Mamma Kerr » parenting

Using Diversion Tactics to Cut Tantrums in Their Tracks

admin — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:53:17 +0000

My five-year-old girls usually have a leisurely bath on weekend mornings. This morning, after breakfast, the girls started playing with their Barbie dolls, while I hung out the washing.

When I came back in from the garden, I announced that it was Bath time, only to be met with a resounding, “Uuugghh!!” The girls were quite happy to be playing with their dolls and were not amused at having to leave them behind to go up for their bath.

Daddy then got impatient:

“C’mon, hurry up, girls! Get undressed for your bath.”

At this point, the petted lips appeared, along with the watery eyes. 10 seconds later came the wails and sobs.

Before Daddy could reissue his command, I exclaimed:

“Right girls, pick a Barbie each and get them undressed for their bath. It’s bath time for the Barbies too!”

The petted lips were immediately replaced by smiles. The tears dried up like puddles in the desert. The wails and sobs were replaced with:

“Yeeaah! That’s a great idea, Mummy!”

Daddy and I breathed a sigh of relief. We had successfully averted a potential full-scale temper tantrum with a little diversion tactic. All FOUR Bathing Belles were dispatched upstairs to the bathroom for their bath. Mission accomplished.

Parrot Tico Tango

Annette — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 23:27:44 +0000

Hi everyone!

My daughters and I love reading beautiful Barefoot Books together. Barefoot Books are an ideal way to introduce children to new cultures and ideas. The stories are enchanting and the illustrations are charming.

Today, I’d like to introduce you to one of my daughters’ favourite books – Parrot Tico Tango.

Parrot Tico Tango’s hilarious ways make this book a laugh-a-minute read while the colourful pictures and rhyming text will make this a firm favourite both at home and at school.

Parrot Tico Tango is a mischievous parrot who always wants what others have, so he can’t resist stealing the delicious looking fruit of his rainforest friends. But Tico Tango learns his lesson when greed finally gets the better of him and he takes on more than he can carry. His companions forgive him – but only on the condition that he dance the tango for them!

Product Details

Written and illustrated by: Anna Witte

Read Alone: Ages 4-7
Read Together: Ages 0-4

Paperback; Jacketed; Full-colour illustrations; 24pp;
247 x 255 mm
Item No. 9781905236107

PB £5.99

Visit my online store and order your copy today.

Thanks for visiting!

Taken from my other blog – The Barefoot Blogger

Hello world!

Annette — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:11:22 +0000

Hello!

Welcome to my brand new blog – Mamma Kerr – where I intend to write about the following:

Mamma Kerr’s World – My life as a Mum of beautiful four-year old twin girls.
Mamma Kerr’s Recipes - It’s no easy task trying to feed healthy nutritious meals to fussy four-year olds.
Mamma Kerr Plays - Things to do, places to go…
Mamma Kerr Reviews – I will review products, as and when I use them.
Mamma Kerr Reads - Children’s books, as well as recommended advice books for parents.
Mamma Kerr’s Resources – I will share useful resources with you (websites, downloads, templates, etc…)

I intend to update this blog on a regular basis (several times per week). Therefore, please bookmark me and come back often.

I hope you will enjoy reading this blog. Please feel free to leave comments on my posts. I value your feedback, and love to interact with my readers.

Thanks for visiting!