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1 " Self-reflection – based on experiences, principles and goals that we have gathered across our lifetime – allows us to course-correct. This is constantly required as we muddle along, gradually learning better ways for us to parent over time. "
― Leon Levitt , What Do I Do Now? The basics of parenting babies ... without stress
2 " It is common for new parents to feel guilty when their babies cry. But remember - it is not the parent's fault. The parent's job is to be responsive to their baby, and to help them feel loved and secure. "
3 " Absolute laws of parenting do not exist. Each child is different, in personality, time, age, health and geography. They have different strengths and weaknesses for which we need nuanced responses. There is never one specific word, sentence or response that will always work. There are however, principles of parenting behaviour that we can rely on in most circumstances "
4 " Throughout our parenting life, the greatest battle is not with the child but with our own worries. "
5 " You can’t support your family if you can’t support yourself. Trust your gut. It might be time to check in on your mental health. "
6 " Childhood is a time of discovery and learning. Play is vitally important for early child development. It allows them to express their creativity and learn to interact with other children. For them it is both work and relaxation. While children love exploring and we must give them enough time to play, many infants and toddlers also find reassurance in repetitive routines, and we need to build this stability into their day. "
7 " Adolescence is a turbulent time of life, and parents are understandably concerned about their children. There is a fine line between wanting to know if your child is in trouble and respecting their privacy. "
8 " If we are struggling at any stage of parenting, think about the atmosphere in the house that we are creating. Is it one of anxiety or anger? Disapproval or judgment? Show your child warmth, support, tolerance, encouragement and praise. Be fair to them, provide them with security, focus on giving them approval and acceptance for their differences.Imagine the atmosphere in the house with this abundance of these things. Your child will feel safe, loved and confident, moving into the world a whole and grounded being. "
9 " To help our kids develop self-compassion, we need to retrain the way they see and speak to themselves - their inner voice. To do this, we might need to retrain our own inner voice, to be gentle with ourselves and accept the parenting decisions we have made. By being kind to ourselves, over time, our children will learn and build on their own self-compassion. "
10 " When babies are very young, their behaviours are automatic and reflex driven. Only at 6-14 weeks old do they begin to become aware of the outside world. New babies are simply not aware of us, and we need to adjust our expectations around their behaviour. In other words, we won’t always be able to stop them crying, or make them calm, or get them to feed well. "
11 " Just like the startle or the grasp reflex, crying is a reflex. There does not have to be an emotional, or even physical, reason behind the cry. "
12 " Despite saying that very young babies are primitive, it remains vital that we touch them, hold them, respond to them. One cannot just leave a baby on its own! Interacting with the baby is essential for them, not just in that moment. The development of the baby's senses requires stimulation. Vision will not develop well in the dark. Hearing will not develop in the absence of speaking and singing to them. It definitely matters to them, they just do not know who is touching and holding them. "
13 " The basics of being a good parent are the same as for being a good human. Arguably, our humanity is foremost about our capacity to stop and assess our behaviour as an individual, as a mother, as a father, as a friend, as a son or a daughter. "
14 " What science and parenting have in common… there is no such thing as ‘best’. We simply cannot be the best parent. It is not possible. Best cannot even be defined. What others may say is best today will change tomorrow to something quite different. "
15 " What science and parenting have in common… there is no such thing as ‘best’.We simply cannot be the best parent. It is not possible. Best cannot even be defined. What others may say is best today will change tomorrow to something quite different. "
