The role of role play!

Following on from my round up of Best books for siblings to be, role play is a brilliant way to explore younger children's feelings about a new arrival and to help them prepare.  As a drama teacher I've really enjoyed watching my children begin to act out their own versions of the world, and I know what a powerful tool role play can be, I'll pop some tips on getting the most out of it below.

Many people buy their child a baby doll of their own, so they can look after the doll alongside their parents as they care for the new sibling. This can really empower young children, whilst reducing the urge to prod the real baby.

I think the best way to think about play is to see some, so here's me and my 3 year old in action.  I think he's eventually attempting to demonstrate what French parents call Le Pause, aka not jumping in too fast on crying, what do you think of his technique?

Siblings and Sickness and Baby Soothing!

This week Jess reflects on night feeds whilst poorly and on her top parenting tips, including how to help your older child adjust to a new baby.  There is a great post too from our resident writer Penny Alexander, which looks at books which can be useful Best books for siblings to be

Jess also thinks back to life 3 years ago, and the New Mums course she attended with Lazy Daisy.  Our perinatal calm and soothe course was extremely popular for new mums, looking at everything from swaddling, soothing, sleep, colic and even baby ailments.  Much of it is now found in our tinies class, learning as you do, but it has also very much shaped the New-Born module designed to meet local childrens centre needs (and with 19 of our teachers training in this module in September, soon mums across the UK can share these tips Jess values so much!)

My youngest turns 3 next week ....

Jed's developing into a solid lad with actual knuckles instead of dimples and the ghost of a jawline emerging through the cheek fat.  But he's still my baby.

Jed and his older brother, Ezra, are three years and two weeks apart. Thinking back now to how I treated Ezra when I was heavily pregnant, I get choked up. I was so focused on my bump and then my newborn, expecting Ezra to be a big boy - essentially to 'man up'. The realisation that he was as little as Jed is now makes me want to reach back through the years and cuddle his tiny frame.

'When you're holding a newborn, suddenly your older child looks like a giant!' says Fenella, mum of two.

But your Gulliver is still a Lilliputian and needs extra TLC as you both enter strange territory.