I'm a full-time mummy

At 32 months old, Ben is still taking about 2 hours nap during the day time. I am so so so thankful for this as I get to relax a bit in that 2 hours.

But there are times when Ben was so playful and hyperactive that he refuses to take his nap when the time comes. I normally will tolerate for about half hour past his normal naptime (which was quite bad actually since he'll be awake at a later time) but anything past this hour will guarantee me forcing him awake until we have our dinner and then we'll let him sleep earlier at night to compensate for the missing daytime nap.

I remembered a few weeks ago, no matter how I coaxed him to sleep, Ben refused to take his nap. After a while, I  realised it was very very quiet in the room. I looked out for him and caught him lying on our spare mattress (which we used to block Alyson's playpen as there are some space between her playpen and our bed).

You know what I saw?

Ben fast asleep...

Since it was just half hour past his normal daytime nap, I gently carried him up and transferred him onto our bed and let him continue his nap.

So how about you? Do you have any rules on daytime nap for your child?

If you are in my situation, what will you do?

Do you wake your child up or let them continue sleeping?

(*Article first published as Book Review: Listen to Me Please! Time-In Not Time-Out by Ava Parnass & Dr. Ron Taffel on Blogcritics.)

I was obviously intrigued when I saw the book title! I mean, "Time In"? Without further ado, below is my review for the "Listen to Me Please! Time-In Not Time-Out" book:

Title: "Listen to Me Please! Time-In Not Time-Out"
Authors: Ava Parnass & Dr. Ron Taffel
Illustrations: Kate Kaminski, Laura Waldusky & Bianca Black
Publisher:  Ava Parnass (2011)
ASIN: B0029JE0II
Paperback & E-book

Description from the product page:
"This book is a game changer, Ms Parnass coined the phrase Time-In Not Time Out and shows parents exactly how to do that! The book is part parenting field guide and part interactive story book.  It’s a book both parents and children will want to return to again and again.  Using this book with  children is fun and helps connect with them on a deeper level. Use it and  watch misbehavior disappear!  It’s pure relationship magic!  Excerpts from the book appeared in Nick Jr. Family Magazine for 3 consecutive months."

We have started using Time-Out approach about two months back. Maybe it's because of Alyson's arrival that causes Ben to be more demanding and throwing tantrums when things does not go his way (to seek our attention perhaps?) The problem with Ben is the moment he starts crying, he tunes out and it's hard to talk to him until you get him to quiet down and stop his crying. So the title of this book "Listen to Me Please!" just hits the note as that's what I said to Ben whenever I try to calm him down and stop his crying.

I like that this book guides you on how to use it, when is the most appropriate moment and timing to read this book with your child and to encourage your child to choose the page he/she likes the most.

I also like that there is some pointers under "Conversation Starters" that gets the discussion moving along between parents and the child.

There's even parenting tips provided (page 6-12) that includes ways to tackle the specific problems.

I hope to be able to use the approaches from this book whenever the situation arises. I personally learned a lot from this book and I am glad to be able to review this book!

Room for Improvements?

* I would prefer if the illustrations are all of the same type (maybe it's just my weird preference)

You can get this book from http://listentomeplease.com/books/listen-to-me-please website, Amazon and many more.

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with a PDF copy of the book by the author in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine. And if you'd like to read my previous book reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My Book Reviews"

Welcome to the November Carnival of Natural Parenting: Kids in the Kitchen

This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have shared how kids get involved in cooking and feeding. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.

As a parent, of course we would want our child to display good manners at all times. My MIL likes to say that whenever someone sees a child misbehaving, it will always fall on the mother's responsibilities to teach the child good manners and people will always presume that it is the mother who is not teaching the child properly (sigh!*)

So anyway, for this month's "Carnival of Natural Parenting", I would like to share with you guys how my husband and I teach and encourage our 32 months old son (his name is Benjamin) to adopt good manners and maintain his responsibilities during his mealtime. Now what we strives for Ben to continuously do this for his mealtimes are:

1. Pray before eat

Why? -This will teach Ben to appreciate his food and be grateful that he gets to eat everyday! Watch this YouTube video to see how Ben prays before he starts his meal. 

2. Wipe own hands and mouth if messy

Why? -This will teach Ben to maintain cleanliness at all time. I always have a wet handkerchief around me whenever Ben eats. And I'll try as much as I can to remind Ben to wipe his own hands and mouth when it gets messy - of course there are times, I just rush in and clean up for him, but yes, I do try to get him to do it himself as much as he can.

3. Saying 'Please' and 'Thank You' when he wants and get something

Why? -This will teach Ben to ask for something he wants instead of expecting things to be 'spoon-fed' to him!  Watch this YouTube video to see Ben at 19 months, learning to say 'Please'

4. Buckle up for Safety!

Why? -This is so that Ben always remembers safety is a must regardless where he is at. Watch this YouTube video to see Ben at 20 months, learning to buckle up the safety strap when he sits in his high chair. Before he learned to buckle the safety strap himself, he will often reminds us to buckle him up - even in his car seat!

5. To put the empty plate and cutlery into the sink

Why? -I'd want him to take on a more 'big boy' role by doing this and also wants him to feel that mummy and daddy trust him to do bigger tasks. Plus it does ease my workload now that he is doing this! I have just recently started teaching Ben to put his plate and spoon into the sink once he has finished his meal. So far so good!

So how about you?

What mealtime manners and responsibilities that you are trying to instil on your child?