Help your child feel confident

~ mummyhereandthere ~ 2 Comments

Hey readers,

Sometimes children are complex or they have certain personality traits that cause them to not feel good about themselves.  My eldest is quite anxious and nervous regarding certain things and I have worked with him to help reduce that anxiety. Here are some things you might want to try with a child who does not feel confident to help boast their self-esteem.

 Positive praise.

The most important tip to help boast a child’s confidence is to help them feel good about themselves. You can do this by giving your child positive praise because it is focusing on the good things that the child has done. The child themselves might not see the good so it is important to praise them for when they have done something noteworthy. You need to keep praising your child as this will help them gain that confidence to know that what they are doing is good and it is getting the praise it deserves.

 

Person Doing Thumbs Up

 

Allow your child to try it out and learn for himself

Sometimes the best way to help a child learn is to allow the child a safe place to explore and learn for themselves. Let them do something without your help to see what works and what doesn’t. This is a great learning tool and I think one the best ways to get a child to learn. I know it is easy to instantly go in and help your child. However, allowing them to test it out themselves they get that first-hand experience and more likely to remember what happens. Also they can build their understanding on a subject by trial and error.

Encouragement.

Encourage your child to do something even when the child protests. Sometimes they are scared to try something, which is why it is good to encourage them to do it and give it ago. You never know they may find out they like the thing they have tried, sometimes going out of your comfort zone can be scary at first however it can wonders for your self-esteem.

Laughing Baby Floating on Air

Ask for their opinion.

One the greatest ways to get an understanding of your child is asking for their opinion and listening to what they have to say. This helps build a strong relationship built on respect and understanding on both sides. It allows your child to feel appreciated and respecting and ultimately it will give them trust to know that there is a safe place to come to and be heard.

Make special time together.

A great way to give your child something special is having 1-2-1 time with a parent and doing something together that the child enjoys. You don’t have to be flash, it could simply be having a child read a story or letting them tell you something about what they have done that day. I think this is important that the child had dedicated time focusing on them to feel loved and appreciated. It is not always easy for the parent when so much is going on but even ten minutes of interrupted time together makes a massive difference for the child.

Free stock photo of art, creative, pattern, playing

Cheer for reading X

How to beat the winter blues

~ mummyhereandthere ~ 21 Comments

Hey readers,

I know it is not winter yet but it won’t be long before it is here with us. The clocks have already gone back and it slowly getting darker and darker meaning that we will not get as much sunlight as we once during the summer time. The weather is getting bitter with the cold air and this can really dampen some people moods. So, here are some ways that have been useful in beating the winter blues.

Exercise. 

I know during the darker evenings there is nothing more appealing than to sit under a throw and curl up. However, one way that can stimulate them feel good hormones such as serotonin is exercise, you can just simply watch a exercise on YouTube you don’t have to leave the home. This can make you feel so much better and it might you go the motivation to do more stuff around the home.

Like I have said previously one of the triggers for a decreased drop in mood is not got getting enough sunlight during the day which means less vitamin D to brighten you up. One thing you might want to consider is getting a sad lamp which helps reduce the sad feelings associated with season affective disorder (SAD). It is a lamp that mimics the day light and the person should ideally be near it to work. It can brighten up the environment you are in and it effects the brain chemicals that is connected to your mood.

 

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Sleep.

Sleep is so important for your physical and mental health that is why it is important you make sure you get enough. Make sure that you have a comfortable place to settle and always leave your tech in another room, less likely to get distracted and then you can 100% focus on your sleep.

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Outdoors.

Another great tip is even though it will be miserable outside wrap up warm and just do it as it will be really worth it. Going outdoors some exposure to light and blow some cob webs off too. You will feel much better after you have done it.

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Eat healthier.

As lovely as it is to eat them gorgeous gluttonous food such as chocolate and carbohydrates it is important to try to be mindful of eating healthy. With the food just mentioned the thing that attracts them is the instant hit and feel good factor they produce. The downfall is that it is instance what comes up must come down. Therefore triggering a slump like state which won’t do your mind any flavours in the long run.  Try snacking on fruit such as apples and grapes that give that sweet sensation but less like to make you feel like poop after.

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Windows. 

Sitting near windows whether at home or at work can help get that natural light needed to boast your mood during the winter periods.

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Hobbies. 

Do something that makes you happy whether it is having a soak in the bath or going to the cinema, focusing on something enjoyable can help make you feel a lot more positive.

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Cheers for reading X

3 Little Buttons

Manic

~ mummyhereandthere ~ 18 Comments

Hey readers,

My word is:

I don’t know why but every year I get worked up about Christmas and I have to get all the presents sorted out. I tend to get very stressed because it is a chance and that stresses me out.

It doesn’t help that things have gone wrong and you need to find the money to replace them, sods law and all that. I wish I had savings but too poor for that. So, you worry about it all. Anyhow that has been sorted and is a huge relief. But the other night I spend writing and rewriting lists as it calms me. I just go into panic mode because I gotta kind of thing outside of the box and try to budget. I think becuase everywhere Christmas is being pushed now after Halloween has been done and dusted. anyhow, I got it ll planned and feel back in control.

Cheers for reading X

Edu Prints Plus review

~ mummyhereandthere ~ 26 Comments

Hey readers,

I had the opportunity to review some gorgeous educational prints from Edu Prints Plus. The company is an online shop that sell kids’ posters that are designed to give words of wisdom and numbers of knowledge to inspire, excite up, and set your kids up for the infinite things they could do.

I chose three prints with quotes on that I thought would provide motivation and inspiration for my boys. When I do have the money I shall be buy frames to make them look better on the bedroom walls.

Below is a picture of the three prints I have chosen. 

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Normal is overrated. 

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I really love this quote and think it is brilliant reminder to have on my children’s bedroom wall. I have a son who masks a lot of behaviour from seeing other children at school and I try my best to encourage him to be himself. I think it is important to celebrity individuality and not going along with the crowd. I want him to read this and remember it is ok to be different. I also like the font – is big, bright and bold that will catch your eyes. I like the cartoon picture because it is fun and child friendly.

Don’t be afraid to be different.

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Again this poster stuck out to me when I was choosing prints to review. I really like this message especially when trying to reinforce the fact that it is important to be yourself. Peer pressure is a big thing and I want my children to know that it is ok to go with what feels right for you rather then what Joe Bloggs is doing. So, much of life is full of putting people into categories or bands even from an early age at school. I am real strong believer in individuality. I want my son’s to read this every day and remember this message for life.

Now, the serious bit is out of the way I want to talk about the design. I love the multi-coloured word on different. I like imagine of the picture and think it is simple but really effective. It looks great in a child’s room but also say in an educational setting such as a nursery or school.

When it rains look for rainbows.

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I really like this quote especially when my son’s now take themselves to the bedroom when they want alone time. My eldest (we think he has autism but we know how hard it is to get a diagnosis). Anyhow, at night he gets very anxious and has a lot of intrusive thoughts. There is not a night goes by when he doesn’t stop asking questions over and over again. He gets scared and he doesn’t sleep very well. I like this poster because it is happy and it reminds you that even though you’re feeling sad or going through something look for the good. My son really likes this one as he loves stars. I think it looks great, attractive and popular with both my sons.

Overall I am impressed with the design, the card is thick and when delivered it is not bend which is helpful. The service is top notch. Edu Prints Plus also do more than just quotes, there’s educational pictures such as times tables. So there is plenty of choice to add a little something different to your walls.

Cheers for reading X

This is an advertisement feature. I was given the three posters for free in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. 

Dealing with FOMO

~ mummyhereandthere ~ 18 Comments

Hey readers,

As a person who has experienced feelings of FOMO due to the increase social media presence of this idea of a perfect mother I know how tough it can be. Of course there is no perfect life but when you are bombarded with constant images of happy families constantly doing something and you’re at home not doing a great deal you can feel like you are missing out.

design desk display eyewear

I know the FOMO (feelings of missing out) is a common problem with the internet generation as there is always something going on and it natural to compare but where do we draw the line.

The dictionary definition of FOMO is:

Anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on social media.

Here are some ways have helped me come to accept my life and know it is ok not to be perfect.

Be kind to yourself.

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I think there is this need in society to have the next best thing, to constantly be doing amazing things on social media but sometimes you know what it is good to stay in and do nothing. Don’t beat yourself up for this, your allow to not do anything or go anywhere doesn’t mean you are not living, embrace and actually let go and enjoy it. I now do this and I cut that pressure of and it feels amazing. I slow down and just unwind and it really does the world of good for your mental health.

You’re not alone.

This may sound obvious but belief me when you are engrossed in the feelings of FOMO you lose your ability to rationalise, you assume everyone is doing something other than you. You get intrusive thoughts that you should be doing what everyone is doing and that social pressure feels very strong and the urge to comply is there. I found that actually not looking at some of the individuals who for whatever reason have much cooler life than me helps. I remind myself I am not alone and I also look around on the old social media to see that others doing similar stuff to me and that it is ok to be that. It is all about putting things into perspective realising that most people that you check out on Instagram are just one sided and you don’t see all their lives. Try to unfollow people that make you feel inferior – ignorance is bliss. Find other accounts that are similar to you and you can relate to. It will make you feel so much better and also contribute in helping come to accept your life in a more positive way.

Distractions.

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Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed with all the online information that is out there. The constant notifications that sometimes the best thing to do is mute the distractions, turn your phone on aeroplane mode or even better still turning your phone completely off. Even if it is just for an hour you will be amazed at how much better you will feel.

What things have helped you deal with FOMO?

Cheers for reading X