memory skills as he recalls each item's use
• Problem solving skills are needed to work out how to use each item
• Develops coordination as he manipulates the objects
• Builds on his knowledge of the world as he learns about objects he sees everyday
• Increases self-esteem as he practices and masters new tasks. 

If you have some thrifty game ideas too, we would love to hear from you! Please feel free to comment below.

Sweet Dreams

At night my household conspires against me - I can't remember the last time I had an uninterrupted sleep! If it is not my son that wakes me to settle him again at some random time in the wee hours of the morning, or my naughty puppy yelping, then I wake for seemingly no reason at all just to stare at the ceiling for what feels like hours thinking random thoughts and going over to-do lists in my mind before succumbing to sleep again - usually just getting back into that lovely, cosy deep sleep as my hubby's morning alarm goes off.

I came across the following article earlier this year.  It helped me understand the mental and physical side effects of lost sleep and it made me feel more sane - this forgetful, grumpy individual I had become was not me, just someone who needed to catch more zzz's.  I hope you find it insightful too!

SWEET DREAMS
A timely wake-up call on the value of getting good sleep.
Dr Malcolm Clark, Royal Auto Magazine February 2010.

If you are finding it hard to get enough sleep, you are not alone.  Victorian's are busier than ever, working longer hours, socialising and ferrying children around.  Can't we just get on with it and sleep a little less every night?
Yes, but sleeping less comes at a price.  The average adult needs to sleep for 7-9 hours to feel alert and refreshed.  We need to cycle through the four levels of sleep, and spend about 20% of our time dreaming.  Dream sleep is also called REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and is associated with saccadic movement of our eyes plus irregular breathing.  Our blood pressure rises and our brain stops sending messages to our spinal cord, leading to major loss of muscle tone (paralysis).  As a result, the cortex of our brain lights up with electrical activity.
The price of less sleep is less REM sleep, which leads to increased forgetfulness, poorer concentration and efficiency. 
We feel better, more alert and get through things more efficiently after a few good sleeps.  Sleep disturbance causes an imbalance in the brain that interferes with how we remember things, and how we feel about ourselves.  In dream sleep, our brains process parts (or all) of our day: what's happened, what's important, and how we feel about it.  If you like, dream sleep moves data from our RAM to our hard drive!  Sleep deprived people can cope for a time but become irritable, forgetful and start to develop low self-esteem.

Well, on that note I'm off to bed!  Wishing you all sweet dreams tonight :)

A is for Arsenic Hour

Before becoming a mother, 5pm was the time of day to look forward to.  It marked the end of work. It was the time for unwinding, taking a stroll with the puppies, enjoying a meal, relaxing with my favourite television show and catching up with the hubby. 

Enter motherhood...  5pm is now my most stressful time of day.  It is my 'rush hour' when the baby is grumpy, hungry and tired; the dogs hassle me for food and attention; my hubby comes home from work and  is ready for a chat; and dinner needs to be prepared. 

It seems I'm not alone.  Apparently this situation is so common it has its own nickname - 'Arsenic hour'. "So called because poison control centres have identified it as the time when most parents apparently abandon their normal standards of supervision and allow children to chug detergent like cordial", says Carrie Cox in her Practical Parenting Magazine article on the topic.

So what can we do to ease the pressure come 5pm?  Carrie recommends organising your day in reverse.  "Run the bath/dinner/homework gauntlet first thing in the morning when you're fresh and it's too early to contemplate heavy drinking.  Sure, the kids will be dirty, hungry and confused come normal knock-off time, but at least their mummy won't be pacing the kitchen and speaking in tongues again." she says.

This advice has really helped me better handle the evenings.  I bath my son in the morning so after dinner he can be put straight in his pj's and off to bed for the night.  I have invested in a slow cooker so at least once a week dinner is prepared and the kitchen is cleaned up earlier in the day. I also cook certain meals in larger batches when I can, freezing leftovers to reheat on nights I need the helping hand. 

I would be interested to hear from other parents out there - do you have a tip for managing Arsenic hour?