Is your baby scared of Santa? Or men with beards?

Is your baby scared of Santa? Or men with beards?

Former health visitor and author of Happy Baby, Happy Family Sarah Beeson MBE answers real mum’s questions in Mother & Baby.

My 16-month-old screams when he sees Santa – even a picture of him! He seems genuinely terrified. Any suggestions?

I don’t like clowns and many adults and children have a wariness around them so being afraid of Santa is similar. The beard and the big red suit, it’s understandable that from his perspective Santa is scary and we have to accept and respect that.

By not forcing the issue you’re letting him know it’s OK not to want to see Santa. It may feel a bit disappointing for you and other members of the family but your child needs to feel safe and happy. Play it cool for now and avoid bringing it up.

It may be you can explore Christmas themes in books that don’t have Santa in. To help build up anticipation and excitement get him an Nativity Advent Calendar to open, dress the tree together and make biscuits or paper chains. There’s so much other fun to be had. You can still hang a stocking and put out a sack just don’t go into too much explanation.

Do Christmas your way and let him discover Santa in his own time and ensure he doesn’t get teased about it by other children or adults. There’s no rush, you’ve got plenty of time.

Sarah Beeson’s MBE is a former health visitor and author of parenting guide Happy Baby, Happy Family and health visiting memoir Our Country Nurse published by HarperCollins available in paperback, eBook and audiobook.

How I can stop my two-year-old asking the same thing again and again? #parenting #toddler

How I can stop my two-year-old asking the same thing again and again? #parenting #toddler

Former health visitor and author of Happy Baby, Happy Family Sarah Beeson MBE answers real mums’ questions in Mother & Baby.

How I can stop my two-year-old asking the same thing again and again? She doesn’t stop even when I’ve given her the answer!

Congratulations on having a wonderfully curious child. Children love to ask for information but they also love to ask questions repeatedly as it feels familiar and secure like repeating a favourite nursery rhyme.

Your inquisitive toddler likes the security of you talking to her and having your attention. It can be a way of them starting up a conversation as they don’t realise it’s frustrating for adults to be repeatedly asked the same thing. So think of it as the interaction that counts rather than the imparting of knowledge.

To relieve the tedium you could vary the answers and if you’re feeling creative make up a game where you can discover more by going to the library or on a hunt.

Try not to show your natural feelings of frustration and praise your toddler by saying, ‘That’s an interesting question. What do you think?’ Putting the answering responsibility back to them.

Enjoy the chat as much as you can because right know your tot thinks you really do have all the answers. It’s an opportunity to see the world through their enquiring eyes.

Sarah Beeson’s MBE is a former health visitor and author of parenting guide Happy Baby, Happy Family and health visiting memoir Our Country Nurse published by HarperCollins available in paperback, eBook and audiobook.

Why does my LO do that? Problem pages in Mother & Baby

Why does my LO do that? Problem pages in Mother & Baby

Sarah answers real mums behaviour questions in Mother & Baby magazine. Why won’t my three-year old poo on the potty? Is it OK to pass my baby around for cuddles? Do the terrible two’s really exist?


Potty problems

“Gentle encouragement and opportunity are what’s needed here.”

“Make doing a wee on the potty a part if normal everyday routine, without  saying much about having a poo.”

“Let her sit on the potty in her nappy , if she wants to. Loosen the tabs day by day until it’s almost falling off, then replace the nappy with toilet paper.”

Cuddles

“Your baby will tell you how she feels about it. Always responding swiftly to her needs is what matters.”

“Newborn babies often aren’t bothered…It’s when she gets to seven months plus that she may prefer to be held by Mum and Dad..”

 

Terrible twos

“As with everything, it varies from child to child.”

“Each child is unique, but every one needs praise, love, security and a consistent approach to dealing with the terrible or not-so-terrible twos.”

“Suggest let’s do this rather than ‘no, don’t do that’, and physically him out of the situation.”

About Sarah

Sarah Beeson is a health visitor and author of Happy Baby, Happy Family. She writes with her daughter Mumpreneur and writer Amy Beeson. Sarah’s memoir of training to be a nurse in 1970s London The New Arrival is a heartwarming true story published by HarperCollins.

If you’ve got a question about your LO check out Ask Sarah or get in touch.

Why each child develops at their own pace 

Why each child develops at their own pace 

Sarah Beeson MBE health visitor and author explained why four mums Little Ones’ developed at a different paces. Answering questions on weight gain, walking, talking and why twins and premature babies may develop at different speeds for Gurgle Magazine.

Walking

‘Most children start walking somewhere between ten and 22 months. And taller babies  may take  longer than those with shorter legs. Tummy time and floor play really help – and try to resist the urge to hold a pre-walking baby’s hands; cruising around the furniture and pulling themselves up to standing is vital exercise for strengthening all the important muscles needed for walking.’

Baby’s Weight

‘Some babies are just slower to gain weight than others, and very “long” babies may be slower than shorter ones. But generally, if a baby seems contended – smiling, happy and producing plenty of soiled nappies – there may be no need to worry. ‘ In Chapter One of Sarah’s book Happy Baby, Happy Family she explains the three signs that tell you if you’re baby is getting enough milk – and weight gain is just one. 

Talking

‘It’s expected that premature babies will be slower to reach key milestones, although by about a year they are likely to be catching up. A speech and language therapist can help enormously. These are very important areas of a child’s development, paving the way for all other cognitive skills. Ask your GP to refer you if you have any concerns.’

Twins

‘Any direct comparison between children is unhelpful, but that’s doubly the case with twins. As with language learning in adults, some babies need to have all the components of language learning in place before they will even utter a single word – and it’s common for some children to wait until they’re well past two to do so – whereas others start babbling from a very early age and imitating all the sounds they hear.’

About Sarah Beeson

cropped-sarah-beeson-circle.jpgIf you’ve got a question about your LO check out Ask Sarah or get in touch.

Sarah Beeson is a health visitor and author of Happy Baby, Happy Family. She writes with her daughter Mumpreneur and writer Amy Beeson. Sarah’s memoir of training to be a nurse in 1970s London The New Arrival is a heartwarming true story published by HarperCollins.

 

How do I make mornings go more smoothy?

How do I make mornings go more smoothy?

Sarah Beeson in Prima Baby Magazine with some parenting advice on how mums can have smoother and happier mornings.


Nail their routine

“When children spend too long in their PJs they often won’t be willing to break off from what they’re doing. Get them washed and dressed and clean their teeth first thing. Use an apron to keep clothes clean while they have breakfast.”

Keep them on side

use narrative

“Pretend you’re a football commentator and narrate what’s going on”…”For example ‘Are those your shoes? Shall we put them on?'”

speak nicely

“Don’t order them around, try to be inclusive. Say ‘Let’s do this’ rather than ‘Do this now!’. And speak in a warm, friendly tone.”

give regular praise

“Always say ‘Well done’ if they eat their breakfast. Otherwise why will they bother in the future? If their behaviour is really awful, blame the behaviour, not the child. For example, say ‘Kicking is not acceptable behaviour'”

offer two choices

“Give two choices-both things that you’re happy with. For example, say “Do you want toast or porridge today?”

give yourself credit

“If it all goes a bit pear-shaped, don’t beat yourself up- it happens to everyone. Don’t focus on what’s gone wrong, just give yourself credit for everything you have managed to do. Remember that most of the time you’re doing a splendid job.”

about sarah

If you’ve got a question about your LO check out Ask Sarah or get in touch.

Sarah Beeson is a health visitor and author of Happy Baby, Happy Family. She writes with her daughter Mumpreneur and writer Amy Beeson. Sarah’s memoir of training to be a nurse in 1970s London The New Arrival is a heartwarming true story published by HarperCollins.

Clingy Toddlers: Making small changes for happier families

Clingy Toddlers: Making small changes for happier families

Baby Expert Sarah Beeson MBE gives a family some one-to-one advice for happier mornings and no-tears drop off at the childminder’s in Prima Baby Magazine.

The solution

“It’s normal for toddlers to cling to parents and carers, it’s all part of their learning and development. They do it because they feel so attached to you, which is a positive thing, although it usually doesn’t feel that way at the time! Praise and encouragement works wonders, and while it won’t transform a clingy toddler overnight, it’ll help you both enjoy the journey through toddlerhood together.”

 

SARAH’S 8-POINT ACTION PLAN

  1. ROUTINE MATTERS

  2. GIVE CONTROL

  3. PILE ON THE PRAISE

  4. TELL HER WHAT’S HAPPENING

  5. OFFER CHOICES

  6. play it cool

  7.  avoid the blame game

  8. accept bad days

About Sarah

If you’ve got a question about your LO check out Ask Sarah or get in touch.

Sarah Beeson is a health visitor and author of Happy Baby, Happy Family. She writes with her daughter Mumpreneur and writer Amy Beeson. Sarah’s memoir of training to be a nurse in 1970s London The New Arrival is a heartwarming true story published by HarperCollins.

Buy Now with PayPal
Signed Copy Message
Notelet Message