Easing my pandemic baby into the 'new normal'
My second son was born a mere two weeks before the world turned upside down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As Germany has begun easing back into a ‘new normal’ following a seven-month-long winter lockdown, I’ve started noticing the impact of the isolation and stress on my son’s development. Here are some strategies I’m using to expand his comfort zone and make up for lost time.
Why you should be wary of pregnancy message boards and my list of resources that might reduce your anxiety
If you’re pregnant then you’ve probably come across a pregnancy message board at some point. Here I take a look at the allure of these forums, as well as their dark side, and offer some resources that might be less anxiety-inducing.
Births that are sprints rather than marathons: My precipitous (rapid) labor experiences - preparation and recovery
Are you pregnant for the first time? Do you expect your labor to be long? I did too, until my first son arrived rapidly. Since then I’ve had another precipitous birth. Here we’ll discuss what they’re all about, how you can prepare for the prospect of one, and how you can recover.
Having a baby in Germany: the bureaucratic experience - checklist of all the things to do from pre-positive test to registering your new baby (let's try to simplify this!)
Do you find yourself pregnant in Germany? Here I have made a detailed checklist of all the bureaucratic tasks that need to be completed - from pre-positive test to registering your baby. Let’s simplify this process!
15 awesome, thoughtful gifts for the new mother (or father) that you may not have thought of
Do you know someone who’s just about to have a baby? Show how awesome you are by also remembering to get them (and not just their new baby) a thoughtful gift. Here are some ideas (catering to all budgets) that you may not have thought of.
A letter to my pandemic baby
Here is a personal letter to my baby, who was born two weeks before the World Health Organisation declared the COVID-19 pandemic and the world turned upside down.
What will the long-term psychological consequences of the pandemic be for babies and young children?
How I got my babies to sleep through the night - lessons learnt from two very different sleepers (what worked and what didn't)
Struggling to get your baby to go to sleep and stay asleep? Read this in-depth study of my two babies with two very different sleep personalities. Find out what techniques worked and what didn’t from a parent who’s been there.
9 approaches to surviving the 2021 winter lockdowns (and perhaps even thriving)
New year, new lockdown. Feeling a little disheartened by facing another lockdown during winter? Let’s explore 9 approaches to not only surviving winter quarantines, but also thriving.
61 simple and engaging indoor activities for toddlers and young kids (that are easy, fun, and mostly free!)
Wondering how to get through lockdown during winter with young kids? Here is my list of 61 simple and engaging indoor activities for toddlers and young children. They are free (or close to it), easy, and fun. Find some inspiration or be reminded of all the activities you may have forgotten about.