Parenting ideas that fly.
I am Janet Lansbury. Welcome to my blog. As Janet Julian, I acted and modeled for many years, but it wasn't until I became a mother and sought guidance from infant expert Magda Gerber that I found my life's work: parent education. For the last fifteen years I have enjoyed teaching RIE parenting classes in Los Angeles.
I have also been a presenter at early childhood conferences, written infant/toddler parenting articles, and served on the board of directors of Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE). Raising a child is one the most important and challenging jobs we will ever have. It brings a considerable amount of joy. It can also be confusing, discouraging and haphazard. My goal is to provide clarity, inspiration (and maybe a smile or two) by sharing insights I've gained through my parenting classes, my experiences as a mother, and studies with my friend and mentor Magda Gerber. This blog is dedicated to her memory.
Posted by
janet on Feb 1st, 2010
Many of us have the sense that the children in our care chose us. We feel it especially when a child’s needs tap into our weaknesses, we are forced to adjust, and that adjustment makes us change for the better. It is as if their souls zeroed in on us and decided, “That woman and that man, those future brothers and sisters need lessons I can provide. I’ll help them grow. I’ll be their teacher.”
I...
Posted by
janet on Jan 29th, 2010
I am continually amazed by how capable babies are. Sometimes words, however descriptive (even mine!), can’t do them justice. So, I’ve attached a video from one of my classes to this post to visually demonstrate. Please have a look — no actors were hired!
I was stunned to learn years ago that once a baby is able to sit securely on his own (usually 8 to 12 months old), he can actually sit down to eat at his...
Posted by
janet on Jan 26th, 2010
I have had many surprises since becoming a mom. I found out that children under the age of six never walk down a hallway when they can run; that corn kernels pass through the body whole; and that boys have a testosterone-powered impulse to test the breaking point of everything, especially new toys, with predictable results. But the biggest surprise of all was the discovery that babies and toddlers can actually...
Posted by
janet on Jan 21st, 2010
It always jars me when a child is hurt — on the playground, in a soccer game, or just horsing around — and when he tearfully staggers towards his parents, he is immediately directed to “brush it off.” His natural reaction to pain and injury is perceived as babyish, weak and unappealing, or at least inconvenient for others to see or hear. Rather, he is supposed to be tough, suck it up and ignore his...
Posted by
janet on Jan 18th, 2010
Expectant parents are wise to be well-prepared (or as prepared as humanly possible) for the exciting change in their lives. I am happy to announce that there is still availability in the next Before Baby course, a new program offered by Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) in Los Angeles.
Here’s the information.
WHEN: Mondays, January 25, February 1 and February 8, 6:30-9:00pm
WHERE: RIE Center @...
Posted by
janet on Jan 14th, 2010
I had a conversation with a neighbor today, a mom whom I have not spoken to for more than a few moments in passing for several years. She needed to spill some resentments she’s had towards me. Her point-of-view did not surprise me, but it helped me connect some dots.
Since becoming a mom, many of my weaknesses have been unveiled, but I have also realized some surprising strengths. For most of my life I have...
Posted by
janet on Jan 11th, 2010
Okay, right away I admit my title may be a little misleading. I don’t really have any magic tricks to relieve a parent’s bad day. The old standby’s like massage, cocktails, sex (preferably with someone, like a spouse), chatting with an empathetic friend, exercise, or a shopping spree can work in a pinch, but they all require either time, money or energy –sometimes all three.
Every parent experiences...
Posted by
janet on Jan 5th, 2010
Mom was right brain, Dad was left brain. I loved them both. Thankfully, Dad took care of many of life’s important details — but my mom seemed to have all the fun. Mom was spontaneity, clutter, and disorganized joy. Her presence was magnetic and her laugh contagious. She and her four daughters always arrived late to church, and were in a mad rush to school each day.
Mom made up a song that she would...
