Why An Activity Play Mat And Travel Potty Chairs Give Your Tot A Sense Of Security
If you want to keep your child happy, routine and familiarity are key
I firmly believe that anyone saying 'the more things change the more they stay the same' has never been a parent. Or at least, not a clever one. Clever ones realise that a secure child is a happy child and take steps to minimise changes that aren't strictly necessary.
Make too many changes in a baby's routine and its tiny brain goes into overdrive as it tries to work out what effect anything out of the ordinary might have on its survival. Recognisable sights, sounds and smells that a child can relate to the security of home give a sense of wellbeing - you must have seen a new baby becoming ever more upset as s/he gets handed around to be cuddled by all the doting relations, only to relax calmly back into mum's arms. This works, of course, because mums are made of magic but also, because they're the most familiar, and therefore safe person, in bubba's experience.
Later, although mum and dad remain the most important mainstays for security, children find comfort in things that are always there as well as people. My own littles all grew attachments to the muslin cloths I used to cover my shoulder with at winding time. Fortunately, these came in packs of ten, so I always had a clean 'mussy' to hand, whilst friends with soggy, grubby teddies and blankies would look on enviously. One of the best pieces of advice that I have ever been given is to buy a duplicate of my child's favourite soft toy/blanket so that it can be interchanged to make washing possible!
This sense of contentedness with familiarity can easily be harnessed and used for the benefit of your baby and any other carers they may have. With today's modern busy lifestyle, baby paraphernalia has had to become multi-functional, as well as being totally portable. These days, it is possible to keep all the familiar sounds and smells of home around your baby - even when you're travelling.
Whether it's an activity play mat that folds away into mum's handbag or travel potty chairs that allow toddlers the freedom to leave the house whilst toilet training, there is always something that can become the modern equivalent of a security blanket! It is far easier for a parent to concentrate at work when s/he knows that the littl'un is happily playing with a much-loved play mat, complete with all the familiar smells of home.
Similarly, toilet training is much easier when they can use their own special potty no matter where they are, not to mention the hygiene benefits of the portable potty seat, where waste and the inner lining is completely removed and replaced rather than rapidly rinsed out.
In short, to paraphrase another old saying... familiarity breeds content!
About the Author
Ashley J Downs is a parent with several children and knows the trials and tribulations of raising kids. Find baby stores Essex at http://www.babybluebird.co.uk and more information about travel potty chairs at http://www.babybluebird.co.uk/acatalog/Potty-Training.html
Tell others about
this page:
Comments? Questions? Email Here