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Homeschooling – no more fights… please

Have you been running thin of patience? Just wanting to see the end. If you’ve been rocking this and relishing in all the together time I hear you, but it hasn’t all been rainbows and lollipops. Just a day when it all runs smoothly and there’s no fights and arguing. Wouldn’t that be a dream!

Chalk drawing and Hopscotch!
Writing site words on footpath is another great fun learning activity.

People thrive on community and connection and no more than our children who are used to being in a classroom filled with 24+ other bodies every day. Their energy bouncing around the room. Their playgrounds are closed,

Playgrounds closed.  Swings tied up and forts locked off like a crime scene.
Playgrounds closed. Swings tied up and forts locked off like a crime scene.

and sports canceled. The joy in sharing jokes and running around with friends snatched away from them two months ago. They are over their siblings, parent-teachers who are so bossy and at their last tether.

Homeschooling - work he's most proud of: drone and fox drawing!
Homeschooling proud of his work! Fox and Drone drawing all by himself.

Deep appreciation and gratitude to teachers even more so now. I have been thinking for the few years, what a task they have with all those students, marking, grading, setting homeworking, planning, and programming to a rigorous set of requirements.

This gig can be hard, and yes we can look on the bright side, we are fortunate we’re not sick, we have all of our essentials covered. However, there are only so many daily psychological stresses you can bear and your children can bear before it all becomes too much. You may know my expertise is in fitness so you’d think I’d be all over the PE requirements of homeschooling, well no… when I looked we were supposed to do 3 physical fitness tests each session about 40-50 minutes to complete from setting up. On Friday to break away from an argument with one child over English or Geography we got into the backyard to start with the PE. On top of the 3 fitness tests, there were also basketball drills and other activities. Plus a timetable to complete their daily schedule. Given that the kids only have one 30min session usually each week, my child was surprised at the amount of PE. So yep I felt like a failure, we could have done this. But you know what I am not going to beat myself up about it because fresh air and scooter rides down the road are even more important than ticking of worksheets.

I read today an article “How to stop Kids fighting” and it left me feeling really like I had no more answers, and this stuff is too fluffy to work in my house. Here’s the truth, each squabble or fight is going to be different and you need many many tools in your toolkit to work through them. I am going to share here some practical things I have done or turned to of late, in the hope they may help someone else.

Tool Kit Ideas for Flipping Mindsets:

  1. Let them sort it out themselves. Invaluable negotiation skills, and building emotional intelligence.
  2. Break it up and separate them. Physically I am not always able to do this, especially when a child is not agreeable to it, but when I can get them in separate spaces and let everyone breathe in their own space.
  3. Change of scenery – take them for a drive, take them outside to kick the ball.
  4. Hold them – just hold them in a loving way until their emotions can settle. Let them know you understand they are frustrated and talk through the scenario.
  5. Put Music on and start singing and dancing. Usually, I put on Spotify and make up a tune, or pick up the guitar (I can’t play) and just strum…. “Let it be” or something else pertaining to the situation.
    This will put them in shock.
  6. Add water: Offer a drink, a bath or a swim (if the weather is right). Water play is always relaxing. If it’s a bath definitely add some essential oils to calm and relax, my favourite at the moment is Adaptiv, closely followed by Lavender Peace and Balance. Bath can be anytime of the day.
  7. Dab an essential oil onto necks and base of skull while midst meltdowns, or at onset. In the peak I go for Adaptiv, Vetiver or Balance. To start the school day – I love the children’s touch rollers, Thinker behind the years, Brave on the heart and wrists. Watching them breathe it in is just adorable everytime, as I can see them feeling the oily goodness coming into their bodies.
  8. At night time we have been popping on some peaceful meditation youtubes. Here’s one they enjoyed listening to: https://youtu.be/hxFDliXvm0s
  9. Pop on a relaxation yoga for kids. https://youtu.be/4ZpkRAcgws4
  10. Acts of Kindness ~ Who can I help today? Thinking of others, making a card or writing a letter. Be it to friends, grandparents or nearby age care home it will be greatly appreciated and provide a sense of a greater picture of the joy in helping others.

It’s also really important to ask yourself these questions when dealing with fights?

“What is triggering them? – Are they hungry, tired? Is there something going on emotionally – friendship struggles? Feelings of inadequacy? When did you last have one on one time with each of your children – doing something they enjoy?”

We can spend all day correcting, but how often are we giving praise and building them up? This is a big one for me. Each day I want my children to know they are loved, and how proud we are of them. And where possible give really specific examples of their value.

At the end of the day if their interest lays in how to build a beehive, just go with it. There are all types of learning. And if their engaged and keen well that’s a win. You know an added bonus my kids are loving their piano lessons even more than usual, the youngest has even requested 3 lessons per week…. unheard of.

Beehive research and drawing of Mummy. Just so we’re clear the symbol on my front is a thumbs up! I got it straight from the artist mouth.

Good luck, parenting is hard, there is no one rule fits all. Fortunately, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. After starting homeschooling on March 26, it is a blessing to see for the children their school routines will resume back sometime this May.

For your own sanity and to have a laugh at all things parenting – check out Netflex “Working Mums”. Get your own serenity diffusing with Balance and Citrus Bliss or Adaptiv and Spearmint perfect for a gorgeous day. And have a Patience roller on hand! Rembember Serenity = Lavender Peace.

Like to get your essential oil journey started or need a hand with what you’ve got? Reach out happy to help you! And if you have any suggestions on keeping your homelife calm please share, love hearing other’s ideas.

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Taking Essential Oils Eternally To Eat or Not to Eat?  That is the question……

 

One of the first things that really intrigued me was taking Essential Oils internally the idea that I could put a couple of drops of lemon into my morning water was very appealing in a convenience sense.  However, I questioned how it would affect my body.  I researched and consulted others with a scientific background and interest in the health industry.

 

It simply came down to this, I knew in every day foods that I consumed there were food colourings and additives.  So why wouldn’t I try an essential oil derived directly from the plant, distilled and ensuring there are no synthetics added.  It was a no brainer.   My morning ritual for over a decade, relied on lemons and not only were they expensive, also a stressor if I was going away as I would need to have lemons first thing in the morning.  It is so ingrained into my daily habitats. This helps rehydrate, cleanse and get the metabolism going for the day.  I had been using real lemons but at times they were inaccessible – too expensive, unavailable or I forgot to buy them.  So I had Lemon Squeeze as a backup.  However that itself is full of preservatives and additives.  To get something from the real thing in the most potent, pure form was amazing.

 

Over a year of using the lemon essential oil I noticed my teeth sensitivity had diminished, to the point of almost being non-existent, I didn’t need sensitive tooth paste anymore.  I am certain it has to do with not having that acidity from the lemon essential oil a huge bonus for me.

 

Cooking with Essential Oils has definitely enhanced my culinary expertise.  It is fun to experiment and add extra flavour enhancers knowing its not adding calories.  Some of my favourites are Peppermint Brownies, Jaffa Slice, Bliss Balls Apricot and Ginger, Apple Pie Slice with Cinnamon and Cardamon, Chai Latte.  Then to whip something up for dinner and have a little Lemongrass and Ginger add into spice up the Stirfry or Oregano and Basil for Italian.  Salad Dressings with Lime, Lemon and Spearmint so refreshing.  Completely non-exhaustive list.

 

 

When you think about Essential Oils they have been around since the beginning of time, and are found in the pharmaceutical industry, make up, perfume, cleaning, and food industry.  It certainly came as a surprise they are most commonly found in the food industry, think about multinational giant Coke a Cola they use essential oils as part of their flavouring.  If we be honest with ourselves can you fully interpret the ingredients on packages?

 

As a devoted health professional, wholefoods are key for me and knowing that the essential oils come directly from the plant product itself without any additives reassures my questioning side.  When selecting goods off a shelf I am looking for wholefoods listed on the ingredients and not numbers or names I can’t pronounce.

 

This is where you can see not all oils are created equal you can purchase oils from the supermarket or over the counter.  I have done exactly that, however they don’t work as well and aren’t in the purest form.  The support and community from Doterra has really changed my life in the most beautiful way.  At my fingertips I have access to members support groups that will respond to my queries in minutes for all array of things from basic first aid, beauty tips and emotional support.  Knowing someone else has gone through this before.  I put my faith and backing in Doterra Essential Oils knowing they are Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade CPTG, that they wouldn’t allow any contamination of an oil.  That the oils are produced and harvested from plants in their indigenous habitat and as a result helping small communities often very remote with education and water available on tap.  This is Doterras strong social and community ethical work that makes me proud to be associated with them.

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Kids eating salad & vegetables

dips and vegiesDo you struggle to have your kids eat salad or vegetables?  Sure there are ways that you can trick them into eating it or bribe them, wouldn’t it just be nice if that enjoyed eating them?

Here’s some tips on things you can try to encourage healthy vegetable eaters in your home:

  1. Role model, Role model, Role model that’s you Mum & Dad.  They look up to you and need to see you enjoying salad & vegetables first.
  2. Serve up a small plate of salad before putting anything else on the plate such as chicken or pasta.  Once the salad is all eaten you can move onto the next part of the meal.
  3. Try lots of different salads and vegetables, they may not like tomatoes, that’s ok, there are plenty of other vegetables carrots, cucumber, corn, asparagus, spinach leaves, snowpeas. Try steaming, roasting, boiling, fresh cut.
  4. Be consistent, you may have very little eaten at first, just keep putting it out there – ask them to just eat 2 or 3 pieces.  Over time the plate will go by itself.
  5. Vegetable patch, grow your own vegies or visit a friends vegie patch, if they can see and be involved in the growing process they will certainly be eager to eat the fruits of their labour.

If all else fails:

  • Make funny faces using salad  or vegetables
  • Skewer the vegetables for kebab vegies.
  • Grate the veges and hide it in your risottos or pastas.  Over time make the pieces of vegetables larger till they become accustom to eating it in larger whole like pieces.
  • Super powers, yes tell them it will give them the super power and muscles they are looking for like Dora or Spiderman to grow big and strong 😉

With my 4 year old, 3 year old & baby it hasn’t always been a perfect salad eating home, now we have plain salad regularly and it is all eaten except for a little tomato.   You will get there and it is rewarding to know they are eating as healthy as possible.  It’s also great when you can make up a wrap with lettuce leaves, cucumber and sliced meat that it is all devoured rather than dissected and only the cheese consumed.

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Bubby Pilates & 2+yr Dance/Gymnastics

 

Bubby Pilates & 2+yr Dance/Gymnastics
Enjoy a workout with your bubby focusing on toning, gentle strengthening, improving mobility and increasing flexibility. A wonderful bonding experience that encourages brain development and you’ll be able to continue with it at home. The class has a dedicated section for bubby including movements to rhymes, baby sign, baby massage and some parachute play!

When: Thursday 9:30am – 10: 15am

Details: Great for Mum & Baby to enjoy a workout with the opportunity for 2/3 year old to join in at the end of class with 15 minutes for all family fun.

Minis Dance / Gymnastics Class
Industrie 1 has a special minis dance class running simultaneously, 9:30am – 10am. This class is for 2/3 year olds. It is the beginning step into the dance world! This class covers rhythm, coordination, enjoyment of dance and movement, special awareness, confidence and social interaction.

We like to ensure you & your little ones well being, and makeup classes are available in each block, so a 10 class pass is valid for 3 months.

Book early to secure a place

Book in today:

Ph: 0400 228 762
E: info@blisspilates.com