Parenting 101: 29 March
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 dealing with illnesses and single-parenting, among other things.
* If your child is an asthmatic, educating yourself, your child and everyone involved in his life is very important. Have a doctor-prescribed action plan to control symptoms and flare ups. Know what the early warning signs are e.g. wheezing, coughing and feeling funny. Be aware of asthma triggers like allergens - dog hair, irritants - perfume, exercise, breathing in cold air or weather changes. Take medicines as prescribed and ensure the asthma pump work, is with the child at all times and hasn’t expired.
* If you're a single parent - finding others in a similar situation is a lifesaver. Getting together with your children after work and doing bath and dinner time together is good for you and your child. If you're introverted by nature, you may have to push yourself into social situations such as joining a church or appropriate place of worship or looking at mums and babes type groups.
* Guide your child’s behaviour by telling him what to do instead of what not to do. If there's a scuffle over a toy, say ‘Ask Paul if you can play,” not “Don’t grab”. Be patient if he needs exactly the same directions an hour later — he is young, he forgets and he needs to practice.
* Teach your children about love and respect for others. Teach them about living in peace with themselves and those they meet and know. Teach them how to value life and enjoy it. Teach them to count their blessings and not look at the bad situations they cannot change. Help them find ways to learn and grow from the experience.
* If you are parents or parents-to-be of twins or triplets take a decision from when they are tiny babies to spend time out with only one of them once a week or so. The benefits of this are that you don't get stopped by all and sundry in shopping centres, you get to understand each of your children's individual personalities and as they become older this special one-on-one time becomes the norm for them.
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.