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I have family from the Veneto region and have visited Italy throughout my life. When I was 20, I studied for a semester in Urbino, a beautiful town in Le Marche. After that experience, I had always wanted to return to live in Italy. In 2019, after years of working in the fashion industry in NYC, I decided to make a delayed dream come true by moving to pursue a master's degree in Eco-Social Design, concentrating my research on social and environmental sustainability in textile production.
"Flocking Together" is a master thesis project I did for the Libera Universita di Bolzano. It uses designerly storytelling to explore the complexities involved in reviving native wool production in Puglia and in Italy in general. The project takes a close look at the obstacles involved with transforming wool, which is often treated as “waste” in local sheep farming. Its aim is to raise awareness of the underlying systemic, economic, ecological, and social issues involved, but also shine a light on positive initiatives by small local and national realities that are successfully valorizing this resource. The project explores how both global and local issues affect community resources, economies, identities, and livelihoods in one micro-region, the Altamurgia in Puglia. “Flocking Together” aims to give voice to local actors and weave a narrative grounded in the recognition that we are all dependent on each other and the more-than-human world around us. Through the project, I also hope to provide an example of how storytelling can inspire transformation and act as an agent for eco-social change.
I've learned that everything is interconnected when thinking about sustainability and production. Everything starts with and in a place. What I mean is that geographical and environmental features, cultural and social context, as well as infrastructure and economics, all play a role. Whenever and wherever we produce, there is an underlying "glocal" aspect to it, which means the local and the global are intertwined. There are systemic, economic, ecological, and social issues involved, which all need to be addressed if we'd like to truly be sustainable. We cannot just choose a natural fiber or claim to be providing fair wages. There needs to be a transparent and holistic look at how we produce and the multifaceted issues that are involved within our society.
I think we all need to be held accountable for the choices that we make every day. I think it's also important to persuade those in positions of power to pass policies that will enable progress toward a more holistically sustainable system. But overall, I think it starts with education and creating awareness. The hope is that projects like "Flocking Together" can help communicate the need for systemic change and connect a larger network interested in developing strategies for a more sustainable future.
There are many ways we can reduce waste on a personal level, but I think, it's even more important to address this topic of waste on an industrial level. For instance, my project, "Flocking Together," discusses the byproduct of sheep farming and wool as a "special" waste. There are tons of wool waste being thrown away or burned due to there not being a centralized collection system. However, wool is only one example of a wasted resource. As a society, we need to create ways to utilize all of our resources better and implement more circular systems. By implementing a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, reusing, repairing, and recycling existing materials, we can significantly reduce waste and improve the state of the environment.
To me, an ethical solution takes into consideration every aspect of society and the environment. An ethical solution is holistic in its approach, looking at the needs of human and more-than-human (animal and plant) lives. We cannot completely stop producing and consuming, but we can look at circular and fair solutions where we minimize our negative impact as much as possible and seek to continue to improve our trajectory over time.
Due to various factors, such as the exportation of labor, the rise of synthetic fibers, or the loss of skills and know-how over time, European wool production has declined drastically over the last few decades. This decline in production and know-how has caused wool collection facilities and wool scouring (washing) facilities to close. Today, there is no centralized collection of wool in Italy, and there are only 2 official washing facilities. This lack of infrastructure makes the production of wool a fractured and complex process that requires the transportation of materials and high costs for everyone in the supply chain.
It is difficult for small family farms in Puglia to compete on a global scale with the more advanced infrastructure and technology in other locations. There is also no functioning collection system for wool as well as a water scarcity issue which makes opening a washing facility complicated and unsustainable. Puglia is far from the two existing scouring facilities located in the North, making transportation to and from these locations unsustainable and costly. Sheep farming, however, is still practiced by many local farms for the production of meat and dairy products. Sheep shearing once or twice a year is essential for the animal's well-being. Otherwise, they are at risk of overheating, discomfort, and disease. Without a system in place to transform the fleece, farmers are forced to discard the wool by throwing it away or burning it. This process of burning wool can also be harmful to the environment, releasing toxins as it burns. The wool then becomes a wasted resource that could have otherwise been transformed for use in the apparel industry, utilized as fertilizer, or used as acoustic insulation.
The practice of sheep farming is important for the local economy and the preservation of cultural heritage, identity, and biodiversity. Maintaining Puglia's unique biodiversity is vital to its future. Since animal rearing is an essential way of life for rural farmers and herders in Italy and around the world, turning away from its practice negatively impacts community livelihoods. Furthermore, considering both the benefits of grazing sheep and the environmental impacts of the textile industry, wool as a raw material and natural resource offers an option that continues to support the evolutionary growth of the relationship between people, animals, and land. Sheep farming offers a healthy way to live in harmony with the land that feeds, clothes, and houses us.
My experience doing place-based research on the Murgia was an unforgettable experience. I began my research after meeting my project partner, Filippo Clemente, founder of Pecore Attive, a project concerned with the recovery and enhancement of Apulian indigenous wool. Filippo provided valuable guidance throughout my research process. During my stay on the Murgia, Filippo made himself readily available, providing endless knowledge and expertise on everything from regional culture and geography to supply chain limitations and the physical properties of native wool. He connected me with his extensive network of local professionals and stakeholders, as well as international artists and designers who were relevant to my research.
We began by taking short trips together around the city of Altamura, reading ethnographic books in Filippo’s studio, and visiting the historical center, the archeological museum of Altamura, and the local library. I walked through the surrounding countryside, enjoying its beautiful views, and I ate meals with Filippo’s friends and family. Together we visited much of the Murgia Plateau, including The Alta Murgia National Park, Italy’s first rural national park. I was fortunate to have an insider with a lot of expertise to guide and connect me with so many relevant participants. My research continued in this way, organically unfolding, and informed by the community itself. Through participatory workshops and one-on-one interviews with actors, the issues were revealed to be multifaceted, with many levels of complexity and interconnecting parts. Without Filippo's valuable input, expertise on the subject, and generosity, as well as the willing participation of the local community, my project would not have been possible.
When thinking "local," we need to consider particularities like geography, climate, demographics, culture, and infrastructure. To overcome challenges to local production, public and private partnerships, and collaborations need to develop to form a strong community. Associations and training programs could help train farmers and develop collection strategies. Policymakers need to support local initiatives more holistically. There needs to be more guidance around project development so that private funds can be secured before public funds run out. There also needs to be more promotion of local wool and wool products to diversify the current offering. Young designers need to be trained to use this special material and design beyond products geared toward tourism and traditional items like scarves and gloves. Brands that are striving to produce locally and sustainably need to form collaborations and larger networks to share expenses and collectively solve infrastructure and supply chain issues. The adoption of new technologies and the applications of systems from other industries could also provide potential solutions. One such example could be creating wool-washing facilities that use reclaimed water from irrigation systems already in place. The good news is that the solutions and the technology exist to solve many of these issues. We only need to find the right path to implement them and the right collaborators to join us in the process.
I believe it's time to break this cycle we are in and find new local, circular solutions to production. As a society, we have lost touch with how our clothing relates to the living landscape, the enormous distances our garments travel, and all the hands that help to create them. We need to transition away from the whims of fast fashion and shift production so that it prolongs the lifetime of each garment and meets the real needs of a community.
My vision would be to re-engage with local communities, re-invent local production, re-evaluate resources, and re-skill workers. I think it's vital for us to redirect our attention closer to home and the places in which we live. We should explore how the living landscape can play an important role in creating viable alternatives to our current system.
We, as designers and producers, can ensure our partnerships and value chains are genuinely fair and equitable by focusing on the revival of regional, place-based communities around wool along with other natural fibers. This concept and process seem idealistic, but some projects, initiatives, and organizations worldwide, such as "Fibershed" are already making strides in this direction. My vision is for a transformative change where local resources are valorized, biodiversity is preserved, and sustainable livelihoods thrive.
Meet Darlene
Darlene Da Ré Sulivan is a textile/surface designer and eco-social designer living and working in Italy and New York City. Beyond textile design, she has experience in domestic and overseas production for the fashion industry. She is the founder of Darlene Da Ré Design Studio, where she provides sustainability consulting for the fashion industry, textile/surface design services, design direction, and production management for various clients in both the US and Italy.
She is a dreamer who's always carved out her own path in life from NYC to Hawaii to Italy. She loves discovering new places and meeting new people that inspire and inform her work. Passionate about circular design and eco-social practices, she strives to find innovative ways to create with our world’s best interest and always a bit of fun in mind. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to explore a collaboration or just say hi at darlenedaredesignstudio@gmail.com!
www.darlenedaredesignstudio.com
Our favorite new book on the market. An inspiring story about a baby toucan bird who flies around the world meeting new friends, learning about different cultures and exploring places like the Louvre in Paris and flying through The Grand Canyon. You and your little ones will love everything about this book. It was only recently published this summer and is already climbing the best sellers lists.
One of our favorite books from the last few years and still going strong. A quirky story about dragons with a love for all types of tacos. A #1 New York Times bestselling phenomenon and a must in every kid’s library. The author, Adam Rubin has already written a delicious sequel called Dragons Love Tacos 2.
This happy little book was inspired by Bob Marley’s song, One Love and written by his daughter Cedella Marley. A vibrant and fun book bringing the song lyrics to life.
With short and simple rhyming text, Llama Llama, I Love You shows young children sweet ways to express their love all year round.
Written by Anna Dewdney who also wrote the impressive, Llama Llama Red Pajama book that we know you will also love!
An adorable doggy tale about a French Bulldog and a Poodle that learn that family is all about love. This story features four puppies: Fi Fi, Foo-Foo, Ooh-La-La, Gaston and Antoinette. Gaston learns to be a proper pooch from his poodle sisters. The story evolves with a chance encounter at the park with two other families. Gaston and Antoinette switch places and learn to follow their hearts and find the family they feel like they truly belong to. Written by Kelly Dipucchio and illustrated by Christian Robinson.
This book series features so many iconic influencers of history. Currently over 100 individual books highlighting the front runners in areas such as science, fashion, sports, music and education. Written by Spanish resident, Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara with a handful of talented different illustrators.
This book can be found on almost every bookshelf. The sweetest book about the depth of love with quotes like, “I love you so much, as deep as the ocean, as wide as the earth, as many stars in the sky. All these added together is just the beginning of how much I love you”. Written by Sam McBratney and Illustrated by Anita Jeram.
8.Love is
Written by Diane Adams and illustrated by Claire Keane. “This beautifully illustrated book tells the moving story of a little girl and a duckling who both grow to understand what it means to care for each other as they learn that love is as much about letting go as it is about holding on.”
Written by Kenneth Wright and Illustrated by wife Sarah Jane Wright. The main character, Lola Dutch, is rich with imagination and originality. Always using her creativity to come up with grand ideas from ‘the best ways to serve breakfast -an elegant feast! -- to the ideal sleeping spot – a majestic blanket fort, of course!”
Written by Emily Winfield Martin. This story “celebrates the dreams, acceptance, and love that parents have for their children . . . now and forever.”
As a New York Times #1 bestseller, Jimmy Fallon's book series including DADA, MAMA, NANA, BABY and a co-written book with Jennifer Lopez called Con Pollo are on most bookshelves in America. All family favorites!
That's our summer round-up! We hope you love our selection! Stay tuned for more awesome books!
Children's books. Bestselling children's authors. Bestselling children's books. Award winning children's books. Library of congress. The Today Show Morning Show. Barnes and Noble. Hachette Books. Harper Collins. Summer Reading List. Best baby gifts. Baby shower books.
Children's book Kids' book Children's story Picture book Bedtime stories Storybooks for kids Children's literature Educational books for children Interactive children's books Illustrated children's book Children's book series Children's book characters Adventure books for kids Funny children's books Animal stories for children Fantasy books for kids Learning books for children Preschool books Toddler books Best children's books Storytime bedtime story best baby shower gifts
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Just as you wouldn't use harsh chemicals on a newborn baby, you should also avoid chemical-based pet care products on your fur babies. As part of the family, keeping them away from chemicals and toxins will help them live a longer happier life. Did you know that the grooming products you apply to your pet’s coat and paws can also be absorbed into their blood stream through their skin and breathing into their lungs? Let’s look at the importance of choosing the right ingredients in grooming products for a healthy pet.
5 HARMFUL INGREDIENTS YOU SHOULD AVOID
These are widely used in common human and pet shampoos as surfactants and create a rich lather that many people associate with efficacy. However, these ingredients are harsh on the skin and coat and are believed to be absorbed into the internal organs where they tend to stay for up to one week.
These are often petroleum based and are used because they are cheap and plentiful. Phthalates are known to be hormone disruptors that can lead to reproductive cancers in pets and humans.
These dyes are made from cheap ingredients that can be made from coal tar, and may contain heavy metal salts such as arsenic and lead. They can also irritate and inflame the skin and cause allergies and breakouts, including hot spots.
Parabens penetrate the skin and cause certain cancer, tumor and reproductive issues. Parabens are also bad for the environment.
Mineral oil is petroleum-based and can clog pores and inhibit skin respiration. It also interferes with the ability of your pet's skin to produce their own natural oils.
What are the main benefits your beloved fur baby will experience after using natural pet care products?
And we can’t forget the positive environmental impact using natural products is for our oceans, rivers and soil. Not to mention, your fur babies interacting with your children and avoiding those toxins close to your family.
ONLY NATURAL INGREDIENTS in LOMI products
Here are some wonderful natural alternatives from herbs and plants to help you care for your pet safely and keep them naturally healthy.
About the Founders
LOMI was founded by two Swedish pet owners, Milou Kruger and Elsa Medin. Milou adopted a French bulldog with skin problems. She searched the market but could not find any suitable natural products for her dog. Together with Elsa, they founded LOMI.
Their goal is to introduce LOMI products as a natural and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic products. After extensive research, they have carefully selected natural ingredients with the highest quality to make your pets fur healthy and shiny. Our mission is to make your pets live a longer and healthier life while also reduce our carbon pawprints on this planet.
Shop LOMI Care at www.lomicare.se
Instagram: @lomipetcare
Facebook: LOMI Pet Care
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While I’ve worked with every budget imaginable (Lululemon had some deep pockets), I believe you can still accomplish a lot with a smaller budget. First, focus on who your ideal customer is - get super clear and granular on who this person is. From there, identify where this person hangs out, and devote most of your budget and energy there. For example, if your ideal client is ages 40-55, they are most likely not on TikTok, and your efforts there can go unnoticed.
My definition of branding is anything your clients or customers interact with that is unique to your business. Branding is vital to the longevity of your business. Without branding, you are playing the short game and focused solely on quick hits of income.
Brand loyalty is built through trust, consistency, and quality. Ensure that all your operations are in order, your quality control is excellent, and your customer service is first-class. Think of it this way: if a customer interacts with your brand and doesn’t have a good experience, they won’t become a repeat customer; and they certainly won’t be telling their friends about you.
When thinking about your target market, you want to be able to answer the following:
Once you can clearly answer the questions above, you can establish 1-3 key customer personas and create your target market.
My top tips for standing out online are:
Canva - my absolute favorite…simple graphic design software anyone can use.
Asana - easy project management tool
Dubsado - business management solution + CRM
Planoly - my favorite Instagram scheduler
Calendly - easy way for your clients to book in with you!
ChatGPT - ai program for creating copy
About Emily de Santos and Rosa Media Co.
Emily — a storyteller at heart, and a brand and marketing maven with over 10 years’ experience building brand awareness & creating strategies that convert. She’s worked in a variety of settings including directly with clients, in-house and in an agency, allowing her to have a balanced and deep knowledge base of what truly works.
A lot of her magic comes from both her creativity, and her ability to connect and communicate with team members, vendors, and audiences alike.
Emily is a mom to two beautiful boys and a lover of good food, wine, and coffee. “I ditched the corporate hustle paradigm years ago and am currently enjoying life with my family in Brazil near the beach. Fun fact: the name Rosa (pink in Portuguese) came from my love for all things pink, and my deep appreciation of Brazilian culture.”
Rosa Media Co. Services
Links:
Rosa Media Co. www.rosamediaco.com
Email: Emily@rosamediaco.com
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/rosamediaco/?hl=en
Cool Mom Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sC4m3L87aPX4vsLUXGkce
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With a vibrant culture full of traditions and colorful customs; they are ready to celebrate with dancing, good food and socializing. Throughout the country, families and friends gather at the beach to toast the new year with parties that continue until sunrise on the 1st of January. Many people who live farther away will make a road trip to the white sandy beaches to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
Wear white clothing and brightly colored underwear
For New Year's Eve in Brazil, dress in white. A tradition that originated from the Candomblé religion of Brazil, where people would wear white during rituals to seek peace and spiritual purification. Increase your luck by wearing brightly colored underwear. Red brings love; yellow brings money.
Lucky 7’s
The number seven is considered a lucky number in Brazil. After dinner and before midnight, it’s lucky to eat 7 grapes for abundance. It will ensure your wallet will be full of money and your life will be overflowing with everything you desire in the upcoming year.
One must jump over seven waves in the ocean, and for every wave you jump you make a wish for the New Year.
Food Traditions
In order to attract luck and abundance, you have to eat the right foods on December 31st; such as rice, lentils, pomegranate seeds, and grapes. Eat lentils for positive energies. Eat pomegranate for good luck. Foods to avoid– turkey and crab, unless you want a year full of bad luck.
Offerings to the Sea
If you live close to the beach, traditionally at midnight everyone makes offerings into the ocean to Yemanjá, the "Goddess of the Sea" and the "Mother of Waters".
Yemanjá, is an African-Brazilian religious figure from the Candomblé and Umbanda religions. Yemanjá is frequently portrayed as a mermaid and is connected to the moon, water, and feminine mysteries (among some diaspora groups).
She stands up for women's rights.
She oversees all matters affecting women, including motherhood, child protection, love, and healing.
The first mortal humans were supposedly born from her womb. When her water broke, a huge flood created rivers and streams.
She is revered as the goddess of the moon. The feminine force of creation. For fisherman as well as those who have survived shipwrecks.
Yemanjá is represented as a stunning woman emerging from the water with long hair and dressed in white clothing.
For good luck for the whole year, it is important to offer white flowers, soaps, combs and necklaces to Yemanjá. Tossed into the sea with a wish.
Make your wishes for the year
In Brazilian tradition for good luck, at midnight you must jump the oceans waves 7 times, making wishes for the rest of the year. This is my favorite tradition of them all. You allow the ocean to wash away the things you don’t want to take with you into the new year. You make 7 wishes of gratitude and hope for the rest of the coming year.
Fireworks
There is always a big fireworks show at midnight with lots of cheering, And celebrating, with hugs. Wishing your friends a prosperous and happy new year.
Feliz Ano Novo! Happy New Year!
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Not only does Carolynn use her talent for custom projects, but she also hosts art camps and classes for kids in upstate New York. We asked her what she hopes they take away from her classes. She said “In the summer, Noble Friends gets a little slower, so I have some down time. I was looking to get my own kids in some camps and realized there were no serious art camps close by, so I just decided to "wing it" and created one. I have no teaching experience besides my own skills from Covid homeschool of hard knocks (ha) but am passionate about kids learning to find their talents and learn not only CORRECT techniques in art but also how to market and sell their art.”
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Carolynn is also a talented book illustrator having illustrated the bestselling children’s book Rescuing Rumba. A tale about dog rescue and forever friendship. Available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Target and Walmart. “I love illustration books, there is a lot more to them then you think. You have to dive deep into the story and pick apart each word to decide how to capture your readers. It’s a fun challenge.”
Here are a few of Carolynn’s Favorite Holiday items to gift this season: Custom Luggage, wrapping paper and ornaments.
Any new exciting collaborations or launches we should be looking out for?
“I just added a travel line for my custom section of Noble Friends and have been slowly working on ready-made items, which is exciting to me. Maybe more wholesaling in my future. I’m also working on a new book (wink) that I’m thrilled over, and some branding collaborations for a larger franchise.”
Tell us a little about your background: “I went to school at the University at Buffalo for communication design. There I learned not only graphic design but also web, illustration and photography–a major passion. When I graduated, I worked in advertising for a couple years and decided to start my own business shortly after. I started working in the wedding industry creating invitations, blogs, websites for couples but also for vendors. One photographer I worked with asked me to draw her cat for her bio page and Noble Friends SNOWBALLED from there. She ordered a print, asked me to do one for her mom, etc. Years later, in 2014, I opened an online market for Noble Friends.”
We just love all the clever ideas Noble Friends has come up with and the important role she is playing in her community. Teaching our next generation of kids to find their creativity, build confidence and learn self-expression. All while running her business and marketplace. We can’t wait to see what Carolynn and Noble Friends do next!
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In high school I knew I wanted to be a designer and create beauty, but it took many years to find the career I’m in now. After jobs in interior design, book cover design, brand and logo creation, and a short stint in the wedding paper industry, I found my passion for designing paper goods and gifts for others to enjoy. The most accurate term for what I do now is surface pattern design.
What advice do you have for young aspiring business women in your field?
Start by taking baby steps, and eventually you’ll be amazed how far you’ve come! You won’t know everything when you start, and that is absolutely okay. I’ve been designing products for 10 years, and I still have so much to learn. I remember setting up my first meeting with a local boutique to see if they wanted to purchase Texture Design Co. wholesale. My stomach began doing somersaults when they ended the meeting by submitting a very large order. I really wasn’t expecting them to place an order, much less a large order. I left their office stunned and trying to figure out how I was actually going to fulfill their order! With the pressure on, I quickly found printing companies and other resources for creating bulk orders. So in summary, be okay with on-the-job learning, and recognize that great knowledge comes from what others would consider failures.
Are you working on anything special right now?
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What are some of your favorite subjects to paint or draw?
Where do you find your inspiration?
Most of your products are for sale. Where can we find your work?
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As a mom with her own business, what does your schedule look like?
As a mom and a business owner, I have to be flexible. Today, for example, our son was sick, and couldn’t go to school. So I changed up my work plans, and prioritized anything that had to be done today and anything I could do WITH him. The rest could wait until tomorrow! We have two toddlers, so normally I try to only work during their preschool hours or during nap times. I know as they get older, I’ll have more time to work, but I also want to enjoy these younger years where they are at home. It is all about balance and keeping priorities straight. Some days I do better at this than others!
I have always been creative-minded, and I think that creativity was instilled in me by my grandmothers! Even from a young age, I can vividly remember painting with one grandmother and learning to sew purses from the other. Later in life, those experiences inspired a love for decorating, which led me to pursue a degree in interior design at the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). My studies in the field landed me a job on King Street in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, and I quickly fell in love not only with the city, but the textures, patterns, and color selection associated with my work.
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One of the most important experiences in the teenage years is falling in love. The Pew Research Center in 2015 found that 35% of teenagers have some kind of experience with romantic relationships. Research finds that dating in the teenage years is associated with greater self-esteem and better adjustment to adulthood. However, teenage relationships are also associated with increased risk for mental health concerns, suggesting that the quality of these relationships may matter.
So how can you help your teenager to navigate love and relationships?
About
Dr. Cara Damiano Goodwin, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and a mother to three children. She received a PhD in child clinical psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master’s in Developmental Psychiatry from Cambridge University, and a Master’s in Child Psychology from Vanderbilt University, and she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Duke University. She specializes in child development and has spent years researching child psychology and neuroscience and providing therapy and clinical services for children of all ages. She has published 18 research articles in peer-reviewed academic journals, written two book chapters, and completed numerous conference presentations. Dr. Goodwin translates recent scientific research into information parents can access and implement in their everyday lives through her Instagram account @parentingtranslator and her website: www.ParentingTranslator.com.
]]>The best known mantra surrounding babies + shoes is “barefoot is best.” But, as a mom, I know this can be really confusing for parents who want to do what is best for their baby, but then how and when is it appropriate to introduce shoes? While it is true that there are many benefits to barefoot walking, including: strengthening the toes and arches of the feet, improving balance and providing sensory input to the bottoms of the feet, shoes are also a necessary part of life, especially when walking out in the community and in many daycares. I tend to be more conservative in my views on barefoot vs. shoes. As a therapist, I see the benefits of walking barefoot; as a mom, I see the benefits of introducing shoes early to acclimate baby to that process. I like to recommend that families use a combination of barefoot and shoes once baby starts working on standing skills. Many times, I have families contact me that need their baby to wear shoes for school, but they have never put shoes on before and their baby is resistant to the change. I like to at least introduce some crib shoes or other lightweight moccasin type shoes around the time your baby starts learning to pull to stand. If you like to have a more concrete guideline, aim for keeping your baby barefoot at home and using the lightweight crib or moccasin shoes when leaving the house or going to school.
Of course, if you have these lightweight shoes on your baby while at home, it will not hurt your baby’s development in any way. I try to stay away from “absolutes” in my developmental advice because there are many different ways to do it “right.” I never want to shame parents because they do something differently from what I do with my family. Use these shoe guidelines and then make them fit into your family’s lifestyle!
Once your baby starts working on walking skills, you will want to give a little more consideration to the shoes you are putting on your baby’s feet. Here are some important considerations when buying shoes for new walkers:
How Do I Know What Size Shoe to Buy?
The best way to know what size shoes you should buy for your baby or toddler is to take a good measurement and then compare it to the size chart of the specific brand you plan to buy. Unfortunately, not all shoe sizing is created equal, so it’s best to measure each time you buy a new brand.
My best tip for correctly measuring your baby’s foot is to get a blank piece of paper and tape it to the floor on all four sides. This keeps the paper from slipping around while you try to measure. Then place your baby in standing (supported if baby isn’t standing independently yet) and draw a line at your baby’s heel and a line at your baby’s longest toe. It is important to measure while baby is standing because when you are bearing weight through your foot, the bones of the foot will spread out and the foot expands. Measuring in standing is the best way to get an accurate measurement. Resist the temptation to buy a size up when buying shoes, especially when buying shoes for a brand new walker. I know that we want to get the most “bang for our buck,” but buying a shoe that is too big can increase tripping and falling, especially in a walker with less experience.
Brittany is the founder and creator of Mommy & Me PT, LLC. She graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2013 and has worked as a pediatric physical therapist since that time, both in the outpatient setting and as a therapist in a developmental center. She has served children of all ages and abilities through her career, but her true passion has always been the birth to 3 population and parent education. She believes all parents deserve to be equipped, empowered and confident caregivers. Mommy & Me PT aims to help parents learn how to foster their child’s motor skills through simple, purposeful play.
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1. The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer
2. Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
3. My Hero Academia by Kohei Horikoshi
4. The Invincible Girls Club by Rachele Alpine
5. Fish In A Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Gunnerandlux.com
@gunnerandlux.com
https://www.facebook.com/gunnerandlux/
Prescription Medications: If your child has any regularly scheduled prescription medicines for allergy, eczema, asthma, etc., make sure you have a good supply. For emergency medications such as an EpiPen or an albuterol inhaler, immediate access is necessary. If you are flying, make sure to pack these in your carry-on luggage.
Fever Reducing and Pain Relievers: Medicines such as Tylenol and Motrin for babies over six months can be used for anything from fever to bee stings to severe sunburns. Knowing your child's weight is extremely important for dosage.
Allergic Reactions: Pack your prescribed Epi-Pen if anyone in your family is allergic to bee stings or food allergies in case of a reaction.
Seasonal allergies or hives: Children's Zyrtec or a similar antihistamine (Claritin, Benadryl) for seasonal allergies, mild food reactions, and minor reactions to stings or bites. A steroid cream (such as Cortisone) for itching and mosquito bites.
Supplies: Bring a thermometer and plan to have a small collection of Band-Aids, hand sanitizer, and an antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin.
Sunscreen: If you are traveling to a warmer location, bring sunscreen with the active ingredients of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Ensure that it offers broad-spectrum (UVA and UV) protection, has an SPF of 30 or higher, and is water-resistant!
General Traveling Tips with Babies and Toddlers
Packing: Packing Cubes are extremely helpful with organizing! I like starting several days before the trip and using a different color cube for each child. I like bringing a couple of toys like a favorite stuffed animal or favorite blanket to make them feel comfortable in a new environment.
Traveling by Airplane:
- Budget extra time to get through security, especially when traveling with babies, toddlers, and younger children. Moving across the airport takes twice as long as security. Strollers and car seats also need to go through security.
- Pack a bag of activities and snacks to keep your child occupied during the flight. The best snacks for toddlers on the plane are ones that take longer to eat, like Cheerios or Goldfish.
- Activities: I find activity boards with buckles, stickers, and coloring books with crayons (no markers due to miss tops and more mess) will help keep those little hands busy.
Preventing illnesses during air travel
- Make sure you have plenty of hand sanitizer and wipes to scrub down tray tables and armrests as soon as you get to your aisle! Babies touch everything and often put things in their mouths that they shouldn't.
- Pick a window seat, then crank up the air to keep as much air moving as possible! Passengers in the aisle are at higher risk of infection than those sitting in a window seat because they have more exposure to people passing by.
- Try to travel on off-peak dates or days of the week that are less busy
- If your child is over the age of 2, wearing a mask will also prevent them from contracting a respiratory virus! I like bringing disposables for kids because they often end up on the floor!
A special note on International Travel:
- If traveling internationally, check with your pediatrician to see if you might need additional vaccines or preventative medications such as antimalarials and to make sure your child is up-to-date on routine vaccinations. Asking your pediatrician for your child's weight is essential because most children's medications are weight-based!
Traveling by Car
- Traveling by car can be more flexible. The most important thing to keep your child safe is a properly installed car seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends taking breaks every 2-3 hours traveling with a baby to change diapers and feed your baby.
Biography:
Dr. Florencia Segura, MD, FAAP is a board-certified pediatrician, advocate, and mother. She is a Children's National Medical Center trained pediatrician who works at Einstein Pediatrics in the Washington, DC suburbs (www.einsteinpeds.com). She draws on her experience as a mom and a pediatrician to bring her patients relevant up-to-date information about parenting and child health!
She previously worked at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) as an academic pediatrician and educator to the University of Pennsylvania medical students and CHOP residents before moving back to the DC area.
Dr. Florencia Segura is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a child health expert for numerous news agencies and podcasts including the New York Times, Yahoo, Healthline, Romper, and MomBrain. Most importantly, Dr. Segura is a committed advocate for children.
Social Handles: DrFlorenciaSegura on Instagram, Florencia Segura on LinkedIn
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Florencia Segura MD, FAAP
Einstein Pediatrics
8391 Old Courthouse Road
Vienna, VA 22182
Maisonette, Buy Buy Baby, Nordstroms, Babylist, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Little Birdies - Best children's store, Best Online store, Best online store 2023, Luxury kids clothing, Top children's brands, Top children's store, Little Birdies Boutique, The Beaufort bonnet Company, Posh Peanut, Maison Me,
]]>I am the founder and creative behind Art the Extreme®. Art 2 the Extreme specializes in customized and personalized crayon design for your gifting needs. Our Original Rainbow Crayons® are multicolored, uniquely shaped crayons that encourage creative thinking and imaginative making outside the traditional crayon box.
In 2007, I became the first artisan to ever create and sell a handmade crayon on Etsy. This was long before the days of Pinterest, Instagram, and the DIYers out there now. My business started off as a hobby, then a way to supplement my teaching income and then eventually transitioned to my full-time career when my first son was born. I am also an Etsy Design Award finalist. Out of 4.3 million Etsy shops, I placed Top 10 of the Kids category in 2020. My husband and I both work full-time in the business that is currently out of our home studio in Noblesville, IN.
How did you come up with your business concept?
I am a former art teacher of 10 years, crayon artisan, and mom of two boys. Before devoting my work full-time to The Original Rainbow Crayon®, I drew inspiration for my specialty crayons from my 15+ years of expertise in the arts, with 10 of those years as an Elementary Art teacher. Not only did I teach visual arts from a cart with the extra challenge of going from classroom to classroom, but also saw a need for adaptive art supplies for her growing number of students with special needs and accommodations. I incorporated recycling crayons into a kindergarten unit on texture and it also happened to be Earth Day. We made the horribly awesome circle crayons out of wax Dixie cups, but knew there had to be a better way ( I found it and turned it into a career!). I have a passion for color and crayons, with the added bonus that I get to be my own boss now and be home with my kiddos while they are young.
What does an average day at Art 2 The Extreme look like? What's your favorite part of a work day?
I start my day at about 7am when I get my oldest on the bus and take my youngest to preK. My husband heads to the meltery where we produce the crayons. He usually creates about 100-200 crayons each morning by the time I get my kiddos to school and get started on the packaging and shipping for the day. I spend the morning shipping, eat lunch with my husband, and then the early part of the afternoon networking, responding to emails and connecting with my audience on social media. My husband heads to the post office each afternoon after the kids are home from school and then we begin dinner, homework, and some family fun to fill the rest of the evening. I do work late hours, sometimes until 1 or 2 am October-April, but I feel like that is a great trade off for being able to stay at home. I like the quiet late/early hour. To pass the time, I listen to a ton of podcasts and have watched every single streaming movie and series known to man kind by now…
How is your business different from others?
They say that there are no more original ideas, but I can proudly say that I was the first online to create and sell a handmade crayon online and go one step further to create a business out of customization and personalized crayon design. I am an Etsy OG of 14 years and love that I have been able to build a brand from my love of the arts that originally solved problems in my own classroom. People buy from people and get behind businesses they love and invest their heart into and it is so important for me to be present and visible as the face of Art 2 the Extreme. Art 2 the Extreme® is known for the ability to customize almost anything out of crayon and we take great pride in our designs, work, and quality. When you make a purchase from Art 2 the Extreme, you are getting the best customer service, a beautiful product and you are supporting a real life family who are working their butts off each day to make this dream happen (we really do a happy dance like they say).
What inspires your new designs?
My design inspiration comes from a mix of practical/education use that I would have liked to have access to as a teacher (Crayon Stix® that won’t roll off a table and have a grip groove for little hands, skin tone colors that blend well, etc.) and a parent (personalized options for those with unique names). My kids come up with fun ideas and I love adding my own twist to new trends. Our Original Rainbow Crayons® are a mix of fun, function and funky.
What plans do you have for Art 2 The Extreme? Are you working on anything special?
In January 2020, we started looking into purchasing a warehouse and hiring an employee or two. I am so thankful that this process took a long time and never got to that point because the world shut down about a month later. We pivoted our plans a bit and decided to purchase a new house in the summer of 2021 to build on a crayon studio/makery with additional spaces for shipping, storage, and filming projects to “ride out” COVID and plan our next moves in the months to come. We plan on expanding eventually, but for now, I am extremely happy with our new space and the room to spread out!
We have a few projects going on behind the scenes that are pretty exciting for 2023, but have to keep that a secret for a bit. We have a Halloween release coming up (we typically skip over fall and go right to holiday, so this will be a fun one) and working on Back to School 2022 already!
What are your favorite tools or resources?
My favorite resource is relationship building with other small business friends. I love thinking outside the box to partner with brands and companies that have nothing to do with crayon. There is always a super fun outcome! I have worked with the Oprah Winfrey Network, Sephora, Marco Polo, and a ton of small brand friends for a variety of projects. Custom crayons for special events and companies are my jam behind the scenes!
What have you learned from working in a small business?
If I had to give an important piece of advice, it would be to be reliable, consistent, and put yourself out there. You miss 100% of the shots you do not take. Networking and connecting with others is incredibly important without a business background and hearing other’s journeys and triumphs can be really inspiring (and also can teach you what not to do).
Who are some people who inspire you?
I am a HUGE fan of my two friends, Kelly Oriard and Callie Christensen of Slumberkins®. They have built this incredible brand over the past few years and had a similar start like I did, selling their handmade creature creations at local markets and staying up at all hours to fill orders and make product by hand. Now they have a full-blown company, employees, manufacturing, and a TV show debuting soon!
About Nicole
Nicole Lewis is the founder and creative director of Art 2 the Extreme, LLC. Since 2007, Nicole has made her colorful mark on the world of art supplies and children’s gifts through her playful collection of Original Rainbow Crayons®. Her designs not only provides a unique gift for any occasion, but takes a creative approach to the fun and functionality of traditional crayons.
Before devoting her work full-time to the crayon business, Nicole drew inspiration for her specialty crayons from her 15+ years of expertise in the arts, with 8 of those years as an Elementary Art teacher. Not only did Nicole teach visual arts from a cart with the extra challenge of going from classroom to classroom, but also saw a need for adaptive art supplies for her growing number of students with special needs and accommodations.
As the first artisan to ever create and sell a handmade crayon online, Nicole’s vision and former side-hustle has developed into a full-time business, bursting at the seams. Nicole made the decision to leave teaching and dedicate herself to the business and her growing family full-time in 2014 and has not looked back since!
Her company has seen continuous growth both on a local and national level. Her work has been featured in major publications such as Food Network Magazine, Real Simple, Martha Stewart Living, Good Housekeeping, Forbes, and People. Specializing in custom crayon design, Nicole has also created projects for The Oprah Winfrey Network, Sephora and Marco Polo. In the fall of 2020, Nicole was a finalist in the Etsy Design Awards, with her personalized designs finishing among the Top 10 best products in the Kids category worldwide.
Nicole has seen great success in adding personalization and customized options with her designs. She currently works from her home studio in Noblesville, Indiana with her husband and two young boys.
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Want to see what Nicole is up to? You can follow her on Instagram at @art2theextreme, shop her website at www.art2theextreme.com or drop her a note to say hi at nicole@art2theextreme.com
Here are some ways you can encourage your children to save and manage money. In addition to the short-term benefit — having children who realize that money does not grow on trees — you will be instilling in them financial responsibility they can carry with them through adulthood.
1. Get them interested in money early
When your children are very young (perhaps age three or four), show them how to tell different coins apart. Then give them a piggy bank they can use to store up their change. A piggy bank (or even a wallet or a purse) is a tangible place to keep their money safe. Using a clear piggy bank is probably best, as this will allow your child to hear, feel and see the money accumulating. Once saving has begun, let children spend money on treats, buying things both when there are just a few coins in the bank and when it is completely filled. This way, they will come to realize that a little bit in the bank buys a small treat but a full bank enables them to purchase something special. When your children are a little older, try playing games to help them understand the difference between needs and wants. When riding past billboards or watching television, for example, ask them to identify whether each product advertised is a need or a want. Tally their score, and when they have accumulated enough points by guessing 10 or more correct answers, treat them to a want.
KEY POINTS
Children learn by doing. Give them as many opportunities as possible to
■ save money
■ spend money
■ earn money
Guiding children through real-life transactions will help them gain an understanding of the value of money and the importance of managing their funds carefully. Encourage children to earn money outside of their allowances and teach them about prices.
2. Make saving a habit
To get children off on the right foot, consider making a house rule that they must save 10% or more of their income, whether the source of that income is earnings from a neighborhood lemonade stand, their weekly allowance or a part-time job. If implemented when your child is beginning to learn about money, your plan should not run into much resistance. However, if you do not set some sort of guidelines, the chances are pretty slim that your child will take the initiative and save on his or her own. To find proof of this, all you have to do is think back to when you were a child. Can you honestly say you would have saved the money you received from a relative on your eighth birthday without parental guidance? Saving money is a learned skill.
3. Open a savings account in their name
Like a piggy bank, a bank savings account can show kids how their money can accumulate. It can also introduce them to the concept of how money can make money on its own through compound interest. Start by giving your children a compound interest table (available for the asking at most banks) to let them anticipate how their money may grow. Be sure to plan regular visits to the bank. Although these days many people find it easier to save via direct deposit, having your young child see you make regular, faithful trips to the bank can shape his or her own saving behavior. Being able to participate in something a grownup does makes youngsters feel mature and responsible. In case you have not noticed, children who accompany their parents to the bank invariably want to fill out their own deposit slips. Why not do it for real?
4. Encourage goal setting
Have your kids write down their want lists, along with a deadline for obtaining the items on the lists. For example, your child may want in-line skates by the end of the summer or a mountain bike by next year. Visualizing may give kids the added motivation they need to save. You also might contribute a matching amount every time they reach a certain dollar amount in savings by themselves. Such a proposition sounds just as appealing to a child as it would to you if your boss told you the company would kick in a dollar for every dollar you saved over $10,000. Not only will such an arrangement make them work harder to reach their goals, it also might prevent them from thinking they will be old and gray before they save enough for an item on that wish list.
5. Give regular allowances
Allowances give kids experience with real-life money matters, letting them practice how to save regularly, plan their spending and be self-reliant. Of course, you should determine the amount of allowance you think fits their age and scope of responsibilities. Some parents feel they do not have to pay allowances because they generously hand out money when their kids need it. But kids who get money from their parents as needed may have less incentive to save than children who receive allowances, even when the total amounts children in each group receive are the same. While you will, of course, decide for yourself when to start allowances and how much to offer your children, consider the following guidelines:
■ Do not grant too much independence by telling them they can spend their allowances on whatever they wish. Encourage them to save at least some of their allowance, and advise them to spend the rest wisely.
■ Do not take away allowances as punishment. Allowances are an educational tool, not a disciplinary one.
■ Carefully consider increase requests. Discuss with a child why he or she is making such a request. Spare yourself weekly petitions for increases by telling your children they can ask for them only twice a year, and then stick to your rule.
■ Do not reveal too much about your own finances when justifying reasons not to grant a raise in allowance. Simply explain that your own budget is limited and that there is no extra money for a higher allowance.
■ Do not be too generous. Too much money in a child’s hands can breed careless spending habits.
6. Help plan a budget
Encourage your children to write down what they buy during the week and how much each item costs. Then write down their weekly incomes. If the two amounts do not match up, they will have to prioritize their needs and wants. To give younger children practice making tough decisions, allow them one special treat — which they pick out themselves — at the grocery store. Having to face 10 or more aisles knowing they can choose something from only one helps children understand that spending means making choices. Just as you know fixing a leaky roof might mean postponing your Caribbean vacation, your children will realize that opting for an action figure during a store visit means they will not be able to enjoy a candy bar on the way home.
7. Encourage money-earning ventures
To help your children earn money beyond their weekly allowances, suggest that they find creative ways to make it. Encourage them to do special household chores or to seek jobs in the neighborhood such as raking, mowing, pet sitting or shoveling snow. Many people in your neighborhood — particularly elderly residents — would love to have a person regularly doing things for them that they no longer can, such as taking out the garbage or raking leaves. This is a perfect opportunity for your child to both earn some money and do something for someone in need. Even though by the teen years many children begin earning their own money by working part-time jobs, continue to encourage that entrepreneurial spirit.
8. Show them the effects of inflation
To show your children how prices have risen over the years, take them to the library to look up ads for movie tickets, bikes and sneakers in the newspaper archives. (Try finding the year they were born.) Or go on the Internet. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) publishes statistics tracking such everyday purchases as bananas and gasoline. This information can provide both a financial awakening and a history lesson for your children. Once armed with the knowledge that products and services almost certainly will rise in cost, your children can use their math skills to see how much items they are saving for will cost in the future. For example, a bike that costs $150 today might cost $180 in five years, with 4% inflation. If they are old enough, let them know there are ways to try to keep ahead of rising prices, such as investing. While investing may not hold interest for them at this point in their lives, it is important that they know such financial opportunities exist.
9. Most important, give them a head start
The money habits your children learn — and witness from Mom and Dad — could certainly carry over into adulthood. While you may be proud of the 12-year-old who saves enough to buy a $400 bike, you might be even prouder of the 22-year-old who can move into her first apartment without having to ask mom and dad for a loan, or the 32-year-old who can draw on his savings and investments to put a solid down payment on his first home.
*This material should be used as helpful hints only. Each person’s situation is different. You should consult your investment professional or other relevant professional before making any decisions.
]]>1. Ditch the Guilt. This isn’t an efficiency tip so much as a mindset shift, but it’s necessary just the same. Guilt, especially mom guilt, or even business guilt takes up tons of valuable mental and emotional space that could be used for more productive and self-serving energy. Guilt – by definition – is what you feel after you've done something wrong. I like to remember this definition when guilt creeps in because doing my best as a mom and business owner (and wife, friend, sister, daughter, aunt, colleague, community member, etc etc etc) is never wrong, it’s just a lot. And in that “a lot” is a beautiful life I’ve been able to build of motherhood, flexibility in schedule, financial independence, professional joy and pride in what I do. I’d rather fill my mental and emotional space with those thoughts, rather than the idea we’ve been conditioned to think that we are not “enough.” Because we are – we are a LOT.
2. Get it Delivered. And by “it” I mean everything you can. COVID shifted a lot of things out of stores and into delivery, which isn’t great in a lot of ways for our local businesses, but I will say it’s been a huge time safer as a working mom. We get all of our groceries delivered (which takes about 15 minutes to order in bed rather than the hour plus it takes to go to the store), and when we do carry out we typically use a delivery service like Door Dash or Uber Eats. Our Chase Sapphire card gives us $0 delivery fees, so I’d recommend checking your credit cards for any time-saving benefits you may have.
3. Be Present In the Thing You’re Doing. It may sound counterintuitive, but multitasking on things that are in two different areas of your brain (answering emails while playing with your kids), actually takes up more time than if you focused on one thing at a time. Re-reading that email 10 times while building a Lego tower means a half absorbed email and a lame Lego tower. While we are master multitaskers, try to reserve that skill for times when you can do multiple things in the same brain space (answering emails while on a call, or singing silly songs together while doing the laundry).
4. Let Something Go. Just because we can do it all doesn’t mean we should. Try to think of something you can outsource – to a pro if you have the means, to your partner or even to the kids. We recently decided pet care would be my husband's responsibility. I’m in charge of my daughter’s doctor appointments and medications, and he's in charge of the dog’s . It’s something small, but it’s just one more thing I don’t have to manage and it helps me free up that space to focus on the things that I need to get done.
5. Batch Your Life. I find it really helpful to batch things in my work and mom life. For example, I try to stack all my calls on the same day or two, and have at least one day that is meeting-free to get things done. Right now I have Fridays “off” and I try really hard not to schedule anything for work on that day. Instead I’ll make that my “home” day where I can get things done that are not work-related while spending time with my daughter.
How Common Is Toddler Aggression?
First, science finds that aggression in toddlers and young children is extremely common (Tremblay, 2002). More specifically, 67% of toddler boys and 54% of toddler girls have “hit others” in the past two months, according to their parents (Achenbach, 1991). In addition, 62% of toddlers have reportedly shown aggression towards a parent in the past two weeks (Del Vecchio & O’Leary, 2006).
But, WHY are toddlers like this?
Aggression in toddlers is typically related to a lack of ability to regulate their own behavior rather than the malicious intention to hurt others or damage property (Posner & Rothbart, 2000). For most children, aggression will naturally decline as they develop the ability to inhibit their aggressive impulses and implement more effective strategies to solve their problems.
So, What Can We Do About It???
Yet, even knowing how common toddler aggression is and that it will improve as their little brains develop, this behavior is frustrating at best and dangerous at worse. So, here are some evidence-based strategies for reducing aggression in toddlers:
1. Manage your own emotions and give your children choices (whenever possible) rather than trying to control their behavior
Research finds that parents who show “hostile affect” (frowning, annoyed tone of voice, criticizing, yelling) along with a behavioral pattern of trying to control their children are more likely to have aggressive children (Rubin et al., 1998). In order to avoid showing “hostile affect” yourself, try to identify how your child’s behavior might “trigger” you and use coping strategies to calm down in those situations. You can avoid trying to control your child by giving them choices throughout the day, particularly when they are frustrated or upset. For example, if your child becomes frustrated when it is time to turn off a TV show, be prepared to offer them a choice for the next activity when you turn off the TV.
2. Notice when your child is engaging in behaviors that might lead to aggression and correct these behaviors before the aggression occurs
Research finds that mothers of aggressive children are less likely to correct misbehavior that then escalates to aggression than mothers of nonaggressive children (Del Vecchio & O’Leary, 2006). For example, if you notice your child refusing to share a toy with a friend, intervene before conflict occurs and help to coach your child through the situation, before they have the chance to become aggressive.
3. Always assume the best of your child
Research shows that mothers who view their children in a negative light (such as, interpreting unclear actions as hostile) are more likely to have aggressive children 3 ½ years later (Healy et al., 2015). Instead, always try to assume the best of your child and recognize that they are not intentionally trying to be difficult. For example, if you hear the baby crying from another room, don’t automatically assume that your toddler hurt the baby. Rather than saying “What did you do?”, calmly ask “What happened here?”.
4. Maintain a positive relationship
Previous research finds that the relationship between the parent and child is a very important factor in predicting aggression. Specifically, research shows that children who do not have a healthy attachment with their parents (referred to as an “insecure” attachment) may show more aggressive behavior than children who have a healthy or “secure” attachment (Lyons-Ruth, 1996). You can improve your attachment with your child at any age by being as responsive as possible to your child’s physical and emotional needs (feeding them when they are hungry, being present with them through times of distress or frustration), being predictable and dependable (returning when you say you will, setting consistent limits, sticking to routines), and finding ways to connect with your child every day (cuddling, playing with them, roughhousing, or showing affection in some way). It is important to note that building a secure attachment does not necessarily mean practicing “attachment parenting”, but rather simply means being attuned to your child’s needs and responsive to them.
5. Do not use harsh discipline
Harsh discipline, such as yelling or spanking, may disrupt the parent-child relationship and lead to more aggression (Shaw & Gilliiom, 2000). In particular, spanking (or any physical punishment) has been associated with increased aggression in children (Gershoff, 2002; Taylor, Manganello, Lee, & Rice, 2010). Instead, try to use related consequences to discourage aggression. For example, if they throw a toy, they lose access to the toy.
6. Provide emotional support to your children
Research finds that parents who provide emotional support to their children are less likely to have children with aggressive behavior (McCarty, Zimmerman, Digiuseppe, & Christakis, 2005). In this study, “emotional support” for young children included frequently showing affection, talking to the child, looking at the child, eating meals with the child, and answering the child’s questions.
7. Do not reward aggression with attention
A large body of research shows that behavior that is rewarded with attention will likely increase (Williams, Williams, & McLaughlin, 1991). More specifically, parental attention to misbehavior has been found to increase its frequency (Acker & O’Leary, 1996). Therefore, try to provide a lot of attention and praise when your child is calm and playing nicely so that you are paying more attention to nonaggressive than to aggressive behavior. Also, instead of rushing over to correct a child for being aggressive, try to first go to the child who is hurt and focus on soothing them until they are completely calmed down (and you are completely calmed down). Then, briefly explain to the aggressive child how to behave in positive terms (for example, “use gentle hands”) and help them to think of what they could have done instead (for example, “How could you have solved this problem? Would it have helped to ask for a turn with the toy?”).
About
References
Achenbach, T. M. (1991). Manual for the Child Behavior Checklist/4-18 and 1991 profile. University of Vermont, Department of Psychiatry.
Acker, M. M., & O'Leary, S. G. (1996). Inconsistency of mothers' feedback and toddlers' misbehavior and negative affect. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 24(6), 703-714.
Del Vecchio, T., & O'Leary, S. G. (2006). Antecedents of toddler aggression: Dysfunctional parenting in mother-toddler dyads. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 35(2), 194-202.
Gershoff, E. T. (2002). Corporal punishment by parents and associated child behaviors and experiences: a meta-analytic and theoretical review. Psychological Bulletin, 128(4), 539.
Healy, S. J., Murray, L., Cooper, P. J., Hughes, C., & Halligan, S. L. (2015). A longitudinal investigation of maternal influences on the development of child hostile attributions and aggression. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 44(1), 80-92.
Lyons-Ruth, K. (1996). Attachment relationships among children with aggressive behavior problems: The role of disorganized early attachment patterns. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(1), 64.
McCarty, C. A., Zimmerman, F. J., Digiuseppe, D. L., & Christakis, D. A. (2005). Parental emotional support and subsequent internalizing and externalizing problems among children. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 26(4), 267-275.
Posner, M. I., & Rothbart, M. K. (2000). Developing mechanisms of self-regulation. Development and Psychopathology, 12(3), 427-441.
Rubin, K. H., Hastings, P., Chen, X., Stewart, S., & McNichol, K. (1998). Intrapersonal and maternal correlates of aggression, conflict, and externalizing problems in toddlers. Child Development, 69(6), 1614-1629.
Shaw, D. S., & Giliiom, M. (2000). Early externalizing behavior problems: Toddlers and preschoolers at risk for later maladjustment. Development and Psychopathology, 12, 467-488.
Taylor, C. A., Manganello, J. A., Lee, S. J., & Rice, J. C. (2010). Mothers' spanking of 3-year-old children and subsequent risk of children's aggressive behavior. Pediatrics, 125(5), e1057-e1065.
Tremblay, R. E. (2002). Development of physical aggression from early childhood to adulthood. Tremblay, RE, Barr, RG, Peters, R. DeV.,(Eds.) Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development, 1-6.
Williams, B. F., Williams, R. L., & McLaughlin, T. F. (1991). Treatment of behavior disorders by parents and in the home. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 3(4), 385-407.
]]>As women age, the number of remaining eggs decreases. At age 37, a woman has approximately 25,000 eggs left. At 51, that number is about 1,000, and more of the remaining eggs become abnormal, thus decreasing the chance for pregnancy and increasing the likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome. A woman’s chances of conceiving after trying for 3 months at age 25 are 18 percent; at age 30 are 16 percent; at age 35 are 12 percent; and, at age 40 are 7 percent.
While pregnancy becomes less likely as women grow older, age 40 is NOT the time to stop using birth control unless a pregnancy would be welcome.
Many of my patients who are considering timing of their pregnancy request blood work because they want to “check my fertility.” These tests, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol are, in some ways, an indirect measure of your ovarian reserve. Levels in the “normal” range suggest that you have sufficient reserve and are, therefore, potentially fertile. Note: a “normal” value does not guarantee that you can get pregnant, just that your levels are in the “normal range” for people who can conceive. It is also only a snapshot in time. If it is “normal” this year, it may not be “normal” in another year. If it is abnormal, you might have to reconsider your timing or speak with a specialist about potentially “freezing your eggs,” otherwise known as fertility preservation, or using a donor egg.
2. What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause, also known as the climacteric, is literally the time around menopause that marks the end of the reproductive phase of life. It typically begins in the mid to late 40’s and can precede the last menstrual period by a few months to a couple of years. The average age in the U.S. for the last menstrual period is 51, but the range can be from 48 – 52. During this time, few eggs remain, and many of them are abnormal. Therefore, successful ovulations are less frequent and result in less predictability in your cycle. Your period may be a few weeks late followed by another period a couple of weeks later…You may start to have night sweats or flashes, insomnia, and mood swings for a few days or weeks and then feel fine. A week or two later, you get a period.
3. At what age should I start getting mammograms?
If you do not have a family history of first-degree relatives with premenopausal breast cancer, you should consider getting your first mammogram at age 40. There is some controversy about this recommendation though. Prior to age 50, most women are still cycling, and their breasts are under hormonal stimulation. Thus, there are many benign changes that can be noted on the mammogram. These changes can result in the need for extra tests being done to confirm the changes are benign. This can cause significant anxiety and, of course, extra cost. However, breast cancers that occur in the 40’s although far less frequent than those that occur in the 50’s and beyond, are more likely to be genetic and far more deadly.
Remember though, no one dies of anxiety or extra testing. It’s up to you though to decide if and when you want to be tested in your 40’s. From age 50 on, the incidence of breast cancer increases, and the false positives are lower, so there is no question that screening should be done on a yearly basis from that point forward. We don’t really have much information on the effectiveness of testing beyond age 65 or 70. A lot depends on expected years of remaining “productive life.”
4. What age is too early to go through menopause?
While the average age for the last period is 48 to 52, a number of women become menopausal before that age. However, if you are 40 to 42 and stop menstruating, there may be a reason for that. Sometimes it is due to a family history of “premature ovarian insufficiency” or premature menopause. But there may be hormonal or chromosomal abnormalities that cause this at an earlier age. Please consult with your GYN if this happens to you. Women who have had hysterectomies, even if their ovaries were preserved, and women with previous chemotherapy tend to enter menopause earlier.
5. What are the most important medical factors to take into consideration re: menopause? (e.g., pre-existing conditions, diabetes, weight gain, etc.)
Prior to menopause, women are protected from a number of devastating disorders by the estrogen they produce. Men, not so much. However, after menopause, medical conditions such as heart disease, high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes rise sharply and quickly reach that of men. This is the time to pay strict attention to your diet and exercise regimen if you want to avoid/reduce your risks. Some weight gain is inevitable, especially that around your middle due to loss of estrogen, but scrupulous attention to the above should keep you on tract. And, NO, taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) will NOT make you thin. Sorry about that!
There are very few women, or men for that matter, over the age of 30 who haven’t noticed that they can no longer eat what they want and not gain weight. By 40, many realize that even when they watch what they eat, they gain weight. By 50, the game is over. Simply looking at food seems to put on pounds. Even if you don’t gain a pound, the distribution of your weight will change as you approach and go through menopause.
6. What are the takeaways that ALL women should keep in mind as they start to go through menopause?
Going through menopause is a natural part of aging, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy! Remember that this is a natural phenomenon. You are born with just so many eggs. When they are gone, you are menopausal. Nature really didn’t intend for women to live as long as we do, but we have decided that we will! We don’t get a vote here. Don’t bemoan it or whine about it. It is what it is. Accept it. Embrace it and move forward proactively to live the best life you can live. You have a lot of meaningful years ahead of you! There are options, both natural and medical. Speak with your health care provider. Ask questions. Be informed and make the best of your future!
ABOUT
Dr. Heather L. Johnson is an award winning, actively practicing gynecologist AND author of two books, who, after delivering more than 3,500 babies over 40 years, recently retired as an obstetrician. Her new book, What They Don’t Tell You about Menopause: A Gynecologist’s Unofficial Guide to Premenopausal, Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Life, was released in late November of 2020. Dr. Johnson discusses the various stages of menopause and what to expect throughout this natural aspect of life for women. From perimenopause to postmenopause, and everything in between, this book offers practical, fact-based information that will be your guide through this daunting period of womanhood.
In her books about pregnancy and menopause, she shares what she has learned throughout her career, fact-filled and up-to-date medical insights, humorous anecdotes, and “Dr. J’s Pearls” of bite-sized advice & information. Both of her books are available in both Paperback and eBook on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Walmart.com and Goodreads.com.
She is the senior partner at Reiter, Hill & Johnson, an Advantia practice, with offices in Washington, DC, Chevy Chase, MD and Falls Church, VA. Dr. Johnson attended Yale University School of Medicine and trained at The Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. She has two children and is a proud grandmother of two granddaughters.
To learn more about Dr. Johnson, her books and Dr. J’s Pearls of bite-sized advice, please visit her website https://AskDrHeatherJohnson.com, and follow her on Instagram (@askdrheatherjohnson), Facebook (@askdrheatherjohnson) and Twitter (@askdrjohnson)!
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How to Help a Child who is Choking
If your baby is between 0-12 months old:
Click here to see a video demonstration.
If your baby is 12+ months old:
Click here to see a video demonstration.
Tips for Preventing Choking
Over the years, I have received thousands of messages from moms who have literally saved their child’s life. With every message I read, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I feel so blessed to be able to put this information into the world and see so many moms confidently care for their children. That is my wish is for every parent -- to feel confident in the way they care for the special little people in their lives. This is why I have felt so fulfilled as I dedicate myself to sharing my medical knowledge combined with my experience of a mom to four young children. If you want to continue to learn, I provide so much free educational resources here to help you keep your kiddos safe and healthy. From a basic cold and fevers to head injuries and burns, I want YOU to feel confident caring for your babies. And always remember how much you mean to your children. You are their world and you have inside of you what it takes to be there in time of need.
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World Central Kitchen uses the power of food to empower communities and strengthen economies.
Baby2Baby provides children living in poverty, ages 0-12 years, with diapers, clothing and all the basic necessities that every child deserves.
At Comfort Cases, they believe that every child deserves to feel a sense of dignity. Every child deserves to pack their belongings in a special bag that they can call their very own. Every child deserves to have a cozy new pair of pajamas, a brand new warm blanket, and a new stuffed animal to hug during the traumatic transition into foster care.
Follow the Comfort Cases link to purchase items for the kids bags
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1) Crawling builds the brain.
Both sides of the brain need practice working together. Our brains are separated into two halves, the left and right hemispheres, and are connected together by a neural “roadway” called the corpus callosum. As your baby crawls, his left leg moves in sync with his right arm. This reciprocal movement activates and coordinates both sides of the brain and helps to integrate some primitive reflexes that were needed earlier on but are no longer necessary. Using both arms in a coordinated way is termed bilateral coordination, and is necessary to button a shirt, climb a ladder, open a water bottle, and stabilize a piece of paper while writing.
2) Crawling increases strength.
In order the develop a proper pencil grasp, your child needs sufficient strength from the core to the shoulder and all the way down through the fingers. Crawling is the only stage which significantly strengthens the upper body in preparation for more advanced fine motor skills like coloring, cutting, and writing. Weight-bearing through the arms builds upper body strength from the shoulders all the way to the tiny muscles in the hand, developing the palmar arches so your child can effectively hold a pencil in elementary school.
3) Crawling improves vision.
By actively moving through his environment, your baby is developing more efficient binocular vision (coordination and use of both eyes). As he looks to find his favorite toy on the other side of the room, his eyes work as a team as he crawls on over, developing depth perception in a 3-dimensional world. Adequate binocular coordination is necessary to copy notes from a board, catch a ball, and go up and down stairs safely.
4) Crawling develops the sensory systems of touch and proprioception.
Crawling on different surfaces like carpet, tile, and even outside on the grass, helps to refine your baby’s tactile system (sense of touch). A refined tactile system greatly impacts both gross motor and fine motor coordination, allowing us to build, draw and paint. Weight-bearing during crawling also provides valuable proprioception, telling the brain where the body is in space, which is necessary to develop a good sense of body awareness to avoid tripping and bumping into obstacles.
What to do to help your baby achieve this step:
TUMMY TIME! Get your little one used to playing on his belly, which will help develop his core and upper body strength. Eventually, he will push up on his arms and begin to get his legs underneath his body. After rocking back and forth on his arms and legs, he’ll develop the courage and motivation to get a move on and explore his world!
Crawling around or over obstacles will help to improve his strength, balance, and motor planning abilities. Once he’s on the go, try placing your couch cushions on the floor for him to get his brain working and figuring out how to get to his destination. Toys like tunnels and balls also provide the motivation and curiosity to keep your baby moving.
What if my baby misses this stage of development?
Even if the crawling stage is missed, you can go back to it! This means that you can still encourage your toddler or preschooler to crawl during play. Creating obstacle courses, holding yoga poses, and even hanging from monkey bars are all ways you can help your child achieve similar benefits.
Bottom Line: Crawling is important for both brain and body development. It should be encouraged to help create connections within the brain, build strength for more advanced gross and fine motor skills, develop more advanced binocular vision and depth perception, and shape strong sensory systems.
-Maryann Deutsch, MS, OT/L & Dr. Allison Mell, PT, DPT
Le Chef’s Wife French Toast Recipe
Serves 4
Ingredients:
4 eggs
1/2 cup of 2% milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract (if happen to have fresh vanilla bean, use half a pod in this recipe)
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons butter
20 slices of baguette, sliced ½ inch thick or 8-12 slices of country bread.
Pink Cheetah Pajama Set $58 from Pineapple Sunshine
Once you are ready to start the process, here are three unique potty training tips that you probably won't hear anywhere else!
Tip 1: Take some time before you begin potty training to count down the days to no more diapers with your little one. About 3 to 5 days before you're ready to start, wake up each morning and "x" off the day on the calendar together (or make a paper chain and tear off a loop!). Not only does this help your child mentally prepare for the upcoming change they're about to experience, but it gives you the opportunity to build their confidence so they believe they can do it! This technique works really well for stubborn kiddos who tend to be resistant to change. During this countdown period, engage your child with some fun potty-related activities such as reading potty books, watching potty videos, and having toys pretend to go potty!
Tip 2: If your child ever seems anxious, apprehensive, or even afraid to release their pee and poop on the potty, try my bubble trick! Did you know that when you blow out air, it activates the same muscles we use to pass our bladder and bowels? It's true! So while your little one is set up on the potty, try letting them blow bubbles or blow through a straw into a glass of milk or water. Not only does getting to do this fun activity entice your child to try, but it also relaxes them AND helps them pass the pee and poop! Gotta love an effective trick that is actually FUN!
Tip 3: When you're ready to introduce underwear to your child, buy them in a size larger than what they would normally wear. Having the underwear be a slightly looser fit will help them remain more aware of their body's sensations and urges and will be less easily confused with a diaper. This tends to reduce accidents and make the transition from diapers or bottomless to clothing easier, and who doesn't want that?!
If you feel like you need more support with your potty training journey, feel free to reach out to me via my website at www.pottytrainingconsultant.com to be connected with a certified consultant and follow me on Instagram @pottytrainingconsultant for free information and tips!
To join the team and become a certified Potty Training Consultant, please email Allison at info@pottytrainingconsultant.com.
Happy Pottying! xo
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As a pediatrician and a mom active on social media, I’ve heard from thousands of families struggling during this crazy time. For most parents, it’s just too much. More work with less support - a recipe for disaster. Recent studies show alarming numbers of parent-age people are feeling clinically depressed or anxious.
I wasn’t planning to write a book this year, but because of this crisis, I felt I had to. I wrote my college thesis about the physiology of stress. I did research about the impact of respiratory viruses and Kawasaki disease. I’ve spent my career as a pediatrician helping families with children with chronic medical conditions. So in July, my husband said, you have to do it.
And I wrote a book Parenting in a Pandemic: How to help your family through COVID-19 because I know how hard it is right now. In the book, I discuss what parents need to know about the science of coronavirus. I examine the risk to different members of our family from newborns to pregnant women and grandparents. I give a ton of specific advice about making decisions, childcare, school and virtual learning.
But what I’d like to share with you today is especially urgent. I’d like you to ask to prioritize yourself. Parents so often act as martyrs prioritizing their children. But the truth is that if you aren’t taking care of yourself, you can’t take care of your family.
The pandemic started off as thinking of staying home as a two week endeavour. We can do anything for two weeks. Now we see that this is a marathon and not a sprint. Hopefully the vaccines will be safe and effective and available in the spring of 2021, but that’s a long way away.
So what can a parent do? Check in with yourself. Are you sleeping, exercising, eating regular meals and connecting with other adults? These core components of wellness seem so obvious, but when resources are limited they are often neglected.
What are you struggling with right now? So often I hear parents reporting excessive worry about getting sick and keeping safe. However sometimes when we really think about it, we are struggling with something deeper. Guilt is so common now - this isn’t what we chose for our children. Grief and anger about missing out on what we thought this year would be like. Decision fatigue when we feel overwhelmed re-creating our lives with new rules.
Knowing the problem is the first step to feeling better. Exercise is one of the most evidence based ways to feel better. Mantras such as “we’re doing the best we can” can help particularly with guilt. Breathing exercises, journaling, and meditation are other ways to promote emotional resilience. Allowing yourself time to address these difficult feelings will help you parent more effectively.
When we are burnt out as parents, we can’t parent as intentionally. We are quicker to anger and less likely to connect. Advice from the security briefing on airplanes may apply, “If oxygen masks descend, put your own mask on first, then help your child.” Similarly while parenting in a pandemic, prioritize your needs to make sure you are able to meet the needs of your child.
When assessing the risk in your family, according to the most recent data, parents are at much higher risk than their children. A 40 year old is at nearly 900x the risk of death as a 4 year old - though thankfully the risk is low for most healthy young adults. But remember protecting the adults in your home with masks and social distancing is likely even more important than protecting the children.
Remember that you aren’t alone in the struggle. Sometimes when you’re feeling overwhelmed, we don’t have as many choices as we might imagine. We can either obtain more help for our families, recruit more help from other people in our household, or lower our expectations.
For a lot of families, the easiest answer may be the last one. This might not be the best year academically, your house may be messier and your dinner menu may not be as elaborate, but at the end of the day, it will be good enough.
You can do this and you aren’t alone.
Dr. Kelly Fradin is a pediatrician and a mother of two in NYC. She gives parenting advice and pediatric health education on instagram @adviceigivemyfriends.
]]>Artist, mom of three and entrepreneur, Lanie Mann, shares her love for art with us.
"Art has been a part of my life from the very beginning. I was raised in North Carolina where my mother, an artist and art teacher, filled my childhood with projects and books and conversations about color and composition. Later, I took studio classes, studied art history and lived abroad in Florence where my passion for painting became clear.
I am inspired daily by the beauty in nature, photography, fashion and interiors and am drawn to colors and arrangements that are clean, fresh and balanced.
My preferred mediums are acrylic, oil, watercolor and ink, and I use canvases of all sizes to explore color and energy in abstract pieces, to capture light in sea and landscapes and to reflect the spirit of children in unposed moments and natural settings.
My paintings are loose and layered—purposely imperfect, and my goal is to create pieces that spark connections, ignite curiosity and make people happy. I am an optimistic person by nature, so I want my work to be bright, uplifting and invigorating. I think art should breathe life into every space.
My work has been included in exhibitions at Chesapeake Framing and Art, Wilson Boland Design, Little Birdies Boutique, and has been featured in national publications and blogs including Anthropologie, The Cottage Journal, Style Me Pretty, MintwoodHome and the Washingtonian. You can find my paintings with the Capital Artist Collective in Washington, DC, at The Collective Dallas, GALLERYVIBE in Naples, FL, and at G&G Interiors in TN."
Lanie currently lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband, twin sons, and daughter.
"I never know where life or my art will take me next, I’m always excited to find out"
What is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy? How do you know if you need it?
“I did not know there was physical therapy for THAT!”
This is one of the most common responses I get when I tell people what I do. I am a pelvic floor physical therapist. Physical therapists treat muscles and tissues and nerves in the body. I specialize in treating the muscles and tissues in the pelvic region of the body, which play an important role in peeing, pooping, supporting your organs, having sex, and birthing a baby.
The pelvic floor muscles sit like a basket at the base of your pelvis. These muscles stay contracted throughout the day to support your organs and hold in pee and poop. When you go to the restroom, you can relax these muscles to empty your bladder or bowels. Relaxation of these muscles is also essential for vaginal intercourse and childbirth.
Oftentimes, you won’t have to think about these muscles if all is working well. But just like any other muscles in your body, your pelvic floor muscles can get tense, weak, or not coordinate properly which can lead to bladder or bowel problems or pain.
If your pelvic floor muscles are tense, you may experience vaginal pain, tailbone pain, painful intercourse, or incomplete emptying of your bladder and bowels.
If your pelvic floor muscles are too weak you may experience urinary leakage, decreased support of your pelvic organs, heaviness, pressure, or extreme urgency to get to the bathroom in time.
Pelvic floor issues may start after a significant event like pregnancy or childbirth, menopause, or starting a new activity or medication. Or they may happen gradually over time and you may believe them to be “normal” until they get to the point where they significantly affect your life. Some individuals may think little leaks with laughing or sneezing are normal or that sex after childbirth is supposed to be painful, that we just have new bodies after having babies and nothing can be done. Although common, these experiences are not normal.
Enter pelvic floor physical therapy. (Actually it should enter much sooner than this but oftentimes this is when most patients come our way). In a pelvic floor physical therapy session, I will gather some information and perform an assessment by checking out your posture, pelvic alignment, and abdominal wall for tenderness/trigger points, diastasis recti/abdominal separation, or scar tissue restriction from a surgery. Then I perform an internal pelvic floor muscle assessment through the vagina to check strength, tone and tension of your pelvic floor. It’s somewhat similar to when you see your gynecologist but no scary speculums! After the assessment, I chat with you about what I found, give you some tips and exercises to start, and plan to see you again soon. See? Just like regular physical therapy, but for your pelvic floor.
Pelvic Floor PTs like myself do not just treat pelvic floor conditions, we also work with patients on how to prevent them. I spend a lot of time on education with my patients addressing topics that are rarely discussed yet so important to our daily lives: the proper way to poop, pain-free sex, leaking when you sneeze (not normal), kegels (they’re not the right exercise for everyone!), and teaching pregnant women how to push properly during childbirth and offering guidance on postpartum recovery.
We learn very little about pelvic health and prevention of pelvic floor problems in culture. Outside of “do your kegels,” these issues are just not talked about often, leading one to think that the only options are medication, surgery or “just dealing with it.” Pelvic floor physical therapy is an option to help treat these common but not normal conditions.
My goal as an advocate of women’s health reform and as a pelvic floor physical therapist is to change the way we care for women and their pelvic floors. Pelvic floor issues are not just “part of being a woman” and they are treatable. Talking openly about these issues is not about shock value. It’s about making sure we’re aware of health issues that are addressable, that when addressed can help us live fuller, happier and more productive lives. So, does your pelvic floor need PT?
A great option for those unable to see a PT in person is our online mini courses and my Power Pregnancy Guide. While these don’t replace seeing a PT in person, they are great alternatives. The Power Pregnancy Guide combines fitness and pelvic floor therapy to give you weekly workouts from weeks 8-40 of your pregnancy. We go over all the principles to keep your core and pelvic floor strong during your pregnancy and prepared for birth.
My online mini courses cover: pelvic floor prep for childbirth, vaginal birth postpartum recovery, cesarean birth prep and recovery, overcoming painful sex, identify and recover diastasis recti, and easing constipation. They’re great solutions for those with any of the aforementioned specific issues, which are the most common ailments I see in my practice.
For more pelvic floor PT tips, follow along on Instagram.
As a maker of playsets and “expert in play”, CedarWorks believes that while play is, first and foremost, fun, it is also important work. As the great Mr. Rogers would agree, a child’s job is play. It is vital to their physical, social, and cognitive development.
Play is how children explore their world, practice making and following rules, learn how to get along with others, enhance their problem-solving skills, and develop both their gross and fine motor skills. Studies have even found that kids who enjoy regular active play do better in school.
When we talk about play, we mean active, unstructured play rather than sports practices or structured play groups. Those are also worthwhile, of course, providing lots of benefits, but they don’t provide all the opportunities for problem-solving or using one’s imagination or even the self-governance that unstructured play provides.
During unstructured play, children can be active and get exercise, while also learning to work and cooperate with others. When you hear kids discussing, maybe even arguing over, the rules of a game they just made up, they are in the process of learning to negotiate and to compromise - after all, if you want to keep a good game going, you sometimes have to accept that not everything will go your way.
This kind of play also helps kids develop creativity and problem-solving skills as they use their imaginations to create games and invent new scenarios in which they might do anything from fending off pirates to running an ice cream shop. A child sprinkling sand on an imaginary ice cream cone is learning to think quickly and respond to a playmate’s “chocolate ice cream with sprinkles” order. Unstructured play creates opportunities for kids to use both their imaginations and their bodies to practice and solve problems on their own.
How can you encourage active, unstructured play for your children?
If you’ve ever watched children really focused on a game and thought, “wow, those kids are playing like it’s their job,” it’s because playing is their job, probably their most important job. Our job, as parents, is to support them.
~Kristin Sidwell, CedarWorks
CedarWorks designs and manufactures beautiful, environmentally responsible products for active play including outdoor and indoor playsets and playhouses, https://www.cedarworks.com/
To learn more about the importance of play, check out these resources and articles
As of the posting of this blog, the data show that COVID-19 infection during pregnancy is still compatible with a good outcome. As always and in general, pregnant women are at more risk when they contract respiratory illnesses. You should therefore redouble your efforts to avoid infection by minimizing yours and your partner’s contacts, wearing a mask and washing your hands frequently. It is important that you continue your prenatal care and doctor’s visits, some of which may be conducted virtually via telemedicine for your protection. Unfortunately, you partner may not be able to be present for your visits, but you can usually arrange for video attendance. There are conflicting data about transmission to newborns, but the general consensus is that breast milk is best for your baby, whether it be pumped or in person. While most hospitals are now allowing partners, and, sometimes doulas, to be present during the birth, it is important to confirm this with your hospital prior to leaving your home as policies and procedures are changing frequently.
Obstetricians typically recommend you stop birth control pills or remove your IUD 2 months before trying to conceive so that the dating of your pregnancy is reliable. If you are young, less than 35, you should seek guidance if you are not pregnant within a year. If you are 35-40, you should seek help after 3-6 months of trying. If you are 40 or over, you should seek assistance immediately. As I am known for saying, “teenagers can stand downwind of sperm and get pregnant. Women over 40, not so much.”
While the science is good, the truth is that most individuals will not benefit from banked blood although their children’s siblings might, and the process is very expensive. If you are either anxious and/or have significant discretionary income, I say, go for it. If not, you should consider investing those funds for the use of purchasing “must have” baby supplies and equipment (e.g., car seat, crib, humidifier)
As excited as you may be about this momentous event, your grandchild is first and foremost the child of your daughter/daughter-in-law, son or son-in-law. This is NOT the time for you to remind them of your experiences as a mother. It is the time to support them in their decisions about THEIR child, your grandchild. Support them in their decisions, no matter how foreign they may seem to be. Be that invisible force that provides them with food, a clean house and naps and support. They have provided you with an amazing gift for you to spoil with your love and affection. Appreciate that and act accordingly and please don’t forget the importance of Covid19 “restrictions” for yours and your grandchild’s health and safety.
Please try to understand the perspective of your first born. Heretofore, he/she has been the center of your universe. Now this smaller/cuter being is commanding the attention you used to give to them. Take time to visit with them, as they have missed you. Then introduce them to “their” baby and allow them liberties such as kissing their feet or some other privilege. Perhaps you can also have a gift for them from the baby? Their feelings are real and impactful. Honor them, please. The introduction of your new baby to his/her older sibling(s) may not happen until you arrive at home depending upon hospital policies due to COVID-19 It is best if you have the baby in the nursery or in a bassinet when your first born comes to see you in the hospital to provide time for you to visit with them before the introducing the baby.
“Good Enough.” The postpartum period is an imperfect time fraught with lack of sleep, realistic and unrealistic expectations, anxiety, worry, fear and frustration. Please, do not aim for perfection. This is neither attainable nor needed. As I tell my patients, “If the health department has not been called, your house is clean enough. If your baby’s crib is not made up exactly as you would have liked, he or she will still sleep just fine.”
All other factors being equal, breastfeeding is the best option for you and your baby. Your milk is generally better tolerated, and antibodies are passed on to the baby. However, if you are not able to make enough milk and/or your baby is not interested in nursing, there are many options (e.g., pumping to bottle feed, using formula to supplement your breastmilk, or using only formula) that will allow adequate nutrition for your baby. You are NOT a failure if you cannot support your baby with breastfeeding alone.
You and your body have been through an incredible stress over the last 9 months, not to mention the upheaval of delivery, vaginal or cesarean. You will need time to recover from these “events.” The first 6 weeks is NOT the time to try to get back into shape. It is the time to recover. Rest, hydration and moderate exercise to make you feel better are what are required during this time. Please be aware that TV personalities and movie stars who quickly get back to their pre-baby weight are not the appropriate role models for those who live in the real world and do not have nannies, personal trainers, chefs and other help.
As a couple, the two of you have decided to invite another being into your life. Sadly, it is easy to forget that you two were a couple before this event, but that is an essential point. This is not the time to keep score and distance yourselves from each other. As a couple, you chose to have a baby. As a couple, you need to search for ways to work forward as a team, not opponents, to raise this amazing person. Be kind to each other. Do not keep score.
Every woman suffers from “baby blues.” How can they not? You have spent 9 months incubating a baby and had your body ripped asunder by delivery and now need to feed this delightful being 24-7. It is natural to be overwhelmed, sad, exhausted and a bit depressed. However, if you find that you are no longer able to feel joy or happiness, or worse, have negative feelings about yourself, your spouse or your baby, you should seek help immediately! You will not be the only one that needs assistance. Many, many others have had difficulty. You are NOT a failure if you are overwhelmed. Your healthcare providers are here for you and understand. Please, do not suffer unnecessarily.
ABOUT
Dr. Heather L. Johnson is a board-certified, actively practicing gynecologist, who, after delivering more than 3,500 babies over 40 years, retired in 2019 as an obstetrician. She is the author of What They Don’t Tell You About Having a Baby: An Obstetrician’s Unofficial Guide to Preconception, Pregnancy and Postpartum Care which was released in October 2019 and is available in both Paperback and eBook on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Walmart.com and Goodreads.com. Her second book, What They Don’t Tell You about Menopause: A Gynecologist’s Unofficial Guide to Premenopausal, Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Life, will be released in the fall of 2020. She has two children and is a proud grandmother of two granddaughters.
She is the senior partner at Reiter, Hill and Johnson, an Advantia practice, with offices in Washington, DC, Chevy Chase, MD and Falls Church, VA. Dr. Johnson attended Yale University School of Medicine and trained at The Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC.
Dr. Johnson with her granddaughters
Girls wearing Charming Mary outfits from Little Birdies
To learn more about Dr. Johnson, her books and Dr. J’s Pearls of bite-sized advice, please visit her website AskDrHeatherJohnson.com, and follow her on Instagram (@askdrheatherjohnson), Facebook @askdrheatherjohnson) and Twitter (@askdrjohnson)!
]]>One the great passions of my life emerged about four years ago with the training for fostering children and then the subsequent adoption of our twins. I love giving information and encouragement to those who are interested in the process. I’m not going to sugar coat it, it’s not easy but it’s worth it for you and any child you have in your home.
Almost 10 years ago, my husband AJ and I felt God was telling us that we needed to adopt. At the same time, we were hearing about the catastrophic earthquake that hit Haiti and the subsequent crisis of orphan kids it caused. But, we just felt too inept to do anything, as we already had one child, Drew, and I was pregnant again at the time and very sick through the pregnancy. Once our daughter, Elle, was born, my husband and I had a difficult time adjusting to having a child, as we were two people used to be constantly on the go and loved to get things done – which wasn’t so easy anymore. For five years after Elle was born, AJ and Iargued over who felt the most called to adopt at any given moment. When Elle was about two and a half,we felt like parenting had become a little easier and we knew what we were doing (at least a little at this point), and so at this point, AJ and I were on the same page about adoption. We looked into various agencies that were recommended to us but just felt like the fees were crazy (usually in the $25,000+ range), especially when we knew there were kids right in Massachusetts (where we live) that needed homes. At this point in our life, which was almost exactly five years ago now, we made the jump to move into a home that was three times the size of our first home, giving us plenty of wiggle room to adopt. We then started thinking about adopting a sibling group, assuming that if we were to keep with the birth order, we would probably be connected with a toddler and an infant.
Training and filling out loads of paperwork took about six months. We started the state mandated MAAP (Massachusetts Partnerships in Parenting) training in September of 2016 and finished right around Thanksgiving of 2016. Knowing our family would be changing drastically in a short amount of time at the beginning of December, we took Drew and Elle, then 5 and 3, to Disney World for the first time, and during that trip the twins we’d adopt were born (but we didn’t know this yet).
Six weeks after we finished our class, we were still waiting for background checks and all of our info to be read over when we got word there were twins who we could take home from the hospital. The state speed through all of our paperwork because there was no one who was already licensed in Massachusetts who could take on infant twins. Their older siblings had already been removed from the home, so the risk was on the smaller side even though the state’s number one goal is to reunite children with their families if at all possible. Thetwins were born nine weeks prematurely and were teeny tiny when we got them from the hospital at six weeks old, about 5.5 to 6 pounds. Looking back, in all honesty, I’d say AJ and I were naïve and cocky to think we’d be totally fine taking on twins…. But that innocence that we could do it served us well in the first year and a half. It was definitely hard managing two babies but that was NOTHING compared to once they started walking. You would not believe the amount of white hairs I’ve been plucking out the past two years.
The whole time we raised them we were bringing them to weekly visits with their birth parents an hour away. At times during the process it looked like possibly their mom was making strides to get them back and I was panicky about that because of the parents’ history. About 560 days after the twins entered our home, we finally adopted them in August 2018. They are now officially Vera and Grayson Migonis, and our older two are obsessed with them (and sometimes livid with them when they wreck their rooms or Legos, but mostly just obsessed). Our journey to adopt Vera and Gray was one of the smoothest ones I’ve heard, so definitely not all adoptions go just like ours did. AJ and I have felt in the past year that our family might not be totally complete and told the state that we’d be interested in fostering another child, so you may hear more from us on the adoption road in the future… but we’ve already been waiting for a year and know that if there is another child for our family then we will find each other at the perfect time; we just have to keep our house open.
I love talking to people about fostering and adopting (especially through your state) and would love to answer any questions. Please feel free to email me at jen.migonis@gmail.com or send me a note on instagram at @migonishome.
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