Qualified to be a Mother?

You often hear new parents saying that they wish babies would come with an instruction manual, or that they could have had some training in how to bring up a child

16/05/2012

 

We expect our nannies and nursery nurses to have qualifications and experience when it comes to looking after children, but as mothers we aren't expected to know anything!

Another brick in the wall

This glaring omission was brought home to me this weekend when my youngest son hit a brick wall with his head!

Screaming, he came running towards me with blood pouring out of the back of his head. It was at that point that I wished I had taken a first aid course, because other than stemming the bleeding and comforting my poor son, I was pretty clueless, other than thinking I needed to call an ambulance.

Quick first aid response

Luckily for us (and the potential emergency services that would have been called), we were staying at the house of a surgeon. Within minutes he had taken control, stopped the bleeding, applied an appropriate dressing and bandaged my son's head (who by now was rather enjoying all the attention). I now realise I could have done most of this, if I'd just had the confidence, or perhaps some knowledge of first aid.

Paediatric first aid courses

It is amazing that as parents we are not expected to do a paediatric first aid course when our babies are born.

A few years ago, a mother saved the life of her young child just days after she had attended a first aid course - she was able to apply CPR. A survey in 2009 showed that 82% of parents would not have a clue what to do if their child started choking.

Would you know what to do if your child burnt himself?

I'm now going to be looking for my nearest paediatric first aid course. And whilst I'm at it, finding out where I can learn how to sew, cook, make papier-mâché masks, deal with hormonal boys, apply long division...

You may be interested in reading Our Favourite Fast First Aid Tips.

Amanda Coxen, Working Mum and Tinies Director

 
Share this:
 
 
 
quotation mark
Tinies really did make our day and I would recommend your services to anybody else in a heartbeat. We have just landed home after a truly amazing couple of days at Cain Manor and I can honestly say that one of the things that really made our day was the work your team put in.

You understood our vision so perfectly and did such an incredible job; we just can't thank you enough. Without exception, the parents were just blown away by how easily you engaged the children from the minute you arrived and continued to do so throughout the day. The team were so lovely that the children just gravitated towards them instantly!

The measure of this was that Lottie (my bridesmaid and best friend's daughter who normally refuses to leave her Mum's hip if she's anywhere within a 2 mile radius!) actually went off with you! Please don't underestimate what an incredible achievement that was! I know you're all professionals and are therefore really good at knowing how to win the little ones over but Lottie is a particularly difficult customer.

I just want to thank you all so much.
Yeomans Family, Cain Manor in Hampshire & Surrey, Wedding Crèche