Ever just wanted a decent picture of your child??

You all know the routine - you have a child that won't sit still, that struggles with a new environment, that cannot or will not pose for photos. There are many frustrations from families that just want a decent family photo and are unable to get one. One of the main concerns is that the photographer will not understand or be patient enough with the child. That the child will end up frustrated at being forced to pose in a way they do not want and the session ends in a melt down. 

I have so many families contacting me before these sessions worried about how it will go - and I always tell them the same thing.  You don't need to worry - not with Dean. 

Dean has many years experience working with families who have children with additional needs. His experience stems from his personal life and his work life and shows itself beautifully in his photos. We've never had a family come away unhappy and in fact many declare that this is the fist time a photoshoot has been successful. You can't really ask more than that! 

Although I didn't go along to this photoshoot (we just leave him to it now!) I've been myself with my children and I can speak from first hand knowledge at how good Dean is at capturing every person's personality. My two eldest children are polar opposites. I have one that won't say a word when she's out and just stares at people and I have another who is impossible to pin down and speaks at around a million words a minute and yet its not a problem. Trust is earned within minutes and the children are giggling away at Dean's entertainment. They love him to bits now. We generally start with the loud one! He's up for all kinds of poses and shows off while Dean snaps away (they'll always be one that isn't a blur!) The quiet one stands and watches and slowly prepares for her turn then when its is I even glimpse a rare smile. We can then persuade them to have photos together and, dare I say it, even hug...(they've hit that age after all!) We're never disappointed and the results always end up on the wall!

But don't just take my word for it. Here's some feedback from Little Hiccups parents:

Picking the photos on the laptop

"Fantastic experience. Dean greeted the boys, made them feel at ease in a judgement free zone! We’ve done a few photo shoots before but never been able to get good pictures or had the boys enjoy the experience before. Fantastic photos, great stress-free experience. Would highly recommend to anyone who dreads the ‘mission impossible’ of family photos."

"We went to deans and from the minute we walked through the door he was so pleasant and welcoming and made Ella feel so at home by letting her be herself. She loved every minute of it and he managed to get her to sit in the box for the photos to be taken and even got some amazing smiles from her. (No idea how as when I ask her to smile for pictures she acts the clown and pulls funny faces) she loved looking at the photos he had taken on his laptop before taking some more. The finished in the box picture is amazing. We will be booking with him again at some point through the year because we loved it so much"


"Dean was brilliant with us and great with Jack. He really put us all at ease."

"I cant believe this little beauty came from me.. i know im biased but hes sooo beautiful. He absolutely loved his photoshoot the little poser. Thankyou little hiccups xx"

10 Sleep Remedies by Hannah Dent

As its Little Hiccups' 10th Birthday this year we have asked our families for 10 Things that help them in day to day life. Hannah Dent shares 10 Sleep remedies that she uses to get her child to sleep on an evening. We all know how important sleep is for you and your child but the truth is that if you have a child with additional needs you're probably not getting enough! There is no end to the amount of advice that you can find but its important that you find one that works for you and your family. Here are Hannah's:

1. Bath your child after dinner in the early evening allowing time for your child to come back down from splish splash fun. Then start the bedtime routine downstairs.
2. Half a banana about 30 minutes before bed with a glass of warm milk. (More for getting them through the night).
   
3. Don't take anyone else's advice to the letter you will find your own way within the advice.
   
4. If it's not working and you've tried and I mean really tried to follow a Super Nanny course of bedtime routine then abandon it to another remedy.
   
5. Treat bedtime as an all night event.  We all want that day to end and bed time to come...Now!!! However that pressure to make it quick and easy will allude to missed routine,  forgotten important steps and anxious kids. Treat it like you're in for the long haul and you probably won't be.
   
6. Sensitive children like to use their senses to go to sleep.  Many use weighted blankets, some use safe spaces, others teddies, some wriggle their legs as if restless and some like mine like to have massages of the feet and nails tickling their arms and back. We call it nails and the circular motion is enough for him to relax into sleep.
7. A child that leaves their bed after lights out.. lie with them on the floor, I've two old sofa cushions I prop against the radiator and sit until he's reassured enough to sleep. (The longhaul).
8. Don't try and exercise them to sleep with  big long walks/park etc..Endorphins wake you up.
   
9. Keep a sleep record so you can try and identify the worst days and the causes.
   
10. Remember you're in it for the long haul.  If you're 3 hours into a long sleepless stretch that's starting to build tension between parent and child  then break off. Go back downstairs and do what I call baby checks. Are they hungry, are they the right temperature,  are they ill, did your husband let them nap earlier 😂😂😂. Read a book, play some relaxing music then try again.

Do you have any hint and tips for life with a child with additional needs? Please email Miriam on info@littlehiccups.co.uk to share them.