A prayer for children

Petro Pretorius [29 October 2009] - Ina Hughs - We pray for the children who sneak Popsicles before  supper, who erase holes in math workbooks, who can never find their shoes. And we pray for those who stare  at photographers from behind barbed wire, who can't  bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers, who  never "counted potatoes," who never go to the circus,  who live in an X-rated world. Read more »

Nanny diaries

Petro Pretorius [01 August 2009] - I remembered watching the movie and thinking how cold hearted and un-trusting these women were towards their nannies. Now I find myself in a similar situation... I either need to let my nanny go or install CCTV cameras to monitor her doings. Read more »

To bed with a bottle

Petro Pretorius [13 June 2009] - Being the mother of a reflux baby I have never had the privileged other mothers have to put their children in bed with a bottle. My sisters had differing opinions. Read more »

Falling apart

Petro Pretorius [12 May 2009] -

I sometimes wish I was an actress - I mean they have their act down to have a public meltdown... They run around shave their hair off, loose teeth due to excessive drug usage, turn lesbian and then straight all at the drop of a hat. Not to mention the trips in and out of rehab, sexologist offices, public spats and fodder to keep tabloids running a profitable business from their burnt-out. Yet here am I and I can't even convince my husband that I am falling apart...

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Head lice 101

Petro Pretorius [24 February 2009] -

So yesterday afternoon I get the letter from school to warn parents that they should check their kids regularly for head lice. Now the last time I thought of head lice was when I was in Primary School and one girl came to school with her hair cut in an weird way and everyone was talking behind their hands that she was the bearer of head lice. So here is a crash course in head lice.

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Sexual predators are targeting increasingly younger children

Petro Pretorius [24 February 2009] - The following article was provided to me by a very strong mother - she tells her family's story which is both heartfelt and a parent's worse nightmare. This is a glimps of their ordeal in her own words:

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you ever found someone sexually molested your child?  It has always been my biggest fear and I waited for my child to be properly potty-trained before sending him of to crèche even though I was criticized by family and friends.  Don’t think it won’t happen to you, it will!!  Be prepared because sexual predators are targeting increasingly younger children. Read more »

Crèche syndrome?

Petro Pretorius [23 February 2009] -

Since Mia started crèche this year she has had a runny nose. At her two year check-up I mentioned this to the the paediatrician and she confirmed this was just a runny nose. Mia had no other symptoms that could be seen as her being ill. So after another 3 weeks of runny nose I had to take stock of what could be the problem.

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Change...

Petro Pretorius [21 January 2009] - So it came that Mia goes to crèche for the first time this morning, she was home with me for nearly two months. This time was spend thinking of things to do to occupy our time together, enjoying her and playing all sorts of games. Now it is time to return to work and focus on the job at hand. Like many other mothers today in the Western Cape, I am sure, I feel a bit sad yet proud. Read more »

Out of the box

Petro Pretorius [03 November 2008] - In business and in your career thinking out of the box is an asset. Why is it then that we try and get our children to think inside the box? Read more »

The right fit of school for your child

Mariette Greyling [29 August 2008] -

Choosing the right school for your child is a momentous decision, because this will affect who he becomes.

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Unlocking your child's potential

Mariette Greyling [29 August 2008] - All parents want to see their child happy, successful and fulfilled. What to do to ensure that your young one lives his/her dream? Read more »

Is my child ready?

Mariette Greyling [28 August 2008] -

Being ready for school is more than just about children. In the broadest sense, it also involves families, early environments, schools and communities. Children aren't innately ready or not ready for school. Their skills and development are influenced by their families and interaction with other people and environments.

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Barriers to learning: nightmare or journey of self-discovery?

Mariette Greyling [28 August 2008] -

With official statistics indicating that between 15 and 20 percent of children suffer from learning disabilities, much ignorance prevails about detection, the pschological problems and corrective measures.

A learning disability is no longer seen as a fait accompli. In fact, it's become an opportunity to journey towards new horizons of self-discovery for not only learners and parents, but educators and professionals alike.

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Daymothers

Petro Pretorius [23 August 2008] - They pose the biggest reason for women to think about ending their careers and to stay at home. You spend so much time worrying about what your daymom is doing. Is your most prized possession well taken care of, and in most cases it is once bitten twice shy. Read more »

Daycare the options

Petro Pretorius [23 August 2008] -

Obviously the best of any option is for one of the parents to stay home and to look after the child but in today's day and age it is only an option to a select few. You thus need to look for other alternatives.

So now you are a working parent and thus starts the daunting task of finding a person to look after your child when you are at work.

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About PlanetParent

Petro Pretorius [23 August 2008] -

You might ask yourself why did I start this web site, am I so much of a know it all mum? Do I have so much to say? The answer these questions are no and yes. 

 I do not necessarily know more about motherhood or parenting than anyone else, but I do have a lot to say. I don't think I am qualified to provide you with advice and guidance but I do want to share some of my experiences from which you might learn or at least laugh at.

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The Pre-School Child

Petro Pretorius [17 June 2008] -

According to one book this stage begins as soon as your child stops being "wayward, confusing and unpredictable" at least 60 percent of the time. This does not really bolster my moral at all. Although the pre-preschooler can still be tantrum prone, they should have mastered enough language to allow them to express themselves more often verbally.

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The Toddler

Petro Pretorius [17 June 2008] -

One of the books I read outlined it that the tumultuous years a toddler has; can be explained by understanding that they do not talk - they do, where grown-ups sometimes feel they can tear their hair from their heads, toddlers do. They do not make lists, they go and fetch things one by one. You should not send them you should take them and they learn from being shown. If you as a parent understand and remember this you will be just so much more sane during this time.

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Things to look for in a daymother

Petro Pretorius [14 March 2008] - When I set out initially, I thought it could not be that difficult to find a daymother I mean there are lots around.

Here are a couple of tell tale things that should be addressed before you send you bundle of joy to this person. Read more »

Let's be friends

Mariette Greyling [10 January 2008] -

Nurturing heartfelt friendships serves as life's safety net. In the hurly-burly of modern life, it's a mistake not to stay in touch with friends. Friends are supportive on good and bad days, provide pleasure for joint activities and offer personal development opportunities.

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