Child Development Archives - Page 2 of 7 - Not another slippery dip

Our long journey to get tongue-tie diagnosis

May 30, 2017 By Michaela Fox

Miss I’s tongue-tie assessment post-release.

The moment I laid eyes on my daughter, I was filled with a joy so powerful it took my breath away. Having had three miscarriages before my “rainbow” baby, I was overcome with love, relief and joy – absolute joy. Her routine newborn check was performed and everything looked good. There was no tongue-tie diagnosis.

My desire to breastfeed her was so strong I saw my first lactation consultant when she was just 48 hours old. I knew that early support and assistance is crucial in establishing successful breastfeeding. Already I had blistered nipples and poor attachment, but I was told my technique was fine and there was nothing wrong. But issues persisted.

We persevered, but my baby never drained my boobs. She would arch her back, pull off and on, lose suction, and she was grizzly and unsettled almost all of the time. I asked my MCHN to check her for tongue-ties, as she exhibited many of the symptoms. She gave the all clear….

When your child goes to hospital

February 1, 2017 By Michaela Fox

Miss A was comforted by her Beanie Boo in recovery.

We have been blessed with good health in our family. Aside from the odd sniffle, our kids rarely get sick. We have only experienced one bout of gastro and in fact Miss J has never once vomited in her six years (aside from when she had reflux as a baby, which, incidentally was hell!). Up until last year we had never visited the Emergency Department, or been to hospital. And then we went twice in a month. Miss J was the first to visit the ED for croup. We were holidaying down at the beach when she woke during the night with a barking cough and shortness of breath, which, as any parent who has witnessed will know, was frightening. Straight to ED she went! A few weeks later it was Miss H’s turn and her experience mirrored Miss J’s. Again, it was horrible but having been through it before I didn’t panic. She received excellent care at the local hospital and she lapped up the extra cuddles and attention she received because of it.

Last week it was Miss A’s turn to go to hospital. Fortunately, it was not for an emergency. In fact she had been looking forward to it for a month. Given her younger sisters had been to hospital she was feeling a little left out. Miss A had scheduled surgery to have grommets inserted in her ears. She suffered from persistent ear infections last year, which resulted significant hearing loss. After several appointments with an ENT, we decided to go ahead with the procedure. And it was important we do so before school started for the year. Plus, I was growing tired of shouting to be heard. It was living with my dad – she couldn’t hear a thing and I was constantly repeating myself!…

Proud Parenting Moment

November 2, 2016 By Michaela Fox

Proud parenting moment

Last week my 7-year-old, Miss A, came home from school and told me she had been summoned to the Principal’s office! Cue: Confusion, shock and disbelief from her mama! You see, Miss A is what you might call a “goody too shoes.” How could my rule-following, people-pleasing, non-confrontational girl be called to the Principal’s office?!! It was unthinkable. For just a moment I was bewildered, and then I was slightly excited to learn what she had done to prompt such a thing. Well, as it turned out, she hadn’t done anything wrong. Of course she hadn’t. That would be as surprising as a Donald Trump victory! In fact there’s more chance of him winning the election than Miss A ever being naughty.

Enter proud parenting moment. I am more likely to share parenting woes than wins here on my blog. And this isn’t a parenting win but more of a proud parenting moment that I have to unapologetically share. I am not doing it to impress anyone, but rather to record this precious memory so my daughter can read this post one day and we preserve it in a “time capsule.”…

How to keep your kids entertained on the school holidays

October 4, 2016 By Michaela Fox

Keeping the kids entertained on the school holidays

Dedicate a day to arts and craft

School holidays. Two words that are likely to incite excitement and dread in equal measure. The upside of the school break is that our kids get a much-needed break from the busy days of school. And let’s not forget about the parents who get much-needed respite from making lunch boxes and the endless school drop offs, pick ups, readers and extra curricular activities!

But, often our fantasy of such a break and the reality of the break are diametrically opposed. When my kids were little I wrote this post about my attempts to keep them entertained with my sanity in tact. I managed to entertain them, but the sanity part is debatable! Now they are a bit older, I look forward to the holidays with a fair degree of enthusiasm. The school term is so harried and I welcome the down time and slow parenting. But, after weeks of anticipation, four days of bliss, the “Mum, I’m booooored” line will inevitably echo around the family walls.

So, for many of us (honest) mums, the school holidays comes with a certain amount of dread. How will we keep the kids entertained for two entire weeks with our sanity and bank balances in tact? I like to mix up the holidays with a good balance of slow, at-home days, and activities outside the home. Here are my top tips for keeping the little ones entertained:…

Starting school: how to prepare for the big day

January 20, 2016 By Michaela Fox

The big day has arrived. Shoes polished, tissues ready!

**Sponsored Post**

If you have a little one starting school this year, congratulations – you have a big year ahead! The first day of school is a huge milestone in a child’s life. And it’s pretty huge in a parent’s life too. Some might say even more so.

Perhaps you’re feeling excited. Or maybe you feel a little anxious or apprehensive. Most likely you’re a mixed bag of excited, nervous, emotional, ready and not ready. All perfectly normal!!

Acknowledging your little one is not so little anymore and preparing for school is overwhelming and awesome and sad and good all at the same time. School life represents greater independence, exciting discoveries, rich learning experiences and significant emotional and social development. It’s big, very big!…

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