One week to go....

In one week I'll be a Dad for the second time...

I've been a bona fide Dad for 4 years and 9 months and here's what I've learned:

1. Routine, Routine, Routine - From the moment you get the newborn home this  is the morst important thing, Whether it's feeding, or the bedtime routine do it the same (as much as is humanly possible) and you'll reap the rewards. Our first was sleeping through the night within 3 months, we've never had any problems getting her to bed (even in strange surroundings) and it means if there are problems that 9 times out of 10 she's ill.

2. At dinner they eat what you do - Once they start on real food give them what you eat. Once they're able give it to them as finger food and always put food on their plate even if they don't eat it. Children seem to go through stages of liking/disliking food as they mature. Our little girl went through a stage of refusing Brocolli, but we still always served it up, eventually she started eating it again and loves it. Many of our friends simply stopped giving their kids certain foods if they showed a dislike for it, what they have now are children who refuse to try something new and will only eat certain foods (usually little or no vegetables).



3. Get them involved - Whether it's cooking, cleaning , gardening or anything else. Getting our little one involved in the cooking and gardening has helped with point 2 as she's been part of the process. Getting her involved in the household chores means that even when Mum and Dad are doing the housework there's still an element of family time. Through my other half's work (childminder) we've seen this work numerous times with children who may not have these experiences at home, from the excitement of pulling up potatoes to helping chop (with plastic/child friendly knives) mushrooms for their dinner.

There's three of my steps to successful parenting, use them for free...