The Honest Croissant

Had to travel a little ways to find some sand…but she made it!!! Soaking in the sun and the expected Florida showers. Restorative for the soul!

Since we had to hunt for snow this year…First time to for a quick ski getaway with this dude! Sunshine and Lake Louise were our two ski spots this trip. Beautiful drive from Banff Springs to Lake Louise. Just a few quick pics of the views:) you may want to swipe left. We had to get changed in the parking lot…

Free play:
No screens.
No instructions.
No direction.
Just buckets filled with tiny little treasures.
An old book shelf turned into a dollhouse.
Little mice and tiny bunnies to dress up.
And a mom to read a story book in the background when asked.
It’s stacking castles to see what happens and watching them tip over.
It’s restacking castles and balancing them differently this time.
It’s struggling to fit the tiny little outfit on the tiny little stuffed mouse but then feeling that sense of pride when you finally manage to sort of get it on almost right.
It’s putting the washing machine in the kitchen and the bathtub on the rooftop.

Play doesn’t just teach them…it adds joy.
But, yes it also teaches problem solving skills. It helps with frustration tolerance. It encourages them to draft stories and imagine new worlds and scenarios. It allows them to act out their own feelings through conflicts they create with stuffed animals and toys. Sometimes it gets messy. Sometimes it gets cluttered. Sometimes there are tears. And most of the time there are smiles and laughs.

It has been said that “play is the work of children.”
I would say that letting them play is the work of adults.

If Halloween overwhelms you the parent...check this out!

Why Halloween Feels So Overwhelming for Parents-& How to Stay Calm and Connected The emotional labor of Halloween is real. Learn how to regulate your nervous system, reduce stress, and reconnect with your kids-without losing yourself in the chaos.

Some parenting tips for Halloween!

When Halloween Fun Turns Into Overwhelm: Helping Kids Regulate Before, During, and After the Big Night I could feel it building before the first costume was even zipped. That electric mix of excitement and chaos — the rush to get out the door, the sugar-fueled laughter, the too-loud sounds and flashing lights.Every year, I’d find myself wondering how something so fun could leave everyone in tear...

One of our favorite spots as a family!! Glitter on French fries tends to have that magical effect!!!

Fun in the Florida sun. Forgot to post pics about this in the spring, but for my birthday my hubby and I flew down for the sunshine and to hear one of my favorite artists perform in a small venue!! It was amazing!!!

Take the moments to create true connection with your kiddos. Those moments are never wasted. They are the treasures your children will hold onto. They are the glimmers that bring intense joy even in the middle of a challenging day. Your children won’t remember if you had makeup on or your hair done. They will remember your warm touch and kind tone. They will cherish the silly games you played and the ridiculous fairytales you made up. They will recall when you told them it was okay to cry, get angry, or be sad. They will know what mattered and then…they will do what matters most for their own children. So set the phone down and be present. Nothing is more important than the little lives surrounding you.

If I pour into everyone and everything else…but not my own children…then what good have I actually done? These little ones have been entrusted to me. And, while I love helping and caring for other families, speaking truth, raising awareness, and educating by sharing my knowledge and training…my own family comes first. Not at the expense of others, and to be honest not at my expense either. My own children have taught me more than I ever could have or would have wanted to learn about parenting, neurodiversity, sensory sensitivities, love, forgiveness, healing and so much more. They have encouraged me to see the world through different lenses. They have shown me that there can be more than one right way to learn and grow and experience the world. They are my greatest teachers. They are my biggest advocates. They are spectacular each in their own way. Their love, enthusiasm, passion for justice and curiosity enrich my life daily. Motherhood definitely has its daily challenges, but it also has immeasurable blessings!!!