Deirdre's Cradle

In the face of being caught doing something we should not be doing, we react differently. Some of us just own up and apologise, some of us feign ignorance and act not knowing. Sometimes we accept blames, sometimes we blame others who are not there to defend themselves, sometimes we even blame the devil.

Nobody is perfect and there'd always be things we do wrong but while we need to try to not even do those things in the first place, it says very little about remorse, the willingness to change or even respect for the spouse when you do something very clear but you try to get angry or blame the person for causing it.

If you have done something wrong, apologise and begin to work on getting better.

Deliberately trying to blame the victim for being the one that caused it or getting angry and expecting them to beg because you know they love and care about you is not the best. It will only make the issue worse.

Work on not doing wrong but own up and apologise if/when you do. If it feels like it is working for you today, it's only building your spouse's resistance. Don't wait until your love turns to hate before you work on it.

HOW TO RELATE WITH YOUR CHILD
By Dr Bukola Williams

In psychology, it has been established that a child's personality would have formed by the age of 5. This gives insight into how to relate with a child and as he/she grows up.
1. Be a parent to the child between birth and 12 years of age. This is when the spankings, etc can come in. Whatever you don't correct at this age, forget about correcting later. Correct their perceptions, their orientations, etc. Be available to physically incorporate values into them.
2. From the age of 13-19, you are to be a friend to them.
Many parents want to do core parenting at this age range. If you didn't achieve that earlier, you may not succeed outrightly here.
Note that one significant factor that can help the child at this phase is the God-factor. If they find God at this age or earlier, they will likely stick to Him forever.
3. From age 20 and above, the best you can be to the 'child' is a mentor.
At this phase, be an inspiration to him/her. Let your life inspire him/her. Let your marriage inspire. Inspire them to do things rather than wanting to push your way through. You cannot be adopting spanking and slappings at this age. That is if you are not slapped back. Because if you did a good job, you won't have to be slapping a 25 year old.

Conclusion...
1. Never stop praying for your child however old they grow. Never stop committing them to God's hands.
2. Never stop being a parent no matter how old they grow, but don't forget that life is in phases and maximize every phase of their lives by the right approach. Your child is not just the body you see but a soul with an eternity. Parents have a role to play in where that eternity would be

Credit to Gilbert Ayoola....

SCHOOL RESUMES SOON. SOME ADVICE TO PARENTS WHO BY ESSENCE ARE THE FIRST TEACHERS.

1- YOU DO NOT WAKE UP THE CHILD WITH BRUTALITY. DO THIS BY GENTLY ROBBING THE SOLES OF THE CHILD'S FEET OR CARESSING THE NECK. NOTE THAT TO SLEEP IS TO TAKE A LITTLE TRIP AND RETURNING CAN GIVE A CHILD A MIGRAINE.

2- WHEN THE CHILD IS AWAKE, LET HIM SLEEP A LITTLE, GIVING HIM SOME TIME TO STRETCH. THIS ACTION ALLOWS HIS SENSES TO COME BACK TO LIFE.

3- ASK HIM A FEW QUESTIONS FOR EXAMPLE: DID YOU SLEEP WELL? DID YOU DREAM? ... AND REMIND HIM THAT IT'S TIME TO GO TO SCHOOL.

4- LET HE/SHE GO TO THE SHOWER!

5- BREAKFAST, EVEN IF IT'S BOILED YAMS, NOTE THAT THE CHILD MUST EAT SOMETHING BEFORE LEAVING HOME.

6- AT THE TIME OF SEPARATION, TELL HIM THAT HE/SHE IS THE BEST.

7- WHEN HE/SHE RETURNS IN THE EVENING, THEY SHOULD TAKE A SIESTA AFTER WHICH BEGINS YOUR SERIES OF QUESTIONS: e.g *WHAT DID YOU LEARN TODAY OR WHAT DID THE TEACHER SAY? ...

8- THEY SHOULD BATH FOLLOWED BY A MEAL.

9- STUDY WITH HIM/HER, AND REVISE HIS LESSONS WITH HIM WITH SOME GROUND TO EARTH EXPLORATIONS TO EASE HIS UNDERSTANDING OF THE LESSON LEARNT IN CLASS. ASK HIM QUESTIONS TO SEE IF HE HAS ASSIMILATED THE LESSONS.

10- AROUND 9:00 PM, SEND THEM TO BED AND PRAY WITH THEM

PARENTS IF YOU DO THIS ALMOST EVERY DAY, YOUR CHILDREN WILL NOT ONLY BE HEALTHY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS BE AMONG THE BEST.

Note: THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US THE WISDOM TO MAKE OUR CHILDREN GREAT MEN AND GREAT WOMEN FOR TOMORROW AMEN 😇🙏🙏🙏.

Learning through play is a key development factor in a childs early years.

MENTORING SCHOOL FOR EARLY -YEARS EDUCATORS (MSEE)
Potty training taken by Anu Akinola
Step by Step Guide to Potty training
Now your child is a toddler, it’s time to wean him/her off diapers.
How do you begin?
1.Be sure your child is ready:
As with other milestones like eating, walking , talking, kids do things on their own timing and not ours, knowing when your child is ready for potty training is important for effective potty training. Sometimes it happens at 18months,sometimes later usually between 18 -24 months but it the child is truly ready, there is not much to worry about. Your child will show signs of readiness, like an increased interest in using the potty, feels uncomfortable in dirty diapers, talks about the potty, can get dressed by him/herself, goes to the bathroom on schedule, can follow simple instructions, stays dry for long period. Your child might not need to demonstrate all these behaviours, but just to see if he/she shows an overall interest in and capacity to use the potty.
2.Introduce the potty:
Talk about the potty, you could let him/her pick out one potty from the store, read books on potty training to him)her and bring up conversation on potty training. The goal is to raise awareness about going potty and make your child comfortable with the concept.
3.Buy the necessary equipment:
Buy the necessary equipment, either a full potty that sits on the floor or a potty seat that goes on top of the adult toilet. If you choose a potty seat, get a step stool too. “People can’t empty their bowels and bladders completely unless their feet are pressing down on the floor”.
4.Choose the right time:
Even if your child seems ready, experts say to avoid potty training during transitional or stressful time. Example if you are moving, taking a vacation, adding a new baby etc. Postpone the training until about a month after the transitional time or earlier. Children will do better if relaxed and on their regular routine.
5.Demonstrate the potty training methods:
When you are ready to start the training, choose certain time in the day to take your child to the potty(whether he/she is ready or not he/she has to go), develop a routine i.e. every 30minutes, first thing in the morning before you leave the house, before nap and bed time. “The key is having time throui the day when you ritualize using the potty so it becomes more if a habit”.
Here’s what to do;
•Tell him/her to remove his/her shorts or pants.
•Next his/her underwear or training pants.
•Sit on the toilet for a few minutes.
•Sing along potty song(or read if it’s a suspected p**p).
•Then whether or not he actually goes potty instruct him/her to flush and wash his/her hands.
•Praise him/her for trying.

6.Teach proper hygiene:
Instruct both girls and boys how to wipe front to back, to flush and to wash their hands with soap and water afterwards.
7.Offer praise and rewards:
When you are potty training, accidents are parts of the process, never punish your child for wetting or soiling his pants; he/she is just learning and can’t help it. Doing so might only scare him/her of using potty and delay the whole process. Instead offer gentle praise and small reward.
8.Wear easily removable clothing:
During this period avoid clothing that is difficult to remove i.e. pin under, clothes with difficult zippers, sleep suits. This is to ensure that your child can easily undress without your help when he/she needs to go.
9.Use underwear or nothing at home:
When in the comfort of your home it might be good to use just underwear or nothing because when using pull ups the child feels comfortable and tends to feel its ok to wee on it.
10.Use Routine for night time potty training as well
11.Partnership with parents is necessary for the effectiveness

Parents and caregivers need to be 1. Consistent, 2. Positive, 3. Motivated, 4. Committed, to ensure a smooth transition during this period.

To know the intelligence of a child, watch them play.
Play is necessary for mental and physical development of a child's brain.