Cliffs Notes for the fabled Parenting Manual

Today I have the third parenting guest post for December. This week we have Laura from Spotty Owl Design offering up her version of Cliffs Notes that would guide parents if there were a parenting manual actually available to teach us all how to get this job done right!

 

It is hard to convince a high-school student that he will encounter a lot of problems more difficult than those of algebra and geometry. -Edgar Watson Howe

 

Ahhh High School. I’m glad I experienced you, but I’m in no hurry to go back. The annoying thing about High School is how little the curriculum there actually translates into anything that you use in your adult life. I spent hours of my life writing about the symbolism of the set design in Hedda Gabler but zero time in my adult life thinking about it… I’m too busy meal-planning, negotiating office politics and applying basic first aid to skinned knees. And although my Yr 10 chemistry might help me understand why I shouldn’t wash blood/vomit/poop/milky bottles in hot water (it denatures the proteins which makes them harder to remove) it’s still no help when faced with some splashed Weetbix that has set like cement onto the table leg. Besides which, there’s always the Cliffs Notes to help you sail through High School… where are the Cliffs Notes to the fabled Parenting Manual? If they existed, I think these might appear:

One: Eating crusts

If your child won’t eat their crusts, give them wholemeal bread. It’s much healthier, with more fibre and less chemical bleaching. But most importantly (heehee), they can’t tell where the bread ends and the crust begins. Trust me, both my girls don’t eat their crusts on white bread. Both of them eat the whole thing when I give them wholemeal bread.

Two: Eyedrops

Eyedrops are horrible but they’re a common part of childhood. You can avoid the trauma by applying them this way: Have your child tilt their head back and close their eyes. Apply the drops to the inner corner of their eye then let them blink a few times. The drops will be drawn across the eye. It may take a little more medicine (ie I would use 3 drops instead of 2) but it’s much more efficient than squirting the drops at their eye and hoping one gets in before they blink!

Three: Sore Eyes

On the topic of eyes, when your children have sore eyes (due to a rogue eyelash or just tired, dry eyes) it’s nearly impossible to stop them rubbing their eyes. I’ve found that putting a teaspoon in the freezer for just a few seconds then cupping against the eye really soothes the itch/burn and also distracts them from rubbing. Don’t leave the spoon in the freezer as the skin on the eye is fragile and could burn easily, just 10 seconds is plenty.

Four: Baby Sunglasses

Still on the topic of eyes…. Sun protection is very important. If you’re having trouble getting your baby to keep their BabyBanz on, try this: put the BabyBanz on their head (like a headband) whilst in the shade. Then as you move out into bright sunlight, quickly pull the sunnies down over their eyes. They’ll automatically blink as the sun hits their eyes and when they open them, they’ll be able to see without squinting. It may take a few days but be persistant and it will work.

Five: Out of Contact

Losing a child is every parent’s worst nightmare, even if it’s only for 5 minutes in Kmart.  If you are taking your child somewhere crowded (Christmas Pageant, Royal Show etc) use a permanent marker to write your mobile phone number on your child’s arm or inside the hem of their shirt. That way, if they become separated they can easily ask another adult to contact you.

 

What would you add to the Parenting Cliff Notes?

 

Find your simple,

Deb

 

Spotty Owl Design is a WAHM business selling handmade decor, bunting, clothes and toys in Western Australia. Laura also writes for her blog of the same name.