Tag: children

International Book Giving Day

| January 22, 2013

Did you know it’s International Book Giving Day on February 14?

This is a day that’s dedicated to getting new, used and borrowed books into the hands of as many children as possible.

We love books and the pleasure they provide babies and children is immeasurable. Books nurture great imaginations and provide fun ways to learn whilst developing reading and writing skills.

There are some great ideas for getting involved and giving books to children in aid of International Book Giving Day. Here are three simple ways to celebrate from the International Book Giving Day website.

1. Give a Book to a Friend or Relative
Celebrate International Book Giving Day by giving a child a new, used or borrowed book.

2. Leave a Book in a Waiting Room or Lobby
Choose a waiting room where kids are stuck waiting and there are few to no good books available. Purchase a good book, and deposit your book covertly or overtly in your waiting room of choice. The goal here is to spread the love of reading to kids, so choose a fun book, nothing controversial.

3. Donate a Book
Wrap up a box of children’s books that your kids have outgrown and get them in the hands of children who could really use a book or two. Donate your books to your local second hand store, library, children’s hospital, or shelter. Alternatively, donate your books to an organization working internationally to get books in the hands of kids, such as Books for Africa.

International Book Giving Day

I’ve brought some baby books to New Zealand and we’re going to give them to the babies and children in the Pediatric Ward at Hutt Hospital.

How will you be donating books to children on International Book Giving Day?

Splish Splash Splosh

| January 19, 2013

Baby cousins Imogen and Amber are having a great time playing together in New Zealand. It makes us all laugh when they’re squealing in delight and giggling at one another’s antics.

We’ve had some beautiful hot summer days so it was essential to get in the garden and fill up the paddling pool with some cool water for a splish splash splosh.

Baby Cousins

Baby Cousins

In the New Zealand you’ll find most babies and young children wear UV Protective Sun Suits.

I’ve since bought one for Imogen to help protect her skin and to minimise the amount of sun cream I need to use as a toddler who’s constantly on the go isn’t an easy target.

Hats are essential in the New Zealand summer sun. Don’t you love Imogen’s and Amber’s?

Splish Splash Splosh

Splish Splash Splosh

Parenting in the 1970s

| January 17, 2013

I’ve been catching up with old friends lately. We’ve reminisced about our own childhoods and growing up as babies and toddlers in the late 1970s.

It seems we’re from an entirely different age when compared to families of today. And it’s not just the fashion of the 1970s that stands us apart.

Parenting styles have changed dramatically over the last few decades.

Parenting in the 1970sBack in the day we were allowed to play in the garden and run freely around the streets.

My friends and I would go down the lane to a nearby river for a dip on hot summer days. When swimming wasn’t an option we’d run amok across farmer’s fields where grazing bulls would stir at our laughter and foolishness.

Children today are brought up with their parent’s keeping a much closer eye on their whereabouts. This is aided by technology keeping communication between parents and children more accessible.

But by limiting the amount of freedom our children have are we detrimentally stunting their ability to grow and learn for themselves?

As for all of the baby paraphernalia we can’t live without, there’s a distinct gap between then and now.

Who’d ever heard of a car seat for a baby or child, let alone a seatbelt? These days you’ll be arrested if your baby or child isn’t strapped safely in a car.

Baby monitors? If baby cried the parents would hear and could go and check on them.

Did anyone use sun cream to protect baby’s delicate skin? Today we’re advised by leading health bodies to not expose babies under the age of 6 months to the sun.

Stair gates? Baby learnt how to climb up and down stairs.

Had parents in the 1970s even heard of the things today’s parents simply take for granted?

  • BPA free plastic bottles and cups
  • Non-toxic paints used on children’s toys
  • Safety standards in playgrounds
  • Baby and toddler products conforming to stringent regulations
  • Organic formula milk and baby food

What are your views on the style of parenting in the 1970s compared with today?

photo credit: H is for Home via photopin cc