Month: August 2020

about me

Our Morning Rhythm

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Hey Loves!

I just posted a YouTube video on our mostly-daily routine and I thought I would share some deets here.

First, if you haven’t already, read this blog post on why it is called a “rhythm” or “routine” and/or check out this video.

Now to our mornings…

You should know I can never predict when my kids will wake up. I would say the window is anywhere between 6:20 and 8:15. There’s no rhyme or reason and, to date, how consistent I am on the routine of their days and bedtimes has no bearing effect. So our routine is as follows:

Kids wake, potty, get dressed, make their beds. (Yes, my children make their own beds and do other chores)

My husband basically keeps them away from me so I can finish my morning routine. (More on my current one later. The basics of it can be found here.) During this time, they read, talk to their dad, make goals for the day, and play quietly.

Then my husband or I, depending on time and availability (my husband works for an international company so sometimes they have meetings or trainings at like 7 a.m. EST to accommodate everyone) makes their breakfast.

After breakfast is when I take over. My morning time rhythm with the kids consist of reading a page of this book, learning or reviewing a prayer from this book, morning baskets and outside play. 

A note on morning baskets: If you haven’t heard of this concept, I will do my best to explain it to you. A morning basket is typically a varied lot of books and activities that families do together, stored in a basket. These activities are mostly completed in the morning. With that said, a morning basket can be any time of day and include anything you want.

Our morning baskets are fun thematic learning games that all of us enjoy but don’t’ necessarily want to add to our designated learning time. These themes can range from Valentine’s day to dinosaurs to knights and dragons to Shark Week. 

Our morning basket activities are about 20 minuets max. This year we are using the monthly theme packs from Let’s Play School FUNdementals and I am over the moon as this will cut out so much research and prep time for me while providing fun, interactive activities for my kids.

 After morning baskets, because it’s summer, we go outside. Then some reading, a snack and onward we move into learning time. 

Now, depending on time, other appointments, etc., this can change. This is why it is called a rhythm- so when schedules change, as they will, we can meet the schedule change and easily fall back into the rhythm. In the fall and winter our outside is later in the day because of cooler temps. A slight change in the rhythm is way easier to get accustomed to than a constantly changing schedule.

This routine also helps us all feel safe by knowing what comes next and especially helps me not get overwhelmed or stressed by a schedule, because no one needs that.

What’s you rhythm or routine?

Love you. Mean it.

Mom Life

It’s a Rhythm, Not a Schedule

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Hey Loves!

So many of you have either started school or preparing for school in a much different way than ever before. I can’t imagine all the questions that are in your head but the question I get asked the most is, “what is your schedule?” Then I have to disappoint a mama when my response is, “We don’t have one.” Here’s why. 

If you know me, you know I love a good schedule. Yes, down to the minute, planned fluidly, packed with incredible things until I fall asleep, also scheduled, to wake up and do it all over again. However, my kids don’t work like that and, per my research, many kids don’t work like that. 

Truth moment: After realizing that trying to make them work with my schedule and creating 52 different schedules didn’t work, I gave up on schedules all together. I’m sure literally threw my hands up. There’s no shocker that no schedule was just as bad as trying to make them fit in my schedule. 

What helped? What was the relief? Creating a rhythm, and no I’m talking about a dope beat. 

I’m talking about a regular flow of activities and transitions in a home that becomes habitual but is easily done at a different time if needed because it is much easier for one to fall back into a rhythm than get used to a different schedule. 

I discuss it all here in this youtube video and discussing our morning rhythm here. I need you to know this didn’t happen overnight. There were trials, lots of errors, and lots of trying again. 

Through that, I was constantly reminded that these rhythms had to flow with my home- the people in it, our values, and memory-making. Not making our home fit with the rhythm.

I also learned that our days are better when I submit to the needs of my kids. Before you exit this post hear me out: When I say, “submit to the needs of my kids”, I most certainly don’t mean neglect my needs, my husband’s, our marriage, or something urgent. I also don’t mean my kids are “in charge.” I mean that I remove myself-my wants, my desires, how I would respond, how I feel typical children should respond- from how I meet their needs and submitting myself to consoling, educating, and training them on the matter at hand. 

For example, in our rhythm, if it’s is time for outside play, I can see them seeking for input but it is monsoon rain pouring outside, I can’t make them do what I would do-cozy up with a throw, sit still, be quiet and just be. They literally can’t right now. Submitting to their needs means to stay with the rhythm so they feel safe, free play meeting input needs, and then finding a way to give them the input, so I get up and do movement activities, put on YouTube movement playlist and hit up Cosmic Kids Yoga. 

I also want to say this, your rhythm probably won’t look like ours and that’s ok! In fact, I implore it because I was your rhythm to be a beat of your home, not mines. 

Any other rhythm questions? 

Love you. Mean it. 

Family Activities

Christmas Planning In…

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Hey Loves!

So, if I can be honest, last year Christmas snuck up on me and caught me all the way slipping. Why? Because I didn’t plan for it early. Well, some parts I did but other, not so much. I also tried to take on all the things, including hosting two cookie shares and organizing a secret Santa gift exchange. On 12/24/2019, I vowed to return to my old ways of planning early and have been doing just that throughout the year. (If you are wondering why I started planning so early in the first place, it is because of this.)

Then, COVID-19. I think it would be a gross understatement to say this Pandemic changed our plans and/or ability plan. I mean, by now, I would’ve had my photos scheduled. That’s not possible because we have no idea what will be open, how our photographer will be impacted, etc. So, I have been doing what I know I can do and I’ll share that with you.

Photos and Cards: If this is your thing, get it done ASAP. Either snap. edit and organize your phone photos, pick out card templates or design your own and figure out all the addresses!

Running Gift Lists: On my phone, in the “Google Keep” app, I have a running list of gifts for myself and for my kids. These gifts will go to grandparents, friends, godparents, etc. This way, I am not hunting and searching for something they may like or desire during the holiday season. I email or text the links to the persons above. I never “ask” them but rather use this as a guide. It also helps me not overbuy and keep an eye out at consignment or flash sales.

Plan for Traditions: As much as you can, plan for certain traditions, or prepare to have them done virtually. For example, I am coming to terms with the fact that I probably won’t host a cookie swap in person. I can organize a virtual cookie share in which we share recipes and traditions. Also, lots of things that are traditionally on our Advent Calendar may not happen so, I will either need a virtual substitute or change it up entirely so it can be done at home. I am seeing lots of cocoa recipes, reindeer games, and indoor snowball fights in our future.

Inspect Decor: Do your lights actually work? What was that thing you said you needed to get in January but you forgot? All of that. It is going to be a little more difficult to just run into a store safely so plan ahead. Wanna try some DIYs? Get the supplies and do that now. Be on the lookout for a felt-ball garland tutorial!

Breathe: I hate to break it to you, but this holiday season, as with any other, is going to have some hiccups. You are going to forget something. You are going to forget to send someone or a family a card. It happens. You are human. Breathe. Give yourself grace.

As I think of them, I will be sharing more holiday ideas and activities here and via socials..

Love you. Mean it.

Homeschool

Sensory Coping Caddy

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Hey Loves!

In my last post, we talked about Sensory-Friendly Homeschool supplies. Today, I want to quickly share how I organized them. If you’re new here, you should know that organization, clean lines and neutral tones make my heart sing. I simply adore them. With that, I have two kids who just, most of the time, don’t show that they feel that way. So, part of my organization now is training them to know things have a place and to put them back. Who knew that was a part of parenting?

I digress. Anywho… let’s get to my happy place- the organization.

To start, and I suggest this with anything you are organizing, you have to access the size and the amount of the items, then the functionality of what you are looking for. For example, when I organized our pantry in April, I needed large bins with handles that were visually appealing. They also had to fit on the shelves, etc.

I gathered all the supplies I knew I wanted them to be able to use and grab at their leisure or with my prompt and separated them from a massager and  the weighted items (weighted vest, lap pad and belt). Once I had an idea of how many items would go in each kid’s caddy, then I chose the caddy. I went with these shower caddy’s from Target. They were inexpensive, sectioned and were deep enough to hold the items safely but allow for easy access for little hands. It also didn’t hurt I could get it via drive-up and not have to ship it.

Armed with my caddies, I decided what I would put in each compartment instead of just putting the items in the caddy. I promise there is a method to this madness. For me, doing it this way helps me visually take inventory and know where to tell my boys where to get them and put them back as I am training them to use these. It also helps know when to replace or restock items. For example, I can quickly check and see if I need to grab another chewlery (necklaces or clips that can be used for oral input and regulation) as the one I had in there is being washed.

Now to the fun part, sorting and placing, Yay!!!! I sectioned the 3 compartments into: Chewlery/Oral input, Fidgets and Coping/Calm Down. Sill with me?

After I knew where I wanted these items to go, then I placed them in their respective compartments.

I finished them off by adding a chalk label with their name. Viola!

If that was a bit hard to understand, I have a time-lapse video in this IG highlight and a YouTube video notating all the sensory things we have and where I got them.

Per usual, don’t hesitate to ask me any questions. I am here for you. Until next time,

Love you. Mean it.

Homeschool

Sensory-Friendly Homeschool Supplies

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Hey Loves!

Time is flying! I’m wrapping up my planning and prep for our new homeschool year and wanted to share how the tools we have for my sweet babes to help them cope with sensory integration while learning, playing and living their best life. 

Flexible Seating: Bilibo Spin Seats, Scoop Rockers, Floor Cushions, Sensory Seats, Exercise Ball, and Wobble Stools… yes, I know that sounds like a lot and yes, we have them all. However, these were accumulated over the years and purchased as gifts, from consignment sales and even yard sales. Do you need it all? No! We plan on homeschooling as long as God allows it so we felt these were investments into our home. They use them way more than when we are learning. It was also important for me to give my kids the best possible environment for them to learn, not for me to teach. I also didn’t want to emulate traditional school and force them to sit in one spot and still. Depending on seating you have available, I’ve heard great things about “kick bands” 

Movement Jar: Sensory kids needs to move! Depending on they’re hypo and hyper sensitivity levels, the will needs some sort of proprioceptive and/or vestibular input. I’ve been at this for a few years now and it is still hard for me to remember all the different movements. So, I found a free printable with movement activities and stuffed them in a jar. This way, this gives the child ownership and lets them identify their needs, advocate for their needs and meets their needs. It also gives my brain and heart a break. 

Fine Motor Tools: To make this easier, I compiled a list here. Lots of kids have an un-diagnosed fine motor delay. Their little hands need help and that’s ok. This year, I’m venturing to make some pencil weights and I’ve learned through experience having a small variety of writing tools and letting the writer choose is what works for us. I also had help from my occupational therapist. To see these tools in action, check out the video here. 

Coping, Calming, Fidgets & Weighed Items: I’m a big advocate for teaching kids to advocate for themselves. Having these tools around helps in two ways: It helps me see a need and have a tool to meet it. It also helps me train them to advocate for themselves. If I see seeking, I can ask, “do you need _______” and allow them to answer and get the item. I did have to teach them how to use these properly and work through some discomfort because some things they need they don’t love. Our main items in these categories are weighted vests and lap pads; stress balls, something to massage, and something to occupy their hands.

I want to reiterate Rome wasn’t built in a day. It may not be super easy to identify their needs. You’ll misread a behavior. You may not have chewelry handy. There may be a transitional meltdown. I’ve spent years crying over my mistakes and if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that I am but mere mortal. My humanity is what makes me error but it also the reason I have for error. Grace. Extend it and receive it, always. I didn’t get all these items in a day. I didn’t even know the purpose of some of them the first I saw or read about them. I started with one or two and maximized use for those and then added as needed. 

Homeschool

School Supplies, Continued: Desired but Not-Needed Items

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Hey loves!

Continuing our chat on school supplies. Here, I discussed what was “needed”. Today we are talking desired things. Please know, I reigned this in as much as possible because, I mean, honestly, this could go on forever.

Last year, I slowly purchased items for a literacy bin (video here) and we got so busy, I didn’t use it to capacity. I’m definitely changing that this year as we won’t be busy. (Thanks for that, Mr. Rona.) when you watch the video you’ll see lots of the items I got from the Dollar Tree and Walmart. The goal? Make learning fun! Sitting, reciting, scribing can be useful but I say, if it can be fun, let’s do it that way. 

Play-doh, fidgets, letters, illustration, dictation, stamp math equations, stamp spelling… the list can go on for a while. I say that to say play-doh, with a few accessories, can really round-out a lesson. It can also be a great transitional activity. I frequently leave out play doh in a tray and let them go to town.

Podcast and songs: Most of these are free with streaming services but I bet you aren’t taking full advantage of them with kids podcasts and learning songs. These are lifesavers for us. They introduce and reinforce lessons. We use them for just about every subject. I found one for Spanish lessons for kids. This may take some training for your kids to listen but the results are epic! My children now request them by name.

Learning Games: I know, more fun. You would think I was a “cool mom” or something. This really depends on your child’s development and your budget. I will say this, with inexpensive games like Uno and Connect 4, you can work on about 8 different skills in one game do you are definitely getting your monies worth.

Digital Learning Games- I know, screens! How dare I? Here’s the thing, this can be as much or as little as you want or you can scroll right past it. We occasionally use various learning apps. Our favorites are ABC mouse and Khan Academy Kids. My kids can go weeks without using them actually. I understand and totally get there are some families anti-any screens. That is not us. We are very vigilant with what we allow our kids to consume and the time they use it. We also believe training on this can never start too young. We are training them on how to take care of these devices and how to use them. We are also teaching them what is appropriate, problem-solving, etc.

Skill-set tools: I will be sharing more of this in another blog post but you have to meet your children where they are. My two have varying needs from emotional to transitional, to spacial to attention to fine motor so, we have various aids to assist.

Essential oil diffuser: I’m an oily girl with an oily family and diffusers make our minds and bodies happy!

Wireless music player: This is definitely straddling the “desired” and “over the top” line. We use ours very regularly for music, podcasts, timers and to ask questions of course because I don’t know everything.

Folders binders, clips, page protectors: I prep as much as I can for a smoother year so the office supplies helps me keep all that prep organized. I personally feel that the more prepared you are the more successful you’ll be. 

Pens and Stationery: I’m sure these are things you always ready have but I wanted to share how I use them in our homeschool. To start, I use erasable pens in my planners and the pen color denotes a person or event. Yes, my planner is color-coded. For example, in my homeschool planner, my sons each have color and the thing we do together are in another color. A great notepad and some post-it are my go-to note-taking and list-making. 

That’s all I can think of… that’s not true. I don’t want this post to get too long so I’ll wrap it up. Stay tuned for all things “sensory-friendly” for homeschooling.

Love you. Mean it.