Separation anxiety is often played down as a tantrum. Believe me when I say this – it is not. Separation anxiety is real for children. Throwing a tantrum is just a coping mechanism for kids to deal with this anxiety.
To the new NICU mom and dad, it is undoubtedly not your desire to become one. Whatever the reason for your baby being born too soon; it was a situation that you had no control over. You did not envisage this to be part of your birthing plan. Even more so that your tiny little human will be lying in an incubator hooked to beeping machines, struggling to breath and fighting for his/her life.
As you sit in the chair staring at your tiny baby, you look tired and worried. The minutes turn to hours but it feels like a lifetime. You experience multiple emotions at once – joy, love, fear, sadness, anger and frustration. Feeling helpless and alone and thinking that nobody understand your heartache. A feeling of uncertainty about what the future holds is not strange.
Many of us have fond memories growing up with either having a pet dog or cat. No matter our cultural backgrounds, those of us who had and still have pets have this special attraction to them. We consider our pets a part of our home and family life.
I was always a dog lover as grew up having them as pets. I remember having my first dog when I was about 6 years old. A cross between a poodle and a border collie. His name was Spotty as he was white with big black patches. He was so cute and adorable.
Children are born curious. From a young age, they learn from this curious nature. Sometimes parents are too cautious for safety reasons. However nurturing this natural curiosity is the best thing you can do for your child. By doing this your child will construct their own knowledge. Their little brains are switched on to learn and discover new things. Curiosity makes your child more observant and gives them confidence. It gives them the opportunity to see the world from their perspective.
Delaying, retaining, repeating, holding back or redshirting. Call it what you want; it is a topic that sparks widespread debates and is a controversial issue. Opposing grade retention or deciding to retain is a decision that parents need to make.
In South Africa children may start school early. They can start at age 4 and a half providing they turn 5 by 30 June in Grade R. Likewise for Grade 1, they can start at age 5 and a half providing they turn 6 by 30 June. However, legislation in South Africa stipulates that children must start Grade 1 in the year they turn 7. Irrespective in which month they celebrate their birthday.
