Author Archive for: ashley

As a kid I remember my mom smoked every day. It didn

As a kid I remember my mom smoked every day. It didn’t matter whether we were at home, in the car or doing our daily errands. At that time is wasn’t as clear as it is today that smoking can create serious health risks for yourself as well as those around you. Today there is much more research and information available to bring awareness to the importance of not smoking, yet today many people still choose to smoke.

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Going back to school, or even going to school for the first time is a new chapter for every family. With so much information at our fingertips it can become rather confusing as to what we should prioritize for the months ahead and support our children to the level that they need us.

Going back to school, or even going to school for the first time is a new chapter for every family. With so much information at our fingertips it can become rather confusing as to what we should prioritize for the months ahead and support our children to the level that they need us.

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Keep screens out of the kitchen during dinner time. Ensure that your mealtimes are phone-free and gadget-free zones. Turn gadgets off and turn on the conversation while you eat. Better yet, collect everyone’s phone/video game./ipad and put them (turned off) in a basket until after your dinner is over and the table has been cleared. You could even use this time to charge all of your gadgets!

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In today

In today’s society many people look to boost their energy with a quick fix by choosing things like energy drinks, sugary drinks and caffeine. These choices can provide a short-term boost but will ultimately cause the body to crash and can also create long-term negative effects.

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Color code it. If you have more than one child, color code their items for school and home, so you always remember what belongs to whom in case they misplace an item or leave it hanging around where it shouldn’t be. For example, for one child, a blue bath towel, lunch box, and toothbrush. Red for another. Green for another. Etc.

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In a world full of selfies, self-aggrandizement and social media celebrating success with imagery of bling left, right and center, how do we find the balance between teaching our children to have healthy self-esteem but also an abundance of humility? As you will notice, I have used the word “teach” because you just can’t tell your kids to “be […]

humility-in-kidsIn a world full of selfies, self-aggrandizement and social media celebrating success with imagery of bling left, right and center, how do we find the balance between teaching our children to have healthy self-esteem but also an abundance of humility? As you will notice, I have used the word “teach” because you just can’t tell your kids to “be humble.” As parents you have to demonstrate it with your actions. Knowing what you value as a family and keeping your kids grounded will breed a respectful awareness of others. There are small things we can do every day that can make a huge impact.

  1. Be kind. People who aren’t as fortunate as you still deserve respect. After all, your value is no greater, and no less, than any other person. Being a part of your community and uplifting those around you can teach your children to have this awareness. We all make decisions in life that we must learn from and taking accountability for those choices, with acceptance, places your ego and pride to the side. Learning to do this, without expecting anything to be given in return, is a true and humbling life skill.  It is a skill that can be taught by role modeling that behavior as a parent.
  2. Serve. Whether we help a neighbour with their groceries, serve the community by clearing a beach or a park, or offer our time and service to others, we teach our children compassion. That is, indeed, a virtue we need more of!
  3. Be aware of your demeanor. When you hold yourself with patience and grace, it is the complete opposite of braggadocio. Humility is laced with true modesty. This means you should also encourage and help your children to do their best. When your children have achieved through their own hard work, it gives them true confidence. And confidence will give them the strength to be humble.

There are many fine examples of people who have served for the good of others. Having your children read about them will certainly support how you teach them. At the end of the day, humility is the brother of gratitude. People who are humble could be boastful but they choose not to be.

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Jo’s Editorial

  April is a great time to make outdoor play a part of your family’s daily routine.  I’ve always believed that any activity is good for the body AND mind and this is especially true for our children. As childhood obesity is present in our minds and as we find ways to decline this high […]

Team Nanny Jo

  Whether you’ve heard about it from a book, blog, or your circle of friends, “mindful parenting” is a hot trending topic these days. But what does it look like in practice you may ask? This approach to raising children is all about slowing down the family current, connecting with your family, and staying focused in […]

Wellness with Todd Morena

Often we see in the media information in regards to how woman experience physical and emotional changes as they age. Men also experience physical and emotional changes as they age; however they may not be aware of the types of changes that can occur. One primary reason men may experience these changes is due to […]

Team Nanny Jo

  From those first kisses mom and dad give us when we are babies, to that cozy feeling we get as adults when we visit over the holidays, family is the strongest source of love in our lives. We all know that love and family are essential. So what we can we do as parents to make sure that the people closest to us know they are, […]

Quick Tips

Make sure you have a fire safety escape plan and practice it with your family. Find two ways out of every room in case one way is blocked by fire or smoke. Practice escaping by both routes to be sure windows are not stuck and screens can be taken out quickly.

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Whether you’ve heard about it from a book, blog, or your circle of friends, “mindful parenting” is a hot trending topic these days. But what does it look like in practice you may ask? This approach to raising children is all about slowing down the family current, connecting with your family, and staying focused in the present moment.

In a culture where we’ve become so dependent on our smartphones, we’re often in two places at once. It’s not unusual to see parents physically on the sidelines at their child’s soccer game shouting advice to their kid whilst simultaneously checking email on their phones, as well as the weather, and their stock portfolio. In our hurried attempt to constantly multitask, we seem to have decided, as a society, that doing many things poorly is more important than doing one thing attentively and well.

Mindful parenting tells us that in order to parent effectively, we have to slow down the process in which we make deliberate decisions. So for example, when you’re spending time with your children, if you want them to feel that you are present, then your energy must convey that’s all you need to do at that very moment. If you’re playing together in your garden, think about the way the sun feels as it hits your face. Think about how the grass feels between your toes. Think about your child’s laughter, how it makes you feel and how sweet a sound it is. Concentrating on now, this moment as it is happening— not what your boss said to you at work or what you have to prepare for dinner — will make your life at home richer in quality.

As parents, the time when mindfulness counts most is when we’re feeling challenged by our children. Take a few seconds to breathe and calmly assess a situation rather than yelling, bargaining, or threatening. Jo Frost talks about this and it is called the S.O.S. technique. This approach will let your child open up to you without fear. You can then listen to what they’re really feeling and help them through it instead of creating a tense dynamic that shuts down the lines of communication. Once you’ve modeled this type of mindful behavior, you can help your children do the same. Teaching children to take a few seconds to breathe and articulate their problems can turn them into more open and empathetic communicators in the long run.

You don’t need loads of free time to start on your journey toward a more mindful parenting experience. The Jo Frost Nanny on Tour show has taught many a family how to be guided through 10 minutes of mindful meditation. During this time, each member of the family is encouraged to close their eyes, focus on their breathing, and tap into their inner self. The chaos of everyday life will still be there when everyone’s ready to get back to it.

Being mindful is so much more than just showing up — it’s being truly present with purpose.

“Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.” — Mother Teresa.

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Often we see in the media information in regards to how woman experience physical and emotional changes as they age. Men also experience physical and emotional changes as they age; however they may not be aware of the types of changes that can occur. One primary reason men may experience these changes is due to a decrease in testosterone as they age. Men can experience a 1% decline in testosterone levels per year after the age of 30.

Often we see in the media information in regards to how woman experience physical and emotional changes as they age. Men also experience physical and emotional changes as they age; however they may not be aware of the types of changes that can occur. One primary reason men may experience these changes is due to a decrease in testosterone as they age. Men can experience a 1% decline in testosterone levels per year after the age of 30.

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From those first kisses mom and dad give us when we are babies, to that cozy feeling we get as adults when we visit over the holidays, family is the strongest source of love in our lives. We all know that love and family are essential. So what we can we do as parents to make sure that the people closest to us know they are, indeed, loved? Based on what we were taught as children and what we see in the culture and society we live in, we all have a different language of love.

Our kids are our biggest measure of our language of love and they understand that it’s the little everyday things that show love. What “language of love” do you speak? Here are some of them.

Words of encouragement can show your love. Our emotional language can uplift and support our family even if we’re just commenting on a well-executed task or providing advice to help navigate a difficult situation. Even as toddlers we all liked to hear “good job!” and be recognized for our efforts. When someone really listens to our stressed-out rants and gives us reassurance that everything is okay, we feel supported and loved. In the dramatic tween and teen years, just being there to listen and encourage can go a long way to show your children they’re valued.

Spending quality time with someone can also show that you love them. Even if you don’t have the time to plan a vacation together, getting into a routine that promotes quality time at home can make your family members feel like they’re a priority. Some families have special things they do together, like movie night or father-daughter outings. Working together on a project or helping with homework are also great ways to express your love while helping kids learn at the same time. Spending mealtime together is a particularly important way of showing you care — children who have meals with their families are less likely to skip school and have lower obesity rates. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine is also a great way to demonstrate your love — a book, a song, and a kiss on the forehead can make your children feel secure as they head off to the land of nod.

Giving gifts can show your love. Not all gifts need to be extravagant, and the best gifts are thoughtful. A gift relating to something a child is interested in or a random surprise gift always makes kids feel special. In college, when children are first attempting to navigate the rough waters of adulthood, a surprise care package from a parent or grandparent can lift their spirits.

Even small acts of kindness can make a big impact. Making someone’s favorite meal is a great way to express your love; taking time to make something that nourishes and warms your family is one of the most caring gestures there is.

And last but not least – physical touch. Physical affection is one of the sincerest forms of expressing love, from a simple pat on the back to a lift-you-off-the-ground bear hug. A bad day can be completely transformed by a warm, encouraging embrace.

Remember the old adage “actions speak louder than words.” Let your actions prove your love for your family when words don’t seem like enough. Keep expressing the love you have for your family and it will feed and sustain you in return.

“To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.” ~David Viscott

 

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