Having a second child or not, have you thought about it?
Having a second child or not, have you thought about it? I’m going to tell you what my experience was when I decided to grow my family.
When Manu was born, my husband and I always thought that God would give us the blessing of being able to give him a little sister or brother.
It was always in our plans, but I wanted to wait a bit to give my little Manu all the time he needed. Also to feel that I was ready and to prepare my body.
It was definitely something we wanted and planned together. Before taking a step forward towards the search of another child, both you and your partner need to be honest about whether this is really what you want.
I particularly believe that a brother or sister is a great gift as he becomes your friend, confidant, partner and support in life. However, I also know that we all have different circumstances and that this is not a decision to be made lightly.
Once you have made the decision, the next step is to go easy and give yourself some time to prepare your body.
Although each woman is different and the puerperium stage lasts 40 days, I recommend that you go little by little.
It has been demonstrated that a woman needs a minimum of one year to get the strength back to carry a pregnancy.
In fact, the World Health Organization recommends waiting 18 months and suggests that shorter intervals are associated with greater risk to the baby, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and other pediatric complications.
Each one of us knows when it is the right time, we can feel it, but it is worth going to your gynecologist, taking care of your diet and taking vitamins. Remember that you are not alone and that bringing a new life is no small thing.
Whether or not to have a second child is something that is decided and enjoyed as a couple. As I told you, my husband and I discussed it and the day it came true it was beautiful.
I remember that just on Father’s Day, his second Father’s Day, Manu and I gave him the news that I was pregnant and that we were going to have another baby. It was very nice.
Thank God I had two wonderful pregnancies, without any complications.
And Emiliano arrived. When we found out that he was going to be another boy I was delighted. I always thought that I was going to be a mother of girls and it turned out that God had other plans for me, which I love and am infinitely grateful for. I am so happy to be a mother of two boys that I don’t need anything else.
This is true
All mothers say this, but you will understand me because it is true, all we want is for our babies to be well, healthy, have free souls, happy and that they come into this world to transform everything. The rest does not matter.
Today I want to tell you that I am the happy mother of two beautiful boys and that I am going to do everything in my power to make them happy and good people, with goals in life.
In other words, you don’t have to give them everything, but encourage them to achieve things for themselves, to fight for their dreams and never give up.
I can assure you that, in the long run, our children will thank us much more if you teach them to work hard rather than making everything easy for them, because the day they go out into the world they won’t know how to fight for their dreams.
Well, that’s how we decided to have a second baby.
So far, I can tell you that we want to be a family of 4, but I don’t know, there is a proverb that says, “Tell God about your plans…”
I’m Anahí and I am looking forward to meeting you in my next article in Baby Creysi.
Children’s stories about disability are a way to make your little ones aware of the issue.
One way to make our little ones aware of various topics is through books, so, with stories about disability, your children will be able to learn about this topic.
According to Inegi data, in Mexico there are more than 580 thousand children and adolescents with some kind of disability; it is super important that your little ones know about the subject. We have some stories for children about disability.
1. Los zapatos de Marta (Marta’s Shoes) by Meritxell Margarit
It tells the disability story of Marta, who was born with a spina bifida back and must wear special (different) shoes. Through its illustrated pages, the characteristics of this disability will be discovered in addition to promoting values such as friendship and respect. Mediterrània Publisher.
Pink Monster is so different that he has to sleep hugging her house because he doesn’t fit in it, he lives in a place where everyone is white. One day she decides to go on a trip and see other places. It is a book that will teach your little one about diversity and inclusion. Publisher: Apila Ediciones.
Cover Pink Monster Photo: Apila Edicciones
3. El reino de los mil escalones (The kingdom of a thousand steps) by Manuel Ferrero
Agustina is a princess with cerebral palsy who faces an evil giant; with this story your little ones will learn about this disability and that we are all capable of doing what we set out to do. Publisher: Ediciones del Lobo Sapiens.
Cover: The kingdom of a thousand steps. Photo: Ediciones Del Lobo Sapiens
4. El cazo de Lorenzo (Lorenzo’s Pot) by Isabelle Carrier
Lorenzo always drags a pot, he doesn’t know how it fell on him, but he must always carry it behind him; sometimes it prevents him from entering rooms or moving forward because his pots gets stuck. With this story your child will learn the importance of empathy. Publisher: Editorial Juventud.
Cover: Lorenzo’s Pot Photo: Editorial Juventud
5. Sofía, la golondrina (Sofía, the Swallow) by Almudena Taboada
She is a swallow who cannot see, but she is guided by smells and sounds; she likes the smell of wet earth, singing songs and kisses from her mom. With this book your little ones will learn about visual impairment. Publisher: Ediciones SM.
Cover: Sofia, the Swallow Photo: Ediciones SM
6. Lolo, un conejo diferente (Lolo, a Different Rabbit) by Guido van Genechten
Lolo is a different rabbit who has a lop ear, he wonders why he is different from the others. When he tries to have his ear straight like the other rabbits, he realizes that having his ear like his is not a bad thing. Your children will learn about inclusion and empathy. Publisher: Ediciones SM.
Cover: Lolo, a different rabbit Photo: Ediciones SM
The use of screens is more present in our daily lives; many times we use cell phones or tablets to entertain our little ones; however, there are ways to calm children down without using screens.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that children under the age of two do not use screens or watch television, instead, they should engage in other activities with their parents that promote their development.
Here are some ways to calm children without using screens:
Place your baby on his stomach for at least 30 minutes a day: With this you help your baby to strengthen the muscles of the neck and shoulders, as well as his motor skills.
Avoid leaving your baby for more than an hour in chairs or baby carriers: Instead, try to have activities with your little one, so you will strengthen the bond with him.
Quality time: Reading to your little one, telling stories, singing or playing with him helps with her intellectual development and boosts his activities.
Physical contact: Rocking your little one or rubbing his back helps release your baby’s tension.
Generating habits from a young age to encourage responsible use of screens is super important to avoid excesses. During the Covid-19 pandemic, children’s use of screens increased.
According to the Report on children’s television consumption 2020 prepared by the Federal Institute of Telecommunications (IFT), it indicates that Mexican children spent an average of four hours and 44 minutes, daily, in front of television during the first year of the pandemic.
Besides, UNICEF recommends that parents, governments and schools seek actions to guarantee safe and responsible use of screens.
The Sun is essential for life. Feeling its warmth is one of the most pleasant sensations. Its powerful force influences our personality and even the perception of beauty. The Sun has been worshiped by all cultures, it is a source of art, magic and mysticism. How about being inspired by our Sun to choose the name of your baby?
This list contains baby names inspired by the Sun, we have options for both girls and boys. They are all beautiful!
Aurora: Of Latin origin. It means, “The luminosity of the aurora” or “Dawn”. In Roman mythology, Aurora is the deity who personifies the dawn. She was the sister of the Sun and the Moon.
Elena: Name of Greek origin derived from Helene. It means “Bright torch”. It can also be translated as “Shining like the Sun”.
Eleanor: Its origin is uncertain, although the most widespread theory indicates that it is of Greek origin, a variant of the name Elena. Another theory says that it comes from the Breton Eliennen which means “Spark”.
Elia: Girl name of Greek origin that means “The one who shines like the Sun”.
Kira: Of Persian origin that means “Sun”. It could also mean “Clairvoyant” or “Foresighted”.
Kin: This beautiful name comes from the Mayan. Its meaning is “Sun”.
Marisol: It is the contraction of two names. Mary, which means “The one chosen by God” and, Sun, which refers to the “King Star” or “The one that shines”.
Sol: It comes from Latin and means “The one who has a luminous faith” or “The one who shines like our Sun”.
Solana: It is of Latin origin. Some theories indicate that it means “The light of the Sun”, while others assure that its meaning is “Wind from the East”.
Soleil: Name of French origin. It means “Charming and pleasant as the Sun”.
Suniva: Variant of the English name Sunngifu, meaning “Gift of the Sun”.
Youta: Japanese name. It means “Sun” or “Sunlight”.
Yanara: Name of Mapuche origin that means “Daughter of the Sun”.
Youko: It is of Japanese origin and means “The girl of the Sun”.
Addae: Name of African origin. It means “Morning Sun”.
Antilef: It comes from the Mapuche, indigenous people of Argentina and Chile. It means “River of the Sun”.
Dagobert: Of Germanic origin. This name means “Shining like the Sun” or “Clear and bright day”.
Eleodoro: Of Greek origin and it means “Gift of the Sun”.
Elian: Of Greek origin. It refers to Helios, God of the Sun. Helio: Boy name of Greek origin that means “Sun”.
Inti: Inca name that also means Sun. It can be a male or female name.
Rajib: Comes from Sanskrit and means “God of the Sun” or “Almighty Ruler”.
Samson: It comes from the Hebrew word shemesh, which means “Sun”.
Shaiming: It is of Chinese origin and means “Sun Ray”.
Suvan: From Hindu root, it means “The Sun”.
Tonatiuh: Of Aztec origin, it means “Sun”, “The luminous one”, “The one that warms up”. Other meanings indicate that he is the “Lord of Turquoise”. Tonatiuh was the fifth and current Sun in the Aztec view of the cosmos and the fierce sun god of several other Mesoamerican cultures, including the Toltecs.
Today is a special day. This is my first collaboration with Baby Creysi as a Mommy blogger. I share these lines with you with much love and with the sole objective of being closer and that together we explore this wonderful stage of our lives: being moms.
We have grown up together and I hope you will accompany me in this adventure. The content will evolve. We will discover moments and joys, but we will also share tips that will help us in raising our babies. Because finally that is our goal, guide them through the world, help them become good and strong people.
The first topic I want to explore with you is self-esteem in children. I am convinced that a mother who radiates self-love and self-acceptance instills the same in her children. We must love ourselves as much as we love them.
Start with self-esteem, your own self-confidence
These days the term “self-esteem” has been used a lot and it seems very easy, but it is difficult to carry it out. Building our own self-esteem goes from sleeping well, exercising, laughing, eating well, going out with friends or with our partner, or simply having some time alone.
Remember that we are the mirror of our children and we reflect everything they learn and all what they build day by day, such as their personality and self-esteem.
If a child continually hears his mother say words of disapproval towards herself, he will keep that attitude in his unconscious and reproduce it later. Undoubtfully, feeding our self-esteem and loving ourselves more help us become better mothers.
Think about it, the first contact babies have is with their mom. We are the ones who translate their needs, satisfy them and become the representatives of the world that they are getting to know little by little. Do you realize the importance of this first bond with us?
Don’t miss: How to be patient with children
Let them experiment
I like to teach my children to do new things. It is good that they try it for themselves because it gives them a sense of security. At first we have to help them, but then we should let them try little by little. That’s what I do.
I always tell them that I am confident they are going to achieve it and I let them do what they can, even if they make mistakes. They should experience the opportunity to learn, but above all to try and take pride in their achievements.
Don’t label them
It is very important not to use labels. When you tell them off, focus on the inappropriate behavior and not on the child himself. By putting labels like “you’re rude” or “short-tempered,” your kids can associate the mistake with their own personality. Instead, use phrases that separate the mistake from himself. For example: “I know you can stop the tantrum”.
We recommend: A strict mother raises successful children?
It’s better to highlight their achievements than to point out their mistakes
In our society we have been taught to educate our children by pointing out and correcting their mistakes, when the most important thing is to highlight their small and big achievements. They must be praised, without falling into excess.
I recommend that at bedtime, give your children five minutes to highlight their achievements no matter how small they were. Say something like, “I have realized that today you managed to stop your tantrum, I am sure that tomorrow it will be like that again” or “I really like it when you help with the housework”. Sending our children to sleep with these messages helps us a lot strengthen their self-esteem.
10 ways to help your daughter or son build self-esteem
I want to share other very useful tips that have helped me. It is in our hands to make a difference:
Your children are unique, never compare them.
Accept their feelings and teach them how to deal with their emotions.
Listen to them. Give them the confidence to talk to you about whatever they want.
Focus on their strengths and don’t try to make them perfect. Watch their progress, see what they do well and enjoy.
Tell them clearly and specifically what you expect from them or what you want them to do.
Celebrate their efforts and create opportunities for them to do well according to their age, tastes, and abilities. This is a key point because by ensuring that they have a chance to develop their strengths, they will feel good about themselves and improve their behavior.
Don’t take control. Resist the urge to do everything to them.
Consider mistakes as opportunities, do not focus on the failure but on the search for solutions.
Keep a sense of humor, help your children not take things seriously.
Encourage them to treat others with kindness.
Finally, I think the most important thing is that you remember that they learn by example. You will see that one day in the future you will turn to see your grown children and think with pride, “we did very well”.
I am Anahí and I am looking forward to meeting you in my next article in Baby Creysi.
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We all have felt anger or rage, it is a totally normal and healthy human emotion. Since we are born, we can feel it and over time we learn how to moderate and canalize it. As parents, it is good to use positive parenting strategies so that our little ones know how to manage anger.
0 to 18 months of age, they get angry because of hunger, noise, tiredness or overstimulation.
18 to 36 months of age because they want that you give them what they want immediately, they get frustrated when they can’t do what they want, or others don’t understand them.
3 to 5 years old, they get angry because they are learning to share things, it is not easy for them to understand that others think differently, they do not know how to control their emotions.
6 to 9 years old, they get angry because they feel rejected, criticized, discriminated and misunderstood.
Positive Strategies for Managing Children’s Anger
According to Luz María Peniche, psychoanalyst and author of the book, A Guide to Raising Healthy and Safe Children,no emotion is negative or positive by itself. All of them have one goal, “they function as red flags for others and for ourselves; they are caused by our concerns”.
How can we help our children express and manage their emotions, especially anger?
1. Accept your child’s emotion
Peniche indicates that the only way for children to be on the way to an adequate management of emotions is that we accept and validate them. In other words, we should explain that it is a normal reaction, that he has the right to feel it, but that he must learn to control himself. She uses phrases like:
“I understand that you are angry”.
“Come, I will hug you, let’s take a deep breath; that will help you calm down”.
Tell him about a moment when you got angry, in this way you also validate his affections.
2. Help him express and name it
The next step is to make them feel safe to express themselves and know how to name what they feel: anger, sadness, happiness.
If the child is in the middle of an outburst, remind him of the house rules, but help him turn the anger into words. For example: Use your words to tell me what you feel. What caused that anger? Don’t push your kid, he may need some time before talking. Let him calm down.
3. Let the kid detect the source of his anger
The mere fact of analyzing the cause of anger lowers its intensity. In addition, you reinforce the validation of the feeling. When someone listens to you, you are better able to process the emotion.
“When we identify the source of the anger and frustration and fix the resentment and offense, we help children deal with the emotion”. If it is difficult for him, but you infer what caused his anger, ask him, so that he can identify the cause:
“You got angry because your brother doesn’t want to lend you his toy, didn’t you?” “I know you don’t like to take a bath. I understand it makes you angry, but in that way we are clean and prevent illnesses”.
4. Let him learn to distinguish actions from emotions
Explain that sometimes when we are angry (sad or scared), we feel like disobeying and misbehaving, but go over the house rules.
Your child will understand the message if you make clear statements, without accusations or humiliating words. He has to understand that he should not let emotion take over because an exaggerated anger complicates the problem and makes us act impulsively.
“In this family, yelling, throwing objects or hitting is not allowed. Calm down. Use your words to explain what bothers you”.
5. Find ways to calm him down.
The last step is to change his mood. “Find ways to calm him down and comprehend his anger”, says Peniche.
a) Look for a distractor
Instead of thinking about the person or situation that caused the anger, encourage him to think about something else like taking a walk, digging in the garden, listening to music, riding a bike.
You can say something like: “I understand that you’re mad because I didn’t buy you that toy, but we’re going to sing so you calm down”. “I know you’re afraid of the dark, but we’ll bring your special teddy bear to keep you company”.
b) Change the environment, keep him away from the conflict
Take him to a quiet place and tell him it’s okay to walk away from the problem to avoid an angry outburst. By moving to another part of the house or to the backyard, the child can get some space and work on calming down.
c) Find ways to release anger
Another strategy for processing anger, if all else fails, is to find a safe way to release the emotion.
Suggest ways for the child to unburden himself:
Crisscross jumping
Some controlled pillow punches
Write or draw a picture of what is bothering
We are sure that with these tips you can help your child control his anger. Try them and if you have any other tip, do not hesitate to share it with us.
Being a mom or dad is a big challenge. Your life is transformed and a series of concerns come to your mind about how to raise that little being who totally depends on you. We are almost always improvising on unknown scenarios, but how about taking a few minutes to analyze some parenting challenges that will come to you with the arrival of your baby?
6 Modern Parenting Challenges
According to the 2021 Modern Parenting Index prepared by Nestlé and the consulting firm Kantar, based on the opinion of more than 8,000 mothers and fathers of babies from 0 to 12 months in 16 countries, including Mexico, these are the main challenges that parents face.
1. A hyper connected world
32% of new parents said that despite living in a world where friends and family are just a WhatsApp message away, it is very common to feel that they are alone with the baby. This is because parenting has continual doubts.
2. Peer pressure
51% of those surveyed said they felt observed and under a lot of pressure about how to raise children.
3. Guilt: the biggest parenting challenge
45% agreed that new parents take on a lot of blame which has a long-term impact.
The main factors that lead to guilt are going back to work, leaving the children in someone else’s care and not knowing if they are being a good parent.
4. Unexpected realities
31% said they were not prepared for the reality of being a mom or dad, they were shocked. 53% recognized that it is more work than they expected.
60% of respondents felt that everyone had an opinion on how to raise children.
6. Shared parenting
Of the fathers and mothers surveyed, 62% believe that men are more involved in the care of their children than previous generations.
There is still room for improvement in this area, with only 49% stating that childcare responsibilities are shared equally between the mother and her partner.
The Little Box of Kisses, also called, The Box Full of Kisses, is a children’s story that teaches parents the importance of words. Because mom and dad are not only responsible for meeting the needs of children, but also the way they treat their children form the image of themselves. The story, which is by an unknown author, goes like this:
The Box of Kisses
Some time ago, a man punished his little 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper, which he had saved for Christmas presents.
Money was tight on those days, so he exploded in fury when he saw the girl trying to wrap a cardboard box.
The little girl’s idea was to put the box under the Christmas tree as a special gift, but her father did not know this, and he yelled at her to send her to her room.
The little girl, sad and disheartened, moved from the sight of her father who continued to angrily grumble about the cost of that beautiful wasted paper.
“Don’t you know how much that paper costs? You mustn’t have played with it. Go to your room!”
So, the next morning, the girl shyly took the gift to her father and said,
–“This is for you, Daddy”.
The man was embarrassed by his previous furious reaction, but he exploded again when he saw that the box was empty.
And he again shouted at her angrily:
–
“But what kind of joke is this? Don’t you know that when you give someone a gift there’s supposed to be something inside?”.
The little girl looked up, she was shocked to see her father’s angry reaction. With tears in her eyes, and, very afraid, she told him,
–
“Oh, Daddy, it’s not empty! Last night before wrapping it up I blew a lot of kisses into that box and they’re all for you”.
The man felt very guilty for having been so cruel.
He fell to his knees, hugged her daughter and begged her to forgive him. It is said that this father kept that golden box near his bed for the rest of his life. The girl grew up and left home to start her own family. Whenever he felt alone and defeated, he took an imaginary kiss from her and remembered the love that her daughter had deposited there. Over time he understood that there was no more beautiful gift that he could have received.
Reflection
How many times have we received a golden box full of unconditional love and magical kisses from our children?
How many times have we had disproportionate reactions for superficial things?
Why is it difficult for us to understand that a kiss is worth more than any other object, however expensive it may be?
Let’s rescue that drawing full of tenderness, that poorly made craft, that little orange juice made with his little hands full of dirt and love.
There are many gifts, but none as beautiful as the love of our children.
The name for the baby is one of the most important and difficult decisions for mom and dad because it is a choice for life. Some parents go for classic names, others for unusual names that may feel unique, such as their little ones. This time we bring you a selection for girls; we are sure you will be inspired.
Uncommon names for girls
Do you want a name that stands out from the rest? We have uncommon options with beautiful meanings that we think you will like.
Letter A
Allora: Its origin is Australian and means “Swamp” or “Marsh”. It is also often related to an Italian word Allora which means “in this case” or “therefore”.
Ailén or Aylen: It comes from the Mapuche language, a native people of the Chilean territory. It means “Transparent”, “Very clear”.
Áine: Goddess of the sky in Celtic mythology and Irish queen of the fairies. She is a deity associated with the moon who is attributed gifts such as pure love, fortune, and magic. In Gaelic (Celtic language) it means “Radiance”.
Amarilis: It comes from the Greek and means “The one who shines”. The name was mentioned by the Greek poet Theocritus in his Idylls and by the Roman poet Virgil in his Eclogues. Amarilis is also a beautiful plant with trumpet-shaped flowers that blooms in spring and winter.
Arya, Aria: It has its origin in Sanskrit and means “Noble, great and true”. It is very little used in Latin America, but it was famous in 2017 for being one of the characters in the Game of Thrones series (Arya Stark).
Letter B
Brenna: It comes from Gaelic and it means “Small drop of water”.
Briseida: From Greek origin meaning “Queen of beauty” or “Venus of the wind”. In Greek mythology, Briseida was a Trojan widow who was kidnapped by Achilles during the Trojan War, after the death of her three brothers and her husband, King Mines of Lynerso.
Letter C
Calliope: From the Greek and it means “The one with the beautiful voice”. She is the muse of epic poetry and eloquence.
Cassandra: From the Greek and it means “Sister of men”. In mythology, Cassandra was the sister of Hector and Paris and she had prophetic gifts.
Cristel: From the Greek word krystallos, it means “She who is clear”, “She who is pure”. In its Latinization, its meaning changed to “She who has clear thinking”.
Cora, Kora: Name of Greek origin, which comes from the word Korë’ which means “Girl, Maiden, or Young Virgin”. In Greek mythology, Cora was the daughter of Demeter, goddess of agriculture, the seasons, and spring. Other theories claim that it comes from Australia and means “Companion”. Finally, there is a third version that indicates that it is the nickname for the Latin name “Coral”, which means “precious stone, the beauty of the coral, or Innocent”.
Foto: Pixabay
Letter D
Daila or Dayla: Its origin is Latin and means “Beautiful as a flower”.
Damara, Damaris: It comes from the Greek and means “Friendly”.
Dakota: Comes from “The Dakotas”, a Native American tribe that were located in Minnesota and western Wisconsin in the United States, whose meaning is “Friendly”.
Dasha: Variant of Dassah, from the Hebrew hadassah, which means “Myrtle tree”. Other theories point that it comes from the Greek and in this case, it means “Gift from God”.
Daya: From the Sanskrit “Day”; this name means “Compassion and sympathy”. This name is rare in Spanish, but very popular in India and the United States.
Deva: Name that comes from the proto-Indo-European word deiwos, and means “Celestial, heavenly, Bright”, “The sky illuminated by daylight”. In Sanskrit it is “devi” which means “Divine” or “Goddess”. Devas are benevolent deities in Hinduism and Buddhism. They are portrayed with warrior qualities.
Dru: It is used for both girls and boys. It comes from the Greek and means “The one who sees everything clearly”. Other theories point that it is a variant of the Anglo-Saxon name Drew, which means “Wise”.
Letter E
Eda, Edda, Hedda: Its origin is in the Anglo-Saxons. It means “Full of health”, “The one that is happy”. Eda in Czech is also a name for a boy which means “keeper of wealth”.
Eider: Variant in Basque of the name Eideard, common in Scotland and Ireland. This girl’s name refers to “Beauty, Fairness”.
Eira, Heira: From the Scandinavian, it means “Snow”. It derives from the Scandinavian goddess of health, who was in charge of granting happiness and tranquility. In Guaraní (a native language of South America) it means “Honey”.
Enith, Enid: Feminine name that comes from the Celtic and means “She who loves beautiful things”.
Enora: Original from the Anglo-Saxon and means “Sunbeam” or “Bright light”.
Letter F
Faina: From the Greek, it means “Resplendent”, “Splendid”, “Bright”.
Farah: It is Islamic; it means “Joy”, “Joviality”.
Letter G
Gaia, Gaya: Name original from the Greek mythology. It refers to the goddess of the earth and mother of our planet.
Galya, Galia: Russian in origin, it means “God will redeem us”.
Garazi: This name is of Basque origin, a variant of Gracia, which comes from the Latin Gratia and means “Heartwarming”, “Pleasant”.
Geraldine: French variant of Gerarda, feminine of Gerardo meaning “Strong” or “Brave”.
Letter H
Hasna: It comes from Arabic and means “Beautiful, strong and fair woman”.
Haya: It is of Hebrew origin; it means “Life”.
Haviva: It comes from Hebrew and means “Well loved”.
Hailey: A girl’s name of English and Scottish origin that means “Hay meadow”.
Letter I
Idara: Derived from the Latin Ita which means “She who is farsighted”. Other versions indicate that it comes from the Etruscan language with a similar meaning: “The one who is forewarned”.
Idina: Means “Kind”, “soft” or “Gentle”. It is also a name for both a girl and a boy and comes from the Hebrew.
Ilse: Germanic in origin and means “Nymph of the rivers”. It is precisely in the German culture that Ilse is a fairy who is in charge of protecting rivers. Other versions indicate that it is a Dutch and English variant of Elizabeth, a name of Hebrew origin that comes from the voice elisheva which meaning is “Promise of God”.
Iria: Girl name original from the Celtic which meaning is “Fertile land”.
Itzayana: Name that comes from the Mayan culture and which means “Gift of God”.
Izaro: This name of Basque origin, specifically from the island of Bermeo, means “Star”. Legend has it that in that place, a Franciscan friar fell in love with a young woman whom he went to see every night swimming, guided by a light that she lit every night. The family got to know about his visits and one stormy night turned on the lights on a cliff where the in-love friar died.
Letter J
Jacaranda: Name that comes from the Guaraní word hakuã, which means “That has perfume” or “Fragrant”. It is related to the tree with purple flowers of delicious fragrance.
Jara: it is of Hebrew origin meaning “Sweet”.
Jamila: It comes from the Arabic and means “Beautiful”.
Letter F
Kaia: From the Greek Gaea which means “Goddess of the earth”, “Mother Earth” or “Earth”. Other versions indicate that it is of Slavic origin and means “Pure”. Kaya is also the name of a city in Japan.
Keira, Keyra, Keyrah: Name of Celtic origin that derives from Ciara, Irish feminine of Ciaran. It means “Person with dark hair and eyes”.
Kenia, Kenya: In African tribal language it is the shortening of the expression Kirima Kere Nyaga, which means “The Mountain of brilliance”, “Splendor” or “Radiance”. Kenya is a country in eastern Africa that owes its name to a 5,199-meter mountain.
Keren: Name of Hebrew origin that means “Maiden Queen kept for God” or “Vineyard of God”. Keren-Hapuc was Job’s youngest daughter in the Bible.
Letter L
Laia: Catalan diminutive of Eulalia, a name of Greek origin that means “To speak well”.
Lara: Diminutive of the name Larisa, from the Greek, that means “The one who is happy and willing”. Another theory indicates that it comes from the Roman mythology and it was the name of one of the water nymphs.
Liv: Of Norwegian origin that derives from the word hilf and which means “Protection”, “Shelter” or “Heat”. It is also associated with the word liv which in Scandinavian means “Life”.
Letter M
Malika: Of Arabic origin, it means “Queen”.
Morgana: Of Celtic origin, feminine of Morgan; it means “Lady of the sea”.
Letter N
Neferet: Of Egyptian origin and means “Beautiful woman”.
Letter O
Oda: Scandinavian diminutive of Odelia which in Hebrew means “I will worship God”.
Odette: French variant of Odetta, which comes from the German and means “Wealth”.
Ornella: Of Italian origin, it means “Ash bloom”.
Letter P
Pili: Name of Egyptian origin. It means “Born second”. In some Spanish-speaking countries it refers to the diminutive of Pilar, a Marian invocation of the Virgin of the Pillar.
Prisca: Name of Latin origin, feminine variant of Prisco that derives from the name Priscus which means “Venerable old man”.
Letter Q
Quetzal, Quetzali: It is of Nahuatl origin, it means “Sacred and magnificent bird”.
Quirina: Of Latin origin, it means “The one who carries the spear”.
Letter R
Randi: Female variant of Randolph, meaning “Shield Wolf”.
Rani: Of Hindu origin, it means “Queen”.
Rashida: Of Arabic origin, it means “Sober, prudent”.
Roberta: Feminine form of Roberto, which is of Germanic origin and means “Admired for his fame”.
Romina: Derives from the Latin Romanus and means “From the land of the Christians”.
Rosabella: Compound name of Latin origin, it means “Beautiful rose”.
Rosella: Italian name that means “Beautiful flower”.
Letter S
Sabina: Of Latin origin, it means “From the country of the Sabines”.
Samay: This name is of Quechua origin and means “Peace”.
Sansa: Name of Sanskrit origin that means “Praise”, “Charm”. Sansa Stark is a character from Game of Thrones.
Letter T
Tea: Diminutive of Dorotea which in Italian means, “The one that was granted by God”.
Telma: Its origin is Germanic and means “Helm” or “Helmet”. Another version is that it is of Greek origin and means “Will”.
Letter U
Umay: Of Turkish origin, it means “Hope”.
Ukara: Name of Japanese origin and means “Morning dew”.
Letter V
Vania, Vanya: Of Russian origin, it is the feminine form of the masculine name Ivan that means “Blessed by God”.
Letter X
Xena: Of Greek origin. It means: “The guest who comes from abroad”.
Xenia: Of Greek origin, it means: “She who is supportive” or “Hospitable woman”.
Letter Y
Yamileth: Of Arab origin. It means “Beautiful, cute”.
Yarazeth: Of Arabic origin, it means “Friendship”.
Yaretzi: Of Nahuatl origin that means “She who will always be loved”.
Yatziri, Yatziry: Of Mayan origin, it means “Flower of the dew or Maiden of the moon”.
Letter z
Zenda: It comes from the Persian and means “Holy woman”.
Zoe, Zoey: The origin of Zoe is in Greek and means “Full of life”.
Zuri: Its origin is Swahili, an African language spoken in Tanzania, and it means “Good, beautiful”.
Self-esteem is the opinion that children have of themselves, but how is it formed? Where does it come from? The answer is simple. It comes from the exchanges of affection they have with their close references: mom, dad, family, friends, etc.
Everything you say to your child will influence him. And just as there are words of encouragement that comfort, there are also phrases that destroy that self-worth.
According to the book, Consejos de oro para mejorar la autoestima en los niños (Golden Tips for Improving Self-Esteem in Children), by Más Editores, self-esteem is a self-assessment that entails, on the one hand, a learned judgment (it is not inherent to the child, it is picked up from somewhere) and on the other, it implies a strong negative or positive feeling.
“High self-esteem is related to positive feelings such as pleasure, confidence, joy, enthusiasm, and interest. Negative self-esteem involves pain, sadness, inertia, guilt, shame or feeling empty”, says the book.
The influence of parents on children
There is a close relationship between parents and children’s self-esteem. “In the first years of life, information about oneself is received almost exclusively from parents. Over the years, other significant figures are incorporated, such as teachers, schoolmates and friends”, explain Jael Vargas and Laura Oros in their research Parentalidad y autoestima en hijos (Parenting and Self-esteem in children).
The more positive the family relationship is, the higher the children’s self-esteem tends to be. On the contrary, negative experiences at home contribute to an inadequate self-definition.
It is not only the physical mistreat
It is not only the physical mistreat, abuse or abandonment, but also the psychological one, the phrases that you say over and over again to the children, until they believe them.
10 types of phrases that destroy children’s self-esteem
Parents often repeat these words without being aware of the damage they can cause to their children.
But the worst thing is that there is a risk that they become core beliefs that are “tattooed” in the mind. In the long run, the child (and the adult he becomes) clings to the destructive idea, despite evidence to the contrary.
1. Phrases that promote disability
You can’t do anything right.
I don’t know when you’re going to learn.
You suck.
I’d better do it, I am already desperated.
The core belief that is taught is ineptitude.
The child thinks it so strongly that he acts accordingly. Instead of working to increase his ability, it unconsciously tries to show that he really “can’t do anything right”.
Positive Alternative: We all have abilities and limitations. With patience and practice you can do anything. Let’s work together until you achieve it.
2. Phrases that put a label
You’re a liar.
You are fat.
You are a mess.
You’re a wimp.
Labels highlight the “negative” characteristics of children and cause them to develop feelings of inferiority, besides generating identity problems.
The core belief that is promoted is that, “You are full of flaws”.
Positive alternative: If what you say does not match what you do, it will be difficult for me to trust your word. /You are normal, with strengths and weaknesses. If you want to change something, I can help you. / It’s okay to cry, it helps you calm down.
3. Phrases that humiliate
Shut up, don’t talk nonsense.
Are you a fool or just pretending to be one?
You are old enough to stop wetting the bed.
You look ridiculous in that.
I’m going to spank you in front of your friends.
You embarrass me.
When the kid’s opinion is belittled, he is denigrated, his difficulty is evidenced or he is even exposed in public, we are talking about humiliation. The psychological effects of shame and humiliation include decreased self-esteem and in his sense of dignity.
Make corrections in private, never in front of other children or adults.
Positive alternative: I’ll explain it better, don’t worry. / It is not easy to learn to use the bathroom, sometimes accidents happen. You will achieve. / Do you feel comfortable with what you are wearing? Ok! It is up to you.
Blaming children for situations beyond their control makes them believe that they are responsible, when you know very well that it is a lie. Passing blame on them can cause great anxiety.
Positive alternative: Let’s both calm down. / Adult problems are not your fault. /When you’re not here I miss you, but I know you’ll be fine. If you have any concerns, call me, you can trust me.
If you reject your child when he wants to express his affection, you are sending him a very destructive message: he does not deserve to be loved. He will not feel safe, loved and accepted.
The consequence of this idea will affect their relationships in the future.
Positive alternative: You are the most important thing to me, but right now I have to solve something urgent. Give me a few minutes and I’m with you. / I love you, you can be sure of that.
6. Phrases that compare the child
Why aren’t you as smart as my friend’s son?
At your age, your sibling was doing much better.
I wish you were like your cousin.
Learn how John Doe does.
Through comparisons only jealousy, resentment and rivalry are created. The child perceives the other as an unattainable model and will have the belief that he must be different to be loved.
Problems of identity and acceptance are generated. He will not know who he is and will try to imitate others.
Positive alternative: You’re good, we’re going to keep pushing. I will help you. / It’s not a competition, everyone has his place.
If you misbehave, Santa will not bring any presents to you.
Threats are based on fear and erode children’s trust in their parents. We are teaching them that it is good to use intimidation to get things.
Furthermore, if that threat is not followed through, we lose credibility and send the signal that their actions are inconsequential.
When the threat is abandonment (leaving kids alone) feelings of dependency are generated.
Positive alternative: Every act has a consequence, if you do not fulfill your responsibility, you will have to assume it (fulfill that consequence).
8. Phrases that seek perfection.
A B is not a good grade, it means you didn’t study enough.
Grades below A are not worth it.
You should always get straight As.
It is good to instill discipline and effort, but not to the point of demanding perfection. The reason? You create high expectations that are difficult to achieve, as well as chronic dissatisfaction.
You teach them that they must judge themselves permanently.
In the future they will give a lot of thought to the possible mistakes they make, no matter how small. They will have a continual need for recognition, a low tolerance for change, a need for control, and difficulty at making decisions.
Positive alternative: You tried very hard and that’s what’s important! / If you can give more, go ahead.
You are lazy, so you will achieve nothing in life.
You’ll never succeed.
You will always be a failure.
If you don’t study, you will be an ignorant.
The intention of the parents is that the children realize that they will regret it if they do not get good grades or make the wrong decisions.
However, far from leading to positive reactions, it causes frustration, disinterest and anger, because they think that their parents do not believe in them.
Positive alternative: I know you can do better / People who study have more tools to be successful. You have a lot of capacity.
10. Phrases of hate or verbal aggression
Despicable you.
Son of a…
I hate you.
I wish you had never been born.
I’m sick of you.
You are a nuisance.
The verbal abuse that some parents use in the upbringing of their children is the worst of all. It generates emotional and psychological damage imperceptible to the eye, but with deep traces.
With these harsh words, the child is stripped of self-confidence, courage and ability to react.
The insults are so hurtful that they paralyze many times throughout life.
Positive alternative: I love you.
THE LOVE OF A FATHER OR A MOTHER SHOULD BE UNCONDITIONAL
You know it, the love we feel for our children is that kind of love that comes from the depths of our guts and seeks the best for them.
Many times we make the mistake of saying one of these phrases due to ignorance, trying to forge the character of children or simply because of stress. Do not make mistakes.
Words hurt and very deeply. Before saying something you will regret, breathe, calm down and try to find a way to better explain what you want without damaging your children’s self-esteem.
Who is there? It’s Cri-Cri, it’s Cri-Cri. And who is this man? The Singing Cricket. Francisco Gabilondo Soler, “Cri-Cri”, is the greatest composer of children’s songs in Mexico. His music crosses the barrier of time and space. He is appreciated by many generations, especially in Latin America.
Francisco Gabilondo: A curious and self-taught boy
Cri-Cri was born on October 6, 1907 in Orizaba, Veracruz. According to the Society of Authors and Composers of Mexico, from a young age he showed interest in learning and studying, but he did not like going to school, “he preferred the whispers in the forest, to the annoying noise of his classmates”.
In his childhood he loved learning languages and new words. He “devoured” books and loved to imitate “voices” of nature: the song of water, the sound of insects, of the air… He had a privileged hearing. His grandmother’s chatter and the music she played for him on the piano were transformed in his mind into new melodies. Methodical and self-taught, he became interested in various areas of knowledge. At age 17 he traveled to New Orleans where he was captivated by the jazz movement, so he decided to learn music formally.
Cri-Cri’s first fantasy songs
He began his career playing in bars and composed his first songs in 1930. Emilio Azcárraga Vidaurreta gave him a chance on the radio after noticing that children paid attention and liked listening to his songs. This was the beginning because on October 15 of the same year he wrote and performed, only with his voice and his piano, El chorrito, Bombón I and El ropero. He never imagined his songs would be successful, but his show stayed on the air for 20 years.
Francisco Gabilondo Soler has become an idol. His repertoire includes 226 compositions, 120 were recorded. He created more than 500 characters, wrote more than 3,500 pages of texts and stories. Walt Disney tried to collaborate with him and buy the rights to his songs on many occasions, but he always refused. Cri-Cri died on December 15, 1990 in his ranch in the State of Mexico.
All Mexicans have grown up with his songs and our children will, too. That is why we suggest 15 of his most popular, so that your little ones can delight in his music, just as you did.
15 popular songs by “Grillito Cantor”
This is a list with 10 emblematic songs of the great Francisco Gabilondo Soler “Cri-Cri”.
1. The Little Duck (La Patita)
The Cowboy Mouse (El Ratón Vaquero)
3. The Water Trickle (El Chorrito)
4. The Wardrobe (El ropero)
5. The March of Letters (La marcha de las letras)
Walking to School (Caminito de la escuela)
7. The Ugly Doll (La muñeca fea)
8. Cucurumbé, the Black Girl (La negrita Cucurumbé)
9. Eyelashes John (Juan Pestañas)
10. The Pot and the Skillet (La olla y el comal)
11. The Puppy (El perrito)
12. Sleepy Pigs (Cochinitos dormilones)
13. Rainy Afternoon (Tarde de lluvia)
14. Che Spider (Ché Araña)
15. Black Dancer (Negrito bailarín)
And there are so many missing… Which one is your favorite?
Respect for other species makes us better people and it is important that from a very young age, children learn and recognize that all sorts of life is valuable.
Gandhi said that the greatness of a civilization can be judged by the way it treats animals.
These are 10 movies that will help you teach your children the love for animals.
10 movies that teach love and respect for animals
Ideal for children and adults.
1. Beethoven (Brian Levant, 1992)
Review: A St. Bernard puppy escapes from a gang of thieves that break into a pet store. After spending the night in a garbage can, he is rescued by the Newtons. Little Beethoven is adopted by the family and in a short time he becomes 80 kilo dog that often causes problems.
Teaching: A classic in the family comedy genre that shows us the docile, playful, affectionate and sociable nature of dogs.
This movie made all the kids in the 90s know and love the Saint Bernard breed.
Beethoven (Brian Levant, 1992 Photo: Universal Studios
Don’t miss: 10 family movies that teach the value of tolerance
2. Mía and the White Lion (Gilles de Maistre, 2019)
Review: Ten-year-old Mia develops a special bond with a beautiful white lion named Charlie. When Mia discovers a secret that puts Charlie in danger, she begins a journey across the plains of Africa to find him a shelter.
Teaching: This is a captivating and value-filled film. The director had the idea of doing it after doing a research he did for a documentary about the bond between children and wild animals.
It is based on a true story and a personal anecdote. The little boy who inspired the film risked his life when he discovered that his family raised lions to sell to hunters.
In the film, it is shown the affection of the little protagonist for her lion, and by saving him, she tries to compensate the damage to the rest of the felines.
Mia and the White Lion (Gilles de Maistre, 2019) Photo: Photo: Galatee films
3. Brothers of the Wind (Otmar Penker and Gerardo Olivares, 2017)
Review: In an unspecified place in the Alps, in the 60s, Keller (Tobias Moretti) and his son Lukas (Manuel Camacho) live in the mountains, alone, after the death of Maria, Lukas’s mother and Keller’s wife. She died when the family house set on fire.
Teaching: Critics called this film a poetic look at the environment and it marked the end of a trilogy about nature and childhood that is completed with other films such as El Faro de las Orcas (2016) and Entrelobos (2010).
It’s a fictional fable that fuses a documentary with a fantasy film. The story is easy, perhaps a little simple, but it teaches us how beautiful the planet and all animal species are. And it’s worth it for the cinematography.
Brothers of the Wind (Otmar Penker and Gerardo Olivares, 2017) Photo: Terra Mater Factual Studios
4. Bambi (Clyde Geronimi, David Hand, Samuel Armstrong, 1943)
Review: A young deer named Bambi discovers the values of life on his way to adulthood. He is accompanied by his new friends, Thumper, the playful rabbit, Flower, the shy and adorable little skunk and wise Friend Owl.
Teaching: Bambi is a children’s classic that teaches morals such as family, friendship and solidarity, but it also gives the opportunity to talk to your little ones about respecting the lives of animals.
Who has not cried with Bambi?
Bambi (Clyde Geronimi, David Hand, Samuel Armstrong, 1943) Photo: Disney
5. The Jungle Book (Wolfgang Reitherman, 1967)
Review: After being rescued by panther Bagheera in the jungle, a pack of wolves raises the newborn Mowgli. Mowgli’s happy and peaceful life in his adoptive family is shattered when the dangerous tiger Shere Khan arrives.
Teaching: The Jungle Book is a fantasy story, but it teaches us that the human being is one of the many other species that inhabit the Earth and that we are not the owners of the world.
Little Mowgli makes it is possible to instill in our little ones respect and appreciation for nature.
The film conveys the fun and enjoyment of everything in the jungle. If you surround yourself with nature and take advantage of all its resources with respect and harmony, you will be much happier.
Just look for the most vital!
Do not miss the opportunity to mention that the Spanish dubbing of Baloo is carried out by the great genius of Mexican comedy: Tin Tan.
The Jungle Book (Wolfgang Reitherman, 1967) Photo: Disney
Don’t miss: 10 family movies that teach the value of friendship
6. Spirit (Kelly Asbury, Lorna Cook, 2002)
Review: In the Wild West, Spirit is a wild mustang that gallops through the prairies. But everything changes when men cross his path.
Teaching: Spirit shows us the happy life of animals in freedom until they have the bad luck to meet evil people who want to take advantage of them.
It is a strong criticism of humans, but also a message that we can live in peace and respect with nature. Spirit logically refuses to be tamed, but later he forges a great friendship with a young man from the Lakota tribe named Little Creek.
He doesn’t own him, the boy and the horse become real friends.
Review: Parker Wilson, a university professor who teaches music, adopts a Japanese Akita dog abandoned at a train station. Parker discovers the intimate bonds that can unite a person and an animal.
Teaching: It is another film based on a true event. The real Hachi was born and died in Tokyo, Japan. In the place where he faithfully waited for his owner until his death, a statue stands as a reminder of the love and healthy coexistence between humans and animals.
This film teaches us that loyalty and friendship can be infinite, and that not only people are capable of feeling, but also animals.
Hachiko (Lasse Hallström, 2009) Photo: Stage 6 Films
Review: Cathy has a father with very curious occurrences. For her birthday, he gives her a duck egg with the intention that she incubates it and later be her mother. But, coincidentally, the one the duckling sees first is Margaux, a friend of Cathy’s who is in a wheelchair.
The little duck has identified Margaux as its mother, but her parents don’t want her to take care of it. To protect and save the bird, the two girls run away and embark on an adventure of freedom, in which they will discover much about themselves.
Teaching: Les Oiseaux de Passage has great messages for children and adults. The relationship between Cathy, Margaux and the little duckling is touching, but it also exposes the risks of overprotection and the need for emancipation that we all experience at some point.
Yes, it talks about love for animals, but also about self-love and the dream of freedom.
Les Oiseaux de Passage (Olivier Ringer, 2015) Photo: Les Films d’Antoine
9. Celestial Camel (Yuriy Feting, 2015)
Review: In the Russian steppes, Bayir, a twelve-year-old boy, embarks on a journey on an old motorcycle to find Mara, the camel, who has escaped and is the basis of the family’s livelihood.
Teaching: A cute movie that moves us, but it is not corny. When Bayir finds out that the camel was sold by the patriarch, he doesn’t think it twice and sets off in search of him on an old motorcycle.
A story of love, friendship and justice. The little camel is sold when he still needed his mother. The suffering of the animals is noted when they force the calf to separate from his parent.
The approach is simple, the boy loves both camels and will do whatever he can to get them back together.
Heavenly Camel (Yuriy Feting, 2015) Photo: Production Center “Vse horosho”
10. Kauwboy (Boudewijn Koole, 2012)
Review: Ten-year-old Jojo is often left alone. His parents divorced, so they don’t pay much attention to him, so the boy secretly finds some comfort with a crow that fell from his nest.
Teaching: In the company of his crow (a black bird similar to a magpie), the little boy finds happiness. JoJo lives with his father, who works all day and is not self-confident. His mother is absent and has left a great void in the child.
Jojo seems to only have his bird and becomes infatuated with it, even against his father’s wishes.
This is a film that shows the emotional bond that can be established with animals. Surprisingly it is reciprocal, even if we are talking about a small bird.
Kauwboy (Boudewijn Koole, 2012) Photo: Waterland Film & TV
