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Published August 2, 2012 Positive Parenting “ Life as parent at 50 has been an adventure,” reminisced Jacquelyne Hussey-Pearson, mother of three who turned 50 in June this year. Hussey-Pearson , who came to Jamaica from the United Kingdom, fell in love with the country and continues to draw inspiration for her artistic pursuits.  “When I had my first son I was so much in shock, because everybody has advise for you, everyone tells you how to bring up your baby, what you should do what you shouldn’t do…. “I am now standing on the anniversary of Jamaica’s 50 reflecting my life and my transitions of my journey. Looking at my children, I am proud, so very proud,” she said.    “Now I stand back at 50 and look at my children who are more than capable of dealing with challenges in their lives, it's been a long journey with rough edges but I don’t have any complaints,” she said.  Bringing up the children had its share of trials and tribul...

Published April 2, 2012 Positive Parenting Children’s smiles, giggles, toothless laughter is enough to melt sternest of hearts; parents and loved ones often crave to hear those sounds, which is one of the best possible stress busters. Children, are sensitive to change, which might change their mood pattern. Keeping children happy can be a pleasurable exercise or you might find yourself at wits end when nothing seems to be working. A cross section of individuals – parents, and councilors alike - recommended some tips to keep children happy. To ensure that children are happy, show and exhibit that you love them. There is a school of thought which firmly believes that there can never be ‘too much love’ or ‘love spoils’ – most times it is the leniency shown by parents or giving into their expectations that makes children to take things for granted. It is critical that parents are involved with their children’s lives – play with them, help them out with thei...

Photo: www.sxc.hu Published April 2, 2012 Positive Parenting  “Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity,” says contemporary American professor of psychiatry, Kay Redfield Jamison. Most of us would remember growing up – innovating with whatever one could lay one’s hands on, making toys from sticks, twigs, stones, leaves and knick knacks.  “Play connects children with their imagination, their environment, their parents, their friends, family and the world,” says Michelle Campbell, director, sector support services, Early Childhood Commission, Jamaica. PLAY FOR DEVELOPMENT   Campbell encourages for the overall development of the children in the first five years of their lives, which she says, aids in the developmental process and also is beneficial as they pursue academics. “Play allows children to develop socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically,” she informed. However, she opin...

Published April 2, 2012 Positive Parenting Children are reflection of their parents, from the physical characteristics to the behaviour they exhibit. Most times these percolate in the home. It, therefore, becomes critical to ensure that good values and respect are imbibed in children, which they inculcate as a habit.  “The children are watching every move they (parents) make, every thing that they are saying,” says Michelle Campbell director, sector support services, Early Childhood Commission, Jamaica. “Show your child respect by respecting them as an individual and as a human being,” Campbell says. Respect starts from home, simple things brushing your teeth and going to bed, children will follow. “What you do the child does the same, taking care of the teeth, taking a bath, sitting at the table and eating dinner, all form a part of teaching them respect.” Also important to encouraging respectful behaviour is the tone and language used to, and around th...

Published December 20, 2011 The Gleaner Positive Parenting We live in the second decade of the 21 st century, where unfortunately for some men, smart phones, smart cars and smart everything under the sun seem to hold more value than shouldering the responsibility of being a ‘dad’.  Not these dads who spoke to Positive Parenting.   Lloyd Fennell epitomises a man, who played his role as a dad and rose to the occasion when he was left to raise his three children. Fennell got married in 1979 and the union with his wife blessed them with two daughters and a son. “We had our own little home, things weren’t smooth, but got along fairly well,” recalled Fennell, his eyes seemed to wander into the past as he spoke. Photo: stock.xchng “When my youngest daughter was two years old, their mother left,” informed Fennell. He did not shy away or give up but made the best of the frugal resources and strived for the best even when the resources dried up. LEAR...

When I was a girl... Published December 20, 2011 The Gleaner Positive Parenting   “Christmas was very peaceful, as an extended family we would meet for dinner and church,” recollects Leslie Ann-Brown, of the time spent back home in St Ann in the Yuletide season.  “We’ll go all night shopping on Christmas Eve, everything was simple, yet exciting,” says the 29-year-old website developer, who is now living in Kingston and has a 2-year-old son. Growing up, she said, the spirit of the season was different in the countryside.  “In St Ann there was a difference kind of warmth, which is missing in Kingston,” Brown recalls.  “When I came back this place was not sociable.” Brown still misses the simplicity and the festivities back home. “I loved the grand market feel in St Ann; it was so much more personal.” Photo: stock.xchng   “I didn’t feel threatened there,” she reveals, adding with a chuckle, “There was not much of anything was there to ...

Published December 20, 2011 The Gleaner Positive Parenting   Photo: stock.xchng Children. They are godsend blessing, bundle of joys, their peals of laughter fills life with joy. Sometime this story and perception change when they start to cry - uncontrollably, without provocation and non-stop.  While crying is a form of expression, like everything in excess it as the decibels rise, the concern for the child becomes a source of frustration and flaying tempers. But there could be numerous and sometimes overlooked reasons for crying in children. “The first thing to check for if you are dealing with a toddler is to see if there is something physically wrong,” informs Dr Pauline Milbourn, a paediatric psychiatrist. “It could be ear infections, which might make the child cry for long period of time or an insect bite. These are some obvious signs to be looked at.” The child could be uncomfortable with a wet diaper or have a diaper rash. SAFETY FIRST...

Published December 20, 2011 The Gleaner Positive Parenting   There are degrees and variation in which a child expresses emotions, happiness and sadness alike. But when the crying becomes uncontrollable, without provocation, the reasons could be much more than meet the eye. It is normal for the children to cry but sometime this can become habit forming or if the child resorts to tantrum throwing, it can possibly lead to frustration and meltdown. “There are levels of crying, and it might be physical expression of frustration,” says Dr Pauline Milbourn, paediatric psychiatrist, former director of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the Ministry of Health.  Photo: stock.xchng A child may throw tantrums for many reasons, from the need and want to acquire something to sickness. “The child could be having fever, headache or an upset stomach that can trigger tantrums,” Dr Milbourn says. “This behaviour could be out of hunger or overtiredne...

Published August 15, 2011 Positive Parenting Magazine Charmaine Rowe * remembers her daughter crying at home and not wanting to go to school the next morning, she was very concerned. She was not dealing with a Kindergarten student but a teenager who was buckling under pressure as her mother was the vice principal her school. "It was very difficult," recalls Rowe, vice principal of a St Andrew High School and mother of two daughters. "She was taunted by her classmates, though she was a naturally talented student, but they thought that she was being given preferential treatment, she was starting to feel the pressure."   The situation reached a flashpoint and came to a stage that her daughter asked to relinquish the post. "She said that she would not be 'picked on' by her friends and I was also seriously thinking about it," Rowe says. Thankfully the situation eased and Rowe still holds the office and is relieved that the time passed. Rowe, ...