A Healthy Little Note: Issue #25
"Stop hitting your sister or your screen time will be taken away."
"If you sit quietly in church you'll get ice cream when it's over."
"If you don't share the toy with your brother I'll take it away so no one can play with it."
Sound familiar?
Of course it does.
We're all guilty of using threats, bribes, punishments and rewards to get our little ones to listen to us.
These tools are handy because they work...that is, until they don't.
In this week's newsletter I lay out some different strategies to help you avoid having to bribe or punish your kiddo, and ways to help you flip the script towards more positive thinking.
I've also got a helpful article about what frazzled moms REALLY need, a safety guide for car seats, an article about more constructive phrases to use than "be careful," and the 411 on the cutest little shop for baby gifts!
Let's do this!
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1. THREATS, BRIBES AND PUNISHMENTS
While that headline sounds a lot like a plot straight from Law & Order: SVU, it's really just a list of tactics we as parents sometimes use to get our littles to listen.
Trust me, I'm guilty too!
The problem with these tools is they end up leaving our kids fearful of punishment for their negative behavior or dependent on us to reward them for positive behavior.
But it doesn't have to be this way!
In this week's blog post I provide some tools you can use to help your little ones become their best selves while also providing boundaries.
Finding it hard to get your kids to listen without that extra ice cream cone? 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, just reply to this email with any questions you have, and I'll be happy to answer.
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2. WHAT NEW MOMS REALLY NEED
One of the reasons I created this newsletter was to help moms (especially new ones) realize they're not alone in this crazy game of parenthood.
Others have come before you and often have helpful advice on how to get through each day.
Doctors are often too quick to prescribe medication to help cure the new mommy blues (especially for "older mothers"), and Jacqueline Escolme points out in this great Medium piece that sometimes all new moms need is permission to lose control, be messy and be heard.
(This approach won't work for everyone. Sometimes medication is necessary and you should ALWAYS seek the help you need.)
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3. 10 CAR SEAT GUIDELINES EVERY PARENT NEEDS TO KNOW
The first or second thing on every expecting parent's mental to-do list is usually "buy a car seat."
But once you purchase this little life-saving device, do you know how to get the most out of it?
This nifty little car seat safety guide gives you everything you need to know before you buckle up.
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4. BE CAREFUL!
That line has been uttered by mothers and fathers since the dawn of time.
Bloody noses, broken bones and stitches are part of every kid's life, and author Brandon Weldy has a fantastic perspective on why "be careful" isn't his go-to phrase with his kiddos.
He wants them to grow. To be challenged. To push their limits.
So he's come up with more constructive commands that encourage them while still providing a necessary safety net.
Give it a try!
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5. LITTLE UNICORN
My regular readers know I can't say no to a super cute baby shop.
This week is no exception.
Check out Little Unicorn if you're looking for gifts like cute hooded bath towels, diaper bag packs, etc. This is definitely your place.
They've also got blankets, quilts and more. I mean, they REALLY have it all.
They're even at Target! So what are you waiting for?
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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!