Unknown to me

Is there a magic cut off period when offspring become accountable for their own actions?

Is there a wonderful moment when
parents can become detached spectators in the lives of their children and shrug, 'It's
their life,' and feel nothing?

When I was in my twenties, I stood in a hospital corridor waiting for doctors to put a few stitches in my daughter's head.
I asked, 'When do you stop worrying?'
The nurse said, 'When they get out of the accident stage.'
My Dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

When I was in my thirties, I sat on a little chair in a classroom and heard how one of my children talked incessantly, disrupted the class, and was headed for a career making license plates.
As if to read my mind, a teacher
said, 'Don't worry, they all go through this stage and then you can sit back, relax and enjoy them.'
My dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

When I was in my forties, I spent a lifetime waiting for the phone to ring, the cars to come
home, the front door to open.
A friend said, 'They're trying to find themselves. Don't worry, in a few years, you can stop worrying. they'll be adults.'
My dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

By the time I was fifty, I was sick & tired of being vulnerable.
I was still worrying over my
children, but there was a new wrinkle. There was nothing I could do about it.
My Dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

I continued to anguish over their failures, be tormented by their frustrations and absorbed in
their disappointments.

My friends said that when my kids got married I could stop worrying and lead my own life. I wanted to believe that, but I was haunted by my dad's warm smile and his
occasional, 'You look pale. Are you all right?
Call me the minute you get home.
Are you depressed about something?'

Can it be that parents are sentenced to a lifetime of worry? Is concern for one another handed down like a torch to blaze the trail of human frailties and the fears of the unknown?
Is concern a curse or is it a virtue that elevates us to the highest form of life?

One of my children became quite irritable recently, saying to me, 'Where were you? I've been calling for 3 days, and no one answered I was worried.'

I smiled a warm smile.
The torch has been passed.

Eye Contact

Jan Murray

Have you noticed there is often conflicting information about how to settle babies?

It has been my understanding and practice to avoid making eye contact with babies as they are settling into sleep. This is because it stimulates them and prevents them from switching off which has certainly been evident with the babies that I see.

Recently there has been information about eye contact being important for a baby’s development and not having it at sleep time could be to a baby's disadvantage.

It is evident that babies are actually the ones that instinctively break eye contact when they are tired and ready to sleep.

As you settle your baby, if you find eye contact is stimulating them, avoid it, but give them plenty when they are awake and wanting to engage with you.
Staring into the eyes of a tiny baby can help them to settle and sleep.

As parents, you will know what is the right decision to make for settling your baby.

"Bore your baby to sleep" by Howard Chilton Neonatal Paediatrician

Settle Petal changes

Jan Murray

SUNSHINE COAST AREA ONLY

1.CLINIC OPTIONS
There are new
*locations
*time slots
*pricing
See 'Consultation Options' on the website link below for more details.


2. 'NEWBORN WELCOME VISIT'
Gain confidence and feel reassured
in the first few weeks after getting home from hospital.
Book a 'Newborn Welcome Visit' this month, mention you read about it in 'Parenting eNews' and receive 20% OFF your visit. See 'CONSULTATION Options' on the website link below.


3.'GROUP SESSIONS'.
New pricing
Less $$$ for more people.
Book this month, mention you read about it in 'Parenting eNews' to receive an EXTRA $5 OFF.
See 'SESSION or GROUP' menu on the website link below.


4. LAKE KAWANA COMMUNITY CENTRE,BABY AND KIDS MARKET, this Saturday 6TH February I'll be selling 'taste it' at a special market price.


ANYWHERE

5. JOIN A GROUP
There are parents who are looking to connect with other parents raising babies. Therefore, if you belong to a group that meets regularly and you would welcome new mum's or dad's please let me know.
I am compilng a list on the Settle Petal website of groups that meet and would be happy to share there group with others.
Email your town or suburb location, a contact name and detail and I will add it to my website. I can take it off whenever your group stops meeting.
I look forward to hearing from you.
You could also advertise it yourself via Settle Petal Facebook.

DETAIL of UPDATES here

Much more than a recipe book!

Jan Murray

'taste it' is more than just a recipe book, it is a book that answers many questions parents have about starting their baby on solids and progressing through textures and tastes.

It is professional, simple and easy to follow.

On sale at the
BABY AND KIDS MARKET
at a special market price this Saturday 6th Feb 9-12 at
LAKE KAWANA COMMUNITY CENTRE.

BUY A BOOK online or at the B&K market during the month of February to go in the draw to win
A PRICELESS MOMENTO from
Pitter Patter Prints (Value $100)
http://www.pitter-patter.com.au

The winner will be notified by email and published in the next Parenting eNews.

PROMO VIDEO ON SALES PAGE

The BUMBO SEAT or BEDE POD

Jan Murray

The Bumbo Seat or Bede Pod
are both a wonderful
new way to gain maximum interaction and enjoyable communication with your child.

Versatile
- On the beach or park
- Perfect for feeding
- Visiting friends, family
- Attending to more than one child or twins

Applications
- Suggested age (6 weeks to 14 months)
- Lightweight portable
- Durable (easy maintenance)
- Soft & comfortable

Endorsed by Pediatric and Orthopedic Faculties
- Key features are that the seat is at a lower level than the leg openings. This provides correct support for the lumber area of the vertebral column.

- They have a favorable orthopedic effect that is important to assist in the correct spinal development of an infant.

- The raised leg spaces result in an increased flexibility of the baby's hip and knee joints, which has the benefit of decreasing stress on the baby's spine.

- The front support won't push against baby's groin but prevents baby sliding forward.

Which one to choose!
The two products are actually both very impressive, and a big leap in improvement over the past and the limits of bouncy seats. It is not easy to pick a winner, and most parents will hardly find a reason to prefer one over the other.
Read more http://familytravel.suite101.com/article.cfm/bumbo_vs_bebe_pod_baby_seats

If you order one online or at Belly2Bay store ask about the special price offer for the tray.

Order online

6 month old

Elle & Aston, Townsville

"I have changed his feeding habits as you recommended and it has made such a difference already.

I was scared it would be a tough change because even though I put him down awake and let him put himself to sleep I was giving him a big feed first.

Thank you so much, so many people tell you so many things but I have found all of your advice really practical and fairly easy to put into practice!"

'Sleep eClinc' consultation

Sleeping through!!!!

Jan Murray

Five points to consider regarding your baby ‘sleeping through’the night.

1. For a baby under three months, five hours is considered sleeping through!
2. Sleep is largely effected by their personality
3. Are they hungry because they are not getting enough nutrients during the day (milk or solids)?
4. If an unsuitable ‘sleep association’ is being used to settle a baby to sleep, then that can be the cause of them waking you during the night. Some methods suit babies at certain ages better than others
5. Some babies require more sleep than others, therefore consider whether they are developing appropriately and are happy!!!

HOW MUCH SLEEP!!