Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it.
Touching words from the mouths of babes.

What does ‘Love’ mean?

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, ‘What does ‘love’ mean?’
The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:

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‘When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore.

So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.’
Rebecca- age 8
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‘When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.’
Billy - age 4
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‘Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.’
Karl - age 5
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‘Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.’
Chrissie - age 6
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‘Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.’
Terri - age 4
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‘Love is when my mummy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.’
Danny - age 7
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‘Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more.
My Mummy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss’
Emily - age 8
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‘Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.’
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)
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‘If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,’

Nikka - age 6
(we need a few million more Nikka’s on this planet)
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‘Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.’
Noelle - age 7
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‘Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.’
Tommy - age 6
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‘During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.

He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore.’
Cindy - age 8
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‘My mummy loves me more than anybody

You don’t see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.’
Clare - age 6
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‘Love is when Mummy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.’
Elaine-age 5
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‘Love is when Mummy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.’
Chris - age 7
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‘Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day’
Mary Ann - age 4
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‘I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.’
Lauren - age 4
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‘When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.’ (what an image)
Karen - age 7
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‘Love is when Mummy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn’t think it’s gross.’
Mark - age 6
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‘You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.’
Jessica - age 8
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And the final one — Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge.

The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.

Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.

When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbour, the little boy said,
‘Nothing, I just helped him cry’
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When there is nothing left, that is when you find out that love is all you need. Take 60 seconds and give this a shot!

by Jo-Rosie Haffenden

With a number of families deciding against traditional christenings in favour of non religious ceremonies, more children are being welcomed into the world in a civil ceremonial called a naming ceremony.
So what exactly is a naming ceremony?

A naming ceremony is similar to a christening in that it is a celebration of a baby’s arrival surrounded by supportive individuals, godparents are chosen although they are called ’supporters’ and the choice of baby’s outfit can be a baptismal robe if so desired. The differences, however, are greater than just a choice of wardrobe. Humanist ceremonies are strictly ‘non religious’ secular affairs, featuring no hymns, bible readings or church settings. They are very popular with those who have no religious affiliations or those whose inter-faith families could feel alienated by the choice of one faith over another.

Most naming ceremonies are organised by the British Humanist Association and as Hanne Stinson of BHA explains “Naming ceremonies are a lovely way of marking the birth of a baby and can be tailored to suit the family concerned”. She also describes the variations of a service, “Parents can put together their own service including poetry, music and readings and the venue can be anywhere - in your own home, at a castle or outdoors.”

Humanists believe that life is about human experience and is not God-given. They don’t believe in an after life and instead believe that life should be as fulfilling as it can be, whilst you are alive. Events like naming ceremonies have become remarkably dignified and totally personal affairs for the family and friends involved and lack the sometimes cumbersome traditional aspects of a church blessing or christening.

So what actually happens on the day?

The BHA can be a real help to those wishing to arrange a ceremony or naming day. They can give advice on venues, the choosing of mentors or supporters (the humanist equivalent of godparents), write sample scripts and work out the frame work the service will take.

Once you have chosen your venue, invited your guests and decided on reading or music etc, you’re ready.

Your chosen celebrant (these can be found from the BHA or could be a family friend) leads the proceedings, makes the welcomes and introductions and then either performs or requests that those in attendance take part in a reading. The reasons behind the chosen name of the child are often announced and promises from the parents and supporters for the child’s future happiness make an affectionate addition to a conventionally formal affair.

Gifts are usually exchanged at the ceremonies by way of a keepsake such as a bespoke gift that can incorporate the child’s name and date of the ceremony or a silver charm bracelet, something that can be retained by the parents as a tangible memory of the day and the promises they have made.

Most parents would agree that what ever ceremony they choose, if the event is enjoyable and memorable, religion doesn’t have to play a part. Naming ceremonies have increased in the last decade due to their embrace of diversity and choice; with more parents opting to go the non religious route, I think we will be seeing a lot more naming ceremonies in the future.

By: Michelle Higgins  

Your newborn baby is so small and tender that giving him a bath might be a little scary. However, in spite of all your concerns, you will find that bathing the baby will soon be a fun thing for both him and you.

For the first few days, stick to a sponge bath, only wetting the towel in warm water and giving a baby a thorough sponging with it. Once the umbilical cord stump falls off, baby is ready for his foray into water.

Water, Water everywhere

Make sure that the towel, soap, shampoo and sponge are all at hand before you begin.

Fill baby’s portable bathtub with not more than 3 inches of water. Check if baby’s bath water is just the right temperature (which is a bit warm and not more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit).

Most babies usually cry through their bath for the initial months until they begin to enjoy it.

Immerse your baby slowly into the tub, feet first, and use your left hand to support his neck and head. Let him get a feel of the water and with your free hand, splash the water lightly over his body.

Wet the sponge and use mild baby soap to wash his body. Do not use soap on his face. Wash his scalp with a cloth and clean the corners of his eyes and nose with moistened cotton balls.

There is no need to draw back the foreskin to clean a baby boy’s genitals; wash the penis with soap as you would do for any other part of his body.

Use a mild shampoo, squeezing out a little bit on you palm first.

Lift him up from the tub and wrap him in a towel. Once you’ve dried his hair, work on the rest of his body.

A mild body lotion will make him smell good and feel soft, although it is not necessary to use powder or lotion on babies. Diaper and dress him, and presto! You are done.

If your baby is a bath-hater, it is not necessary to make him go through the ordeal everyday especially in the precrawling stage. Giving him a sponge bath regularly and a bath every other day will keep him clean enough.

Safety comes first

Make sure you follow these safety measures while bathing your baby.

Don’t make the mistake of leaving your baby unattended in the bath for even for a second. If the doorbell is ringing or you must answer the phone, carry him with you, wrapped in a towel. Drowning can occur in less than one inch of water within a minute.

Baby’s bath water should not be too cold or too warm. Always test the water before you begin.

Wet babies are slippery babies. Take extra care while you hold baby in the bath.

Bathing baby immediately after a meal is not a good idea as it might result in his spitting up.

Never run the water with baby in the bath cause a sudden change of temperature can be dangerous.

Bathing baby only takes a little practice (which you will soon get) before you learn to do it just right for your baby.