Raising Nyla

  If you follow my blog or instagram, you will know that i am very much in love with the montessori style of parenting. So here are some things that just make sense in my home for my toddler! A Step stool  Our step stool lives in the bathroom next to the toilet. It is a two step one and Ny uses it to climb up to flush the toilet and also to get to the sink so that she can wash her hands afterwards.  Since having the stool there i don't need to say anything to her and once i help her wipe herself and get her pants back on, she climbs up herself to do both jobs (i just put the tap on and soap in her hands).  I love the independence this gives her, and the way it has taught her hygiene on her own.  Height accessible mirror and cleaning tools in the bathroom (self car station) Nyla has her own mirror which is perfect height for her, as well as a little shelf which contains a sponge, comb, toothbrush and toothpaste. These being in reach means, again, s...

  If someone had said to me that they have a "calm zone" for their toddler when the terrible twos hit, i may have rolled my eyes at them. Now as a mother, i am fully on board with this idea.  Nyla is at the boundary testing, tantruming, being "difficult" stage of toddlerhood. It is so so easy for me to lose my temper with her when she behaves in these ways, but that isn't the parent i want to be.  We all get angry and frustrated and lose our tempers. As a toddler, they have all these new big feelings, and do not understand how to express them.  Me and Nys dad have very different parenting views. When i told him how she can be and sent videos, his automatic response was "this is when she needs discipline and punishment." Not in my house.  I sat him down and explained it to him in another way. Where yes, she understands the words no etc, what she doesn't understand is why no. She knows what she wants but she doesn't know how to get it or ask for ...