4 Tips For Surviving The School Term
Tips For Surviving The School Term Picture this…it’s the final week of term. Those familiar feels of ‘limping through’ to the holidays haven’t surfaced. You’re in control. Your kids are in good spirits. You have the energy to tackle the holiday’s head on and you’ve stopped joking about needing a holiday AFTER the holidays. Can you relate? If not, don’t worry – you’re not alone! To help get you through the school term without the burn out, I’ve put together my top survival tips. Create routine and stick to it As parents we know too well how important routines are. A new school term is a great time to sit down with your kids and create a chart of their morning and after school routines. Use pictures or written words to create a visual reminder and keep it in a central area of your home so it’s always top of mind. Also make a conscious decision to have your kids start their routines at the end of the next holidays to make the back to school transition that bit easier. Communication is key Managing people effectively, let alone little people, all boils down to communication. It’s so important to come together with your partner, sitters or caregivers to plan out who is responsible for what and when. It can be as simple as using a calendar invite on your phone to remind yourself about drop-offs, pick ups, sport days etc, giving you piece of mind. It also helps to look at the entire term holistically and give your employer the heads ups about when you might need to adjust your hours so you can plan around it together. Information sharing is another key component of communicating and planning with your kids. Set some time aside each day to specifically talk about the information you need from them. Ask them to give you their school notices each day after dinner (for example) so you can get on top of it and action anything there and then. Don’t wait until the end of the week, deal with it now so you’re not facing last minute requests or risking notices being lost! If you’re not opposed to tech, check out the Life Sorted app to help keep your family organised. The app provides a ‘go-to’ place for the whole family, helping reduce the brain clutter and overwhelm that comes with modern life. You can set reminders, to-dos, shopping lists, birthdays and more, it’s easy to use and you can try it for free. Most importantly, remember to spend time talking and listening to your kids specifically about how their day was. Supporting them and showing compassion towards any issues they may be experiencing while settling back into school will show you’ve got their backs and help boost their confidence. Avoid the temptation to over commit Dear working parents, please don’t let feelings of guilt bully you into taking on more than you can handle. You are enough! While the urge to sign up to committee’s, coaching, baking, fete duties is tempting, don’t be afraid to say ‘no’ if you just don’t have time. You’re not doing yourself or you kids any favours by spreading yourself thin and taking on extra commitments. If you really want to get involved, try to limit your responsibilities to once per year or consider an alternative like donating instead. Help is all around Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. It takes a lot more courage to ask for help rather than stewing in your current predicament. If you’re a working parent, think about who you can lean on to help juggle the school/work week load. Remember Coastal Babysitters have got your babysitting needs covered from Brisbane through to the Gold Coast and Byron Bay. Our online booking system is super simple for those busy times when you need someone to watch your kids, even if it’s just for a few hours. Last but not least don’t forget self-care! Because a household run by happy parents means happy kids (well, most of the time!). Make sure you set time aside for yourself at least once per month whether it be a spa or massage treatment, date night or a weekend away. Our experienced babysitters are available for overnight stays if you ever need time out to rest and reset, just give us a call or book online.
Guest Post: A Mothers Day Message ❤️
A Mother’s Day Message…. Recently, on the Gold Coast, I watched Lilo and Stitch with my son, we had seen it before but not for a year or so and he’s only 6.5 now, so I guess he’s grown up a fair bit since then. This was always one of my favourite movies, right from the day I saw it in the cinemas with my nephew when I was about 16. The message in the movie has never grown old for me, but to be honest, lately I have been starting to worry my son didn’t really have feelings like that, or feel emotion about things like I do. But realistically, I think I am a bit of a sook in movies. I have a wonderful partner, who is caring and supportive and kind. But he isn’t my son’s father, I am divorced. And even though I know we have a wonderful life, there are days where I don’t quite feel like we fit in. It has been difficult to explain to Lennox that he does have a dad, but that we just don’t see him and it makes for an often awkward conversation. Especially when he announces it to the father next to us in craft class one day “I have a dad, I used to see him, but I don’t anymore. He isn’t well. But he loves me…” talk about awkward – I couldn’t finish colouring my magnet in fast enough to escape back to our cabin. When I ran back crying to my partner, he simply rubbed my back and said – “I’m sure the father probably thought it was funny – don’t worry baby”. You may be wondering where I am going with this. Try and stay with me. So – this movie, just in case you haven’t seen it is about an alien, Stitch, built for destruction, who escapes to earth on a spaceship fleeing alien gaol. He winds up in a pound and gets adopted by Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl and her sister, Nani. Their family had died in an accident and now Nani was trying her best to raise a very boisterous young Lilo. Stitch, trying to escape capture, plays along acting like her new adopted dog. The relationship is a disaster, but Lilo persists with Stitch, trying everything to help assimilate him into her life with Nani. But he continues to only make their lives worse and the threat of child services taking away Lilo becomes more and more real. Stitch doesn’t like Lilo, but as he gets to know her and sees the beauty of her relationship with her sister Nani and hears the sad story of their past, he begins to feel a longing for a family of his own. He feels alone, as though he does not belong. For the most part stitch, the naughty, hot-headed gremlin, reminds me of my son. He is the most wonderful, beautiful, devilish child. And the way he feels lost reminds of the way my son looks, when Father’s Day swings around, or when he asks me if my partner and I can get married, so he can call him ‘Dad’. But as the movies progresses, Stitch starts to love Lilo and realises that he could maybe find a home with them, a place he never imagined he would want to stay. Just as he is about to be caught and he has left the lives of Lilo and Nani in tatters, he announces himself as the alien that he is and hands himself in. But before boarding the alien ship, captured, he stops to say goodbye to Lilo. And he says: “Ohana means family. Family means never getting left behind, or forgotten. This is my family. It is small and broken, but still good…” And just as I burst into uncontrollable tears, I look down at my Stitch like child, there he is sobbing uncontrollably right beside me. At first, I was relieved, but then I thought about it. I don’t need to feel like I don’t fit in, just because our family isn’t the same as everyone else. Our family might be broken, but it is still good. We have each other, and now we have my partner and we are perfect just the way we are. So, this Mothers Day, I am going to be thankful for the perfect family I have. Different? Yes. Crazy? Sometimes. But a family all the same. Maybe your family looks different to mine, maybe your family doesn’t have a mum, maybe it has two. Maybe it doesn’t have any parents at all, maybe just grandparents or step parents or maybe you live in a family with everyone, even aunties and uncle’s. But whatever size or shape your family is this Mother’s Day, be proud of it and be happy. Because it doesn’t matter what your family looks like, or if it’s a little bit broken, like mine, all that matters is that there is love. Happy Mothers Day! Thank you to the lovely Shannon for sharing her story with us and I know there are many families that are not the “traditional” family structure, but all the same, still a family and still perfect ❤️ ❤️❤️ We hope every single one of you mums out there have an amazing Mothers Day ❤️❤️
Importance of a Great Bedtime Routine
The Importance of a Great Bedtime Routine by Deb Hepplewhite, Infant and Child Sleep Consultant at Baby Slumberland My Name is Deb and I am a Certified Infant + Child Sleep Consultant and I am a Mum myself to two boys aged 3 and 4. I connected with Orly from Coastal Babysitters about writing a guest blog piece to provide some information to her followers on infant and child sleep. Now, the information that I could give you on this topic could keep you reading for some time, so I have chosen one of the most important elements to help with your child’s sleep, which is the importance of a great bedtime routine. I hope you enjoy reading the piece and that you are able to take this information and adapt it within your own household. Having a great consistent bedtime routine can help set the tone for great consolidated night-time sleep for your child. Each element within a bedtime routine will help relax your child for bed and gradually prepare them for sleep. In this post, I will go through each element of the bedtime routine, and why they are effective in each individual way. Timing is probably the most important part of a bedtime routine, the time in which your child goes to bed can make it so much easier for them to fall asleep or conversely if the timing isn’t quite right, it can make it quite difficult for them to settle. Naturally through our Circadian Rhythm babies and children have a melatonin rise which starts to happen at 6-7pm in the evening. Melatonin is the sleep hormone responsible for helping us get to sleep initially and then also get us into a restful and deep sleep. If we can aim to have our children in bed around 6-7pm you can catch this Melatonin ‘wave’ and it will make it so much easier for your babe to fall asleep. If we miss this melatonin wave and your child goes into the realm of overtiredness then several things happen that make it really difficult for them to fall asleep. Cortisol levels rise, their adrenals glads will be high functioning and their sensory system will be overloaded and they will seem very ‘hyper’. Once in this state, it makes it really difficult for them to switch off and get into a relaxed state for sleep to take over. There will be crying, they will seem unsettled, fidgety and they will often wake very upset between the hours of 6pm and 11pm. That is why timing is so important and if you can pop your child to bed before they have reached this overtired state, it will be much easier for them to settle initially and also get into a deep sleep. What time your child has dinner can help your timing or it can also make things a little harder. Making sure you give your child dinner at an appropriate time that also gives you plenty of space to have a nice relaxing bath is essential, ideally you don’t want that time to be rushed or hectic. The reason why we give a bath is to simulate the natural core body temperature drop that happens right before you go to sleep. This happens naturally within your body at the onset of sleep, so by giving a bath just before bedtime, this will help encourage this and simulate the effect it has at the onset of sleep. Once your child has had a lovely relaxing bath, taking them into their bedroom for the next part of the routine is really important. Keeping things calm and relaxed will help them wind down for sleep, so that means no tickle sessions Dad! I say Dad’s because they are usually the ones who decide to have a full on tickle fight and hype the kids up right before sleep. Or the well-meaning Grandparent, who at a family gathering decides to hype the kids up, right as they are saying goodnight. I love these interactions it really is so sweet, as long as it isn’t happening every night right before they go to sleep, keeping things calm and relaxed is key. Once you have changed your bub into some nice comfy Pyjamas, keep the lights dimmed and offer a feed (if this is age appropriate). Keeping this feed slightly separated from actually going to sleep will help babies understand that feeding isn’t directly related to the actual sleep onset, which will in turn help with any overnight re-settles. The next step can change to suit your child’s temperament and their age, if under 6 months some calming soft nursery rhymes can be great, or reading a story to older children. Reading is fantastic for a child’s development and is a great addition to your bedtime routine. I love listening to hubby read my boys a story before bed, Dr Suess is a favourite in our household and listening to my hubby get the tongue twisting Dr Suess tales out gives me a bit of a giggle. Also remembering to brush your child’s teeth around this time is quite crucial, whether that be whilst you read a story or in between books. Having milk sitting on a child’s teeth can be damaging to their developing mouth so brushing is always a must. For very small babies who don’t have teeth and aren’t brushing yet, you would obviously skip this step. For babies 6 months and up just letting them have a toothbrush to chew on while you read a story to instil that tooth brushing element (without toothpaste of course) is great too. Once the story is read and teeth are brushed, its time to sing a quiet song or say your sleepy phrase. Keeping this consistent is a great idea so that your child knows what is to come next. A simple “ok Harry it’s time for bed now” or Incy wincy spider is always a favourite. I’m
Guest Blog: Why Do Children Need to Exercise?
Why Do Children Need to Exercise? We are often told that kids need to spend less time on their computers/screens and get outside and exercise more. The Australian Government recommend that children aged between 5-12 years should perform at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day, and participate in resistance training at least three times a week. But do children really need to exercise? They may walk to school, play with their friends at break times, and have a particular sport they participate in on the week end … you may be thinking isn’t this enough? While this is a great starting point, there are several reasons why it is important for kids to engage in more structured moderate to vigorous exercise during childhood: 1- Decrease the risk of obesity and chronic health conditions. Promoting exercise in childhood lowers a child’s risk of developing chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease later in life, as well as helping to develop healthy life long habits from a young age. 2- Develop strong bones and muscles. Resistance or strength training commenced early in life promotes improved bone density and lowers the risk of conditions, such as osteoporosis as children age. Importantly, strength training does not mean lifting heavy weights in a gym setting. Instead, children should be encouraged to participate in activities such as running, jumping and skipping which place increased pressure on the bones and muscles. 3- Reduce the chance of injury. Regular movement and activity decreases the chance of injuries related to sedentary and sustained postures (e.g. from sitting at a computer), as well as improving muscle strength to protect joints and ligaments. 4- Improved self-esteem and body image. Regular exercise and participation in team sports has been shown to result in an increased sense of self-esteem, body image and the development of long lasting friendships. How do I Encourage my Child to be Active? Place an emphasis on fun, and find an activity that your child enjoys. Some sports / activities that you may not have thought of include taekwondo, gymnastics, surf life saving / nippers, and indoor rock climbing and trampolining. Get creative and become active with your child, whether it is playing in the park, taking them to the pool or dancing to music. Find ways to include incidental exercise in to your everyday life. For example, leave the car at home and walk to school with your child, or ride your bike to the park. When the time is right consider introducing your child to a sport or structured activity to build friendships and teamwork skills. If you have any questions on ways to get your child active, or on how much / what type of exercise they should be performing please email [email protected]. Jay is a Physiotherapist and the Co-Owner and Director at Gecko Sports Gold Coast Central. Find more information about Gecko Sports at www.geckosports.com.au You can reach out to Jay by email at [email protected]
Christmas Toy Drive
Christmas Toy Drive for Radio Lollipop and ACT for Kids Christmas for me is my favourite time of the year. Bright lights, Christmas trees up, Santa everywhere, it brings with it, a happy feel. But… Christmas isn’t happy for everyone, there are children out there that are sick, from struggling families, children without parents and for many other reasons will go without happiness this Christmas. Christmas is a time for giving. There is nothing better than seeing a child smiling and that is why Coastal Babysitters is doing a Christmas Toy Drive where we will be collecting donations of Brand New Toys and toys in excellent condition to donate to children in need. We have 2 drop off points on the Gold Coast which are: Beach Food Cafe in Burleigh Heads. Fuji International Kindergarten in Robina. All our Brand New Toys will be donated to the following charities: Radio Lollipop – A children’s charity providing care, comfort, play and entertainment to children in hospital. ACT for kids – Provide free therapeutic support for thousands of kids and families that have been abused or neglected. Coastal Babysitters would like to donate our used toys that are in excellent condition to local members of the Gold Coast community that are in need. It can be for various reasons, but if you know a family that is in need or you are a family yourself that is in need, please reach out to us as we would love to help you.. Please phone myself, Orly on 0479 087 595 I look forward to hearing from you all and I hope we can make a different to many, many children this Christmas. Orly xx
Gold Coast Vacation Care
Gold Coast Vacation Care In Your Own House ‘Mum, I don’t want to go to Gold Coast Vacation Care today!’ Sound familiar?? Its 7am on the sunny Gold Coast, your kids are still in bed and you need to be at work in less than 2 hours! Gold Coast school holidays have started, your children just want to sleep in, laze around the house, not have to be anywhere but you need to be at work by 9! Not only do you need to be at work at 9, you need to make sure your little darlings are up early, had breakfast, dressed, lunches packed and ready for the day before you drop them off at a friend’s house or to Vacation Care. By the time you get the kids to where they need to be and get yourself to work, you’re exhausted! Coastal Babysitters can provide a solution…. Gold Coast Vacation Care to your doorstep… Did you know that our babysitters only charge $25/hr for up to 2 children and $30/hr for up to 5 children. ($28.60 booking fee also applies) Why not combine families that both parents need to work? This Gold Coast vacation care option can work out cheaper than any other Gold Coast childcare option and you don’t have to drop of pick up your children from anywhere! Imagine only having to get yourself ready and walk out the door! We come to your home! The kids are still sleeping…. let them, we can get them ready once they wake up. If the children want to go to the beach, we can take them. The children want to stay home and play, let us take care of them without you having to worry. We can take them on an excursion, anywhere on the Gold Coast. All our Gold Coast babysitters have their Blue Card, First Aid and CPR Certificate and are either mums themselves or have at least 3years experience in childcare. For more information or to book, phone us on 1300 229 877 or visit our website
Gold Coast Babysitters
Gold Coast Babysitters Our Gold Coast Babysitters and Byron Bay Babysitters are MUMS themselves or have worked in the Childcare industry for at least 3 years. All Gold Coast and Byron Bay Babysitters have their Blue Card/Working With Children Check and their Senior First Aid Certificate with CPR. All our Gold Coast Babysitters and Byron Bay Babysitters have been reference checked and have engaged in a face to face interview. They must have a fun-loving, nurturing personality and be professional and reliable. When using Coastal Babysitters, our Gold Coast Babysitters and Byron Bay Babysitters will phone you within 24hrs of your booking to say hello and introduce themselves to you. Our Gold Coast Babysitters will also send you text messages throughout the night to keep you updated, so you can relax and enjoy yourselves knowing the children are in great company and having a blast! Nervous about Leaving your Children? Being a mum of 2 young children myself, I can relate when I hear this common phrase: “I’ve never left my children with a ‘stranger’ before and I’m very nervous about it”. Its a very daunting situation. Your kids, your pride and joy, and the little bundles of cuteness that you love so dearly. You want to keep safe and protect them from any harm and you’re just going to leave them with a total stranger? All these thoughts that go through your head. It only shows how much you love and care for them. An extensive screening process is used when recruiting our Gold Coast Babysitters. All Gold Coast Babysitters are reference checked, attend a face to face interview and hold a current Blue Card, CPR and First Aid Certificate so you can feel comfortable and can relax when using our service Babysitter Gold Coast Our Gold Coast Babysitters also specialize in Weddings, Events , Birthday Parties and Overnight Stays. Please feel free to phone or email me anytime with any questions at all! Orly – 0479 087 595 or [email protected] Make a Booking Contact Us http://www.facebook.com/coastalbabsittershttp://www.instagram.com/coastal_babysitters
