Between Valentine’s Day and heart awareness month, there has been a lot of talk about love these last few weeks. There are many different kinds of love, but the emphasis is on loving others during this time of year. In my daughter’s mommy and me class, we made Valentines Day cards for her to give away…. [Read More]
The secret language of toddlers
My daughter is almost two and suddenly she has a word for everything. She speaks in incomplete sentences, full of improper grammar. She makes up her own words and combines them to describe what she sees. It’s like a puzzle to figure out what she is saying half the time, but with a lot of… [Read More]
Healthy living for the whole family
This article first appeared on Run Stroller Run and is republished here with permission. As a mom, I strive to model healthy living to my toddler daughter Emma through my food choices and regular exercise. Since I work as a Holistic Health Coach and a fitness instructor, my daughter has been exposed to healthy living from… [Read More]
Shifting from Comparison to Joy
This piece was first published on Elephant Journal and is republished here with permission. I had high hopes first time I took my daughter Emma to a story time at the local library. The event was free and seemed like a great way to meet local moms. When we arrived at the “story corner,” it… [Read More]
Most of the time, I have no idea what I am doing
When I first became a mom, friends would visit me and say ” you must be so happy.” I was. I had a beautiful healthy daughter named Emma, but I was many other things as well, like exhausted to the bone, both emotionally and physically. I was completely overwhelmed with love for this tiny creature… [Read More]
How listening to your child can shift your perspective
This post initially appeared on elephant journal, and is republished here with permission. I was recently in a store with my daughter Emma, when she looked up and started excitedly pointing at the ceiling. “Pig, pig!” she exclaimed. I didn’t see a pig anywhere, but she was insistent and kept repeating herself. At first,… [Read More]
Why I love my toddler’s wild hair
“What are you going to do about your daughter’s hair?” I get this question a lot. My daughter Emma has long, fine hair that is light brown with some glimmers of blonde. It flops on her face, covering her eyes. When I get her from the crib in the morning, her hair stands up on… [Read More]
Loving Our Bodies: Tips from a 2-Year-Old.
This article first appeared on elephant journal and is republished here with permission. My daughter Emma has a beautiful, round tummy. She loves to lift up her shirt and point to it, while happily announcing, “belly!” She pushes the baby flesh in while laughing. “Look at that awesome tummy,” I say, and chuckle with… [Read More]
3 ways to keep calm during the holidays
With Thanksgiving approaching this week, and holiday decorations already in the stores, it is evident that the “holiday season” has begun. In addition to the joy and excitement that is palpable this time of year, these weeks can bring stress for many due to the numerous family functions and parties. Of course, this is a wonderful season and there is… [Read More]
Why I Cultivate Compassion During my Toddler’s Tantrums
This post initially appeared on elephant journal and is republished with permission. Please click here to see the initial article. My daughter Emma is not quite 20 months old, yet I already find myself in the throes of the “terrible twos.” Tantrums are a daily occurrence—often in the privacy of our home, but also in… [Read More]