Brought to you by Johnson’s.
I only have two children, but I wonder if parents with more than one child learn more about how to parent with each child that they have. Like that Duggar lady with all those children, did she get to the 15th one and just totally know what she was doing?
Surely, you obtain much more wisdom with the more children you have? Is that how it works? Let’s just not talk about how tired you are, and how it’s almost impossible to form a sentence, and how since birthing all those babies you can’t jump on a trampoline or sneeze in public. Let’s not talk about that.
I only have two children, and I don’t really need to use the word ‘only’ because they’re my everything and more than enough, they’re just not as many as some people. Between Lacey and Lulu I have quite a gap, a gap of five years. So, in that time I forgot a lot of things, and also learned a few things too. The biggest difference in my parenting of both my girls is that I now have more wrinkles and apparently grey hairs {what the what?!?} but also the power of routine.
To be honest, the word routine when I just had Lacey made me want to fall asleep. I was working away from home, taking Lacey with me and routine was near impossible. But this time around with Lulu, it’s different. Routine has changed our lives {and it doesn’t have to be as rigid and inflexible as it sounds}.
Johnson’s Baby conducted some research, and only around 32% think that routine is important to their young children.
The reason we introduced routine was because I had two children who didn’t sleep, and didn’t know how to sleep. I was frazzled. I was snapping at my husband and I felt like a mess everyday. I wanted to find a way to help my family be happier, and to function better and I knew that was by helping everyone get sleep. So I got help in the shape of a sleep expert {Elaine from Lullababy SOS}.
One of the first questions she asked me was, “What’s your routine?” I felt like a naughty school kid because I didn’t have one. Sometimes I’d bath them before dinner, and sometimes after. Sometimes they’d go to bed at 6pm, and others at 10pm. To be honest I was just winging it and trying to make it work.
We quickly introduced a routine and noticed a difference within days. We eat dinner, the kids have a bath, then we read stories and then settle them into bed.
Bath time is the most important part of our routine. We have no distractions, just the kids and I {or Hubby, whoever is doing bath time that night}, and lots of play. My kids love bath time {and I love that it signifies sleep is just around the corner}. I know this sounds so simple, but it just wasn’t something I’d really focused on before. Evenings were stressful and I was just trying to do what worked {yet it didn’t work}. So now we eat, Lulu hops out of the high chair and runs for the BAAAATH. We play for about 15-20 minutes, then head to her room, read books and then sleep time.
Johnson’s knows the importance of bath time, but they also know the importance of smell and touch. Did you know that smell is the number one sense linked to memory. You know when you smell something and it takes you straight back to your childhood? It’s just like that. Using the same bath product each night can be part of your routine, the scent familiarising them with the nightly ritual. There are also benefits to baby massage and touch, with it helping to build bonds between parents and baby. Johnson’s understands the power of those everyday rituals you have with your baby – they’ve been in the game for over 120 years, pioneering baby skin care.
Johnson’s have kindly offered up six baby bath time packs for six readers. All you have to do is share on great thing you’ve learned about parenting in the comments section below to be in the running.
{boring bits}
One entry per person.
Open to Australian residents only.
Competition closes July 4th 2015, 11:59pm.
Johnson & Johnson Pacific is not in any way liable.
Each entrant is providing their information to Fat Mum Slim and not to Johnson & Johnson Pacific Pty Limited (JJP). Each entrant completely releases JJP from any and all liability in relation to this promotion and acknowledges that the promotion is in no way administered by JJP.
I’ve learned to call my grey hairs “ash blonde” and try not to laugh at the fact that they’re more ash than blonde. 😉 I’ve also learned to stop in the middle of a stressful time and ask myself if it’s going to be so dreadfully important in a week, a month or a year. If the answer is no then try to let it go.
There are no rules when it comes to parenting. What works one day might not work the next. I had one ‘good’ baby and one ‘terror’. I parent them the same way. Right now I’m going on eight months of straight broken sleep, no more than two hours at a time. I’m a walking zombie. But… he is only little for so long. While he needs me, I will be there for him because that’s how I’m programmed as a mama. I take each day as it comes and well… coffee all the things! x
The best thing I can offer is a piece of advice given to me by my Maternal and Child Health Nurse at our very first Mother’s group: “It’s only a problem if it’s a problem for you”. We all parent differently, trust your instincts and let haters and judgey folks worry about themselves.
Erin! I really, truly love this advice. This is so simple, but powerful.
I need to soak this in for a bit. I really, really, really love it.
Thank you Chantelle, it has gotten me through a variety of challenges during L’s first 2 years and I know it will do me well to remember it always. 🙂
The biggest thing that I have learnt is not to compare my children to each other, they are two different little people and need parenting slightly differently.
The baby wise book was the best piece of advice I got, taught me about the importance of a routine and how to stick to one. My little girl has been sleeping through the night since 10 weeks old, she is now 2 1/2 and my 9 week old boy is sleeping for 8 hours a night so far. Always use the lavender bath time wash to relax the lovely little people:)
I’m the mum of a 10 month old, so I very much feel like I’m still learning all the time! That said, one great parenting tip I’ve discovered so far is to get outdoors as much as possible. Sunshine, fresh air and a good coffee all help me relax, breathe and put my day into perspective.
Thank you. i am also a mom of two children. I was not paying attention to bath time before bed time actuallly with my first child but I am now with the second and it is really great and my little girl sleeps whole night. And if not whole night, she wakes like once only. Which is perfect. I will have a look at some new Johnson’s stuff in the shop 🙂
ive learnt that to trust myself and to remember there are different ways of doing things and not necessarily one “right” way.
Obviously I’m still a ‘parent-in-waiting’ given that bubba isn’t due until August, but I’ve learnt so much about parenting from talking to friends whose parenting styles I admire and would like to emulate. Not to say that the people we don’t ask for advice aren’t good parents, but my husband and I have definite ideas on how we want to raise our kids and what kind of parents we want to be so we specifically seek out advice from people whose parenting style is in line with our own.
I have learnt during pregnancy to trust my instincts and to relax, which I think will help once bubba is here.
I’ve learnt that my heart is capable of loving more and more each day with my 20 month old boy.
These products have too many bad chemicals to put on babies skin. It’s much better to use organic or chemical free.
Encourage their individual strengths and interests, and don’t forget to compliment to promote confidence!
I have learned that the women in my family are amazing. So strong, independent and I dare say wise. My daughter has a great future ahead of her.
That there is absolutely no benefit to comparing your parenting style to others – it only causes unnecessary anxiety and self doubt. Trust that you are doing a fabulous job!
The most important things you can do for your child is be attentive to their needs, accept mess is inevitable and do what works for your family.
I have learnt that no matter the situation you can handle it as long as you all stick together, parenting is about learning as you go not by textbook reading!
I have learned patience, I thought I was, but I’m definitely not! I’m getting better every day – my daughter is four now…hopefully by the time she’s a teenager I’ll be as cool as a cucumber!
Take each day as they come. Not every day will be easy or go to plan, but with each bad moment comes a wonderful one. For example my three year old smooshed poo from one end of our house to the other this morning – gross! But when I was putting him in the shower he grabbed my face and said ‘thank you, I love you mum’
Ps the j&j’s would be perfect I this situation lol
I’ve learned how to see the world through the eyes of a child again
After 24 years, a set of twins and their younger brother and now a gorgeous 2 year old grandaughter, I’ve learnt there is no rule book, each beautiful little one has their own needs but with a regular routine, lots of love and lots of laughter and a few tears, they usually turn out ok.
I have learnt that just when you think you have a system that works the little darlings change the rules.
To love unconditionally. To have more fun in life and spend as much time as possible with my kids , it goes way to fast.
To trust my motherly instincts and patience.
Always use extreme caution when approaching a random, stray raisin. It could have dropped out of a childs nappy 🙂 Enjoying every moment with my children has been a blessing!
That when they spot something and tell you about it believe them… No matter how far away or how small something may be, when your little one points something out to you, BELIEVE them… As when they say such things, sure enough there will be a said “Boat/Bike/Plane/Minion” etc somewhere in THEIR line of sight…
My best advice is to trust your instinct. All our children are unique individuals and they each will have their own little likes and dislikes which we learn along the way together.
Slow down and enjoy the little moments – they are the moments you will hold on to for a lifetime.
That newborn babies can sometimes have gassy explosive poops. So think twice before doing the face level nappy time. If you really have to, at least close your mouth. Yeah, it happened and whenever hubby brought it up, we always had a good laugh.
I’ve learned that any article that has ‘versus’ in it that relates to parenting is to be taken as helpful information to help you make a decision. Too many times we interpret it as right versus wrong choices, rather than choosing what is right for our own family.
Hold off on dressing them in that heirloom Christening gown/designer Christmas ensemble/pretty party dress until the VERY, VERY last moment. You know it’ll be poo – ed in, vomited on, have milk spilt on it…If you decide to be entirely ridiculous and dress them well before said event.
The best thing I have learned about being a parent is how proud they make me feel. Also, how much I can laugh and have fun.
The best thing I have discovered is to stop comparing your child (or your relationship) with and to others. Seriously it was the hardest thing to for me do but it has set me free xxx
No one is perfect so stop trying to get that perfect you always see on TVs and magazines cause it’s not true being the best mum you can be is your perfect so stick with it.
How much fun you can have and that time does go fast, before you know its 5 pm in a blink of the eye
Hugs and kisses are more important than making sure the bed is made.
Just to be there for them, naturally.
Listen to your children, let them be heard from 12 months to 19 years! Oh and lots of patience
Enjoy the moment, it only comes once.
Children are great listeners, and they are also great story tellers. You can learn a lot about your child if you take the time to listen. Communication requires both listeners and talkers. I think most children love it when you take time to engage them rather than shutting them down. I think children do deserve to be heard.