Comments on: Help! http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/ International lifestyle site for mums Tue, 22 May 2012 19:20:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Esther http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-217 Esther Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:43:21 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-217 Another thought: I know this is not easy to arrange for all mothers, but I feel it's for your sanity: Try to have at least one afternoon a week for yourself. Go to a hairdresser, to a museum, or have lunch with a friend. Courtney and I used to have our 'holy' Tuesday lunches together, and afterwards we would go shopping. I miss those Tuesdays!! Another thought:
I know this is not easy to arrange for all mothers, but I feel it’s for your sanity:
Try to have at least one afternoon a week for yourself. Go to a hairdresser, to a museum, or have lunch with a friend. Courtney and I used to have our ‘holy’ Tuesday lunches together, and afterwards we would go shopping. I miss those Tuesdays!!

]]> By: Courtney http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-211 Courtney Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:53:39 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-211 Join an international/expat women's club in your city. Here in London, I am a member of two: the KCWC (Kensington Chelsea Women's Club), and the AWC (American Women's Club). These clubs facilitate playgroups for babies, expectant mother's coffees, activites and parties for children, etc. It is also a really good way to meet other mums in your city. These clubs also have non-kid related activities like book club, wine tastings, and movie nights. I have met many of my closest friends from these clubs. We still have playgroup get-togethers every week that have been going on for 2 years now! Emilie wrote about "Message", which is an international club in Paris. See her post: http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=33. Join an international/expat women’s club in your city. Here in London, I am a member of two: the KCWC (Kensington Chelsea Women’s Club), and the AWC (American Women’s Club). These clubs facilitate playgroups for babies, expectant mother’s coffees, activites and parties for children, etc. It is also a really good way to meet other mums in your city. These clubs also have non-kid related activities like book club, wine tastings, and movie nights. I have met many of my closest friends from these clubs. We still have playgroup get-togethers every week that have been going on for 2 years now!
Emilie wrote about “Message”, which is an international club in Paris. See her post: http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=33.

]]> By: Esther http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-210 Esther Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:51:45 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-210 Don't worry Annemarieke, all suggestions are VERY welcome. And we do agree with you - a well rested kid is so much easier to entertain! (If only they would understand this themselves!!!) Don’t worry Annemarieke, all suggestions are VERY welcome. And we do agree with you – a well rested kid is so much easier to entertain! (If only they would understand this themselves!!!)

]]> By: Esther http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-207 Esther Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:37:32 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-207 Travelling with newborns is so much easier! They seem to sleep through the entire flight - snug in their bassinette! I say: Take your husband and newborn baby a long weekend to an exciting place (we went to Hong Kong). Enjoy great shopping, exciting food and amazing landscapes while your baby still sleeps most of the time. Leave your older children with their grandparents. Travelling with newborns is so much easier! They seem to sleep through the entire flight – snug in their bassinette!
I say: Take your husband and newborn baby a long weekend to an exciting place (we went to Hong Kong). Enjoy great shopping, exciting food and amazing landscapes while your baby still sleeps most of the time. Leave your older children with their grandparents.

]]> By: Courtney http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-206 Courtney Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:38:51 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-206 Another tip... Get to know the shops and boutiques in your city that have a kid's corner in the back. There are several shops in Primrose Hill that have a big basket of toys in the back. See my post about Elias and Grace: http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=105 My kids love it, and they stay entertained and busy for at least 20 minutes! (They are always fascinated by toys that aren't their own)! This way you can shop (and even try things on, if you need to) while your kids stay happy and entertained... Another tip…
Get to know the shops and boutiques in your city that have a kid’s corner in the back. There are several shops in Primrose Hill that have a big basket of toys in the back. See my post about Elias and Grace: http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=105
My kids love it, and they stay entertained and busy for at least 20 minutes! (They are always fascinated by toys that aren’t their own)! This way you can shop (and even try things on, if you need to) while your kids stay happy and entertained…

]]> By: Annemarieke http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-204 Annemarieke Thu, 17 Jan 2008 20:05:10 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-204 Oops, it seems I didn't read the question I was commenting on well enough. Anyway: well rested kids (using sleeping bags) entertain themselves (at least in theory.........) :-) Oops, it seems I didn’t read the question I was commenting on well enough. Anyway: well rested kids (using sleeping bags) entertain themselves (at least in theory………) :-)

]]> By: Esther http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-203 Esther Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:27:02 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-203 Rebecca - my daughter is just like yours! Although frustrating at times, I decided that letting her help me is the easiest way out! Rebecca – my daughter is just like yours! Although frustrating at times, I decided that letting her help me is the easiest way out!

]]> By: Esther http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-202 Esther Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:24:03 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-202 Organize a summer picnic in the park. Bring dolls with (foldable) doll’s pushchair, bikes, balls. Invite all your friends. Make sure there’s plenty of cold rosé as well. Let your husband carry everything. Organize a summer picnic in the park. Bring dolls with (foldable) doll’s pushchair, bikes, balls. Invite all your friends. Make sure there’s plenty of cold rosé as well. Let your husband carry everything.

]]> By: Rebecca http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-200 Rebecca Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:11:31 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-200 Our two new favorite games [for a toddler]: -helping mama-- this takes a bit of patience, but it is helpful! my daughter will help me sort laundry, put things away, etc., if it is made into a 'game' format. she loves cooking as well, which is fun [if a bit messy...] -dress up!-- for 3 weeks straight, lucie put on her tutu and ballet slippers when she woke up in the a.m. and again after nap time [i usually got her to wear 'normal' clothes for a while in between.] then you can say things like 'well, ballerinas LOVE to eat all their veg' or 'a ballerina wouldn't whine like that!' and practicing ballet takes a while too! Our two new favorite games [for a toddler]:
-helping mama– this takes a bit of patience, but it is helpful! my daughter will help me sort laundry, put things away, etc., if it is made into a ‘game’ format. she loves cooking as well, which is fun [if a bit messy...]
-dress up!– for 3 weeks straight, lucie put on her tutu and ballet slippers when she woke up in the a.m. and again after nap time [i usually got her to wear 'normal' clothes for a while in between.] then you can say things like ‘well, ballerinas LOVE to eat all their veg’ or ‘a ballerina wouldn’t whine like that!’ and practicing ballet takes a while too!

]]> By: Esther http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-199 Esther Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:10:01 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-199 I am in the process of finding such a person here in Amsterdam! (I'd better find somebody sooner than later - thankfully it's wintertime)! Sitting here in my pyjamas still, I realize: You should buy really good-looking pyjamas in case you and your children never make it into day wear (and always take off your -6.25 glasses, brush your hair and put on some light make-up – never know who might ring the bell!!!!). Also: in case of untameable curls (it seems to be a problem for some people - I wish I had untameable curls), a much needed root tint, uncontrollable dandruff or the like: a headband does wonders!! I am in the process of finding such a person here in Amsterdam! (I’d better find somebody sooner than later – thankfully it’s wintertime)!
Sitting here in my pyjamas still, I realize:
You should buy really good-looking pyjamas in case you and your children never make it into day wear (and always take off your -6.25 glasses, brush your hair and put on some light make-up – never know who might ring the bell!!!!).
Also: in case of untameable curls (it seems to be a problem for some people – I wish I had untameable curls), a much needed root tint, uncontrollable dandruff or the like: a headband does wonders!!

]]> By: Christianne http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-197 Christianne Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:23:16 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-197 Every couple of weeks I have an aesthetician come to my house in the evenings. She'll do all the waxing required and a manicure and pedicure if needed. Of course my children are sound asleep! It saves me the trip to a spa (I can relax on my own sofa with a glass of wine while she does her job - so much more relaxing!) and having to arrange for childcare! Every couple of weeks I have an aesthetician come to my house in the evenings. She’ll do all the waxing required and a manicure and pedicure if needed. Of course my children are sound asleep!
It saves me the trip to a spa (I can relax on my own sofa with a glass of wine while she does her job – so much more relaxing!) and having to arrange for childcare!

]]> By: Courtney http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-196 Courtney Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:25:36 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-196 Have a weekly date night with your husband! Get a babysitter to come once a week. Then go out to a new restaurant every week. Drink wine and get tipsy! Act like you used to BC (before children)! Have a weekly date night with your husband! Get a babysitter to come once a week. Then go out to a new restaurant every week. Drink wine and get tipsy! Act like you used to BC (before children)!

]]> By: Courtney http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-195 Courtney Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:22:28 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-195 Rent an apartment (or do an apartment swap) when you go on holidays. It makes your holiday so much more relaxed when you have a kitchen to cook in and extra bedrooms for your kids! (Being in a tiny hotel room means bed-time routines are chaotic)! Cook your kids their dinner, put them to bed, and stay up late with your man, drinking wine! (Just like a true holiday)... Rent an apartment (or do an apartment swap) when you go on holidays. It makes your holiday so much more relaxed when you have a kitchen to cook in and extra bedrooms for your kids! (Being in a tiny hotel room means bed-time routines are chaotic)! Cook your kids their dinner, put them to bed, and stay up late with your man, drinking wine! (Just like a true holiday)…

]]> By: Esther http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-194 Esther Wed, 16 Jan 2008 19:59:32 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-194 Well... we shouldn't forget about ordering your child a couple of BABYCCINOS to keep them entertained during lunch (so you can chat with your girlfriends!). See my post http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=118 Well… we shouldn’t forget about ordering your child a couple of BABYCCINOS to keep them entertained during lunch (so you can chat with your girlfriends!).
See my post http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=118

]]> By: Michela http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-192 Michela Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:05:15 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-192 Some Airports have small children play area after security control, it's a great way to let them use some of the energy before boarding your flight. Some Airports have small children play area after security control, it’s a great way to let them use some of the energy before boarding your flight.

]]> By: Kim http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-191 Kim Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:29:51 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-191 Or for rainy days in London (and we have had unfortunately quite some lately....): in NorthWest London you have at Swiss Cottage this great Pool/indoorplaycentre/restaurant/library. My son loves going to the indoor playcentre there and on Sundays he goes swimming at the same place (with his not-so-much-wanting-to-go-father), while I have a delicious cup of coffee and generous served portion of cake overlooking the swimming pool in the restaurant Del Aziz;-) (my excuse, if you think I need any: 8 months pregnant). Also the library is in the same building, so if your child has a sudden change of mind (to mine that happens quite often) you can easily change plans. Even has in the summer a great child friendly water feature and a little playground! In one word fantastic place! Or for rainy days in London (and we have had unfortunately quite some lately….): in NorthWest London you have at Swiss Cottage this great Pool/indoorplaycentre/restaurant/library. My son loves going to the indoor playcentre there and on Sundays he goes swimming at the same place (with his not-so-much-wanting-to-go-father), while I have a delicious cup of coffee and generous served portion of cake overlooking the swimming pool in the restaurant Del Aziz;-) (my excuse, if you think I need any: 8 months pregnant). Also the library is in the same building, so if your child has a sudden change of mind (to mine that happens quite often) you can easily change plans. Even has in the summer a great child friendly water feature and a little playground! In one word fantastic place!

]]> By: Esther http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-189 Esther Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:08:30 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-189 No need to sacrifice being an intellectual - on rainy days, just bring your child to the local library - they all have a kids' section! No need to sacrifice being an intellectual – on rainy days, just bring your child to the local library – they all have a kids’ section!

]]> By: Michela http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-188 Michela Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:41:22 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-188 Keep going to museums by participating in some family programs: the Moma, the Tate and the Met all have some! Keep going to museums by participating in some family programs: the Moma, the Tate and the Met all have some!

]]> By: Esther http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-187 Esther Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:26:58 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-187 Oof, Olia - I know a little bit about what you're talking about - my 2 1/2 year old is going through this phase where she has trouble being seperated from her mum. But I think that when there are other kids, toys and even professional animators, she might be convinced to leave her parents alone for a bit! BTW, the skating sounds like fun. Most cities in Europe have something similar these days. In Paris you can go sledding in front of the Hotel de Ville (see Emilie's post http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=156 ), and when we were visiting Michela in Milan last weekend, I saw people w/ kids skiing down a snowy slope built behind the Castello!!! (In Amsterdam you can go skating on the 'Museumplein', close to the Rijks and Van Gogh musea!) Oof, Olia – I know a little bit about what you’re talking about – my 2 1/2 year old is going through this phase where she has trouble being seperated from her mum. But I think that when there are other kids, toys and even professional animators, she might be convinced to leave her parents alone for a bit!
BTW, the skating sounds like fun. Most cities in Europe have something similar these days. In Paris you can go sledding in front of the Hotel de Ville (see Emilie’s post http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=156 ), and when we were visiting Michela in Milan last weekend, I saw people w/ kids skiing down a snowy slope built behind the Castello!!!
(In Amsterdam you can go skating on the ‘Museumplein’, close to the Rijks and Van Gogh musea!)

]]> By: Olia http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2008/01/15/help/#comment-186 Olia Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:18:12 +0000 http://babyccinoblog.com/?p=229#comment-186 What a great idea for a children’s section in a restaurant, but unfortunately knowing my daughter makes me certain that she will NEVER stay in a place that she is not familiar with out me! Or places with a creche are out of the question for us. Even though she never really gave me trouble going to the nursery – short term solutions are not for us!! There are pilates and swimming classes here in London that a mother can follow with their baby, I wish I knew about them when Arianna was a baby. But now that she is a toddler there are plenty of things to do on a weekend. We went skating by the History Museum the other day, it is great fun but Arianna got scared and started crying so we had to cut the session sort. Maybe next time it will be better. What a great idea for a children’s section in a restaurant, but unfortunately knowing my daughter makes me certain that she will NEVER stay in a place that she is not familiar with out me! Or places with a creche are out of the question for us. Even though she never really gave me trouble going to the nursery – short term solutions are not for us!!

There are pilates and swimming classes here in London that a mother can follow with their baby, I wish I knew about them when Arianna was a baby.

But now that she is a toddler there are plenty of things to do on a weekend. We went skating by the History Museum the other day, it is great fun but Arianna got scared and started crying so we had to cut the session sort. Maybe next time it will be better.

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