Parenting 101: 28 September 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 treats and dressing up, among other things.
* By 3- 4 years your children gain an understanding of feelings and actions of others, they will gradually learn to cooperate when playing with friends. They’re able to work out taking turns with a toy. They learn to use words to describe their feelings and apologize when they've done something wrong.
* New parents are faced with a multitude of things to worry about but it’s often the little uncertainties that cause unnecessary stress like how warmly to dress your baby .My belief is to dress your child in one more layer than you are wearing but if it’s a hot humid Durban day, baby can be wearing very little.
*Grandparents are the greatest gift to a child. I’m constantly in awe of how the shift from being a parent to grandparent transitions. One day you’re the one telling and encouraging your children what to do and the next day your children are guiding you into their babies eating and sleeping routines!
* Treat cupboards filled with junk food are a habit and your children get to know where it is from a very young age. Rather fill up a treat jar with promises of time, for example a visit to the pet-shop.. to look only! A push on the swing for 5 whole minutes! A bike ride on the beachfront… A walk around the block after dinner.
* 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.