Parenting little ones is easier than parenting older children. I often get calls from parents who are stuck in the parenting process as soon as their child begins to express themselves. It’s either the “No!” stage or the “Why?” stage…or the even harder stage of, “Get out of my life, I hate you!” A lot goes on in the life of a child. They have different stages they experience as they are developing into the great leaders of tomorrow. The best way to understand your child is to enter into their world. When children are babies, they are fed with excellent eye contact from caregivers and parents. As they get older, parents no longer share that same eye contact with their children. Children often play on the floor, while their parents fail to sit beside them. “Let’s get on the floor to play,” I tell my parent clients. Enter into your child’s world to see how they think, play, socialize and learn. They will be ready to open up and share their feelings with you for the rest of their lives if you start at an early age. But, if you fail to do so, don’t be surprised if they don’t come to you for guidance and support. Don’t be so caught up in your world. Give them as much attention as they need. Start today, not tomorrow!
For more advice or to set up an appointment, call 305.858.7763 or visit BerajaCounseling.com.
Playing Safe
When it comes to health and safety, not all children’s products are created equal. Take care of the kids in your life by checking materials and ingredients and considering our recommendations.
Eco Locks
Treat both your children and the environment right with Hip Peas Hair Balm, an eco-friendly and kid-safe product that helps tame unruly hair. The company also donates a portion of profits to help charities that support children in need; $12, Hip-Peas.com.
All Natural
It doesn’t matter how many times you tell them not to: Kids are going to put things in their mouths. That includes art products, which is why we love Clementine Art’s Natural Modeling Dough. Made with flour and water, it’s dyed with natural ingredients such as tumeric and spinach; $10, ClementineArt.com.
Good Eats
You are what you eat, so you must know exactly what goes into your child’s food. The Baby Chef makes preparing baby food a breeze, with included steaming, chopping, blending, pureeing and warming capabilities. It’s also BPA-free, which means you won’t be risking harmful chemicals getting into those mashed carrots; $50, Amazon.com.
