Tips

Weekly Tip – The Power of Parenting Instincts

January 16, 2015
by Maria

Whenever you are feeling ambivalent about which way to go, ask yourself a question and see where you’re guided.

If the answer is not loud enough or clear enough, then simply think of one of the options, and see how you feel when you are considering it. Does it feel good? Does it make you anxious? Does it excite you?

Notice the response of your gutt and your chest. Is your breathing speeding up?

The key is to pay attention to the physical signs your body is giving you. If you’re feeling good, go for it. If you’re not agreeing with the feeling, that is a pretty clear sign to consider another option.

The more you train your intuitive muscles, the stronger they will grow, and the more you will begin to trust them!

Tips

New Year Weekly Tip

January 5, 2015
by Maria

Write Down All Your Possibilities for 2015 on a Journal or Even in Your Phone’s Notes. Pick a place that you can refer back to often, and is easily accessible.

Action Plan

Begin A Weekly Plan, and have one every week.

Write Down at least 2 actions for this week, that will support you in fulfilling a possibility for the new year.

Transfer these into your phone’s calendar and set an alarm for them.

When you are reminded to take the action, take a moment to fulfill on it. Have integrity about it.

If there is too much going on, then take action to move it to another time slot during the day, or for another day.

Stay in action! Them more actions you take, the closer you get to creating the 2015 you have been asking for!

Enjoy all that these actions bring into your life…

Tips

4 Steps to a Simple Holiday

December 9, 2014
by Maria

During the holiday rush it is important to bring in some balance.

1. Grounding

If you’re on a line, in traffic or any hectic moment, imagine a tree. A big redwood tree. Step inside of it. Stay there as long as you need to. (no need to close your eyes, deep breaths or anything else – unless you prefer to of course!)

2. Meditate

Find a moment in your day, when you can simply be still for even a few minutes. You will notice that if you can meditate more than once a week, your holiday will somehow seem longer, and longer. You will be putting the brakes on during the holiday rush.

3. Easy Christmas Lists

Make your list of people you will buy gifts for and save it on word. This way you have it handy every year. You can also include what you are buying for them, in case they really enjoyed it and you can purchase the same gift or a variation of it (like a spa gift certificate to their favorite spot).

4. Warm Family Time

Dedicate at least 15 minutes a day connecting with your family. Even through a phone call on your way home from the mall or work. Say a holiday story over the phone if you won’t make it home before bedtime. Anything works and goes a long way!

Tips

Freedom For Family Wellness Weekend Tips

November 17, 2014
by Maria

For this week, I will include links for various information that you may want to easily access about the weekend. Here they go!

www.familywellnessfirst.org

www.icpa4kids.com

www.nvic.org

www.autismmediachannel.com

www.brucelipton.com

www.greggbraden.com

www.drjoedispenza.com

www.inamaygasking.com

And of course, you can check out my book, which includes the messages from these visionaries – but more speficially when it comes to parenting…in a conversational tone from parent to parent, while at the same time, includes all the science to support the friendly conversation. And you can get it at http://bookstore.balboapress.com/AdvancedSearch/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=love+centered+parenting, or your online book retailer.

Enjoy!

Tips

Sex Matters – Weekly Tips

October 21, 2014
by Maria

5 Easy Ways to Create A Healthy Sex Life With Your Partner (even with children)

1 – Create The Time

We all fill up our calendars with “To Do’s” about work, playdates, school events, family events, seasonal events, and much, much more. When was the last time you added time alone with your partner? Perhaps a date, a walk, a talk, sex, or a meditation. At first my husband and I felt awkward about having to schedule us in, but honestly…it was the only action that worked. Otherwise, we would get caught up in the day and all that had to be done, and would be exhausted by the end of the night.

Even if it is 10 minutes of quality time – you can fit it in. It is most important.

2 – Make the Most of It

Your time together, whether out to dinner, being intimate or simply having a 10 minute conversation should be uninterrupted. Be present and listen to each other – savour the connection and time together. Turn off your phone if you have to. Forget all else, and be with each other

3 – Connect Throughout the Day

With modern technology, you have no excuses. You can always send a text, an email, call or leave a voicemail, and it can be a heart, a smiley face, or simply…”I love you.” My husband and I sometimes even send each other inpsirational quotes during the day, that mean so much at any given moment. Its a thought; a gesture; a connection and its being generous with your feelings and affection.

You can always leave a sticky note (it can be a “dirty note”) with lunch, send a pic, or just slap a butt on your way to the kitchen. I enjoy the random hugs my husband gives as I am racing by. It always grounds me and reconnects me to him. This makes connecting in bed so much easier for me.

4 – Invite Something New

Have fun with each other. Explore something new! Invite something new into your bedroom that you can both learn about and enjoy together. This includes finding new spots in the house (or anywhere else) to be intimate. The bedroom right next to your children’s room may not be so ideal anymore…

5 – Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

As you connect more and more with each other, remember to always express what is on your mind, what is holding you back, what comes up for you, and what you want. This is also the practice of vulnerability and trust which are very important ingredients in a healthy relationship. These are the keys to growth in a healthy marriage and ultimately family. Work on your holdups together, or with the support of anyone you’d like.

Enjoy

Just enjoy all that your connection brings to you and your children. This is what you signed up for when you were married.

Tips

Imperfectly Perfect – Tip

October 8, 2014
by Maria

What do you do when you Mess Up as a Parent?

Whenever I have acted out in a way that is not ideal as a mom, I take notice of my action without judging myself. I no longer stay up all night about it – engulfed in guilt.
I ask myself what exactly I did that I did not agree with;
Then, I notice how that affected me;
And finally, I ask myself what action I can take in the future so that I don’t repeat whatever it was that I did that made a mess of things. That being said, if I do repeat it, I will then go back and repeat 1-4 without judgment. Hey sometimes, we all need practice and training when taking on a new skill, right?
Finally, I go and explain this to my children. I go through 1-4. I share with them what I noticed about my actions towards them, how it affected me – sometimes they share how it affected them too, and then tell them what I will put in place about it.

Note: I have intentionally repeated this here so that it is easily accessible when you’d like ot refer to it.

Most importantly, don’t judge your actions, simply accept, restore and put something in place for the future. Give yourself your word that you will act out on what you have put in place.

Mistakes are meant to occur. It is the action you create and take after that counts!

Tips

Conscious Parenting vs. Subconscious Parenting – Tips

October 1, 2014
by Maria

Here are a few modalities and books you can begin reaching for and exploring so that you can open the door to your own personal work.

Reiki

Meditation

Visualizations

Running

Drawing

Journal Writing

Family Constellations

Landmark Education

Young Living Oil Therapy

Shamanic Osteopathy

Cranial Sacral Therapy

Wholistic Therapy

Healing through stroy telling (check out Nancy Mellon)

Sleep

Reading Books Like:

You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hays

Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawan

by Ram Dass

by Deepak Chopra

by Exhart Tolle

by Esther and Jerry Hicks

by Wayne Dyer

by Joseph Chilton Pearce

by Bruce Lipton

and whatever else you feel a pull towards…simply go for it

Tips

Intuition Tip

September 19, 2014
by Maria

“Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” Steve Jobs

Tips

Simple Back to School Tips

September 12, 2014
by Maria

How do I create a calm morning?

Prepare whatever you can from the night before. Clothes, lunches, even breakfast can be made in a slow cooker (like oatmeal). Or make simple, healthy, protein rich breakfasts (protein allows your child’s brain to function better, faster and retain information – it also allows helps your child follow instructions better);
Teach your child his morning routine from early on, so that eventually, once he wakes he is on autopilot;
The less chores for your child to do, the better. He can make his bed when he comes home if needed;
As they eat, bring their lunches and anything else for school by the front door. This way if you are running out, you don’t forget something and have to run back;
Put vitamins in a weekly pill case so that you have them all ready.

How do I create a calm evening?

Get comfortable with using a slow cooker. Doesn’t get easier than having a delicious home cooked meal when you get home. Or cook together!
Everyone sets the table and cleans up so that it goes faster. Also allows children to help and feel like they are part of unit, as well as offers a sense of responsibility;
Less is better. No need for evening games, puzzles, etc. You can enjoy time together during story time;
Bath time can be a nice bubble bath while you cook (just keep an ear out for them)
Pick shorter story books during the week.

How do I chauffer less?

Meet parents and begin taking turns car pooling
Have less activities

More than anything, remember to create time to connect during the week, so that everyone is nurtured and filled with what is important as all is taking place during a busy schedule.

Tips

Plans This Summer – Tips

August 18, 2014
by Maria

KID FRIENDLY HOTELS/INNS/BNB’S and LIST OF WHAT TO BRING

Here’s a list of great websites with information on kid friendly and family vacationing places for you to stay. They include many items that you would rather avoid dragging along with you on vacation such a playpens, travel cribs, toys, books, games, movies, pools, swings, etc. They are usually much more affordable and much larger than a hotel room. Below this, is a list of items to bring with you to make your child feel more comfortable if he’s on his first few vacations.

www.kidandcoe.com
www.cabbi.com
www.igokids.com
www.airbnb.com – Family Section
www.familyvacationcritic.com

ITEMS LIST
Baby Carrier
Umbrella Stroller (cost is $10-$15)
Car Seat if renting a car
Jacket or small blankie if traveling by airplane
Crayons and paper
1 Small Traveling game (like cards or chess)
A book for the airplane and to read before bed
Snacks for airplane and vacation, that you prefer to have
Sun Tent for baby (or you) to nap in while outdoors
Sunblock
Floaties
A snuggie or whatever your child prefers to sleep with
Your preferred shampoo for kids
bathtub stopper (most hotels have showers and many babies prefer a little bath – this helps fill the tub a bit) You can also make one by wrapping a rock or any item with a glad bag. It helps stop the water from going down. Try it at home first.
Lots of diapers (or a good amount of cloth diapers to last a day and a half)

If, where you are staying is not kid friendly and does not have a crib, playpen, etc, then call them ahead of time and ask if you can bring them. In that case you should also bring beach toys, and a few more small games to play with your children. You may also want to bring some blue painter’s tape to childproof a few outlets, corners, etc. Also ask if they have a fridge in your room so that you can store items like milk, and any other snacks that you will purchase for your children that need to stay cool.
If renting a car, bring your own car seat. There are way too many stories about horrible, dirty, broken car seats that are provided by the rental companies, and they charge up to $50/per day – not worth it.