Parenting 101: 8 October 2012
Jenni Johnson, our resident ‘Baby Whisperer’, has been a practicing child-care practitioner for 15 years, and owns a busy ante and post natal clinic in Durban. This week she talks about setting standards and TV hours, among other things.
* Having something else to focus your energy on besides children and your partner is so important. To feel fulfilled, it is necessary to have balance between time with children, time with your partner, family time and time for yourself.
* If your baby hates the car seat try the following: move the position of the car seat straps or open the back window a few centimetres. The ‘white noise this creates is calming. Hang a child safe mirror off the back seat - or a different car seat may need to be tried.
* Being a parent can be as confusing as being a child. Following these guidelines does help: Be consistent. Be predictable. Follow through with boundaries that you set. Have a routine. Pick your battles. Keep a sense of humour!
* Limit TV for as long as possible and keep it to a minimum. Yes, it is the age of technology but real life is a better learning experience. One 15 minute programme twice a day is adequate for the under 3's. A movie over the weekend for the under 7's.
* Date nights are very important. Baby being a month to 6 weeks old is a lovely
goal to look forward to as it reconnects you as a couple and widens your focus from only baby. From then onwards I encourage a once a month dinner, movie or coffee date with just the two of you.
* Catch Jenni on-air every day just after 10am with her tip of the day.
At Jenni’s ante and post natal clinic in Durban, parents are taught a system that gives them structure and routine to the baby and childhood years. Jenni has a nursing background. She’s a registered nurse, midwife, psychiatric nurse and private nurse practitioner.
Jenni’s online clinic, can be accessed online via www.jennisays.com. For appointments, e-mail [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter via @JenniSays or on Facebook by 'liking' The Berea Baby Clinic.