Posts

• ---

  How to encourage solo play?
  S Susparenting

  This may seem overly simple, but the biggest thing that helps solo play, is insisting that they need to play on their own. Meaning, don’t fall into the urge to solve it for them when they say they’re bored or sad. You can use phrases like, I can’t wait to see what you come up with. Boredom is the thing that happens right before creativity, usually.

• ---

  Older child dominates younger child
  S Susparenting

  It’s definitely super normal that the older kid influences your younger kid. As a licensed family, counselor and parenting coach, I really don’t agree with thinking the younger one is wrapped of things by having an older sibling. Birth order does have different influences on a child’s personality, but there are always strengths along with challenges. Having an immediate buddy right there is quite positive for younger kids. And they get more pure interaction than the oldest kids got. So I wouldn’t stress about needing to create a different environment.

• ---

  Gift ideas for 8-11 year old girls?
  S Susparenting

  My daughter is turning 9 soon. Some things she loved last year were :

  1. iPad pen to do graphic design/ drawing on an iPad. It’s a cool art way to be on tech and she is leaning some actual possible graphic design skills!

  2. karaoke machine

  3. an alarm clock (that plays music), so she can wake up on her own and listen to the radio in her room.

• ---

  Breast lift - where to go in austin?
  D DrAnneSharkey

  I had an absolutely fantastic experience with Dr. Ashley Gordon at Restora Austin.

• ---

  Thoughts on a Trampoline
  W wellbalanced

  I was worried about the same things and kept going back and forth even though the kids were asking for one. Then my husband randomly showed up with one and so I just went with it. That being said, it was the best activity that all four of our kids (ages 3-11) loved. We had it for about 1 year and no major injuries or accidents (except me trying to do a back flip). It was a cheap trampoline and sadly did not last so we got rid of it. But I highly recommend! Great exercise for the kids and fun for all ages! We plan to get another one.

• ---

  Fav "clean" cookware brand?
  O oatwhatfun

  An awesome non-toxic cookware brand is Beautiful by Drew Barrymore. It’s basically Caraway and Our Place (both great brands!) but a fraction of the cost.

  Stainless steel and cast iron are always great options as well. Le Creuset and Staub are two cast iron ceramic coated brands that are classic and great!

• ---

  Postpartum Health/Fitness
  W wellbalanced

  Walking with the baby postpartum was the best reentry into exercise for me. Its a win win for you and the baby and gets you out of the house and moving without the pressure of a gym. I highly recommend this you tube channel for workouts at home. She has a great postpartum workout list. My youngest is now 3 years old and I am still doing her workouts for strength training!

  https://www.youtube.com/nourishmovelove

• ---

  Thrive market?
  W wellbalanced

  I love Thrive! I use it to stock my pantry items that I do not need ASAP. I keep a running cart until I qualify for free shipping. A few things we buy on repeat are:

  Thrive Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  Thrive Avocado Oil Cooking Spray
  Thrive Organic Coconut Water
  Fourth and Heart Grass Fed Himalayan Salted Ghee
  Go Raw Organic Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds

  Kids Snacks/Treats that are fun to try:
  Thrive Organic Fruit Circles
  Solely Fruit Gummies
  DeeBee's Dip'ems (fun dip alternative)

• ---

  Fav "clean" cookware brand?
  W wellbalanced

  Non Toxic Cookware is an excellent thing to add to you Christmas list! I got a Caraway set 2 years ago. I agree with @hanginbyathread that it is hard to clean the stains. Try soaking them overnight with the Branch Basics Oxygen Boost and then scrubbing.

  I also LOVE this non stick pan and use it for the tougher to clean cooking like eggs! https://flavcitycookware.com/products/tri-ply-clad-fry-pan-ceramic-interior

  Another clean option that people love- https://fromourplace.com/

  Make sure you have a good stainless steel pan and a cast iron skillet!

• ---

  Toddler solo bedtime
  S SnoozeBabyCo.

  Sleep consultant here! And you are not alone--this is the number one reason toddler families reach out to me. And I have a just turned 3-year-old myself. Those bedtime battles can be so tough. Age-wise, it can vary so greatly when kids fall asleep on their own. And for a lot of kiddos, it's something that needs to be formally taught and doesn't happen on its own. You are their fav person and they are around an adult at all other parts of the day, so helping them to feel calm and confident and build up the skill that they can confidently rest on their own will be key and can take a lot of intentional strategies and consistency. I have LOTS of behavioral and developmental strategies, but one of my fav toddler strategies is the "kissing game". Tell your little one you need to (insert task, like go to the bathroom) and that you will be back to give them a kiss as soon as your done. And then when you start to walk to the door, rush back to them and give them a kiss and say you couldn't wait and needed to give them another kiss right now. Make it a little silly but continue "leaving" to do a small task (you can just step outside the room) and then continue to return and give a kiss. This is a gradual way to build some trust that you are always nearby without it becoming a big battle that you are leaving the room. I have lots of other strategies so feel free to email me (jillian@snoozebabyco.com) if you need 1-on-1 help. You've got this!