The Parenting Cafe
  • About
    • The Parenting Cafe Story
    • About Sonja Preston
    • Testimonials
  • Dunstan Baby Language
  • Articles
  • Contact
  • Facebook Icon
  • Instagram Icon
  • Menu Menu
  • 0Shopping Cart

Posts

Sonja Preston

Love – how to show it, and how to teach it to your children.

September 30, 2019/in 1 - 3 Years, 3 - 5 Years /by Sonja Preston

On certain days such as Valentines’ Day, couples traditionally express their affection for one another – often in the form of flowers, gifts or evenings out. All to show their love for one another. Cynics will says it’s a big marketing ploy! Either way, it’s all focused on LOVE.

‘Love’ is a word we use in so many ways….  We say we ‘love’ our morning coffee, and we ‘love’ when we get a bargain at the shops, or that we ‘love’ a roast dinner at Mum’s on Sundays. We also use the word love to express affection eg ‘I love you’ or ‘I love it when you hug me’.

We know that love is really about strong affection and caring for someone else whether it is a partner, children, parents, siblings or great friends. We also know that love can be shown in different ways – through touch, words, gifts, and spending time with someone. Through these gestures we show the other person that we care for them and hopefully they feel it also.

 What do children know about love? Read more

https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Love.jpg 426 640 Sonja Preston https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/TPC-Logo.svg Sonja Preston2019-09-30 10:45:102019-09-30 10:39:06Love – how to show it, and how to teach it to your children.
Walking on Spheres
Sonja Preston

Encouraging Resilience in Children

June 25, 2018/in 1 - 3 Years, 3 - 5 Years, 4 - 12 Months, Intellectual, Social - Emotional /by Sonja Preston

There are many definitions of the word resilience. They revolve around the ability of a person to ‘bounce back’ after difficulties, to overcome challenges and to reframe challenges as problems with a solution.

 

Clearly this is an important skill for us to have as adults, as we know life can be full of the unexpected! The experiences we have and we observe during our childhood lead to intrepretations about coping, which we carry forward into our adult years. They can be messages equating to: ‘It’s too hard’, ‘I can do this’, ‘I can’t do this’, ‘It will be okay’ or ‘I’ll get it right this time.’ We all have some of these messages in our heads, and when adversity or a challenge strikes, we act according to the belief systems we have developed about ourselves and life.

A child who frequently hears: ‘be careful’ or ‘let Mummy do that’ will learn that life is risky or unsafe, and that they shouldn’t try. These aren’t messages which will be very helpful as an adult.

We want children to develop a spirit or willingness to give things a go, and to know that even if something doesn’t work the first or the second time, that there will be some solution to a problem, with a attitude of determination.

 

Resilient people are:

  • Optimistic
  • Problem solvers
  • Independent and
  • People Smart

 

How do we build these skills in children?

Read more

https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/233228813_ae74d9ec1d_b.jpg 469 1024 Sonja Preston https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/TPC-Logo.svg Sonja Preston2018-06-25 06:00:482018-06-04 14:24:08Encouraging Resilience in Children
Image by Pawel Loj via Flickr
Sonja Preston

Are you a DO or a DON’T parent?

May 28, 2018/in 1 - 3 Years, 3 - 5 Years, 4 - 12 Months, Intellectual, Language, Social - Emotional /by Sonja Preston

Don’t touch that!

Don’t spill your drink.

Don’t take off your hat.

Don’t throw the ball in the house.

Don’t forget to put your school bag away.

Read more

https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/4198672081_635eee3397_b.jpg 550 1024 Sonja Preston https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/TPC-Logo.svg Sonja Preston2018-05-28 15:00:332018-05-07 15:41:00Are you a DO or a DON’T parent?
Looking after Mum: Me Time
Sonja Preston

Looking after Mum: “Me-Time”

September 11, 2017/in 1 - 3 Years, 3 - 5 Years, 4 - 12 Months, Birth - 3 Months, Parents /by Sonja Preston

Many Mums are awesome at looking after their children – nurturing, feeding, loving, playing, educating, disciplining and laughing.

Many of those Mums are also great at looking after their partners – again, loving, caring & laughing.

Why then, when we are the ‘experts’ at looking after others, do we often do such a poor job of looking after ourselves?

This is a concern, on a few levels.

Read more

https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/5603681683_845729d4b2_z.jpg 444 640 Sonja Preston https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/TPC-Logo.svg Sonja Preston2017-09-11 08:00:462018-08-28 16:57:24Looking after Mum: “Me-Time”

Looking for a particular topic?

Discover Articles by Age or Topic

  • 1 – 3 Years (109)
  • 3 – 5 Years (110)
  • 4 – 12 Months (82)
  • Birth – 3 Months (51)
  • Frontpage Article (1)
  • Intellectual (50)
  • Language (49)
  • Motor Developement (30)
  • News (1)
  • Parents (50)
  • Pre-Natal (11)
  • Social – Emotional (78)
  • Uncategorized (4)
Popular
  • Bright Shiny ThingsMay 18, 2020 - 6:00 am
  • little-sponges-little-earsLittle Sponges, Little Ears – How we talk in front...November 22, 2013 - 3:47 pm
  • hugging-child-by-subharnabDoes your child know you love them?November 29, 2013 - 4:30 pm
  • Kid asking questionsHow (and why) a 3 year old drives you nuts with their constant...December 6, 2013 - 4:43 pm
  • The Influence of MediaThe Influence of MediaJanuary 13, 2014 - 7:43 am
Recent
  • Bright Shiny ThingsMay 18, 2020 - 6:00 am
  • 8 ways to enjoy messy play at home8 Ways to Enjoy Messy Play at HomeMay 13, 2020 - 6:00 am
  • Helle & Sonja – Sisters reunited after 40 years.The Missing SisterMay 4, 2020 - 6:00 am
  • Go to BedGo to Bed! – How to Get Children to Stay in BedApril 27, 2020 - 6:00 am
  • Friends are the Sunshine in LifeApril 6, 2020 - 1:00 pm
Comments
Tags
anxiety behavior Behaviour books calm calm and consistent challenges communication connection consequences conversation development discipline Emotions exercise Expressive language Family frustration fun Gratitude help Language learning Love model modelling nurturing parenting Parents personality play problem solving Reading resilience share Sleep Social Emotional Development sounds speech stress support teach temperament time TV

The Parenting Cafe Logo

Get in touch

+61 (0) 412 888 052
(Business Hours Only – AEST)

sonja@theparentingcafe.com.au

Facebook Icon Instagram Icon

 

Privacy Policy

Scroll to top