February 18, 2013

sooting routines, settle kids to sleep, bedtime routine

Bedtime Bliss

All kids need the comfort and security of a clear, predictable soothing routine. I truly believe that structure helps children feel safe and assured – when you’re little and so much seems difficult to understand and beyond your control, routines are a source of confidence and certainty. Soothing routine’s are a beautiful opportunity for parents and children to slow down, connect, share some special time, and unwind from the burdens of the day.

I admit bedtime routines with children is my favorite time of the day.  Yes, it’s a means to peaceful, sleeping babies (and peaceful, happy parents) but I love everything about the quiet and softness of our routines.  My toddler, who runs around non-stop and hardly has time for quiet moments during his day, will happily sit on my lap and lean his head back on my shoulder while we read books. My preschooler and I will share our sad and happy parts of the day and what we hope to dream about. Yes, it’s entertaining dialog with a 4 year old, but it’s a glimpse at what’s going on in her little mind. We’re setting a precedent of communication that I hope to maintain through our lifetime together.

A good soothing routine will start during infancy and evolve to carry a child through to school age. Even if you didn’t start that early, don’t be concerned. It’s never too late to begin.

When done right, soothing routines are times both parents and children look forward to. You and your partner may take turns, and each have your own style, but make sure you share a common approach on timing, coping with stall tactics and alleviating any fears or concerns from your child.

So what do you do? How do you do a soothing routine? Whether you’re a brand new parent or an experienced parent, stay tuned! Over the next few weeks, we’ll be adding posts with elements which could comprise your child’s soothing routine and how to find a process that fits with the goals and the individuality of your family.

Lullabies: Making Beautiful Music Together – by Jodie Fera, BMus (ed.), B Ed, Music Together Kitchener-Waterloo

Basics of Sleep Hygiene – by Dr. Jennifer Castle, ND, The Urban Athlete

Yoga for Soothing – by Amanda Degrace, Little Lotus Yoga

Reading Magic – by Krista Guenther, Sleeperific Children’s Sleep Consulting

Massage for Soothing – by Amber Parkinson, RMT, Amber Parkinson Massage

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February 10, 2013

Taking the work out of supper

Does this ever happen at your house? It’s an hour before your family usually sits down to eat and you have no idea what you’re going to have for dinner. Yep, me too. I get flustered, run through recipes in my head, open the fridge door and stare blankly, hoping to find that miracle ingredient to pull it all together.

I do my best to be organized and meal plan. Nothing fancy, a pen, a paper a list of what we’re going to eat from Monday to Friday, but I slip up every now and again. I like to cook, I really do. But sometimes the day just doesn’t go as planned and there just isn’t time (or energy) left to prepare a meal from scratch. And any parent out there knows that quick trips to the grocery store (with 2 kids in tow) are OUT of the question.

Combine all of this with the early bedtimes and calm environments I usually advocate for all my Sleeperific families? Aye yi yi.

Enter Superworks to save the day.

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Supperworks quite literally takes the work out of supper. They do all the meal prep for you.  Everything is chopped, cut, portioned. You just put the ingredients together in a baggie, label it, take it home, put it in your freezer for future use. All you have to do is defrost, follow the instructions on the bag (directions for defrosting, final prep, cooking and even suggested sides), add your own side (or Supperworks can do that for you too!) and away you go.

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Supperworks is a GREAT way to maximize those precious minutes you have with your family at the end of a busy work day. I can guarantee it will minimize your stress, ensure a family oriented and tasty meal, all while keeping bedtimes on track track for busy, professional families.

Find the Supperworks location nearest you: www.supperworks.com

Use the discount code ‘SUPPER’ for $10 off your next order.

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