It’s all about patience.

Everyday is a new learning experience. No matter how many articles or books you read, advice you’ve heard from other parents, your experience and journey will always be unique as a parent! It comes to the point when you wonder when you should start worrying or stressing about something that’s going to be impact on their lives.

I believe that children  take us back to the basics in life. We, as adults, go through our own emotions on a daily basis, whether we’re hungry, moody, hormonal or just having a bad day. Our coping mechanisms might mean taking a drive, going for a walk, work out at the gym and maybe some just lose their anger in the moment. As a child, it’s different. They may not be able to express their hurt, the fact that they’re tired, hungry or even had a bad day at school.
They may express it as shouting, crying for something little and not being cooperative. We perceive it as being stubborn, or naughty.

Children only know love and innocence until exposed to something new. Everything gets taught by role modeling, and what they’re exposed to on TV or on devices. Parents are ultimately responsible for their children’s behavior and their social upbringing. Society cannot rely on schools for disciplining a child.

All children want hugs, cuddles, love and being patient with them. It’s also knowing when to draw the line. It’s knowing when a child is willfully defiant or just being a clumsy normal child.
There’s always a reason behind their behavior. Having patience, allowing a child to just go through their mood always helps, especially in a meltdown moment when it becomes overwhelming for the child and parent.  Kneeling to their level amidst their turmoil and just stretching out your arms  to hug them makes them feel instant comfort. Giving them space and allowing them to calm down knowing their parent is there provides the best security for them.

It is indeed a challenge that every parent has to go through but the reaction of the parent will determine  the outcome of the child’s behavior. You cannot douse a fire with fire, hence being calm and understanding  when a child is upset plays an important role in how a child will respond.
Communication is key to a child, they want to be heard and want you to be in their moment or else “you missed the best part”.
Children can teach us to be better people, to know and learn what it means to be patient.

A moment of patience in a moment of anger saves you a hundred moments of regrets.
🌹

On my journey through life: Everyday is a blessing

On my journey through life: Everyday is a blessinghttp://linkedin.com/in/annliza-s-chetty-a3a3681a

It's a juggle..

Being a full time working mum is never easy...all the challenges that come with it have to be seen as adventures and just a normal part of life.

I always wonder how other mums juggle everything... working a full day, making meals,housework, sorting out their kids for the night, and for school the next day. It's just one continuous cycle of rush and go!

My almost 3year old little super hero challenges almost every parenting advice that is deemed possible...and he's a great kid...fearless, precocious,entertaining, determined to the end, wise crack, funny and knows how to butter his mum up in a fix!
It's a consolation that I'm not alone as I observe other mums in grocery stores that are obviously under pressure as they roll on the floor crying demanding something that they're going to be refused.
It's amazing how kids know which day to choose to make your day more challenging, from refusing to wear the clothes you set out for them "I'll show you which top I want to wear mama" or "leave my pyjamas on!!" .., what porridge they want for that morning, and how long they decide to actually leave the house from running after them thinking it's all a game!

Really thinking about it, I do realise how blessed I am to have what I have and be able to provide everything my child needs...so it's not about complaining at all. There are mums who are in worse off and under privileged situations who are the constant reminders of a harsh reality, and just how fortunate we are. We are responsible for the paths our children are directed to in life. These prime years of them experimenting with how far they can go with an eagerly awaited corresponding response is just what it is...a part of life. Each culture and religion might have different ways of dealing with it, but at the end of the day we as parents should be responsible enough to know the difference, and not spoiling our children. I'm never going to get it right all the time, because I am learning so many things in life now from a different angle; a perspective from a 3 year old, & it's going to get even more exciting everyday.
I've learnt that the art of distraction works with almost anything, sometimes. Sometimes giving in to  some of their demands (within a degree of reason) is not going to make a huge negative impact or be detrimental in any way; it's really ok to just chill out and not be paranoid all the time!
They grow up so fast!

Little Man walking TALL

Ahhh...finally! Another major milestone, and it certainly feels like something to celebrate about.
Our little man started walking a few months ago, after everyone had their own opinions and guesses about when he would take his first step. Even though he had started with 'furniture walking' about two months before that, taking those first few steps on his own was like man landing on the moon for him, and more so for us.
Everybody warned us about ..'wait till he starts walking, you'll be running after him'....they were talking from experience off course...and I'm still running!

There's no greater joy then to be there when your toddler takes his first steps. It's a whole new level of independence, with refusing to be held or have his hand held, and insist on running in the opposite direction in the mall. It's just cute watching those little legs march off as though on a mission and then turn right back to you. Discovering what his little legs can do now have become a whole new adventure, with going to the post box to pick up the newspaper for his grandad, and check for mail.
What makes it more 'daunting' for us is ensuring that anything at his eye level and within reach that may pose a danger is removed. Baby proofing can be a big job, though toddlers at this age can understand more than we assume they can, and just by explaining the dangers can sometimes be helpful for them to understand than telling them that they 'can't touch this' or 'can't go there'. It becomes meaningful to them. But,as always it's better to be safe than sorry!

This is probably the part where they start 'growing up' and don't want to be your little baby anymore because they can get there on their own without been carried. Watching these moments are such a thrill and makes the best memories to relate to when they're older. Every place in the house is a special adventure for them...from pots and containers in the kitchen to lotions and powders  in the bedroom, and not forgetting the electronic devices that they can get their hands on.

No matter how old he is, this little man will always be our little baby :)

Almost a year old!!

When they say time flies, that's no lie! The last few months have been nothing but joy, smiles,  oodles of hugs and kisses and some pushing of the boundary too.
Our baby boy is turning one very soon and to see him get this far has been such an adventure with wanting to get the camera out for every new trick and celebrate every milestone.

Just watching him grow and get to the point where he actually wants to be Mr Independent is amusing but it's all happening too fast. Once those two little teeth popped out, and he mastered crawling and discovering how he can get around with supporting himself, there's no stopping him. Feeding him now becomes a task when he insists on holding the spoon or grasping his own food, even though sometimes it goes nowhere near his mouth, and instead I discover them on his feeding chair or on the floor....where has our little baby gone?
Infants at this age are so daring and if they are not appropriately supervised it is very easy for home accidents to occur. From pulling everything within their reach to swiping that hot tea cup in your hand and finding the littlest thing on the floor, baby proofing and common sense is imperative.

I recently purchased a pair of cute crocs with charms on it, making sure that I couldn't try to pull the charms out first. They look hip and ideal for the beach.
He was busy playing with the crocs only to later observe him successfully pull and tear one of the charms! This was quite scary, as to an infant unsupervised this could have been a choking hazard. I am in the process of highlighting this danger to the related store.

They absorb so much and just want to learn something new everyday from hearing everything that you do and watching your every move. Picture books are always a great source of learning with being able to associate pictures to what they have. Toys are not really interesting to them at this age, instead they want everything they see you work with, the remote control, mobile phone, powders and the best one is taking all the clothes out of the linen bag and trying to rearrange them over and over again!!

It's definitely been quite an interesting journey for us this past year with our little angel, and when he drops off to sleep at night, there is nothing that can compare to that sweet angelic little face as you wonder ...'how do you have so much of energy during the day?'
The joys of parenthood are most certainly enlightening in every way and everyday there is something new to learn ourselves.

Be patient kind and loving with a humble heart. After all, most children strive to emulate their parents.



For our darling angel Noah, as you turn ONE!

Travelling long haul with my 6 month old

Just taking your baby out of the house for the first time can be daunting and challenging enough. How much more to be said for the time you take your little one through security and passport control of an airport and on their first 14 hour flight and consequent 8 hour flight?
It was definitely quite nail biting as I prepared his meal bag and diaper bag, making sure I knew how many bags I was allowed according to baggage policy of that airline. Having one bag with all the compartments I needed made my life so easy. Every time I had to pass through security (at least 4 times) I had to hope and pray they would not be stopping my baby bag to search the formula or his flask full of water...and thankfully they did not!
Travelling with an infant brings a whole new meaning to travelling light for yourself. It's really all about your baby...gone are my days where I can travel with all my lock stock and barrel of things that I really could do without ( as I have realised), and now just making do with bare necessities of items for me!
A necessity for any mum that makes travelling much more convenient is a baby harness. I found that it made it less cumbersome with having my hands freed up, and also exciting for him looking out at others and to see where he is going, as well as making it easy going through security and boarding the plane. It's a definite must have.
We were very fortunate with our little one as he was so well behaved that you would not have known there was even a baby on board. He slept most of the flight,and even though a bassinet was provided, that he almost fit the length of, he much more preferred taking turns sleeping on my husband's and my chest. Nursing him on take off, descent and landing really helps with air pressure that babies would normally have discomfort with, and also takes their mind off the loud engine sounds.

You have to make sure that you have everything covered for those long hours or 14 hours would seem much longer... from extra baby wipes, diapers, spare clothes, burp cloths and their favourite distraction toy (sometimes their bib!!) to having enough formula, bottles, bowl and cereal. We certainly can say that our flight was comfortable barring the fact that I could not watch as many movies as I wanted:)

On board changing facility for babies was actually as comfortable as could be, and a fair amount of space provided especially when you have a wriggler at hand!:)

Thankfully most babies usually sleep at this age and travelling with them is not as cumbersome as I might have expected.
Well, at the end of the journey,there was nothing more comforting than seeing most of your family members waiting at the arrival lounge to welcome you, and the new family member.

The Greatest Love of all!

It can be said that well and truly the greatest love of all must be what a parent has for their child.
To be a new parent, aunt or uncle and experience an overwhelming sense of love and protection is beyond what words can describe.
When I look into my little angels' big eyes there is an immense feeling of delight that perpetuates my infinite love through my beaming smile, I catch my breath..... and my heart melts, and I feel like the most proud mother around...what an awesome feeling!
How a little life can bring such joy, happiness and love is indescribable, and at this point, as a parent you would cross any boundary and move mountains for your child....they can do no wrong!
Just to see your child return that smile, laugh and giggle, is such a precious and breathtaking moment that will always remain indelible.
It really is an incredible blessing in life, and after all this kind of love is just priceless!

As a mother this song, as old, timeless and popular it may be, brings new meaning now when I hear it...who could convey it better than the the classic late Houston!

For Noah... you make my everyday a special blessing xoxo