10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Was A Parent

1. They Aren’t Out To Manipulate You

This means your baby doesn’t cry his/her little eyes out because they are just trying to get attention or manipulate you in some way. They are either hungry, sleepy, uncomfortable (wet nappy/diaper, hot/cold) or bored. Figure which one it is and they stop. Even if you have just changed their diaper 2 minutes ago, check again, I have been caught out before. Go through each one and you will get it.

2. Talk Your Child Through Everything

Even if they can’t speak yet or you don’t think they even understand a word you are saying, just say it anyway. You will find things go a lot easier. I have found this even works when I am putting down a completely asleep toddler, but need to change him first. If I say everything I do before I do it, he stays asleep and even wriggles around to make it easier for me.

3. Don’t Bother About The Perfect Looking House

May be when they are 10 years or older, you could keep a reasonably tidy house, but before then prepare for food everywhere, toys and dirt. Don’t bother resisting it, go with the flow. They are a few things you can do though. Eat outside as often as possible. Use toy rotation in your toy room, and a big chest to store all the toys. Keep your reflooring and expensive furniture until afterwards.

4. Covers

If you have any furniture you would like to keep, buy a cover for it, same with the car and all the tables. Covers save items. Make sure you have a few for rotation so it doesn’t get dirty when you are washing one set.

5. Spend As Much Time With Them As Possible

As much as you probably hear it, the years pass quickly. And I am not talking about spending as much time with them on the weekend or as possible. I mean, if you are working drop one day a week, or more, at the end of your life would you rather have more in your bank account or more memories and a great relationship with your children? You can’t buy them it later and you make more of a difference in the world by being a great parent than having a lot of stuff and money. (just a note, I’m not saying stuff and money is bad, I certainly like it, you just need to determine priorities. If you can fit both in then I say go for it.)

6. Child’s Health

Your child’s health is most likely one of your top priorities. Your child will most likely catch and show symptoms of many illnesses throughout their childhood. But remember billions of children have all been there before. Every little snuffle doesn’t need a panic attack. It’s worse with your first child as everything is new. Make sure you have your health care professionals number or health line number (if your country has one) handy and a quick ring can easily put your mind at ease. I know you might sometimes want to wrap them in cotton wool, but little bodies are amazing resilient and can handle almost anything thrown at them. Viruses / Bacteria are a natural part of life and amazingly enough, catching for example the measles actually primes their immune system. Childhood illnesses actually help them live healthier lives and strengthens their immune system.

7. Cheap Is Better

As they all say, get a child an amazing toy and watch them play with the cardboard box. I have found that the best toys are simple ones in which you play with them. Paper airplanes, cardboard boxes, toilet roll, park, nature walk or a ball are extremely fun and provide many more laughs.

8. Saying No Or Yelling Makes It Worse

I know there can be points where you get that frustrated you just want to yell back at them. Regrettably from personal experience, saying no, or yelling doesn’t do anything other than make it all worse. Go an vent your frustration in another room and then come back and think of something to do, or a way to change the situation. If you yell, prepare for more screaming and a worse situation.

Before saying no to a child, try to think of something else to do. Saying no keeps them still focused on what you are trying to get away from them. If you suggest something else or a number of other things you will eventually get them to play or do something else. It works very well, though may take just a little bit of perseverance.

9. Children Copy EVERYTHING!

Not only will they repeat words and things said at awkward moments :) , but they learn your personality traits, habits and how you handle everything. You are teaching them how they will act as an adult. If you have bad habits either don’t let your children see at the very least, but it is best to better yourself to help your child grow into the best they can be.

10. Never Be Afraid To Better Your Parenting

If I never tried to better my parenting, I would still be doing somethings that today I would feel guilty about doing. I know its hard to accept you may have done something wrong by your child, I have personally had to accept this a few times, but ignoring it just so you don’t have to feel guilty about it only means you harm your child longer. I know I am still not perfect but I am always open to new ideas and better ways to be a better parent, as I want the best for my children, regardless of how it makes me feel.

variety of kiss types

Below you will find a variety of kiss types. If you find some that catch your fancy, feel free to try them :-)

Butterfly Kiss - With your faces less than a breath away, open and close your eyelids against your partners. If done correctly, the fluttering sensation will match the one in your heart.

Cheek Kiss - A friendly, "I really like you" kiss. Often the preferred kissing method of a first date. With your hands on your partner's shoulders, gently brush your lips across her cheek.

Earlobe Kiss - Gently sip and suck the earlobe. Avoid louder sucking noises as ears are sensitized noise detectors.

Eskimo Kiss - With your faces less than a breath apart, gently rub your noses together.

Eye Kiss - Hold your partner's head with both hands and slowly move their head in the direction you wish your kiss to go... then slowly kiss up towards your partner's eyes and give them a tender kiss on top of their closed eyes.

Eyelid Kiss - While your partner is resting/sleeping with eyes closed, very very gently kiss the spot right below their browbone. A very intimate kiss.

Finger Kiss - While laying together gently suck on their fingers. This can be very seductive and pleasurable.

Foot Kiss - An erotic and romantic gesture. It may tickle, but relax and enjoy it! To give a toe kiss by gently suck the toes and then lightly kissing the foot. It helps to gently massage the base of the foot while performing the kiss.

Forehead Kiss - The "motherly" kiss or "just friends" kiss. The forehead kiss can be a comforting kiss to anyone. Simply brush your lips lightly across the crown of their head.

Freeze Kiss (or Melt Kiss) - Experiment with this fun kiss. Put a small piece of ice in your mouth, then open mouth and kiss your partner, passing them the ice with your tongue. It's an erotic and sensual french kiss with a twist of cold.

French Kiss - The kiss involving the tongue. Some call this the "Soul Kiss" because the life and soul are thought to pass through the mouth's breath in the exchange across tongues. Surprisingly, the French call this "The English Kiss".

Fruity Kiss - Take a small piece of fruit and place between your lips (juicy fruits such as grapes, strawberries, small pieces of pineapple or mango are ideal). Kiss your partner and nibble one half of the piece of fruit while they nibble the other until it breaks in half, allowing the juice to run into your mouths.

Hand Kiss - Gently raise her hand to your lips. Lightly brush your lips across the top of her hand. Historically this kiss was performed with a bow, which showed deference to a lady.

Hickey Kiss - The object is not to draw blood, but to gently leave a mark that will prove your interlude was not a dream. This is often included in erotic foreplay.

Hostage Kiss - Cover your lips with tape and get your love's attention. When they come near, make noises like you're trying to tell them something and motion as if you can't get the tape off. Once they remove the tape from you to hear what you're trying to say tell them: "I've been saving my lips all day just for you!" Then kiss your love passionately!

Hot and Cold Kiss - Lick your partner's lips so that they're warm, and then gently blow on them. The sudden cold blast makes for a sensual explosion, and they will often try it on you next, as well as get very passionate.

Mistletoe Kiss - Surprise your lover by capturing them with a gentle holiday kiss under the mistletoe. This is also a good method for shyer individuals to steal a kiss from a potential lover.

Letter Kiss - Send your lover a kiss in a love letter by writing the letter x several times in a row at the bottom of a letter such as XXXXX.

Lick Kiss - Just before kissing, gently run your tongue along you partners lip whether it be the top or bottom one depending on the position of your lips. Very sensual.

Lip Sucking Kiss - When kissing gently suck on their lower lip. This can be very exciting.

Neck Nibble Kiss - Gently nibble up and down your partners neck. End with a gentle kiss on the lips.

Nip Kiss - This kiss can create a very erotic sensation. While kissing your partner, ever so gently nibble on their lips. You must be very careful not to bite to hard or hurt your partner. When done correctly, this kiss ignites wonderful sensations.

Reverse Lips Kiss - It involves standing above your lover and kissing them from over their head. This way, each kisser can take the hyper-sensitive bottom lip of thier lover in their mouths, and GENTLY draw blood to the surface of the lip by nibbling and sucking. A very sensuous, connecting kiss.

Searching The Cavern - Use the lips and tongue to gently tickle and kiss your lover's navel. Vary speeds and stroke to change sensation. Invigorating and intoxicating.

Shoulder Kiss - Simply come from behind, embrace her, and kiss the top of her shoulder. This is a sensual, loving kiss.

Sip Kiss - Take a small sip of your favorite drink. Leaving a little bit of it on your lips, kiss your partner. It is a unique way to create a sensual feeling and your partner will enjoy it.

Talking Kiss - Whisper sweet nothings into your partner's mouth. If caught in the act, simply say as Chico Marx, "I wasn't kissing her. I was whispering into her mouth."

Teaser Kiss - Starting on the forehead, a sweet short kiss on lips, then move up the arms up to her hand, kiss her hand, then come back up her arm, to her face and then lightly kiss her lips till she wants a passionate kiss.

The Buzzing Kiss - Gently place your lips against your lover's neck , behind their ear. Now, send a shudder through their skin by gently growling and humming, vibrating your lips and cheeks as you do so. Move up and down the neck, over the bones of the face and lips. Stimulating and erotic when done correctly.

The Whipped Cream Kiss - Dip your finger into some cool whip or whipped cream of your choice. Lick it off slowly, then embrace your partner and kiss them deeply letting their tongue slip over yours for a wonderfully sweet kiss. It's very seductive and passionate.

Tiger Kiss - Quietly sneak up behind your partner making sure they do not know what you are going to do. Out of the blue, grab them and gently bite their neck. Make sure to get a few good growls in too. This will surely surprise them.

Trickle Kiss - Take a sip of a favourite drink and trickle it slowly into partner's mouth while kissing.

Tongue Sucking - A variation of the French kiss. During an open-mouth kiss gently suck on your partner's tongue (not too hard because it may hurt). Very sexy :-)

Quickie Kiss - When you're in a rush. Often the nose gets it rather than the lips.

Vacuum Kiss - While kissing open-mouthed, slightly suck in as if you were sucking the air from your partners mouth. This is a playful kiss.

Wake Up Kiss - Before your partner awakes lean over and kiss their cheek and move over giving soft kisses until you reach their lips. Definitely a more than pleasant way to wake up!

29 Ways to increase your feeling of self worth

1. Write down 7 minor goals for the week and tick one off each day as you achieve it.
2. Read a book a month. Reading a book is actually an achievement in this technology and media driven world and reading a full book is a great way to achieve a sense of accomplishment.
3. At the end of each day before falling asleep write down something you feel proud about, either on the day or in the past.
4. Tell someone else how much you appreciate them, being able to be open and honest is great for self worth.
5. Say no! Learn the skill of saying no without offending the person asking.
6. Everything you do, do to the best of your ability even if it cleaning the toilets or something equally as mundane, develop a reputation as someone who takes pride in their work.
7. Walk tall and proud. walk as if you’ve got somewhere to go and you need to be there now, never run just walk tall and quickly.
8. Dress as smart as you can for each occasion, whether it be work, meeting a friend, or going for an interview. Take pride in your appearance.
9. Do something for yourself every day.
10. Learn a new skill or take up something you’ve always wanted to and stick with it.
11. Speak up for yourself in every area of your life, this might be hard to do at first but the first time you do it will be immense and if you carry on your self esteem and feelings of self worth will soar.
12. Sing at the top of your voice, not outside but in the house and really give it loads (I love singing Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at the top of my voice, ah! such a good feeling.)
13. Forgive yourself! (You know what I mean)
14. Get rid of the people who are dragging you down (I don’t mean kill them, I mean just stop having them in your life.)
15. Work on your strengths. A lot of people focus on building up their weaknesses, instead get better at what you are good at.
16. Take a walk in the rain………..Why?………..because you have the power to decide!
17. Listen to other people and what they are saying.
18. Reward your successes. As soon as you achieve something reward yourself.
19. Never let anyone force you to break your core values.
20. Stop the gossiping!
21. Don’t read a newspaper for a week and gauge how you feel about yourself and the world around you.
22. Help other people who need it.
23. Always, Always, Always be honest with yourself and others. There is no need for lies and the energy it takes to continue a lie is unbelievable.
24. Take a chance and take a risk or two. You don’t have long to live so just get up and do it.
25. Listen to your self talk and slap the little person criticising you, I mean it, imagine there are two people one on each shoulder, the one who criticises you give them a slap or a punch in the mouth and start to pay attention to the one who is praising you.
26. Don’t be afraid to accept help from other people, it means they respect you enough to help you with something.
27. Start changing your thinking to be more optimistic about yourself, instead of ‘…I can’t do that….’ say ‘..I’ve never tried it, but I’ll give it a go…’
28. Face your fears. Nothing will send your self esteem soaring more so than facing your fears and eventually conquering them.
29. Always leave comments on a blog you like :)