Bedtime Woes!

Getting a child to go to bed is a common problem that many parents experience. This time of day can be frustrating after a long day of work when we ourselves are exhausted. On a positive note, we must give our children credit for how creative they become with their excuses and stalling techniques! Ha! They are brilliant!

One of the things to remember is that we can’t make a child go to sleep. We can, however, work to improve bedtime behaviour which will help them fall asleep more quickly and easily. Be prepared for hard work. Changing behaviours is difficult, but with consistency and persistence, it can be done. The important thing is to stick to your new rules and schedules, no bending!

First, we can explain the new rules to your child. Make it short and sweet - no need to over-explain. Try not to argue about the new rules and ignore any negative comments. This is best done during the day and not right before bedtime.

Next, be mindful of your child’s regular bedtime. It may be too early for them but convenient for you. Every child is different, and a bedtime for one 9-year-old may not be the same as another. Look at what time your child usually falls asleep once they’re in bed. You may need to adjust the bedtime according to this. If we start here gradually, we can move it earlier every few days by 15 minutes.

Establish a consistent bedtime routine. This could include stories, snuggles, hugs, meditation, gratitude, journalling, or bathing - whatever feels right for you and your child. Just make sure that the activities are calming and enjoyable. Once the routine is done, leave the room.

It might also be fun to make a chart with your child of their bedtime routine. Let them decorate it however they want! You could also buy stickers that they can use as a checkmark once they have completed each task. Make bedtime enjoyable!

Once you leave the room if your child cries or yells but remains in bed, remind them one time that it’s bedtime. If they continue, then check on them periodically. The frequency depends on each specific child. Stay for approx. 1 minute and keep the visit boring. Don’t get into a discussion or soothe your child. Remind them calmly that it’s time to go to sleep. 

If your child gets out of bed, calmly and firmly return them to bed. This may only take a few times to be effective with some children. For others, you may have to warn them you’ll close the door if they get up again. You can close it for a brief minute and then open it again. If your child is in bed, praise them, leave the door open, and walk away.

When your child wakes in the morning, be sure to offer lots of praise for what they did well the night before. Stickers, praise, or little treats are great motivators. Make sure you focus on the successes and not on the misbehaviour.

It will be challenging in the beginning, but if you stick with it the benefits will be worth it! It may only take a few weeks before you start noticing major improvements. 

Remembering that we are the adults and the ones that are supposed to remain calm and in control will serve you well. Don’t engage in arguments or negative behaviours, just ignore the negative behaviour, and praise the little improvements. Our little ones feed off our energy so if we are frustrated, yelling, or getting angry, the child will immolate that behaviour!

Until next time…

Meditation 101 - For Beginners

April is National Stress Awareness Month and it’s the perfect time to get started with regular meditation practice.

For me personally, meditation changed my life. I was a constant worrier with a Type-A personality, and was suffering with various different health issues. Meditation not only helped me reduce stress, cultivate inner peace, and restore a sense of calm, but it also healed me physically. After I started meditating, I soon realized that most of my health issues were related to stress and anxiety.

It doesn’t matter what your religious or spiritual beliefs are, meditation can be practiced by anyone. It’s simply a way to focus our attention and awareness inwards. By doing this, we alleviate stress, and acquire more peace and balance in our lives. The best part of all is you only have to spend a few minutes a day to begin. So, let’s get started!

 One of the most common issues people face is that they can’t slow down their minds or quiet their thoughts. I commonly hear, “the mind chatter doesn’t stop.” When you meditate, you should never be concerned with clearing your mind. The thoughts will come and go; this is perfectly normal. You just want to avoid becoming attached to those thoughts. When your mind drifts to thoughts, emotions, or noises in the environment, gently bring it back to your breath or mantra. Meditation is not about forcing your mind to be quiet; instead, it’s a process to rediscover the quietness that already exists.

When beginning, start small. During week 1, set a timer for 3 minutes and practice every day - if possible, at the same time every day. This is how we form habits. When this becomes too easy, increase the time by 3 minutes.

Begin by following your breath. Focus on the sensation of your breath, breathing in and out. When your mind begins to wander just bring your attention back to your breath. It really is that simple!

Another tip for when you first begin to meditate is to let go of expectation! Every meditation experience will be different. There is no such thing as a bad meditation. Even if your meditation is filled with mind chatter, you’ll still benefit from it. 

Meditation requires discipline, but it will produce immense benefits in your daily life as you incorporate it. Continue to make it a part of your daily routine, and you will notice the benefits. These include improved health and decreased stress levels; you’ll become more relaxed, perceptive, and creative.

If you’re interested in group meditation classes, would like to do a session for your employees, or have me come out a speak at one of your functions, please feel free to email at wendy@wendydemer.com

Until next time…

Spring is in the Air!

As I write this, I’ve just returned from my morning walk. It also just so happens to be the first day of spring! To say spring is in the air is putting it mildly - at least where I live.

I’m so fortunate to live where I do. I’m a nature fairy, so living with mountain views, rivers, streams, and all the various types of trees sets my soul on fire! I hope all of you have something in your life that makes you come alive.

As a Canadian, the thought of spring makes many of us come alive! Even though we all know it’s likely we’ll get a couple more snowfalls. But alas, we’ve survived another Canadian winter! 

I think nothing brings us more joy than when we can switch to ankle boots, shed a couple of layers, and be swallowed up by potholes! Ha! The temperatures without a minus sign in front is one of the greatest sights to see in the morning!

The first sign of spring I saw this weekend was the geese - yes, they’re returning! The comforting honk of these fine feathered friends making their way back to our lakes and ponds is a welcomed sound.

On our walk last weekend, we checked out Big Hill Springs Provincial Park! The sun was radiant, the water was running (truly a meditative sound), the birds were all in harmony, and there were tons of people out and about! I’d even say that everyone was a little friendlier and their energy was vibrating at a higher frequency! The sound of running water, kids laughing, and birds harmonizing represents the sound of love!

Although I have yet to see a robin or a crocus, I know they are on their way. This alone brings me something to look forward to! There is a light at the end of the tunnel, my Canadian friends.

As the earth begins to become alive again, so can we! Let’s embrace the spring energy and use it as a time to come up with new ideas. Generally, this time of year leaves us feeling inspired and excited to try new things. 

We can implement change in our lives that will enable us to grow and flourish. What ideas are calling you? I think spring is about trying new things. Ask yourself, what excites you right now? What are you drawn to? What are you interested in? 

Spring really does bring clarity. It’s a great time to become clear on what we want to see grow in our life. Sometimes to gain this clarity, we must try new things that are calling to us.

Let’s all connect with early spring’s playful curiosity and explore different parts of us that want to come alive. What part of your winter daydreams do you want to manifest? Spring is all about rebirth and renewal. 

The time for self-reflection is over. It is now time to take action. Plant the seeds, do the work,  and watch them grow!

Until next time…

Embrace, Empower, Emerge Summit

Why do I keep attracting the wrong person?

You will receive clear and concise answers to these important questions and MANY more questions regarding your relationship issues. I am thrilled to be participating in the Embrace, Empower, Emerge Summit this March. This summit includes various experts who have lived their journey, as they share their message on the importance of healing ourselves and moving forward in our life. They will be sharing tips, tools, and strategies with you and discussing how they made the biggest decisions in their lives: to heal or continue their cycle of misery.  

They will all be sharing their journey and giving you direct advice on how to take your next step to freedom and leave behind the pain you have been dealing with or stuffing away.

My friend Tami has put together this amazing 21-Day experience, to help you find the answers you have been looking for. You’ll learn how to deal with the pain you are feeling or not feeling, and begin your path to self-healing. Over the 21 days, there will be 21 speakers sharing their expertise in regaining your self-love, confidence, and self-esteem, finding your voice, being heard, and valued. 

A few of the things you will learn from this Summit include:

A clear understanding why it is so easy to attract the wrong person

• How to identify someone that you should NOT develop a relationship with

• What to do if you believe you are in a toxic relationship 

• Is my partner a Narcissist or just a Jerk?

• If they are a Narcissist what can I do?

If you are numb from the pain or wondering how/why then this is the Summit for you.

Everything you need to truly begin healing your heart, your body, and your mindset will be addressed in her Embrace, Empower, and Emerge Summit and you will have access to this free event. All you have to do is register and you’ll have access to 21 different videos featuring each speaker as they share with you the paths they have taken.

This event begins March 6, 2023, and will continue daily through March 26th with 21 of the World's Leading Experts.

People would pay these experts THOUSANDS of dollars to gain their insights, and I am happy to say that you have a FREE kickstart to your healing journey. I am giving you a complimentary ticket to attend. You can register using this link:

http://bit.ly/3IZgOUu

Move that Booty!

Anyone who reads my blogs knows that mental and emotional well-being is my passion, especially for kids! My mission in life is to help anyone and everyone with this much-needed area however I can. One topic that I haven’t touched on much, is how movement and physical activity can benefit our mental health.

Exercise has been a constant in my life forever! As someone who has suffered from stress, anxiety, and life-threatening illnesses, I know first-hand how physical activity has impacted my mental, physical, and emotional state.

Being physically active is one of the most important things we can do for our overall health. There are thousands of studies out there that scientifically prove that exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative moods while improving self-esteem and cognitive function. When we exercise, we experience less tension and mental fatigue. We also experience a sense of achievement and have more focus and motivation. Research also shows that exercise can improve the quality and length of sleep. This is a common problem for many of us in this messy world!

The problem, according to the masses, is time. I totally understand! Life is busy and full of responsibilities, commitments, financial restraints, and so on. But, if we look after our mental and physical health first, then we will be stronger and better prepared to face the challenges of life!

There are many ways we can introduce physical activity into our lives. Start slow - 15 minutes per day, and build up gradually. We can begin with walking, swimming, or yoga. Or, even exercises such as arm circles, squats, and lunges. Maybe cycling, gardening, or dancing is your cup of tea. If we engage in exercises that we enjoy, then we have a better chance at sustaining it long term.

For all of you that live in the Cochrane area - I highly recommend Robyn from Cochrane Women’s Fitness. I started taking classes with her last October, and it has been fabulous for my mental and physical health! Robyn is amazing - she genuinely cares for everyone. She trains and respects wherever you are currently with no judgement! If you are nursing a shoulder, knee, foot, or any part of your body, she modifies each movement. I feel like I have a personal trainer! She is also very knowledgeable about nutrition and shares this with all of us for free. Not to mention the emails she sends out with smoothie ideas and other nutritional tips! 

And, the women who attend these classes are equally as special! They inspire you, encourage you, and have become my friends! I can honestly say the 45 minutes goes by so quickly because we are chatting, visiting, and having lots of laughs!

If you are looking to start a fitness program, I highly recommend Robyn for all your physical needs! She will kick your butt and whip you into shape in no time at all. Her energy is contagious, as is her warm and caring personality!

Until next time…move that butt!

Ways to Connect with Kids

It can be difficult figuring out how to connect with our kids or the ones we work with. When kids are securely connected with us, they feel valued, develop higher self-esteem, behave better, are more cooperative, and are happier.

I’ve worked with kids for over 20 years and my superpower has always been the connection. I think the number 1 reason for this is because I genuinely love them and they feel this. But there’s more to it. Of course, saying “I love you”, hugging them, and spending quality time are extremely important, but we can say “I love you” in many different ways that will strengthen the bonds we have with them.

One of the most important things we can do is practice conscious listening. Put away all electronic devices and be present with your child. The best way to connect is by being present. Many times, our children feel like they are competing with our phones, and this leaves them feeling not worthy. This can then lead to low self-esteem. When you are spending time with a child, look at them, listen intently, and let them know you believe in them. When we do this, they feel unique, and this creates self-love!

Another way to say I love you (which leads to connection) is by letting them know how lucky you are to be their parent. I always used to tell my kids that if I could have chosen any kid in the world, I would have chosen them! This lets them know that they are enough exactly how they are. We want our children to feel comfortable in their skin so they can be brave enough to go out into the world and be authentic!

Let them know that they are one-of-a-kind and this is their superpower. There’s nobody in the world like them, nor will there ever be. They should go out into the world and be true to themselves. The truth is some people will like them and some won’t, and that’s just ok - it shouldn’t affect their sense of self-worth. List some of their positive attributes to solidify this in their mind.

We can also strengthen our bond by telling them at the end of the school/workday, “I thought of you today when…” I know when anybody makes this statement to me as an adult it just lifts me! It makes me feel special and don’t we all want our kids to feel special? 

When they engage in acts of kindness, are helpful, show compassion, or are thoughtful, tell them, “You make my heart happy!” We always want to acknowledge positive behavior; many times, we tend to do the opposite. Positive reinforcement when they’re engaging in positive behaviours will initiate more and make them feel good about themselves.

Lastly, always let them know you’re proud of them when you’re spending time with them playing games, reading a book, or just hanging out!

Connection is crucial! If we discuss their strengths, interests, quirkiness, and abilities…this will lead to open conversations which will be beneficial as they hit those tough hormonal years because you will have a strong foundation built on connection! 

Until next time…stay connected!

My Love Affair with “Love”

I’m writing this week’s blog on Valentine's Day. Tis the month of love! To say I’m a romantic is putting it mildly! I watch every Rom-com out there, read every Nora Robert-ish book out there, hearts are my favourite symbol, and I believe in destiny and soul mates. My hope is that everyone in their lifetime will experience 1 great love: even if only for a short time.

I’m sure my version of love is very “Hollywood.” I do understand that Hollywood’s version of love is not real, and absolutely not sustainable. Hey, I’ve been married for 30 years – haha! A love that lasts 30 years goes through many different stages. It’s not all rainbows and unicorns.

When I speak of my great “love affair” with love, I’m also referring to the love I witness between spouses, parents, friends, children, and the unconditional love that comes with pets and their owners. Love can also come in the form of passions - between an artist and their muse, a baker and their goods, a gardener and their garden. Creativity expressed in any modality is usually a great love affair between the creator and their creation! I love to see this!  And, any individual who loves what they do for a living! It’s a privilege to witness this.  Love truly comes in many different forms!

Here's the thing to remember for all the singles out there on Valentine’s struggling with being alone. You don’t need a partner to feel worthy, validated, or loved. It’s so important to love and accept ourselves unconditionally no matter what we may be going through.  We must love and nurture ourselves before we can love another; you can’t give away what you don’t have!

There are many ways to engage in acts of self-love, here are just a few!

1)      Exercise, healthy food, massage, bubble bath.

2)      Explore your spirituality – it’s the foundation for self-love.

3)      Start the day by telling yourself something that makes you smile.

4)      Look in the mirror and send love to your body.

5)      Avoid comparison always.

6)      Focus on all that you have (we tend to focus on what we don’t have)

7)      Turn off everything for 15 minutes and focus on what you’re doing – be mindful of every moment.

8)      Surround yourself with a community you value – one that encourages and supports one another.

9)      Practice affirmations, they are crucial for self-love.

10)  Be grateful for everything you are.

Once we learn to love and accept ourselves, we won’t care what others think and we won’t let anybody into our lives that’s not worthy.  (this is freedom)

There are other ways we can acknowledge ourselves in a kind and loving way: for facing fears, taking risks, for recognizing the need to rest, showing ourselves kindness, and for getting up everyday when life becomes challenging and all you want to do is stay in bed. These little recognitions you give to yourself will go a long way!

To all of you out there, I salute you. Wherever you are right now – you are enough!

Until next time…much love to all

Puppy Love

We did it - we got a puppy and it’s our first! To say I’m in love is an understatement. Did I know what I was in for? Maybe not quite!

I knew raising a puppy would be a lot of work. However, I was up for the challenge. I mean seriously, I raised two children, and survived other challenges... how difficult could it be? I’ll bring him home, snuggle him, feed him, take him for walks and he will be the perfect little Angel! I will have a companion, protector, and unconditional love! Sure…

The one thing that I wasn’t prepared for was that he might possibly be a monster! Ha! I knew the breed we were getting was high energy and would require many walks daily, but WTF are “zoomies?” After the first episode, I thought, “he’s no match for me! I’m one of the calmest people I know, I’ll just teach him to meditate!” Haha!

And then, there’s the crate training! He is a doll at night, and sleeps in his crate from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. I’m very grateful for that. Daytime, however, is a whole other story. He wants nothing to do with being in there. As of today, the battle continues. I don’t think he realizes that I am also incredibly stubborn. I will win this battle!

With all that, he has already taught me to see the world through new eyes and ears. His curiosity is so endearing. Birds, grass, snow, dogs, people, cars – these are all new experiences for him! He hears every sound and smells absolutely everything. He is teaching me how to be more mindful in nature. I now have a mindfulness teacher! He has helped me to connect with my inner child.

Also, he is hilarious! We sit and watch him play for hours! What did we do with our time before? I am struggling with getting anything done! He’s afraid of the laundry basket, suitcase, and even his own shadow. He would much rather play in a box than the toys we bought him! He’s also starting to use his paws and pounces on everything. He loves chasing blowing leaves…it really is adorable!

Although this first year will be challenging, he has brought us so much joy in his first couple of weeks at home.  There are the snuggles, the kisses, the puddles on the floor, the biting, and even the zoomies. But, I can’t complain because I chose him and I know, this too shall pass.

He is actually doing so well in 1 short week, but it’s been a lot of work. I’m exhausted, to say the least! So, to all of you who are considering getting a puppy - I challenge you to think long and hard. It is a HUGE responsibility!

The blog this week is shorter! I’m sure after reading it you know why! Somebody has to pee…

Until next time…

Mother – Daughter Relationships

From birth to adulthood there are so many different stages that this relationship endures. It can be a roller coaster! But, oh how we fall in love with that little girl! Does this mean it is an easy ride? Absolutely not!!

I love this quote:

“Having a little girl has been like following an old treasure map with the important paths torn away.”               Heather Gudenkauf

These relationships often go like this:

Stage 1 – Your daughter loves you, admires you, thinks you are the most beautiful, smart woman in the whole world. She loves to play with your hair, cuddle, and be in your arms. You can do no wrong.

Stage 2 – Everything you do is wrong! You are so embarrassing, every word out of your mouth is stupid. And please, do not kiss or hug her goodbye in public.

Stage 3 – “Are you really going to wear that? Why does your hair look like that? Omg, mom, why do you do your make-up like that? Can you please walk on the other side of the street?

Stage 4 – Bedroom door slams… “you are so unfair! Why is my curfew so early compared to Ashley’s? I with I had Ashley’s mom for a mom - she is so much cooler than you are! I hate you!” (Teenagers… insert eye roll here)

Stage 5 – Who is this girl? What happened to that sweet little girl that was so happy, smiled all the time, and liked me? It’s like she’s been possessed!

Stage 6 – I see glimpses of the girl I once knew. “Did she just say thankyou and set the table without me asking? Don’t say anything, that will blow it!”

Stage 7 – Comes in the door, “Hi mom. How was your day?” and wait for it, she hugs you!!

Stage 8 – Thanks you for everything you’ve done for her, asks for help with choosing Universities, relationship advice, wants to hang out with you.

Stage 9 – Moves out and becomes your best friend.

All kidding aside, it tends to go a little bit like this. So yes, it can be a rocky road for many of us. It’s complicated, messy, dramatic, but such is life raising a daughter. I wouldn’t have had it any other way!

There are so many different dynamics involved when raising a daughter. I think the relationship you had or have with your own mother can impact the road this relationship will take. Whether your relationship with your mother was healthy or not, we must decide what type of role model we want to be to our precious daughters.

Raising daughters in today's world is tough. There is more access to social media which can really impact our daughter’s self-esteem and self-confidence. Comparing themselves to what they see can be very detrimental. As we “older folk” know, what we see is most times, not the truth. There are all kinds of tricks out there that can make us look prettier, skinnier, etc.

How do we raise strong, authentic, confident daughters that stand in their truth? How do we teach our daughters that other people's opinions and judgments should never affect their own sense of self-worth? This is a tough one.

There is no quick answer to this. All of us women, even the most confident and assured, have moments of self-doubt, the crisis of confidence, and self-esteem issues. The key is to be conscious of when we’re in that space. If we are mindful and aware, then there are tools we can implement to break the cycle.

Everything is about our thoughts. We must remain present to identify “good-feeling thoughts and bad-feeling thoughts.” Once we are aware of these thoughts, we can use different techniques to change negative thoughts to positive, good-feeling thoughts. Teach your children this!

We can break the cycle by taking a deep breath from the abdomen, and on the exhale repeat, “relax the muscles in my jaw, neck, and shoulders, and let them relax.” Repeat this five times and follow up with an affirmation. We can use gratitude throughout the day, this is a wonderful tool for developing a positive mindset. We can practice meditation; this helps to understand our emotions and feelings and healthily communicate them. We must teach them to always focus on what they have and not what they don’t have; this applies to our skills, possessions, and our positive attributes. Teach your children to journal at a young age. This is an excellent outlet for emotions and an excellent form of therapy.

All these strategies need to be implemented into our daily routine. If we give our girls these techniques at a young age, they will be better prepared to understand and process their emotions, have healthy self-esteem, and manage their worries and stress as they grow.

There are many more activities, exercises, meditations, and techniques included in my book, Empowering our Future.” This resource is meant to help parents raise strong, confident, compassionate, and resilient kids.

My only advice is to hang on for the ride and be there consciously - this means putting down your devices when your daughter wants to talk, and always making sure they know you love them unconditionally! Through the pre-teen and teen years let them know you are always there for them and give them the space they need! And know, this too shall pass!

Until next time….

Do New Year Resolutions Set Us Up for Failure?

Happy New Year!

I’ve never really been one for new year resolutions. I think they have a way of setting us up for failure. When we don’t stick with it, we often end up feeling even worse about ourselves than when we started.

Don’t get me wrong – it’s important to have goals, dreams, and a desire to live a healthier lifestyle. But, this is something that should become a part of our routine - this way our chance at “success” is much higher. This is oftentimes why diets never work. Sure, you lose weight initially, but there is no way you can sustain a diet for a lifetime. So, to me, resolutions are like diets; not sustainable.

The question becomes, “how can we set ourselves up for success?”  The only answer real answer is hard work, dedication, and consistency. Unfortunately, there are no overnight fixes. If we want to better ourselves, we must do the work. This requires a lot of effort.

Personal development is an emotional, vulnerable, tedious task. We think we are doing so much better and then – bam - life happens, and we have a set-back. The key is to keep going. Get back up, and for the love of God, stop judging ourselves. We are only human, and often our own worst critics.

We must always focus on what we’ve accomplished, big or small. Most people tend to focus on the opposite; everything that they haven’t accomplished.

 Depending on what area of personal development you are working on - it could be to become more active, more confident, to be happier, or listen more consciously, it’s important to track your process.

Keeping a journal with the progress we’ve made is a great way to remain positive. If we find ourselves feeling dejected with the process, take a look at the journal and see how far we’ve come.

When we focus on the positive it raises our energy, our vibration, and we feel better. When we feel better, we attract more abundance into our lives! We can raise our energy through playing with our pets, breathwork, exercise, music, meditation, and reiki.

Our focus should always be on what we have, what we accomplished in the day, and not the opposite. Stay positive, keep your energy high, be grateful, and remain detached from the outcome and you will become a magnet for abundance and success!

When you wake up in the morning affirm, “today is going to be a good day!” At night, as you drift off to sleep, ask yourself, “what went well today?” and fall asleep thinking of that. After all, your last thoughts of the day are what’s going to be percolating all night, so you want them to be positive and loving! Finally, throughout the day remember to be grateful! Whether that’s for your morning cup of coffee, your health, or a smooth commute to work - all of these things help to build a positive mind-set!

If we make these small changes in our daily lives, they become a new way of life, and our probability for success increases!

Until next time…remain positive!

Upcoming Classes!

After three years of teaching online, I’m so excited to share that I’ll be teaching in-person classes starting in February!

I’ve been teaching Empowerment classes to kids for over 15 years both in and out of the education system. After working with children and youth for over 25 years, I noticed an increase in worries, fears, anxiety, and depression and a decrease in self-esteem and self-awareness. At the time there was very little in formal education that addressed these issues. We seemed to teach children about everything; except themselves.

So, it became my mission to do everything I could to help in this much-needed area. I became certified as a child meditation facilitator, took other wellness courses in this area, and began teaching! Children have always been my passion.

My classes include many different strategies, exercises, and techniques that give children and youth the tools necessary to thrive in today’s world! Some of these include: meditation, mindfulness, affirmations, and gratitude.

The classes will be 4 weeks long, with a weekly 1-hour session - the location is still to be determined. I will post some information on social media and put it on my website once confirmed. There will be links at the bottom of this blog for you to follow so you don’t miss out!

The second class I’ll be teaching is also in February. It’s a meditation class for adults! I have been teaching these classes for over 10 years! We’ll learn different meditation techniques, ways to live a more balanced, peaceful life, and (always a favorite) end each class with an Angel card!

Throughout my time teaching these classes, I’ve had many parents, teachers, and professionals ask me to provide them with some strategies they can use with kids to help support their mental and emotional well-being. That’s when I decided to put everything I know and teach into a book. That’s how my book, Empowering our Future, was born! My entire program is in there (as well as my heart and soul) and the book provides ways teachers can implement these strategies in the classroom - it would take less than 15 min/per day.

To all of you, I wish you a blessed holiday season filled with love, peace, and magic! May you find comfort in those you surround yourselves with this holiday season!!

Until next time…may love be with you!

www.wendydemer.com

Instagram - @wendydemerauthor

Wendy Demer- Author | Cochrane AB | Facebook

December Emotions!

It’s here!! December has arrived with all its bling, festivity, stress, and excitement. Depending on what stage of life you're in, December can take on different meanings. When you have young children, it seems to be enchanting. They remind us of the magic of Christmas. Seeing it through our children’s eyes brings a whole new perspective.

When our children are older, Christmas still has those magical moments but it’s just not quite the same. For me, December means Christmas Hallmark movies! They’re absolutely the best and definitely get me in the Christmas spirit! And yes, I know exactly what’s going to happen within the first 10 minutes! But, alas, during these stressful times they bring a lightness and easiness to the season!

For many of us, Christmas often brings stress and anxiety. Increased spending, travelling on winter roads, family dynamics, getting our shopping and baking completed on time - these can all cause reasons to worry. My motto is, “one day at a time.”

It’s important to remember, we don’t have to spend money that we don’t have. Instead of gifts, we can have a “homemade Christmas” - exchange baking, paint a picture, write a poem, sing a song - be creative! Another option is to think of something you and the recipient can do together. It doesn’t have to cost much, but often these experiences you share are going to be more memorable than a gift.

This season, although it brings much joy for many of us, can also bring unbearable grief and sorrow. It can be beautiful, but also bring heavy hearts at the same time. There are powerful emotions involved for all of us. I think it’s so important that we respect the emotions of those around us and try to be there for those we love without judgement. We can never be sure of what others have endured during this time or what memories it can bring.

Kids also experience “big emotions” during the holidays. It’s our job to support them and understand that their “meltdowns” are not about us and do not mean we’re bad parents. They consistently need our love, empathy, and understanding because just like the grown-ups in their lives, this time can be stressful and overwhelming!

Here are some things to be mindful of when we think our kids are “misbehaving” during the holidays:

1)    They’re not trying to embarrass you - they may just be feeling overwhelmed by a lot of new people.

2)    Many times, they are overstimulated and need a break – they are not intentionally trying to ruin your fun.

3)    Any meltdowns are not a reflection of your parenting; they just need your attention.

4)    When you think they are being defiant and refusing to listen, it’s nice to remember that they just feel safe displaying these feelings with you.

5)    We must not fall into their chaos and try to be the calm in the situation.

Lastly, I wanted to offer some self-care tips for the month of December.

1)    Cozy up with loved ones

2)    Find comfort in tradition

3)    Listen to old favourites

4)    Treat yourself

5)    Make a wish for next year

6)    Appreciate your home

7)    Hang up old regrets

8)    Accept your imperfections

9)    Seek out new growth

10) Rejoice in your progress

As we maneuver our way through December, remember there is comfort in tradition, joy in the mess, and try to find humour in the chaos! Let’s try to the best of our ability to focus on the light and connect with whoever and whatever makes you feel the most at home!

Until next time…

Yoga cards for Children’s Wellness

User- Friendly Guide for Parents and Caregivers

I have incorporated yoga poses into my teaching practice for many years. I’m not a certified yoga instructor, but I am currently training to be an instructor for Kundalini yoga. My point is, we - as parents and teachers - can incorporate yoga and mindfulness practices into our children’s daily lives without official training.

Yoga cards are a wonderful resource for learning the art of sharing yoga and mindfulness with the children in our lives. The cards are fun and user-friendly, and designed to make it easy to share and practice with children. It also gives us an opportunity to connect and gives children a tool that they can use on their own at any time.

Although all yoga activities can provide a variety of mind-body benefits, depending on the deck you purchase, there may be different benefits highlighted. My favourite yoga cards are titled:

“Yoga for Children, Yoga Cards.” Link to purchase is below.

https://www.amazon.ca/Yoga-Children-Yoga-Cards-Mindfulness-Activities/dp/1507208235/ref=sr_1_4?crid=KG3ARQWZ8Z0P&keywords=yoga+cards+for+children&qid=1669592610&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=yoga+cards+for+children%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-4

This deck has 8 main benefits, these include:

1)      Balance: Supports development of a focused, connected mind and body

2)      Calm: Soothes the nervous system while encouraging mindful awareness

3)      Connect: Supports parent-child bonding, connection, and community-building

4)      Empower: Encourages mental and physical confidence

5)      Focus: Cultivates ability to pay attention and concentrate

6)      Restore: Encourages rest and rejuvenation

7)      Strengthen: Promotes physical strength

8)      Stretch: Supports flexibility

I love this deck because it gives you different ideas, games, and activities with step-by-step instructions. They are also full-color and include easy-to-follow visual guides. In my experience, the kids love these cards! They have fun doing the poses and they don’t even realize they are learning to be more confident, resilient, and calm.

It’s so important to have fun with your yoga time. Try keeping it relaxed and playful - this will help your child stay engaged and wanting to continue to learn the practice with you.

Yoga cards are available to purchase in many different places! I got mine from Indigo, but I have also seen them on Amazon.

There are many different resources out there to help our children and youth manage their challenges - whether that’s building relationships, worry, fear, low self-esteem, stress or anxiety. It’s up to us as parents and caregivers to use these resources so we can provide our children with the strategies needed to help them thrive in today’s world. Mental and emotional well-being are so important!

Teaching them yoga and strategies from my book, “Empowering our Future,” are all wonderful tools to help build resilient youth! These two resources are a wonderful way to start! My book is available to purchase through Amazon and Kobo. There’s also a direct link on my website at:

www.wendydemer.com

Until next time…strike a pose!

Body Affirmations for Kids

Special Bonus – Affirmation Meditation Included

Affirmations are crucial for developing self-love in children, youth, and adults. They are positive statements, usually stated in the first person. Affirmations encourage us to believe certain things about ourselves. It’s normal not to resonate with these statements when you first begin to think or say them. Repetition plants the seeds of belief!

There are many different ways we can practice affirmations. They can be repeated silently in our heads, or they can be recited out loud when we’re alone. We can also say them while we’re looking in the mirror, in the shower, or really anytime throughout the day when we need a boost! Writing them down can also be beneficial. What we think about ourselves becomes the truth for us.

Affirmations are good for kids because it helps them to develop positive foundations to grow and helps them to start thinking more positively. Affirmations help them believe in themselves and work towards fulfilling their potential. Positive thinking is a powerful tool that can improve health, manage stress, and overcome challenges.

It’s difficult as parents and caregivers to know how to teach our children to have a healthy relationship with their bodies. The most important thing to remember is they’re watching us! So, if we criticize our bodies and appearance, they believe us. The first step is to stop criticizing yourself. Our kids have a higher chance of building body confidence if we are happy with ours.

The second tool is affirmations that focus specifically on developing a healthy mind-body relationship. Positive affirmations are a powerful tool for kids to boost their confidence and self-esteem. Here are some affirmations that you can teach your children. They can also be used to help them turn a negative thought into a positive one when you hear them speaking negatively about their body.

I take care of my body

My body deserves kindness

I am thankful for my body

My body changes and that’s ok

My body is strong

My body deserves my love always

My worth is not based on my body

You get the idea! A positive affirmation can be just about anything. Listen to your child and try to determine where their negativity is focused. Together you can develop affirmations that address that issue. Encourage them to choose affirmations that feel the most believable to say in the beginning. The most powerful steps are the small, simple ones that start with our thinking and we need to keep practicing them over time.

I’ve included the “Affirmation Meditation” from my book, “Empowering our Future.” Reading it to them at bedtime slowly and gently in a soft, melodic voice is a wonderful way to release negative thoughts and transition into a peaceful night’s sleep. You may even choose to put on soft, relaxing music in the background. Enjoy!

Affirmation Meditation

Begin by sitting or lying comfortably. Become aware of your breath. Focus on your breathing, let it be natural and easy. This is the way within, the way to your heart. With each breath let yourself go deeper and deeper, feeling more and more relaxed, breathing in and out, totally letting go. This is your special time, nowhere to go nowhere to be, just here and now.

Breathing in deeply now. Relax your jaw, neck, and shoulders as you breathe out. Take in another deep breath and relax your back, chest, and stomach as you breathe out. Deep breath in and relax your legs, feet, and toes as you breathe out. Now scan your body for any remaining tension and let it go down through your body and out through the souls of your feet.

Now bring your attention to your stomach area. Imagine there’s a light inside of you that shimmers and glows. You might even hear this light crackle and sizzle. Perhaps you feel its warmth inside your stomach. We all have this light inside us. Some days it shines brighter than others, and that’s okay. One of the ways we can make this light grow is with affirmations. I want you to notice your light today. How bright is it? Feel it, see it, listen to it. (Pause) What does your light need today to grow and shine brightly? (Pause) Does it need love? Let’s start with that. Repeat inside your head, “I love myself, I love myself, I am loved!” Repeat this until you start feeling how loved you are. Good! You’re doing a great job! Now you may notice your light shining a little brighter. Now repeat, “I am safe, I am safe, I am safe.” Repeat this as many times as you need. (Pause) As you repeat your affirmations, remember to breathe in and out, noticing how calm and relaxed your body is. The next affirmation to repeat is “I am brave, I am brave, I am brave!” It takes a lot of courage to go out in this world every day and be exactly who you are. You are brave! Sit with this feeling for a minute, feel your bravery and believe it to be so. Breath in and out, nowhere to go, nowhere to be, just feel the uniqueness of you. On the next breath choose any affirmation you want. (Pause) Repeat your very own special affirmation…(Pause) Feel the love inside of you, feel your light growing so much that it now surrounds your entire body. You’re shining so bright the whole world can see you! Sit in that glow for a few minutes, feel your specialness- there’s no one in the whole world like you. That’s your superpower. Feel your bravery, because you’re brave enough to be you. Feel the love inside for yourself, your family, your friends and all the animals on the planet.

You are very, very loved!

Breathe in and out slowly. Begin to wiggle your fingers and toes. Give yourself a big hug. Whenever you’re ready you can open your eyes.

Until next time...love your body!

Time Change – Friend or Foe?

How can the time change have so much power over me? Yes, I’m a Saskatchewan girl but come on, it’s a measly hour! Growing up in Saskatchewan I never experienced the disturbed sleep patterns that come with daylight savings time. Although I’ve lived in Alberta now for 16 years, I still struggle both fall and spring when that dreaded clock falls back or spring forward.

The biggest problem I have is how it affects my sleep cycle. As we all know, when we aren’t sleeping our overall health is deeply impacted. We can have difficulties concentrating, memory loss, and our overall mental health can decrease. Loss of sleep can trigger anxiety and depression, especially for those of us who are more susceptible to anxiety. I can only describe my experience with it as similar to jet lag.

It usually takes me up to a couple of weeks to adjust. As I’m writing this, it sounds a little ridiculous. I think many of us experience the effect the time change can have on our “internal body clock” as we try to adapt! Once our local clock no longer matches our internal clock, it definitely causes mental and physical fatigue.

When I woke up on Sunday morning, I was confused as to what time it “really” was. Did I lose an hour or gain - if the clock says 8:00, is that 7:00 or 9:00 in real life?  As you can see, I still struggle with which way the clock goes. I’m constantly asking questions like “So does that mean we have more or less daylight?” This can’t be good for anyone’s mental health! How do people live in Alaska?

The debate remains, and as always, everyone has an opinion on if daylight savings time is good or bad. I guess it depends on the perspective of the person you’re asking. It may not be good for our mental health, but maybe it’s good for farmers or even golfers? I don’t know. When I read the pros and cons, I can see both sides. I love having an extra hour of daylight in the summer when we’re camping and outdoors, but when it’s dark by 4:30 in the winter, I just want to crawl into bed. It definitely affects my mood.

Although this is a part of my reality a couple of times each year, in the whole grand scheme of things with everything going on in the world, this is hardly worth complaining about. So it takes me a couple of weeks to adjust, no biggie. There are definitely more important causes out there that we need to address. There is people we need to help, causes to fight for - lots of different issues where we could focus our attention to make the world a better place.

I hope we all find something out there that we are passionate about that helps us serve the world. Whether it’s volunteering, donating, or charity work - anyway, we can engage in acts of service to help others. Compassion and empathy are what the world needs. I’m a firm believer that compassion is the foundation for uniting humanity and connection can end violence. We must all do our part in making the future a brighter place. Donate your time, skills, or money to a cause. Do anything that helps to spread a little love! We all have skills in different areas, that’s what makes the world such a unique, special place; use those skills for good. And, above all else, we all have little people in our lives so if not for others, do it for them. After all, they’re our future!

Until next time…

Working with the Angels

Working with the Angels has been a constant in my life for the past 20 years. I’m sure when I was a child, they were also a part of my life. But as we grow up, we typically become deprogrammed and desensitized to the spiritual world, unless it’s a part of your family’s core values and beliefs!

Almost all major religions in the world believe in Angels. I think they’re a reality for many people – for both the religious and spiritual. I believe they are messengers of God - when I say God I mean a universal energy, an energy of love that moves through all of us.

Angels work under the law of “free will.” This means that unless you invite them into your life; they can’t help you. Once you invite them in, they will guide, protect, and help you find inner peace. Their only purpose is to help and love you.

I work with the Angels daily. I pray to them with every decision I make both big and small. When I’m teaching kids or doing workshops/conferences with adults I always call on them to be by my side and spread their loving, peaceful energy to everyone who’s in attendance. I ask them to surround us all with their loving light and to help me find the right words that will help the greatest amount of people. I invite them with me when I’m driving and ask them to protect me as I get to my destination. They are my constant companion in this life!

I’m a spiritual person, not religious. I support and accept everyone’s beliefs and choices when it comes to this area. When I say spiritual, for me spirituality means “knowing thyself.” The Angels help me with this. They help me to make choices out of love rather than fear. They help me to recognize the things in myself I need to work on to grow and evolve.

I have to admit I love working with the Angels through Angel cards. They are so much fun! I can pull my deck out and ask a question and see what they say. Whether you believe in their message or not, it’s just a lot of fun playing with the cards! The cards can help you with day-to-day questions and help you determine which path to take. They’ll also let you know if there are some aspects of your personality that are not so positive and need to be addressed.

I am a certified Angel card reader. I do readings for family and friends when they ask. I’m always amazed at how accurate they are. They always have our best interests at heart and if we listen, will guide us to make the best life choices.

I wanted to write about this today because, for me, I can’t imagine not having their loving energy, guidance, and love in my life. The Angels are here for all of us and want to help us in any way they can. The only thing you have to do is ask. If you’ve never worked with the Angels, I encourage you to give it a try. You never know what miracles may appear. And really, what do you have to lose?

First Snowfall in Cochrane

Agh!! These were the first words out of my mouth when I woke up Saturday morning and opened the blinds to a blanket of snow.  The big fluffy flakes were still tumbling to the ground which was already deeply saturated with a blanket of white. Snow, cold, winter and I have never been the best of friends - it’s my least favourite season.

I tend to hibernate in the winter. The lessened amount of daylight tugs on my mental state and I definitely experience some anxiety when it comes to the slippery winter roads. When fall is beginning to fade, I cringe when the “S word” is mentioned.

This is my first, first snowfall in Cochrane. When I looked at this through a different lens, I saw something more than just the snow and cold. I saw the snow-covered mountains and the trees that looked like welcomed strangers - it felt so fresh and clean. The mountains are so beautiful right now with their snow-covered peaks. I think they may be more majestic than without snow. It was a moment of awe that took my breath away.

Then, I heard the giggles. The squeals and delight of children tobogganing and building snow people in our back green space; what a magical sound! The first snowfall brings so much joy to our children. What if we were able to see the snow-covered ground through the eyes of children? Kids definitely show us how to see the world differently if we pay attention.

 And then, there were the dogs! Throughout the day, I watched the dogs out walking their owners. I could see their enthusiasm with the change in weather. Most of them were so enamoured with the snow - rolling, jumping, and digging their noses way down deep. Once again, it changed my perspective.

What if (and this is just a thought) I changed my perspective on how I’ve thought about winter for the last 20 years? I mean, as long as I choose to live here it’s going to be a part of my life. So, I guess I can either choose to complain or embrace it! Maybe “embrace” is too big of a leap. What if I accept it as one of those relatives that come to visit (who you enjoy but require work) that you kind of wish weren’t coming, but know will leave eventually.

Today, on this dreary Monday afternoon, as I write this week’s blog, I look out my window and the trees and streets are no longer enveloped with snow. The mighty snowfall from Saturday is disappearing as quickly as last night’s meatloaf. Yes, this is invigorating to me! (I’m sorry, I’m trying!) As it melts as quickly as it appears, I’m reminded that change is a constant in every aspect of life!

I always loved Wayne Dyer’s quote,

“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

So, to all of you out there who feel the same as I do about the cold and snow, why don’t we try and change our perspective this year? Why don’t we look at it from a welcoming perspective and see it through the eyes of our pets and kids? Rather than complain, let’s see the beauty that nature provides. At the end of the day, as long as we live here what choice do we have? It is ultimately a part of our lives, so we can either accept it or complain about it. With the latter, our days will be long and our mood will be dark, which in turn will make the winter months drag on.

I’m so grateful I live in this beautiful town! The mountains never disappoint, not to mention the mighty bow, the rivers, and the trails. Cochrane is a beautiful place filled with friendly people; it definitely has a small-town vibe. There are so many ways to appreciate the change of seasons here; the ravine is one of my favorite ways!  Thank you, Cochrane, for allowing me to see my most dreaded time of the year through a new lens!

Why can’t I Make a Decision?

Am I the only person that can’t make a decision? There are so many decisions to be made daily - what kind of tea should I have in the morning, should I wash my hair today, what should I wear (pretty panties or granny panties), what do I make for supper – trust me, you don’t want to see me shopping!

I have struggled with making decisions for most of my life. Determining where I should eat and what I should eat are common issues for me. I know…first world problems, right? Trust me, I have bigger problems than just this. However, this little personality quirk can become quite frustrating for me and even more frustrating for my husband!

It’s not something that I worry about, it’s just a part of who I am. I trust my decision-making abilities when it comes to more important things (most of the time). I think many of us question ourselves on whether we made the right decision or not. I have confidence in my ability to make life decisions, I always go with my gut instincts, and it has rarely steered me wrong. But when it comes to the day-to-day mundane trivial decisions, I’m a hot mess!

I’m pretty sure that this comes from FOMO. Seriously, when there are so many yummy choices on the menu, how do you decide what to pick? And, if I wash my hair today, what if we get invited out tomorrow? Then I’ll have to wash my hair again and 2 days in a row is just too much work!

Making decisions is a part of life. Life often comes with challenging choices. Do I change jobs? Do I move away? Is this partner the right one for me? It’s difficult to determine the correct road to take. When it comes to these types of choices, I trust in myself, make the decision, and then stay confident in that choice. No wavering, no second-guessing, and then I let go and move on! (Unless it’s at a restaurant…in this scenario, I always second guess my choice)

I have come to greatly rely on the Universe and a higher power to guide me through this life. I meditate and pray when there’s a big decision to be made. Even when I was struggling with which editor to use,  titling the book, choosing the front cover, and whether or not I should self-publish my book, I used meditation to guide me on it. I ask my spiritual helpers for guidance and to show me the way. I trust in the universe and know that if something doesn’t work out how I wanted, it’s because it wasn’t right for me. Then I say “thank you,” I know you have my best interest at heart.

I have found living my life this way takes so much pressure off me. I still do the work, show up every day, and have goals, but I remain in the present moment and stay detached from the outcome. Living life this way has decreased my stress and anxiety and allowed me to live more joyfully. I don’t worry about how it’s going to turn out because I know I’ve done everything I can. All I can do is have faith and trust that everything will work out for my higher good!

Don’t get me wrong, there are days I still fall into the worry trap, there are days I struggle with everything, and there are days I’m down in the dumps with no clue why. On these days, I pray even harder, ask for guidance and just ride the wave because I know this to shall pass!

Until next time…

Journaling for Wellness

There are a variety of different wellness tools available these days. I think it’s important that we carry a backpack full of wellness tools with us wherever we go, metaphorically speaking. Some of these should include mindfulness, gratitude, affirmations, meditation, deep breaths, and a journal. With these tools in our metaphorical backpack, we can access them whenever they are needed throughout our day. And typically, with the struggles of everyday life, they are needed!

Today I want to focus on the benefits of journaling! I have been journaling on and off for most of my adult life. I only wish this tool had been introduced to me as a child. When I miss a few days, it not only affects my mental and emotional well-being, but also the kind of day I have!

There are so many benefits that come from journaling, especially if you do it first thing in the morning. It’s very important that you do your pages long hand and not on an electronic device. It’s kind of fun to go to the store and pick out a specific journal that appeals to you. You can then use that specifically as your morning journal.

I like to do 2-3 pages, stream of consciousness. It can be about anything and everything – from petty to profound. They should be intimate, private, and personal. Write down exactly how you feel and why. I like to think of my journal as a therapist. Just the act of getting our thoughts, emotions, and feelings onto the page can be very healing and therapeutic!

Journaling can be a form of meditation because it puts us in touch with our own wisdom - our higher self. The difference is, often the words we write can move us to action. The words on the page let us know what our soul is craving, what our deepest desires are, and what we’ve been dreaming about that we may be unaware of. The words we write can let us become aware of what’s missing from our life that may bring us joy and happiness!

Another benefit I’ve experienced from journaling is the lesson of unconditional self-love without judgement. I think this is because when we accept each thought that comes to us and write it down – through this process, we learn self-acceptance.

One of the reasons it’s great to do your pages first thing in the morning is because it allows you to dump your worries, fears, and “to-do lists” onto the page. This gives you a chance to let them go, move on with your day, and live more presently. It’s as though once those thoughts are on the page, they’re no longer an issue. The day tends to run a lot more smoothly. If issues do come up, you’re able to stay centered and not overreact.

If you are a creative, or a writer, you’ll be surprised at the ideas and insights that tend to show up. I find that once our mind is clear, there is more room for clarity, inspiration, and creativity.

Introducing kids to journaling is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. With younger children, drawing pictures of how they’re feeling or what’s troubling them is just as beneficial as words. The whole point is to give them an emotional outlet which helps them to understand why they are feeling a certain way. It helps them to let go of things that no longer serve them just by writing them down.

Journaling is a great tool for teens as they are trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in this world. Getting their thoughts onto the page can be a great identifier in figuring out who they are! And most definitely serves as a great outlet for all those motions and feelings that may be new to them!

Lastly, if you are having trouble finding things to write about then start with gratitude and affirmations. Daily gratitude instantly changes your mood. You can’t be angry and grateful at the same time – it’s impossible! Gratitude is a positive emotion and definitely contributes towards greater wellness!

Until next time…journal!

Empty Nest Blues

It’s a black dog kind of day…I’ve been having a difficult time this last little while. My heart has been aching for my children. As kind of a newbie to this empty nest thing, I’m wondering if it gets easier.

As mothers and fathers, our lives revolve around our children for so many years. From birth until they're adults, and all the stages in-between, our children rely on us for different reasons. We’re there to help them learn how to think for themselves, make good choices, help with homework, take them to extra-curricular activities, and try to raise strong resilient children who will be able to face the world and all its hardships once they’re on their own… the list goes on!  We all do the best we can to prepare them for life!

And then… poof, they’re gone! And the question becomes, “who are we without our children?” For years our role and our identity, have been “mom” or “dad.” I think once this change happens in our life there is a whole lot of self-discovery to be done. Maybe this is the time when our whole world can revolve around us. Rediscovering ourselves, investigating what activities bring us joy, perhaps we want to take a class and learn something new!

It’s especially difficult when our children live in different cities. There are times I feel that I’ve been robbed of the joy of having your children pop in every once in a while, to say “hi” or come by for dinner. Both our children live far enough away in different cities, so, this isn’t a possibility. I’m lucky to see them a few times a year.

Don’t get me wrong - I don’t want them to move back home! HA. I actually enjoy being an empty nester, but there are definitely times I wish we lived in the same city. (Well, all the time).

We are very proud of who our children have become. They are extremely independent and live their lives fearlessly. This is a quality that I greatly admire. It brings me great joy knowing that they have followed their dreams and are living their best life (and don’t need me) I guess that means I did my job right!

Here’s the thing, no matter where our children are in the world, I think it’s important to stay intentionally connected once they’re gone. We are very lucky to have all kinds of technology out there that can allow this to happen. We all have phones and texting is at our fingertips. Skype, Zoom, Facetime - these are all wonderful ways to stay connected and actually see their sweet faces, especially if you are in different cities.

I guess I’m feeling a bit nostalgic because Thanksgiving is right around the corner. And, the thing that I’m most grateful for is my children. Although we may not live near each other we communicate regularly, and they are still a huge part of our lives.

 So, to all you parents and caregivers out there, I urge you to spend as much time together with them as possible while they are still home. Time goes so very fast and there will come a time when they’re not crawling up on your laps and snuggling in. There will come a time when they move on with their own lives and have different priorities. So, hug them tight while you can, play games, go outside, take them on holidays - do whatever you can to build that connection and foundation that is needed. This way, when they are grown-ups and you’re sitting across the table from them, the foundation for connection has been formed which opens the doors for communication and a healthy, supportive relationship.

Until next time…hug a child