This is one area where, unfortunately, good enough parenting is not good enough. You have to be PERFECT when it comes to thiese little blighters, and even then, it's not good enough.
I've been fighting with them for a month this time. I hate them. Here are the steps I have taken, which should be enough, but so far, appear not to be.
1. Apply vast amounts of disgusting chemicals to hair, leave on at least the recommended time, and rinse, all strictly according to directions.
2. Sit unhappy child infront of a dvd and meticulously pick through hair removing anthing nit or lice like. This could take hours depending on hair type.
3. using a hot wash, wash anything that has come into contact with child's hair, bedding, hats, jumpers, towels etc.
4. Vaccuum entire house, focussing on couches and cars - areas that come into contact with heads.
5. repeat entire process on all family members, and again in 7-10 days.
6. Spray hair with hairspray or specialist lice deterent spray and put in ponytail every day!
I might add, this only works if every parent at the school is compliant, and let me tell you, this doesn't happen.
They say that if there were a nuclear blast, cocroaches would be the only surviving species, i would like to add nits to that list!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
flexi days
For the child that is, not you. Mind you, flexi days for the parent aren't a bad idea either.
I am a big believer in flexi days. That is, a day off school now and then for no apparent illness reason. Not too many mind you, maybe one per term or so.
School is really hard work, and now and then, it can all get too much for our little people. Seriously, untill the higher grades, they are not going to miss much in just one day. Even if they do, catching up on the weekend isn't the end of the world. In primary school at least, they don't do that much in the day, much of teaching is crowd control.
I also find that spending a special one on one day with your child can be a great bonding exercise. It's important that each child feel special, and that's really hard to do these days if you have more than one, so sometimes flexi days can come in handy here.
Usually after a flexi day my daughter is more than ready to go back to school. She misses her friends and finds too much time with me boring (thank goodness). She is usually better rested too and therefore enjoys school all that much more.
On the other hand, if your child is constantly faking illness to get off school, or is less likely to go back to school after a flexi day it might be time for a chat. There is probably some sort of problem at school, other kids, teacher, finding the work too hard etc. It's best to sort out these problems as young as possible. If talking to your child yeilds little information, have a chat with their teacher (nicely - no blame), or if you're desperate, spend more time at school spying on your child - reading groups, canteen, join every committee you can!
Alternativly, the problem may be at home - is your child starved of attention? Do you focus too much on the housework, paid work, television or something else? Might be time to sort out your priorities.
I am a big believer in flexi days. That is, a day off school now and then for no apparent illness reason. Not too many mind you, maybe one per term or so.
School is really hard work, and now and then, it can all get too much for our little people. Seriously, untill the higher grades, they are not going to miss much in just one day. Even if they do, catching up on the weekend isn't the end of the world. In primary school at least, they don't do that much in the day, much of teaching is crowd control.
I also find that spending a special one on one day with your child can be a great bonding exercise. It's important that each child feel special, and that's really hard to do these days if you have more than one, so sometimes flexi days can come in handy here.
Usually after a flexi day my daughter is more than ready to go back to school. She misses her friends and finds too much time with me boring (thank goodness). She is usually better rested too and therefore enjoys school all that much more.
On the other hand, if your child is constantly faking illness to get off school, or is less likely to go back to school after a flexi day it might be time for a chat. There is probably some sort of problem at school, other kids, teacher, finding the work too hard etc. It's best to sort out these problems as young as possible. If talking to your child yeilds little information, have a chat with their teacher (nicely - no blame), or if you're desperate, spend more time at school spying on your child - reading groups, canteen, join every committee you can!
Alternativly, the problem may be at home - is your child starved of attention? Do you focus too much on the housework, paid work, television or something else? Might be time to sort out your priorities.
Smoking
It is NOT good enough to be a smoker and a parent. I realise this statement is going to make some people angry, but it's my blog (so there)
Even if you only smoke outside and when the kids are not around, they will still pick up on it. They are not stupid. They can smell it, see it and often find the packets you leave lying around. I know of children as young as one that have gone through a parents bag or jacket and starting acting out smoking behaviours or started to eat ciggarettes.
It gives them the message that smoking is an acceptable action.
It also lessens the time they have with you. By smoking you are doing all sorts of damage to your body, which will more than likely end in a lingering, painfull and premature death. Do you really want to do this to your children???
I personally believe that smoking whilst pregnant is a form of child abuse. It lessons the amount of oxygen that is available to the baby, stunting growth and possibly causing any number of other problems.
Not to mention the fact that it is a HUGE waste of money, and I'm pretty sure there are better things you could be spending it on - family outings, holidays, dates with spouse or kids.....
And finally, if you smoke, your children are more likely to, do you want your children smoking? I hope not.
Even if you only smoke outside and when the kids are not around, they will still pick up on it. They are not stupid. They can smell it, see it and often find the packets you leave lying around. I know of children as young as one that have gone through a parents bag or jacket and starting acting out smoking behaviours or started to eat ciggarettes.
It gives them the message that smoking is an acceptable action.
It also lessens the time they have with you. By smoking you are doing all sorts of damage to your body, which will more than likely end in a lingering, painfull and premature death. Do you really want to do this to your children???
I personally believe that smoking whilst pregnant is a form of child abuse. It lessons the amount of oxygen that is available to the baby, stunting growth and possibly causing any number of other problems.
Not to mention the fact that it is a HUGE waste of money, and I'm pretty sure there are better things you could be spending it on - family outings, holidays, dates with spouse or kids.....
And finally, if you smoke, your children are more likely to, do you want your children smoking? I hope not.
Individuality
The first thing you need to know to be a good enough parent is that each child is different and each child therefore has different needs and requires a different parenting style.
This can be really annoying. In my case my first is relativly easy, a bit on the whingey side but generally well behaved, eager to please, and sensitive to soft discipline methods. I thought i was a great parent. Then number two came along. A major tantrum thrower, attention seeking through playing the clown, and you can yell till you're blue in the face and it has no noticable effect.
We have to use different methods for each child, a stern look will do the job for Tahlia, whereas taking away toys, time out, and the occasional smack work best for Zac. I'll talk more about these methods later. (Yes, i know I used the smack word)
This can be really annoying. In my case my first is relativly easy, a bit on the whingey side but generally well behaved, eager to please, and sensitive to soft discipline methods. I thought i was a great parent. Then number two came along. A major tantrum thrower, attention seeking through playing the clown, and you can yell till you're blue in the face and it has no noticable effect.
We have to use different methods for each child, a stern look will do the job for Tahlia, whereas taking away toys, time out, and the occasional smack work best for Zac. I'll talk more about these methods later. (Yes, i know I used the smack word)
Parenting 101
One thing that I have learnt from my parenting journey is that no one can be the "perfect" parent. It just isn't possible, no matter how hard we try. We all come to the role of parent with our own baggage, ideas, personalities and expectations, and we all have other things on our minds and demanding our time.
What is the perfect parent anyway?
So all we can be is good enough. Good enough not to totally screw up our kids, leave them with permanent major damage, or ruin thier chances for the future.
This blog is a few things I have learnt about this parenting caper, dealing with a few other things on the way. I should warn you I tend to be a bit opinionated!
I do have qualifications though, I have a degree in psychology and one in education too, both specialising in younger ages, so that is mainly what I'll be talking about. And of course I have two kids of my own, and plently of friends with kids too.
What is the perfect parent anyway?
So all we can be is good enough. Good enough not to totally screw up our kids, leave them with permanent major damage, or ruin thier chances for the future.
This blog is a few things I have learnt about this parenting caper, dealing with a few other things on the way. I should warn you I tend to be a bit opinionated!
I do have qualifications though, I have a degree in psychology and one in education too, both specialising in younger ages, so that is mainly what I'll be talking about. And of course I have two kids of my own, and plently of friends with kids too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)