The Blog of Peg Perego » mom blogger http://blog.pegperego.com/en Si vede che vale Wed, 19 Jun 2019 06:51:11 +0000 en-UK hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.8 Bilingual advice http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2013/03/bilingual-advice/ http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2013/03/bilingual-advice/#comments Thu, 07 Mar 2013 10:28:51 +0000 http://blog.pegperego.com/en/?p=2771 Letizia Quaranta described her personal experience on the Internet and transformed it into a project everybody can try. The BilinguePerGioco (Bilingual Playing) is a project designed to teach parents (mother tongue and not) the most amusing way to introduce their children to languages. The advice she decided to give us clearly reveals how this project is her dream, her daily life, her vision.

1. Do not underestimate: Children’s skills. They may all seem geniuses to us (raise your hand if you have never thought it) but we are, unavoidably, not very objective and we do tend to underestimate them. In a certain way, children are geniuses. The speed at which they learn and the complexity of what they learn is stunning – after all, learning to speak, make sounds, understand meanings and syntax from the noise they hear from morning till night are amazing achievements.

2. Do not overestimate: Your skills. On maternity leave I will do this, and that, and start this... and finish that... all while baby sleeps. We all thought this, myself included, and even second and third-time mums do… you end up doing nothing you had planned, partly because babies do not sleep all the time and there are hundreds of things to do when they are asleep, and mostly because new mums are not office machines. They are hormone bombs that can spend hours cuddling a sleeping baby. I am no exception to the rule. I did almost nothing I had planned during my maternity leave, but I did start something I had not - consciously at least - planned to do. I introduced my child to a second language.

3. If you need help: Ask for it. There usually are plenty of people prepared to help mothers. Often they would do anything to give a hand with the baby, cuddle and play with it. Asking for help means admitting you cannot manage to do everything yourself, as well as loosing some control over the baby. It needs to be done. Giving birth to children and raising them is not something you should do on your own. Women have always helped each other out with children since the beginning of time and recently some men (fathers, grandfathers) have started to help. Expecting to manage everything by yourself means not understanding the problem… You are human, after all. Welcome to the club!

4. You won’t manage without: Singing. You will sing your child to sleep or wake him up with a song. You will sing as you change him and feed him, as you try to distract him and stop him from crying, as you try to get through a long car journey. You will sing for fun, to dance and to make him laugh. And you will sing to teach him another language as well…

5. My motto for when you are desperate: C’est la vie. Nobody said having children was easy - lovely, yes, easy, no. Pull yourself together – tomorrow morning, when your little one snuggles up to you in bed, you will forget that this evening you are tired and have had enough.

]]> http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2013/03/bilingual-advice/feed/ 0 In the words of Dooce http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2013/01/in-the-words-of-dooce/ http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2013/01/in-the-words-of-dooce/#comments Wed, 16 Jan 2013 07:10:41 +0000 http://blog.pegperego.com/en/?p=3123 If you don't make a habit of hopping from one mommyblog to the next, you may not know her, but Heather B. Armstrong is a power to reckon with across the ocean. Heather has become a professional blogger, and her blog was reported on Time.com as one of the five essential blogs to read in 2011.

Having arrived in Los Angeles after graduating, Heather began working as a web designer and launched her blog, Dooce, as a hobby in 2001. But life, as we all know, has a way of changing, and soon the adventures of a single woman became the journal of a new mom.
The blog, which became a source of income for Heather when she lost her job, also served as a relief valve that sustained her during her postpartum depression.

Then, in 2005, the blog achieved such an astounding success that even her husband was able to resign from his job and "climb aboard" of this adventure that allows them to work from home and be close to their children and their dogs on a daily basis.

Included on Forbes' Top 100 websites for Women and on Babble's list of top 50 mompreneurs, Heather - crowned by the New York Times as the Queen of the Mommy Bloggers - has become very influential, authoritative and widely read. This is why our American team was flattered and delighted when they spotted one of our high chairs in a photo published on her blog.

The photo accompanies a post dedicated to one of the thousand questions of motherhood, namely: the appropriate age to leave the high chair. In recounting her experience, Heather confides that "that chair is really easy to clean up". Yes, that's what we always say, but what a satisfaction to have earned the respect of the Queen of the Mommy Bloggers of America! Let us gloat a little, as we shout out an excited T-H-A-N-K-S, hoping it reaches as
far as Utah... Thanks Heather!

PS: The photo is taken from the post that has made ​us so happy and that you can find on Dooce.com

]]> http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2013/01/in-the-words-of-dooce/feed/ 0 Ariadne’s thread http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/11/ariadne%e2%80%99s-thread/ http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/11/ariadne%e2%80%99s-thread/#comments Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:56:43 +0000 http://blog.pegperego.com/en/?p=2777 Akari (a mother-of-two with this nickname) loves designing, marketing and technology. She has a degree in communication that she would like to use more. She is interested in novelty and technical and social changes and is one of the founders of the Mercatino dei Piccoli web site (small people’s market), in which she mentions unusual items for children and their rooms. Follow her thread – she is Ariadne, after all!

1. Do not underestimate: Your husband, your partner, the father of your child. He can do everything – almost – that you can!

2. Do not overestimate: Yourself. You will have your weaknesses, so go to step 3

3. If you need help: Ask for it, is that clear?

4. You won’t manage without: Falling in love with your little one. Feeling tired. Feeling on top of the world and thinking “this mystery is marvellous.” Wanting some true ME time. Turning round every time you hear a child say ‘mummy’, even if your own child is next to you…

5. My motto for when you are desperate: The darkest hour is just before dawn.

Arianna (Ariadne) – Mercatino dei Piccoli

]]> http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/11/ariadne%e2%80%99s-thread/feed/ 0 The advice of a happy mother http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/11/the-advice-of-a-happy-mother/ http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/11/the-advice-of-a-happy-mother/#comments Tue, 13 Nov 2012 12:47:37 +0000 http://blog.pegperego.com/en/?p=2810 Barbara’s is one of the most popular blogs (a blog that is almost a portal) among net-surfing mothers. Visit the blog for ideas and projects of all kinds – recipes, games, indoor activities, arts and crafts… They all come garnished with common sense and a pinch of irony. Barbara’s ambitions do not include being a perfect mother, but she is certainly determined to be a happy one!

So where can you find better advice on how to get off on the right foot as you start the fantastic (and energy-consuming) parenting adventure?

1. Do not underestimate: Your partner/husband. Learn that he can help and expect him to do so unconditionally. You are both parents and must be able to replace each other if necessary.

2. Do not overestimate: Your strength. You are not Wonderwoman and you have just given birth to a baby. Rest, smile, eat, sleep and do not set yourself impossible targets.

3. If you need help: Ask for it in a loud voice, don’t just think it would be nice to have some. Nobody can read your mind but everybody can give you what you need - if you learn to ask for it.

4. You won’t manage without: Making mistakes, so get used to it. All mothers make mistakes - that's life. Be the best you can but learn to forgive yourself if something goes wrong.

5. My motto for when you are desperate: Happiness is free and can be found in lots of little things you can indulge in. If you don’t like your life, the only way you can be happy is by changing it.

MammaFelice

]]> http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/11/the-advice-of-a-happy-mother/feed/ 0 If a witch says so… http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/10/if-a-witch-says-so%e2%80%a6/ http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/10/if-a-witch-says-so%e2%80%a6/#comments Wed, 31 Oct 2012 05:41:16 +0000 http://blog.pegperego.com/en/?p=2808 We all loved the stories of Samantha the witch, married to Darrin Stephens, an ordinary mortal, and the mother of the adorable Tabitha. More than one generation was Bewitched by that TV series, in which a bit of nose twitching solved almost any problem.
Is that why Elisabetta, the mother of three boys, found her so inspiring for her blog?

After all, was there ever a mother who didn’t wish she had a magic wand? Elisabetta describes herself as a “semi-witch, a journalist, an enthusiastic cinema fan, a cyclist braving the streets of Milan." One thing's for sure - she gets straight to the point.

1. Do not underestimate: Relatives barging in…

2. Do not overestimate: How much you can cope. You need to rest if you are breastfeeding. Ask someone (your mother, partner/husband, neighbour, friend, anybody!) to help you.

3. If you need help: Everything you need is online

4. You won’t manage without: Having some way of letting off steam! Make sure you have hobbies and interests, other than your children and housework.

5. My motto for when you are desperate: ADELANTE!

Bewitched

]]> http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/10/if-a-witch-says-so%e2%80%a6/feed/ 0 For Elise… http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/10/for-elise%e2%80%a6/ http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/10/for-elise%e2%80%a6/#comments Thu, 25 Oct 2012 12:28:21 +0000 http://blog.pegperego.com/en/?p=2804 This mother of two, who describes herself as a ‘vintage mum’ , works on the Web and loves designing, reading and cooking.
She admits that sometimes she gets lost, but always finds her way back, probably because she is such a practical person, as you can tell by her advice. It’s all for you – make it work for you

1. Do not underestimate: Yourself when you think about labour and birth. It will naturally bring out the best in you.

2. Do not overestimate: The accuracy of your due date! You could be one or two weeks early or late, so try not to pack your hospital bag and prepare the baby’s room between contractions. If you are overdue, be patient, smile and wait!

3. If you need help: Say so! Do not deny it - we have all been through it and we can all help. Speak to your neighbour, the shop-assistant, another new mum you have not spoken to for some time…

4. You won’t manage without: A good stroller you and your baby can explore the world with.

5. My motto for when you are desperate: “Relax and enjoy your child… Your baby was born to be a reasonable, friendly – though occasionally demanding – human being,” said Benjamin Spock. He also said we should not be afraid to love them and enjoy them - babies need smiles, words, games and cuddles as much as they need vitamins and calories.

Littleelo

]]> http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/10/for-elise%e2%80%a6/feed/ 0 ItMom’s advice http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/10/itmom%e2%80%99s-advice/ http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/10/itmom%e2%80%99s-advice/#comments Thu, 25 Oct 2012 11:55:40 +0000 http://blog.pegperego.com/en/?p=2798 The subtitle of her blog is a legend for Italian mothers surfing the Net (Better a blog today than a prozac tomorrow). Costanza (ItMom) started her blog in June 2007, when she was up to her neck in the delights and challenges of babyhood and early childhood. Now her experience on the Net has changed, but she still is a beacon of light for the rest of us. Here is her advice.

1. Do not underestimate: The importance of friends who are mothers too – they are the only ones who really understand you and can give useful advice.

2. Do not overestimate: Your strength. You’ll feel on top of the world during pregnancy, but tiredness will hit you after childbirth. Admit it, you are knackered. Try to rest.

3. If you need help: Do not be ashamed to ask for it. Ask anyone, even your mother-in-law or your nosy parker neighbour.

4. You won’t manage without: Stopping and thinking. If you are normally always on the go, children will force you to slow down and stop.

5. My motto for when you are desperate: “Fortunately, they do grow up.”

ItMom

]]> http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/10/itmom%e2%80%99s-advice/feed/ 0 A manager swears by… http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/10/a-manager-swears-by%e2%80%a6/ http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/10/a-manager-swears-by%e2%80%a6/#comments Thu, 25 Oct 2012 11:52:18 +0000 http://blog.pegperego.com/en/?p=2796 Her name is Veronica.

“I used to be a manager,” she says. “Now, with two children, I manage what I call the ‘family business’. I do not sit at a desk all day, which makes me feel more alive and interesting than ever.”

Here are her essential tips on how to survive motherhood.

1. Do not underestimate: Your skills. It may be difficult at first, but you will succeed in being the best mother for your child. You are not born with maternal instincts, you develop them as the days go by. One day you and your child will look at each other in the eye and understand each other immediately.

2. Do not overestimate: People who are always giving advice. Mothers and mothers- in-law were young mums thirty years ago – now they are making up most of what they are saying. Accept help, but do not put up with being criticised.

3. If you need help: Say so! Meet up with other mothers, talk to friends. You will find support.

4. You won’t manage without: A husband and a cooperative, attentive father. To be a happy woman, you need good father, not a boyfriend.

5. My motto for when you are desperate: Half your problems vanish as time goes by.

Manager di Me Stessa (My own Manager)

]]> http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/10/a-manager-swears-by%e2%80%a6/feed/ 0 From one mother to another http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/10/from-one-mother-to-another/ http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/10/from-one-mother-to-another/#comments Thu, 25 Oct 2012 10:41:44 +0000 http://blog.pegperego.com/en/?p=2787 When a child is born a mother is born too. What a pity that, despite hundreds of very useful books, babies don’t come with a set of instructions (and probably won’t in the future, either). We asked mothers, bloggers and friends to give us some ‘emotional’ tips instead of practical tips (‘better go for bodies that do up at the bottom’ and the like were not what you wanted to hear…). We hope you will find them useful!

I will play host this week, so here we go. Here are my five essential tips on how to survive motherhood.

1. Do not underestimate: childbirth is not everything – once that is over, you have a child for life

2. Do not overestimate: The advice of people with lots of kids – just because they have more than you do, their children are not necessarily like yours.

3. If you need help: Google a specific problem online. If you need other human beings, go to a children’s centre, there are opening all over the place.

4. You won’t manage without: scores of rain covers, you will be loosing them all the time.

5. My motto for when you are desperate: Keep calm and carry on.

Smamma.net

]]> http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/10/from-one-mother-to-another/feed/ 0 Chiara’s advice http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/10/chiara%e2%80%99s-advice/ http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/10/chiara%e2%80%99s-advice/#comments Thu, 18 Oct 2012 12:42:45 +0000 http://blog.pegperego.com/en/?p=2632 Her advice is her business card and her image is online – her blog is called ChiaraConsiglia (Chiara advises). The topics of conversation in her ‘virtual home’ are creativity, arts and crafts, furniture, knitting and crochet work. There are loads of ideas you can discover every day. She has given us some advice on how to survive pregnancy.

1. Do not underestimate: Your health and fitness! Do not over-eat and try to stay fit. This will help you in the last trimester, when you may be spared a number of uncomfortable pregnancy-related ‘joys’.

2. Do not overestimate: Your energy! I was lucky to have an easy pregnancy so my habits did not change much. I carried on with the housework, shopping, sport, although I was sure I never overdid it, taking things slowly and resting frequently.

3. If you need help: Ask your friends and family. Being women, we are often too proud to ask for help, but when you are pregnant you really need it.

4. You won’t manage without: Your partner. Pregnancy involves you both. Get your partner to make a fuss of you and enjoy it while you can, because it won’t just be the two of you when the baby is born...

5. My motto for when you are desperate: Tomorrow is another day. You will have sad, difficult days but every cloud has a silver lining and soon all will be fine. Just have some patience!

ChiaraConsiglia.it

]]> http://blog.pegperego.com/en/2012/10/chiara%e2%80%99s-advice/feed/ 0