| It's amazing, how many parents, years ago, | | | | a strict time-table. Obviously whichever |
| managed to successfully rear their children, | | | | system works is the one to adopt; there's |
| without the help of 'parenting skills'- a | | | | certainly nothing mysterious or difficult |
| concept completely alien until comparatively | | | | about it. As the baby settles down, puts on |
| recently. There's no doubt whatsoever that | | | | weight and shows signs of growth, the easier |
| the arrival of a new baby, with all its | | | | things become. Some babies will always cry |
| needs, can be overwhelming initially, turning | | | | more than others which can be distressing for |
| a previously balanced and structured regime | | | | the parent but again, using common sense, |
| into one of chaos. There are some parents | | | | mothers begin to recognise what's upsetting |
| who find it almost impossible to cope, | | | | their baby and so take the necessary steps to |
| particularly if the mother is unlucky enough | | | | deal with the problem. Then the baby begins |
| to suffer from post natal depression. Even a | | | | to flourish and, at this stage, can bring |
| mother who is fit and healthy is sometimes | | | | tremendous happiness and joy to the parents |
| frightened by the responsibility she bears | | | | as they watch their baby develop with its own |
| for attending to the wants of a new baby. | | | | personality. There is nothing more |
| The mother quickly realises that this little | | | | rewarding.Quite frankly, most 'parenting |
| scrap of humanity is totally dependent on her | | | | skills' are innate, there to be used when |
| which can at times seem daunting.However, | | | | called upon. All children need understanding |
| with the number of books on baby care, plus | | | | and love, particularly love which most |
| clinics and medical facilities available, a | | | | parents are only too happy to display. |
| new mother has help undreamed of only fifty | | | | Always being there for their children is the |
| years ago. In addition, she has numerous | | | | most reassuring stand any parent can take. |
| labour saving gadgets including washing | | | | Obviously, as a child grows, it's important |
| machines, disposable nappies, bottle warmers | | | | for him/her to discover there are right and |
| etc. which all contribute to making her life | | | | wrong ways to behave and responsible parents |
| easier than that experienced by her mother. | | | | will ensure their children learn these |
| But it appears all these advantages are not | | | | differences. Encouraging children to do well |
| enough to enable mothers to bring up their | | | | is fine as long as parents don't make the |
| children without lessons in 'parenting | | | | mistake of pushing their offspring into |
| skills'. Incredible as it may sound, the | | | | situations which make them unhappy. All |
| basic ingredient required for bringing up | | | | children are naturally curious and this |
| children are two words, 'common sense'. It | | | | curiosity helps them to learn and should |
| has to be admitted that it takes time to come | | | | never be discouraged. Equally important, |
| to terms with the arrival of a new person in | | | | however, no parent should allow their |
| a household but it doesn't take rocket | | | | children to be burdened with unrealistic |
| science to learn how to rear that new | | | | expectations. Each child eventually finds |
| baby.Common sense should provide enough | | | | his/her level of intelligence. Forcing a |
| guidance along with the informative books and | | | | child to exceed that level can be exceedingly |
| medical help mentioned previously. Even | | | | damaging to a child's development.All the |
| people with no experience with babies can | | | | above points are simply based on common sense |
| successfully bring up a child without lessons | | | | and, if used wisely, will almost always |
| in 'parenting skills'. All these' parenting | | | | result in producing a child who is |
| skills' are after all, when examined, based | | | | well-balanced, secure and able to cope with |
| on common sense. It doesn't take much | | | | the trials and tribulations of growing up. |
| imagination to know when a baby needs | | | | This will also give huge pleasure and love in |
| feeding, changing or is tired. It takes | | | | the process to his/her parents. Rocket |
| practice but soon becomes second nature. | | | | Science? Not at all! |
| Some mothers feed 'on demand', others prefer | | | | |