A Healthy Little Note: Issue #19

As we say goodbye to summer and swing back into school days it's time to grab those books off the shelves and start studying. Today's subject? Sleep science! 

I absolutely love learning (no matter what age) and I'm a science nerd to the core. So, this week I'll do my best Bill Nye the Science Guy impression and break down the mysteries of melatonin - how we (and our kiddos) produce it, why it's important, and some tips on how to wield it in your favor.

Also on your class schedule this week are an important article on how to avoid using labels with your kids, a 9-step guide on how to encourage our littles to be their best selves, tips on setting up a quiet place in your home to stimulate study time, and finally, a link to one of my favorite online shops that's chock-full of delightfully designed home goods.    

Ready to go? Sharpen your pencils, the bell's about to ring! 
 

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1. EVERYTHING YOU DIDN'T REALIZE YOU NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT MELATONIN

I warned you. I love science. 

Lately I've been brushing up on sleep, and specifically, melatonin. In this week's blog post I break down the biology of melatonin and how it relates to your (and your little one's) sleep patterns.

I also cover how everything from food choices to screen time can affect your melatonin production and share tips to help you develop a daily routine that sets you up for a more restful night's sleep. 

Don't miss that chapter on tryptophan - there will be a quiz!

And if you can't quite conquer the scientific equation for your little one's sleep schedule, I've got ya - go here to schedule a FREE 15-minute call with me and we can chat about it!

Or, just reply to this email with any questions you have, and I'll be happy to answer.

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2. LOSE THE LABELS

Don't let labels define you or your little ones. I caught myself recently telling one of my dawdling kids he was too slow - see how fast a label can appear? 

Labels can stick with us for a lifetime - I'm sure you recall ways you were labeled as a kid and how hard it can be to shake that association.

In this fantastic article, parenting columnist K.J. Dell'Antonia explains, "When we lose the labels, we give our kids permission to change, and then change again, until they become whomever they are."

Trust me, you want to read this one. 
 

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3. THE MOST SUCCESSFUL KIDS HAVE PARENTS WHO DO THESE 9 THINGS

Every parent has that moment where we wish we had a manual to help our kids become the best they possibly can be.

Well, today you're in luck. This inspiring Medium article breaks down the nine things we can do as parents to help our kiddos achieve greatness. 

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4. A QUIET PLACE (NOT THE SCARY MOVIE KIND)

I can't emphasize enough how providing a quiet place for homework makes a huge difference when it comes to balancing school, homework and sleep.

Check out this helpful article from Sleep.org to find some do's and don'ts, and learn how to set your household up for homework success! 
 

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5. YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE

That song has a special place in my heart - I sang it all the time as a little girl and I've even caught my little one singing it too. 

My husband earned a gold star when he bought me the sweetest "You Are My Sunshine" wood sign when I was having our first baby. It came from one of my favorite online shops - Sugarboo + Co.

I encourage you to get lost on their site browsing through their dreamy home goods. I can't get enough!   

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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!