Image Matters

Researchers in Early Childhood Development  say that when you help make children aware of their bodies when they are young, that they will have a better self esteem and won't struggle as much with self image problems. I go to a moms and tots group called Toptots and they teach us so many ways to stimulate our children and help them grow to adjust to the world around them and strive in doing daily activities. I also do a lot of research myself as well as learn every day as I spend time with my two boys. It is important to know that you can start when your children are still babies. It might seem like they are not understanding anything you are doing or saying, but take heart that they are taking in everything and one day all your hard work will pay off- they will one day moo like a cow, and tell you how old they are, sing the Abc song and one day they will have a great self esteem because of how you invested your time and effort into helping to develop your child.  Here are a couple actives for self awareness:

Outline them:

When you start with your baby massage, you can take a minute afterwards to outline your child so that they can be aware of where they are in space. While they are laying on their backs, start with your hands on top of their heads, slowly move down to their face and down the neck to their shoulders, then down and around their arms to their armpits. Then go down their torsos and around their hips and legs,  to their feet. This activity can also be done while changing a nappy. 

Sings Songs:

There are a couple songs you can sing to help them recognize and learn about their different body parts. These are some I sing with my boys: "heads and shoulders, knees and toes," "do the hokey pokey." "Father Abraham had many sons..." "If you're happy and you know it" With this song, you are helping your children to show an emotion like happiness by using their body. 

Bath time:

Bath time is a good time to teach your child about their different body parts. While washing them, tell them which body part you are washing. Let them hear the name, see it and feel it. They are then using three of their senses which helps in the learning process. 

Art:

I have noticed with my eldest son, that when he has made an artwork using his hands or feet, he is the most proud of it! You can make different animals pictures using their handprints and footprints. You can also get self drying clay and make handprints and footprints in them that can last for years. This is also a lovely keepsake and you can do one every year on their birthday to show them how they have grown. 

With older kids, you can take a big piece of cardboard and have them lie down on it. Draw their outline and cut it out and into different body parts. They can colour it in or paint it. Then stick the head up on a wall and have them put their body back together. You can also write the name of the body part on each piece so they can learn to recognize the words.
Reading books about the body and how it works also helps children to draw themselves and other people.

It is also important to know that our children learn about self esteem and good self image from us, their parents. When we have positive self images, then our children will too.

Lets talk about POO, baby

Growing up with my two boy cousins, I had to get used to the fact that boys found poo and farts hilarious! So when I had boys, I knew what I was in store for....I just didn't think that it would be so soon! My eldest son is now five years old, and I hear the word 'poo' at least 10 times a day. Poo jokes, poo and fart sounds, songs about poo are all the rage now. The latest amendment he made was to "Bad boys." He sings this to his 10 month old brother, "fart boy, fart boy, what ya gonna do, what ya gonna do when I fart on you," and then chuckles.

The other day, I asked him if he spoke about poo as much at school and with his friends. I cringed as I thought the answer would be yes. To my surprise he said, "No mom, only at home." I am delighted with the fact that he feels comfortable at home to talk about whatever he likes, and that he knows that it is impolite to talk about poo and farts anywhere else.

As a mom, I want to teach my children good manners. But there is a time and place for everything.  As a mom to boys, I have to let them be, and even join in sometimes...after all, its only natural!!! 

Robynne and Daniel

Robynne has been a friend of mine for many years. I did her and her friend, Marie's make-up for their matric farewell and here I was doing their make-up again for Robynnes wedding. Robz and Dan got married at Avianto in Johannesburg. It was one of THE hottest days of 2012! My husband and I were so happy to be attending the wedding as well. The bridesmaids wore gorgeous dirty pink/purple flowing dresses and Robynne wore a BEAUTIFUL figure-accentuating gown that was the tiniest dress size I had ever seen. She looked so amazing! Robynne wanted a very natural make-up look. what a beautiful wedding <3

Shoot with Richard and Fleur

This was a super fun shoot I did with Richard from FreshlySliced Photography and Fleur Roose. She is so stunning with gorgeous features, she didnt need much make-up. Richard shot Fleur on Camps Bay and up Devils Peak. Cape Town truly has the most beautiful backdrops.

Stellenbosch Bridesmaids

Anel(see earlier post), asked me to do her and two other girls' make-up for their friend, Tanya's Wedding in Stellenbosch. On my way to Stellenbosch, I saw cop cars and it turned out to be a road block! As I was driving through, I was just praying that they wouldnt pull me over...but to my dismay...they did. I got a fine for an outstanding licence disc. I was so irritated and somewhat emotional! I arrived a little late but got started with Tarien first. She wanted a smokey eye. I used a green cream colour base with bronze and black eyeshadow. I finished the eyes off with a strong black liquid eyeliner and mascara. Next was Anel. I did a soft natural look for Anel using maroon and plum tones to compliment her blue eyes. The look was soft yet striking. Last was Lisa, for whom I used bronze, copper and black on her eyes to create a smokey eye. All three girls' cheeks were contoured with some peach blush to bring colour to the face. I finished their looks off with a nude lip colour. Most of these pictures were taken by Wil Punt. P.S. I did pay my fine and also renewed my licence disc ok :)

Tarien

Anel and Tarien

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Tarien, Lisa, Bride Tanya and Anel

Gorgeous girlz

Jozef and Tanya's Wonderful Wellington Wedding

Jozef and Tanya tied the knot on 29 April 2012. Tanya and her three bridesmaids got ready at the main house in Tangleood in Wellington, where I did the bridesmaids' make-up. They were all such stunning ladies and the make-up just enhanced their natural beauty. I used shades of plums and pinks with a black liquid eyeliner on top to accentuate the eyes and eyelashes. Tanya's photos were taken by Adene photography.

Jozef and Tanya's E shoot

For Tanya's Engagement Shoot, we went for a natural look. I used soft shades of plums and lilacs to bring out her gorgeous blue eyes. I also contoured her exquisite cheekbones to make them stand out even more. Jozef and Tanya did their E shoot in the stunning setting of Wolseley and their very talented photographer was Adene Nieuwoudt from Adene Photography.