A Healthy Little Note: Issue #34
Hi there...
This past week has been lots of fun! I met with our friends over at Joovy and helped them launch their new Coo Bassinet. It's great cause not only is it a bassinet, but it converts into a play pen, and it's light weight so you can take it on on-the-go for trips too!
And in case you missed it, we did a live Q&A all about sleep on their social media feed that that you can still catch here.
If you have some questions of your own? Don't worry, I've got ya - go here to schedule a FREE 15-minute call with me and we can chat about it!
Or, as always, just reply to this email with any questions you have, and I'll be happy to answer.
So, in this week's newsletter I've got some tips for you on handling those terrible twos, some helpful pointers from Harvard on how to practice executive functioning skills with your little one, and a great article to help us parents take control of our parental burnout.
Let's do this!
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1. TERRIBLE TWOS, THREES & FOURS!?!
Whether your little one is two or four... the terrible twos can feel like they last for years on end. Our friends over at What's Up Moms have shared a great article on how you can handle some of these more challenging moments like a boss.
They talk about what you can do when your toddler goes off the rails... from modeling behavior, to not distracting, to fighting your instinct to solve, and many more great nuggets of info!
And remember, a tantrum is simply the way a toddler expresses the world is not going my way... it's their release. Not to say they're easy to get through because they can definitely be trying.
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2. EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING WHAT?
The Center on the Developing Child from Harvard has an amazing download for you on how to enhance and practice executive functioning skills (EF) with your littles from infancy to adolescence (yep, that early on!).
Not sure what EF skills are? Well, good thing I've assessed these different skills with little kids in a previous project back in the day. So, really EF is an umbrella term used to describe a set of cognitive skills that guide behavior in a goal directed manner.
I mean... who doesn't want their kids to do that!
But really, you're probably way ahead and doing many of these activities naturally. Check out Harvard's download and find out more fun activities to play with your little ones!
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3. LET'S START HELPING OURSELVES...
Guess what guys... there's something we can do to help reduce the feeling of parental burnout. I don't know about you, but sometimes (ok, a lot of times) I put more on my plate than I can handle. And of course, feel burnout!
Believe it or not, one answer to this common feeling may lie within US. Yes, we can try and take control (or let go) of the situation.
This great article from Medium talks about how figuring out what your personal last straw is (e.g., pretty much any activity that exceeds the effort of what you have to give), to setting limits and being consistent, to welcoming activities you choose to do, not things you were forced to do, plus more can help!
Definitely one of those easier said than done situations, but I've started putting limits on situations that don't serve the connection with my family, and it feels really good. What's it going to be for you to find a little more space in your day?
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4. MORE CHANCES FOR LIVE Q+A...
Also, coming up I have a couple sleep talks at Beverly Hills Pediatrics with Q+As. If you're local, I would love to see you there!
There's a newborn sleep class and a younger baby/toddler class available.
The next one is right around the corner on Friday, March 29. Spots are still available, so sign up now while you still can!
And please forward to any parents you know with a newborn or 5-24 month old!
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Well, that's it for this issue!
Hope you enjoyed it and I'd LOVE if you shared it with your friends on social media or spread the word on the local Mommy gossip circuit - thanks!
Susie
PS - You can send people here to subscribe to get the next Healthy Little Note!