Mom Needs A Break! Tips, Ideas, Help….For Those Hard Working Moms!

Separation anxiety affects both children and adults in very different ways. While children experience fear they will never see mom again; mom develops an overwhelming feeling of guilt.  With pre-school becoming more prevalent today; there is bound to be conflict for both mom and child.  Let us, then, explore child separation anxiety, and tips to help mom cope with leaving baby in the later stages of infancy. 

It’s important for you, as a mom, to refrain from showing your own insecurities. If you keep a positive attitude, your child will feel calm and reassured. Ask your sister to come to your home to care for your infant frequently; this allows your baby to become familiar with another caretaker and feel safe.  As your baby grows into a toddler, use this same practice. You will soon find your child will readily accept visits from your sister; giving you sufficient time to run errands, and complete all of the tasks you have been neglecting.In addition, you will have piece of mind knowing a responsible family member taking care of your child. 

Keep in mind, a child may not always feel comfortable watching you leave the home. It is important to reassure the child you are returning. Don’t give a specific time; children tend to focus too much on the clock and worry.  Call your child often; letting him or her know where you are.  This may be considered over the top coddling; nonetheless, comforting your child also comforts the child within you. The conversation you have with the child is primarily for you. It is a way of acknowledging your feelings; a reassurance that everything is fine. 

Think of how you felt when you were a child.  What did your mom do or say to you to ease the pain of separation. Although times were different back; there may have been one or two occasions when she didn’t have a choice; having another baby, for example.  Recognizing the symptoms of your own anxiety can help you to avoid imprinting it onto your child. 

Your kids have been begging for a pet.  Is it the right time?  How to choose the perfect pet for your family entails a great deal of thought and research.  Here are a few tips to help you decide.   

Inevitably, once you decide on a pet for your kids, it is you who winds up taking care of it.  To this end, the questions you have to ask are: Do you have the time to take care of this pet?  Do you have the space the pet may require? Do you have the money to care for this pet? What type of pet should I get?  These are valid questions which can determine if and when you should buy a pet. 

The type of pet you decide upon is determined by the age of your children. If you have small children, a puppy may be more suitable.  For example: A Bijou would be more suitable for younger children as they are friendly, love children, and easy to care for.  Another pet to consider is a beagle.  They are wonderful house pets, and pose no problem to small children.  In addition, they make superb guard dogs. A larger dog, depending on your kid’s ages, may be suitable, but research is advised. On the other hand, you may wish to venture into buying pets of other species such as a hamster, gerbil, or cat; but research is indicated here as well, especially for the hamster and the gerbil, as they require special needs. It is never a good idea to buy or adopt a pet on a whim; make sure you understand what is involved and ensure your entire family is committed to taking care of any pet that comes into your home. 

The best approach on how to choose the perfect pet for your family requires research as well as talking to other pet owners.  Determine which pet would be best suited for your kids; and for you, since you may be the one taking care of it eventually. You can always take a trip to your local animal shelter, as there are plenty of homeless dogs and cats who need a loving home.

Most of us can remember the first book we ever read.  Can you?  Words are incredibly powerful.  They invoke images of far away lands; scary castles; or princesses looking for their knights in shining armour.  They can also become friends.  Yes, books are the window through which your child sees and experiences different worlds; viewpoints; the fantasies and realities of life.  So what are the benefits of reading to your children? Oh, so many, one could write a book on the subject. 

There is nothing more worthwhile than reading to your children.  Even as babies; the sounds and connotations in your voice can calm and soothe them.  More importantly, even before your child is born, research has suggested that your children tend to have a higher degree of understanding and learning.  What a wonderful gift to give to your children.