Moving house is a major – stressful – life event for adults and is huge for children too. As with any big transition, you can expect a little unavoidable turmoil while your child gets used to the move, however there are plenty of things you can to do help prepare them and make the move go as smoothly as possible. Here are my ten top tips:
Author Archives: SarahOckwell-Smith
What Does ‘School Readiness’ Really Look Like?
A question that seems to crop up again and again among discussion groups is “what do I need to teach my child so that they are ready for school?”, this is commonly followed by questions such as “do they need to know their ABCs?”, “do I need to teach them to read?”, “should we practice phonics?” and “should they be able to write simple sentences?”
Why Children Misbehave at Home After a Day at School
I am often contacted by desperate parents in September or October who say “Help! My child has turned into a demon at home, but school say they are brilliant all day and behave really well, what have I done wrong?”
How to Help Children Settle into School
Some children take the transition in their stride and settle in with very few bumps, others do better than you would ever have expected. Some children however really struggle with the transition.
What To Do When You Disagree with School Discipline Policies
Many parents (particularly those who follow gentle parenting principles) struggle with the discipline policies at their child’s school, but what should you do if you find yourself in this position?
Why You Should Change The Way You Think, To Change the Way Your Child Behaves!
I would say over 90% of the parenting dilemmas posed to me daily have one very simple answer; “you’re expecting too much of them”.
How to Encourage Reluctant Children to Brush Their Teeth
Do you have a reluctant tooth-brusher? There are several reasons why young children don’t like having their teeth brushed, but the top three in my opinion are:
Talking to Children About ‘Stranger Danger’
I’m often asked my opinion of talking to children about interactions with strangers and how I would best approach the topic. It may surprise you that I am really not a fan of the idea. Why?
What Should you Look for, or ask, at a School Open Day?
Are you just starting to think about choosing your child’s first school? Not sure what to look for, or what to ask when you visit? This article should help!
Confusional Arousals – AKA Why Children Wake in Tears After a Nap
I’m often contacted by parents who are worried that their children (usually toddlers) wake seemingly inconsolable after sleep, usually naps. They describe children who won’t settle (even for their usual fail-safes), can’t be reasoned with and seem in great discomfort. This crying lasts anything from a couple of minutes, to ten or twenty minutes, or more.
Sarah Ockwell-Smith 