We are bombarded by parenting information.  Tips, advice and opinions about what we ’should’ or ’should not’ be doing as parents.

Some of the information is based on well researched, sound scientific principles.

For example, we know that children should not be fed a diet of chips, chocolate and red cordial. That’s not good for them (or for anyone, mind you).

But some of the information is based on whim, fancy or old folk’s tales.

For example, adding a little formula to a baby’s bottle will help them sleep through the night.  If only it were that easy.

But the problem is not so much that there is lots of information and advice readily available.  Information and advice can be incredible invaluable.

It’s that often the information and advice comes couched in ways that make you feel guilty or selfish or downright negligent if you don’t follow it.

The worst examples cover the highly charged issue of sleep.  Let them cry. Don’t let them cry.  Sleep with them.  Don’t sleep with them.

Well, I believe we need to inject a healthy dose of ‘could do’ parenting into the way we think and talk about caring for our kids.

Instead of feeling like we must, should, have to, do something or another.  We need to feel like we can perhaps, maybe, try it, if we like.

I’m not suggesting we use this methodology to justify feeding our children a steady diet of chips, chocolate and red cordial.

But for many decisions we make as parents a ‘could do’ rather than the ’should do’ approach could serve us well.

Here’s how to do it

When you read or are told something you ’should’ be doing with your child, think:

1. Is this issue relevant to myself and my child?  i.e. if you don’t mind that your child wakes for two feeds a night, then there is no problem, no matter what others may say.

2. How is the suggested approach different to what I’m currently doing? i.e. patting or shhing my baby back to sleep rather than feeding her back to sleep is a significant change.

3. What is required for me to use the new approach?  i.e. I’ll need back up if the patting or shhing takes longer than feeding my baby back to sleep.

4. Does the suggested approach fit with my values?  i.e. I believe in comforting my child not ignoring her.

5. Is the suggested approach based on evidence or opinion?

Then once you’ve asked yourself these questions, commit to one of two things:

1. Yes, I will give it a go.  I’d like to try it.

2. No thanks, it’s not for me.  I’ll keep doing what I’m doing.

Caring for children is not an exact science.  There is no one foolproof way.  There are many ways.

And when we embrace ‘could do’ parenting and not ’should do’ parenting, we find our own way.

Jodie Benveniste, director Parent Wellbeing

My kids love play dough.  They get to knead and shape and create creatures and people and things! 

But there’s one problem with play dough.  It inevitably dries out and the creatures, people and things must be binned.

My daughter recently made a little family of mouse like critters out of play dough and made them a little house our of a shoe box replete with beds, a sink and pictures on the wall.

But she was disappointed when a week later she went back to the house and the critters were cracked, faded and we had to throw them out.

But there’s way to avoid such tragedy and keep your kids creative masterpieces forever!  Here’s how…

Use polymer clay instead!

Polymer clay is pliable, malleable, and keepable.

It comes in a wide variety of colours and you can even mix colours together much like you do with paint to create whatever colour you like.

Much like play dough you mould your creations into a myriad of creative shapes, but unlike play dough it doesn’t dry out.

And to keep the creations forever, you put it in your oven on a low heat and it hardens without dulling the colours.

You can buy polymer clay from craft shops.

The Disney Family Fun website has some great polymer clay projects.

And there are lots of great how to videos on youtube.  Just search for ‘fimo’ or ‘polymer clay’.

Or just let your child create away.  Enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of www.thefoodcoach.com.au

Low GI

This loaf is a great source of Vitamin A, antioxidants and is sweet enough to be an enjoyable treat for your kid’s play snack (but not too sweet to send them into a sugar crazed frenzy).

With the oil and mashed pumpkin, it will always be moist to don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s uncooked.

Ingredients

½ cup refined tea oil
2 free range eggs
¼ cup honey
1 carrot finely grated
1 cup pumpkin, mashed
1 cup self raising wholewheat flour
½ cup walnuts, chopped
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp mixed spice

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cooking Time: 60 mins
Ready in: 1 hr 10 mins

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Lightly oil a loaf tin and line the base with baking paper.

Method

Mix the oil, eggs and honey until well combined. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
Fill the loaf tin and bake for 55 - 60 minutes.
Set aside to cool before turning out onto a cooling rack.

Note: Use refined tea oil for cooking and baking. Unlike most other refined oils it is not extracted with a process using chemicals.  Extra virgin olive oil is a substitute if you don’t have refined tea oil.