There is no shortage of glitter, tinsel and sparkling items during the festive period but for some people, some of the shine and sparkle has gone out of Christmas. With each passing year, it feels as though commercialisation squeezes more of the goodness out of this time of year and most parents will agree that Christmas today is not like it was when we were young.

This isn’t always a bad thing. It should be said that there are many ways that a modern Christmas is fantastic but if you like the idea of Christmas being a wonderous and magical time, it is fair to say that times have changed, and people have moved on.

If you were to sit back and remember the Christmases you loved as a child, many memories will spring to mind. There will be some presents that stick in your mind but for many people, most of the festive memories are based on the times spent with others.

Find events that bring your loved ones together this Christmas

The Christmas Day meal is a fantastic example of an event that brings people together. The meal is important, but the most essential element comes with bringing people together and ensuring that there is a reason for people to come together. Once that is in place, the good times flow naturally, and this means parents should be looking for ways to create moments that draw the whole family together.

In the present day, receiving a letter is likely to be an event that makes the whole family stop and take notice. We live in a digital age and it may be that the only things coming through your door are bills and junk messages. Therefore, when something important comes from the door, people will take notice and what could be more exciting than a personalised letter from Santa Claus?

Engage and encourage your kids in the most appropriate manner

If you are looking to engage your kids in an effective and appropriate manner, personalised letters from Santa Claus is likely to be a brilliant way of doing so. Creating the chance to gather together to read the letter is the start of the process but the real magic comes with the personalised nature of the letter.

With Lapland Mailroom, there is a chance to customise the letter to include several key details about the child who receives the letter. There is a chance for parents to acknowledge great behaviour in the past year and to inspire and influence children to do more in the year that lies ahead. Sometimes children don’t always listen to what their parents say but when the encouragement and motivation are being provided by Santa Claus, you can guarantee that the youngster will be doubly motivated to live up to the promise and hopes contained within the letter.

Create a sense of wonder this Christmas season

Even though a modern-day Christmas is far removed from the festive seasons you enjoyed as a child, you don’t have to give up on your hopes of your children enjoying the same sort of experience. It is possible for parents to ensure their kids’ experience and love Christmas traditions from a bygone era and time, and a personalised letter from Santa can make all the difference.

If you have been worried about the pessimism and cynicism surrounding the festive period these days, you don’t have to sit back and accept it. There are ways that you can help to create the magic and love of the year that you are familiar with and want youngsters to experience today. It is only natural that many people hold a pessimistic view of Christmas and carry a cynical view on the commercialisation of the season but by tapping into the magic of the season, you can make a Christmas that your kids love.

It has never been easier to create a genuinely personalised letter from Santa that your kid will instantly recognise as being true to their life. No matter the message you want to spread, this gift delights the recipient and other family members who enjoy the magic of the season coming alive once more.

If you’re looking to sprinkle some Christmas love on to the people you care about, a personalised letter from Santa Claus, via Lapland Mailroom, may be exactly what you need.

 

It is normal to be very frustrated when you have spent time preparing a meal and your toddler simply refuses to eat it. Approximately 90% of children go through at least one lengthy phase of fussy eating. Eating habits and tastes are formed at an early stage therefore it is important to offer a variety of foods from the start. Learning to eat is like any other learning process, it takes time. While it can be very annoying when your child rejects the food we prepare for them, their eating habits are hugely influenced by our reaction to the situation.

Don’t get emotional

This sounds easy in theory, but actually the practice of it is very hard.  Usually by the time parents look for help about their child’s “fussy feeding” the patterns of conflict are well established and parents’ stress levels about food have usually soared to serious heights. If arguing with your child about eating or not eating has become a battle of wills, then you are probably finding that it’s one of the few areas where your child’s will is prevailing. Children realise very soon that there are few things they can control, one is what goes into their mouth and the other is what comes out. Children if left alone will regulate their own food intake to ensure that they are not left hungry and they will in general get enough energy to live, grow and move.

It is understandable that eating habits are worrying for parents, however it is important to park up emotions at mealtime. All parents become anxious when their children do not eat properly. Don’t pander to a restricted diet, instead offer a variety of balanced meals.

Try and develop a daily routine of three meals and two snacks around your toddlers sleeping pattern. Your child will then know when to expect food. This will also encourage your child to eat, depending on the age of your child, you might want to explain to your child  that you are no longer going to feed them, allow 15 -20 min for each meal and take the plate away  even if the plate is not empty. Praise your child when he eats well or tries something new and try hiding your frustrations. This may mean that you have to ignore some behaviour.

There is no magic solution to fixing a fussy feeder, especially if the pattern has been going on for some time. It takes a lot of patience and consistency to ensure parents turn the situation around.  Once you decide to take control stick with it.

Knowledge of child growth and development will allay anxieties for parents. Young children vary in what and how much they are willing to eat. This unpredictability is due in part to their inconsistency about independence, and eating is an area where they can act out this confusion. So don’t be surprised if your child eats a large plate of food one day and practically nothing the next, loves parsnip on Monday and refuses it on Friday, will self-feed at one meal and wishes to be feed in the evening. Try to simply “go with the flow” and don’t take your fussy feeders habits too personally.

Relax

Children sometime between their second and third birthday become set in their ideas on just about everything, including the way food is prepared. Expect food fixations i.e. cheese first and then a slice of ham in a sandwich. Don’t see this as being stubborn. Toddlers have a fixation about the order of things in their world.

Food refusal is a normal phase that most toddlers pass through. Fear of new foods in the second year may be a survival mechanism to prevent increasingly mobile toddlers from poisoning themselves through eating anything and everything. Toddlers may limit the variety of foods they eat. This phase will normally pass without too much fuss but it may last for a few years and be more visible in some toddlers than in others. Your child may refuse food if it is new. Remember they need to taste it a few times to learn to like (up to 10 times) so offer it the next time you are eating it. Some children eat less than other children of a similar age. If your child is growing and developing normally then it is most likely that he or she is taking the right quantity of food for his or her own needs. Don’t just look at the daily intake but look on previous week. It may be helpful to keep a food diary, you may be surprised at the amount of food your child actually takes.

Stay positive and focus on enjoying healthier options, and don’t dwell too much about the unhealthier choices.  The important thing to remember with any changes is to try and persist with them; it can take up to 10 times before you succeed.  The more frequently children can try healthier foods, the more likely they will eat them – but discuss and compromise a little as this is also part of role modelling a healthy approach.

Explore the Laya Healthcare site for more information on family health insurance cover options or to get a health insurance quote online today.

If you’re interested in purchasing a few new items for your child’s fall and winter wardrobe, simply continue reading to discover some of the latest fashion trends for children this fall and winter!

Fashion trends for children this fall/winter:

1. Boots

Boots are a practical yet stylish footwear option for active kids, who still plan on spending time outdoors during the cooler fall and winter months. This year expect knee-length leather boots to be offered for girls, while ankle length leather boots will be the most popular option for boys.

2. Animal print clothing for little girls

Expect to see bold animal print clothing being released for little girls. Examples of which include fluffy animal print coats, cute animal print cardigans, and adorable animal print gloves, scarves and berets.

3. Wool newsboy style caps

Wool newsboy style caps are tipped to be one of the latest fall and winter trends for children’s fashion. So if you love to purchase accessories to take your child’s outfits to the next level, it’s well worth purchasing a stylish yet warm wool newsboy style cap for your child.

4. Puffer vests

As temperatures start to plummet, it’s a wise idea to start layering your child’s clothing, in order to keep them warm, dry and toasty.

If you’re curious about how to style a stylish kid-friendly outfit which features an on-trend puffer vest, you may want to consider dressing your kid in a pair of chinos or blue jeans and a chambray or plaid shirt with a puffer vest. Alternatively, you may want to pair a sweater in a bright color with a cute puffer vest in a contrasting color.

5. Camo patterned fashion

Expect to see camo on display in most stores which offer children’s fashion. Statement camo pieces to keep an eye out for include camo patterned parkas, camo vests, and camo chinos.

6. Snood style scarves

Snood style scarves are set to trend this year in children fashion, which is great as snood style scarves are incredibly practical as they stay looped and won’t come undone like most scarves. So if you want your child to stay warm and stylish for the duration of fall and winter it’s well picking up a few snood style scarves, in a variety of fun bright colors.

7. Wool capes

If you’re looking to invest in purchasing a new wool coat for your little one and want to purchase a chic coat which is fashion forward, you may be interested in purchasing a stylish wool cape. If you’re unsure of what color to opt for it’s wise to opt for a neutral such as a beige cape or a black cap, which your child will be able to wear over most outfits.

8. Bomber style jackets

If your child loves urban streetwear they’ll love being able to pick out their very own bomber jacket. Bomber jackets come in a variety of fabrics and it’s possible to purchase a leather kid’s bomber jacket or a cotton bomber jacket as well as a silk style kid’s bomber jacket.

So if you’d love to be able to purchase children’s clothing at an affordable price, it’s well worth picking up some of the fashion forward pieces which are listed above!