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How to parent in a calm way

by TheMumLife February 28, 2022

Calm-parenting

How loud has your mum voice gotten? Is there days when you worry the neighbours will hear you? Don’t worry, we have all been there.

There can be times when our children test our limits and their cheeky side can come out. Reacting with yelling, frustration or anger is not going to help the situation, it will most likely make it worse and it will end in a lot of tears and emotions from both sides. It can be a crazy ride.

Taking on the role of being a calmer parent can seem difficult, especially when they are testing your patience. A quick yell may seem like the most effective way to solve a problem and at the time it will probably work. But thinking long term, is it the best option?

What is a calmer parent?

Being a calmer parent means that you are not going straight to negative impulses or words when dealing with your children. You are focusing on staying calm and using your calmness to alter the situation. Instead of using yelling, threats or bribes to get your children to do things, you speak calmly with them and find a solution that everyone is happy with and it still gets the job done.

Think of it as working with your child, rather than against them in that moment.

It can take a lot of practice to achieve a sense of calm and that is why a lot of people go straight to the opposite. Using force in our words and raised voices can achieve the results we want in a quick way. These ways however can have negative effects in the long term on our children.

 

How do I become a calmer parent?

Firstly you need to stop and look at how you react to different situations. How do you handle them?

Children watch every little thing that we do and if they see you using negative behaviours or reacting in a bad way to different situations they may start to copy what they are seeing and hearing.

Once you have looked at your behaviours, think about how you can change them in a positive way.

Changing the way, you discipline as well will help with the overall situations. Instead of sending a child to time out if they do something wrong, try distracting them with a different activity.

Rather than removing them all together and isolating them, by distracting them with something else it will help them to see that they can do act the way that they did and still have what they want.

When you change their activity, do it in a way that does not look like they are getting a reward, so don’t go to an activity that is more fun than what they were already doing. Give them time to go read a book, or go outside to blow bubbles – bubbles are a great way for them to relax and reduce stress.

Take the time to talk to your child

Having a real conversation with your child is crucial to becoming a calmer parent.

When they have done something that has upset you, hurt someone or broken something; sit down with them and talk about their actions. Talk about the consequences, how it has made you or another person feel and ask them how they would like it if someone treated them in the way that they acted.

Helping them to understand what they have done and how it effects those around them can help them not to make the same decision again.

When they see you showing kindness and respect to them, it will help teach them to do the same to others.

Why parent this way?

Why bother going to the effort of trying to be calm when I can yell once or twice and its over?  I hear this often, but it is not about getting an instant result. It is about teaching and learning with your child.

Although raising your voice can get the results you want quickly, it doesn’t mean that it is the right way to go about it.

By using a calmer parent method and treating your child as an equal it will help them in the long term to not only understand their behaviours and how they should be acting but also help to teach them many life skills moving forward.

There is also a lot less resistance the next time they start to muck up.

 

Are you using a calmer parenting method? Or is it a change you are ready to make?

 

Photo by Jordan Whitt on Unsplash  

Photo by Melissa Askew on Unsplash

Photo by Katherine Hanlon on Unsplash

Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash

 

February 28, 2022 0 comment
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Getting ready for school (Instagram Post)

Getting Ready For School

by TheMumLife January 11, 2022

Getting Ready For School

Whether it is the first day of big school for your child or the first day in a new grade, it can be a big change for them. New surroundings, new friends and new things to learn. It is a good idea to start getting your child excited about going to school before the big day. So that they are more prepared and ready to head into their new journey. By getting them prepared and excited it means that the drop off on the first day should be a lot smoother for everyone (not promising mum won’t shed a tear or two still) But how do you get them excited for the first day of school?

 

Get into a routine

It is a good idea to start getting back into a routine before the school year starts. During the school holidays routines can be a little all over the place. Which is fine, it is a time for them to have fun and enjoy themselves. But by bringing the routines back in a week or so before school starts back, it means that they are ready and don’t need to readapt quickly. Bring back their set bedtimes, wake up times and the routines that you would do in the morning before going to school. 

 

Get them involved

Another way to get your children excited for the first day of school is to get them involved in the process of preparing for school. Make a day of it and go out and buy their uniforms, shoes and school supplies. If they have a say in the school bag, lunch box and drink bottle that they get to take, they are more likely to be excited about getting back to school and using them. 

 

Have a day out

Going back to school means that there is a lot less time at home together. Have a special day out together before school goes back and enjoy each others company. Talk about school, how they are feeling about it and if there is anything you can do to help them. By knowing that you are there for them and supporting them they will feel more confident about going back. 

Kids Beach Day

Kids Beach Day

 

Talk about it

The thought of starting school or moving up a grade can be scary for your child. They may not openly talk about how they are feeling, but it is important to bring it up and see if they will share it with you. Talk about all the exciting things they will learn at school, the new friends that they will make and how many memories they will make. The more you talk about it, the more they will talk about it and it will make the process easier for everyone. 

Make the first day one to remember

You may not be able to determine how their first day at school goes, but you are able to make the lead up an enjoyable one. Make a special breakfast at home of their favourite foods or take them out for a breakfast at a local café before heading off to school. Spend the morning with them getting ready and making them feel confident about any concerns that they still have. And of course, take lots of photos. It is amazing to see the difference in your children from the first day of school to the last day of the year. 

Have you heard of the My First Day boards? They are a great addition to your photos of the first day and they make for great memories. Our My First Day of School boards are reusable meaning that each child can use them, year after year. They are stylish and are made from black acrylic to stand out in your photos. 

They are selling out quick so don’t forget to grab yours: https://themumlife.com.au/product/first-day-of-school-board-reusable/

back to school milestone board

back to school milestone board

 

And remember, it is completely normal for you as a parent to also feel overwhelmed and nervous about the first day of school. Shedding a few tears is okay and let me assure you – you won’t be the only one. 

Enjoy the time with your little one before they head off to school. I can’t wait to hear all about the first day of school for many children in the coming weeks.

January 11, 2022 0 comment
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detox mums diet

Five Steps To Getting Your Health Back On Track

by TheMumLife July 17, 2020

There is no denying that the recent crisis has been an assault on our physical and mental health. We have been exposed to unprecedented levels of stress that put considerable pressure on the body. Add to this eating and drinking the wrong things, and you start to see how Corona-life has really started to negatively impact our health. It was certainly not what we had planned when we were setting our health goals for 2020!

Stress, toxins and poor nutrition can lead to serious chronic inflammation and stubborn weight gain, and cause even the healthiest immune system to falter. All this at a time when we should be looking after our health more than ever.

As we pass the halfway point of the year, it feels like it’s time to press the reboot button, and move forward into the final months of 2020 with renewed health and vitality.

foods for mums

Here are Mummy Mojo’s five steps to getting your health back on track:

  1. Take preventative measures to manage stress. Stress and anxiety can have an adverse effect on our health, particularly our immune system. Use mindfulness techniques to reduce anxiety and keep calm. Focus on what you can control in the present moment, and away from worrying about things in the future that you cannot control. Practicing meditation and breathing exercises will help to keep stress hormones in check. There are many mindfulness practices that you can do with your kids or incorporate them into your busy day.

 

  1. Give your gut some love. 70% of your immune system resides in your gut. When your gut microbiome is out of balance your entire system can suffer. Support a healthy gut by taking a good quality probiotic, and eat organic, nutritious food containing lots of fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Reduce alcohol, processed foods, sugar, gluten, and other food allergens. Drink plenty of pure, filtered water. Genzon water filters are particularly beneficial as this system contains colloidal silver stones that help support a healthy immune system.

 

  1. Maintain balance in your life. During this period of lockdowns and restrictions, and with the boundary between work and home life becoming increasingly blurred, it has been hard to stick to any sort of self-care routine. Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep a night, get daily fresh air, and exercise regularly. Set a daily routine that dedicates time to you and your self-care. Think about your physical, spiritual and mental needs, and book an appointment with yourself every day to honour them. All of these will improve overall health and build a strong immune system.

 

  1. Take immune-boosting supplements. Taking certain supplements such as vitamin C (up to 2 grams a day), E and D, Echinacea and zinc can help build a strong immune system. A lack of vitamin C has been known to increase susceptibility to viruses and add to an increased risk of influenza infections. To further increase absorption of vitamin C, including oranges, kiwi fruit, capsicum and pineapple in your diet. These are perfect for smoothies, lunch boxes, and after school snacks. Drinking bone broth is also beneficial to the immune system.

 

  1. Do a detox. A full body detox such as the 30-Day Mojo Detox from Mummy Mojo will clean up every organ in your body, boost your immune system, and help you release stored toxic fat in the process – just what you need to give your health a total reboot and get your weight goals back on track.

mum needs fruit and veg

This special edition winter detox with additional immune-boosting support is filled with delicious and nourishing soups, curries, smoothies and stews that the whole family will love. It comes complete with weekly meal plans, shopping lists, and a recipe book for every breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack, to make life that little bit easier for busy mums.

A clear head, deep, restful sleep, weight loss, glowing skin, a surge of energy and a general feeling of wellbeing are just some of the side effects of doing a full body detox. It is everything you need to reset your metabolism, smash your weight loss goals, and achieve your best health!

The 30-Day Mojo Detox kicks off on 27th July. Pop over to Mummy Mojo to find out more.

Thanks

Debbie X

 

 

Check out Mummy Mojo’s socials below!

https://facebook.com/mummimojo

https://instagram.com/mummy_mojo

 

T

 

 

 

July 17, 2020 0 comment
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Balance Board

The Benefits of a Balance Board

by TheMumLife June 16, 2020

Curved wooden balance boards are believed to have first been used by the children in Waldorf Steiner schools. As the benefits of using these balance boards became more widely known we have seen them grow in popularity and use.

Here are just some of the benefits of using a wooden balance board:

EXERCISE

They provide a great form of exercise as your child rocks, balances and climbs the board. They are particularly useful at increasing strength and core stability, improving balance and reflexes, fostering gross motor coordination and weight distribution, and developing spatial awareness and proprioception. There are even entire kid’s exercise and yoga programs designed around the balance board!

Balance boards are also perfect when the weather means you can’t get outdoors but the kiddies still need to expend some energy.

Several studies have even been conducted looking into the physical benefits of using a balance board. This study on athletes found that using a balance board was effective in the prevention of ankle sprains.

 

BALANCE

As explained by the children’s occupational therapy team at KidSense

“Balance is the ability to maintain a controlled body position during task performance, whether it is sitting at a table, walking the balance beam or stepping up onto a kerb.”

 

They go on to explain that mastering this fundamental skill is important in allowing the child to do such things as participating in sports, moving their body fluidly, riding a bike and performing basic daily tasks.

It makes sense that standing on a moving curved surface would be a great way to help develop balance, and this study conducted on 6-year-olds demonstrated that the use of a balance board has been found to improve static balance in children.

Kinderboard

Kinderboard

ENCOURAGES PLAY

A wooden balance board is a fantastic, open-ended resource that can really inspire all types of imaginative and constructive play. While adults sometimes only see a curved piece of wood, a child will see a:

  • Slide
  • Bridge
  • Tunnel to crawl under
  • Seesaw
  • Boat
  • Bed
  • Rocker
  • Ramp for their cars
  • Wall for their pretend house
  • Mountain to climb
  • Foundation for their block tower
  • Cot for their doll
  • and sooooo much more
wooden balance board

wooden balance board

HELPS CHILDREN TO WIND DOWN

After countless hours of rocking your little one to sleep, I’m sure we can all attest to the soothing power of gentle movement.

The rocking motion of a wooden balance board has a beautifully calming effect and can be used to help children relax and wind down. You can also pop a few cushions and a blanket on the board to create a comfy little nest that your child will enjoy snuggling into with an interesting book or some soothing music to listen to.

Parents, therapists and teachers are even using balance boards in helping to reduce symptoms and improve concentration in children with ADHD.

As you can see, wooden balance boards truly are a wonderful investment for your child. They provide opportunities for both active and quiet play, as well as fostering numerous developmental milestones and skills.

Check out our collection of wooden balance boards here.

 

Do you have a balance board? What is the most creative way you have seen your little ones use it?

 

Christie x

 

EXTERNAL LINKS

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8399887

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329843465

https://childdevelopment.com.au

June 16, 2020 0 comment
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books to read to kids

Why It’s Great To Read With Your Children

by TheMumLife May 23, 2020

Reading with your children from when they are first born (and even earlier) is one of the best ways to expose them to language, and set the foundations for them being able to talk and communicate as they grow.

 

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss

 

Here are some other reasons why it’s great to read with your children:

IT HELPS THEIR DEVELOPMENT

Countless studies have been done demonstrating the positive effects that taking the time to read with your children can have on their language and brain development. This University of Melbourne study found that reading to children at a young age has a positive effect on their schooling in later life. The study also suggests that reading to your 4-5 year old on a daily basis can accelerate their reading development by almost 12 months. Pretty incredible!

My School Yearbook

My School Yearbook

 

PERFECT FOR BONDING TIME

Some days seem to whizz by in a flurry of doing ‘stuff’, and it’s sometimes easy to feel like you haven’t spent enough time with the kiddies. Slowing down and sitting together for some quiet reading time is a lovely way to reconnect and bond with your little loves after a hectic day.

 

IT’S SIMPLE AND EASY

As parents, sometimes we feel like setting up Pinterest inspired craft activities, creating Instagram worthy ‘invitations to play’ and constructing amazing indoor obstacle courses, and sometimes…. we just don’t. That’s the beauty of reading, it’s so simple and all you need is a book and a peaceful place to sit!

 

Check out our blog post on how to use our fabric canopies to create a gorgeous reading space you will love. 

 

HELPS YOUR CHILD UNDERSTAND THE WORLD

Books can be used as an amazing tool to help children understand important events that may be occurring around them. There are some great books available that deal with everything from a new baby on the way, toilet training, starting school, or losing a pet. Sharing these with your children can be a wonderful way to help them make sense of their world and how they are feeling.

rock n roll abc book

Rock n Roll ABC book


SCREEN FREE TIME

It can sometimes be a bit (or a lot) of a battle to keep our kiddies away from screens. There’s the TV, computer, tablet, and phone, and now with a lot of children attending online classes due to Covid-19, screen time has only increased.

 

Introducing books and reading with your children from an early age is a great way to get them hooked on the joy of reading and encourage them away from being heavily reliant on screens for entertainment.

 

 “So please, oh please, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away, and in its place you can install a lovely bookshelf on the wall.” – Roald Dahl

 

Now that you know all the fantastic reasons that books are so important. Check out some of my favourites here. 

 

What is your favourite children’s book to read with your children?

 

Christie xx

 

EXTERNAL LINKS 

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/about/research/readtoyoungchild.pdf

 

May 23, 2020 0 comment
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  • How to parent in a calm way

    February 28, 2022
  • Getting Ready For School

    January 11, 2022
  • Five Steps To Getting Your Health Back On Track

    July 17, 2020
  • The Benefits of a Balance Board

    June 16, 2020
  • Why It’s Great To Read With Your Children

    May 23, 2020

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