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christmas

  • Family Life, Sensory Processing

    Secrets for Successful Santa Visits

    The Big Man.  Santa Claus.  St. Nick. Father Christmas

    The thing is this: as a parent you either loath the visit to Santa or you wait all year for this amazing day.  Despite what side you fall on the visit is going to happen.  And hopefully after reading this the visit will be a huge success.

    We all know the picture of the fat man in a red suit holding the screaming baby… yah we have that photo! And in fact we have like 3 of them.  It is only in the past year that Declan has come around to Santa.  But each year we have gotten closer and closer to a successful Santa visit and so I am determined that this year will be the best one yet! And because we have been through this and now we have the lens of sensory processing I wanted to share my secrets to successful Santa visits.

    For kids with SPD a visit to Santa can either be a great way to meet sensory needs or it can be a nightmare. If you kiddo is a seeker than all the lights, crowds, sounds and Santa himself can meet a lot of their needs.  But if you child is an avoider, especially a severe avoider, a visit to Santa class could just be the worst day every- despite your best intentions.  My hope is that no matter your child’s needs these secrets will help ease any anxiety and tension.

    The whole idea of Santa is to create memories and share the magic of the Holidays with out littles.  Santa is the last step of magic… before they become non-believers.  So let’s make those visits a happy, joyful, stress free outing.

    santa

    5 SECRETS FOR SUCCESSFUL SANTA VISITS

    Plan Ahead

    This may seem like a silly one to even mention.  BUT when you are dealing with kids with SPD (or any child in general) having a plan can make or break your trip.  While some parents and children are able to fly by the seat of their pants I highly suggest making a PLAN before you venture off to see Santa.  Consider timing; not only how long it takes to see Santa but the potential line, the amount of travel time and any additional time spent getting to Santa.  Don’t take kids around lunch time when they may be hungry and consider first thing in the morning before your kids start to get tired.  Make sure to check when Santa is available before you head out! Santa is waiting!

    Divide and Conquer

    Make it a group outing!  Invite grandparents and/or close friends.  Have a one adult wait in line (if there is one) and one or two adults walk around the kiddos.  This can be especially helpful for kids with SPD.  Seekers may need to run, jump and wiggle.  So having someone to hangout with them and support them while they do that can be really helpful.  If you have an avoider having an extra person there to wait further away from the crowds, or help distract or even wait in the car can make the whole experience manageable.  It takes a village!

    santaBe Flexible

    Parents want perfect Hallmark photos and memories.  And sometimes we have such grandiose expectations of what the visit and moment should look like that we forget to let our kids experience.  Keep in mind they are still children and be flexible on your expectations of the moment.  The photo may not be perfect but your child’s eyes light up and the magic is alive in them then that is a successful Santa visit.  Remember, whose memory is this… theirs or yours??

    Keep It Simple

    For the most part kids are simple humans.  They like it simple and easy.  Adults are the ones that make it complicated and muddy up the waters.  And believe me I am guilty of this!  Let them be kids.  Do not stress about what they may say to Santa- let them be spontaneous.  Try not to over think their behavior in the moment; as a parent of SPD that is hard to do. But them experience and live it.  They are simple creatures who simply want to laugh, smile and be happy.  And if Santa doesn’t meet those need I am not sure who can!

    Expect The Unexpected

    You made a plan a head of time, you were flexible and you kept it simple… and then you got up to Santa and your kiddo freaked out.  Expect that.  In the moment things can always change and while being flexible is great it is also making sure we understand that we will likely be surprised by something.  For the kids with SPD this last secret is one of the most important.  We can plan and do as much preparing as possible but we all know that we should walk into any situation expecting the unexpected.  And that is okay!  And that does not mean failure!

    Santa truly embodies the best that the Holidays has to offer and I want more than anything for you and your kiddos to enjoy getting to see him and sending off your Christmas wishes.  But Mamas, remember at the end of the day it is about the memories and the magic of the season.  Santa is a great dude!  But do not make a visit to see him the end all be all of the Holiday season.  With these five easy secrets your visits will hopefully be a little more successful, be a little less anxious and a little more merrier.

    With Love,

  • Family Life, Sensory Processing

    Holiday Gift Guide For Kids With Sensory Processing

    gift

    Tis the Season… For Gift Giving! This year I want to share the top gifts and each gift is sensory inspired. All of these gifts meet and/or address at least one and actually multiple sensory needs.  Whether it be a swing for vestibular and self regulation.  Or a shopping cart that meets proprioceptive and tactile. And every gift on the list is under $100 while most are actually under $50.

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  • Everyday Fashion

    Holiday Traditions + Ugg Giveaway Winner

    traditions

    This Christmas season I am really feeling all the feels… not to be cliche or anything.  But, truly, this year seems to feel different.  It seems brighter, it seems happier; it seems more merry.  Christmas, for many I am sure, is a season filled with love, laughter, friends, family and holiday cheer.  However, it is not lost on me that this time year can also bring about feelings of loss, loneliness and sadness and for those that experience those feelings know you are loved.

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  • Real Life Ramblings

    Kitchen Enthusiast Gift Guide: All Under $100

    The countdown has begun.  Christmas is less than two weeks away.  That means family, cooking, presents and love.  You kitchen is about to get really busy!  Not sure about you but I am so incredibly excited for it all.  We are a family that has a lot of traditions and so many of them are centered around the kitchen and eating.  Whether it be making food together, gathering around the dining table or just hanging out in the kitchen drinking wine (I mean hot coca) and laughing.

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  • Everyday Fashion

    The Magic of Christmas: I Still Believe

    I still believe.

    And if you have known for any length of time you will know the significance of this word and this idea for me. For years, I have chosen ‘Believe’ as the single word I live by.  The word was splattered everywhere at my wedding, it is the signature on my emails and you can find it in almost every room of my house. I believe- in something- each day it may be different- but I believe.  It’s a daily reminder of motivation and of purpose and around the Holidays it is the reminder that there is something bigger than myself.

    shop the look: denim // top // shoes // hat // cape // clutch 

    In the spirit of the season and in the spirit of believing I must say I believe this hat and these shoes are two of my most favorite recent purchases.  As the holiday season (and life) often calls for fancier dress I was on the hunt for a pair of neutral classic heels and I came upon these lovelies from Michael Kors.  While I will not brag about the comfort as I am not one to say heels are particularly comfortable I will say I could happily wear them for a night out, a holiday lunch or Christmas party.  I love adding a bit of fancy to my everyday (ie the shoes) but as I am more casual gal I needed to keep this outfit easy and ready to wear… enter the beanie! I love the color, the feel and the fit.  If you watch my Instastories you will have seen it worn many times- tis the season for beanies! The denim is J. Crew and I cannot recommend these enough- I have these exact fit in two other washes- pretty much the only denim I am wearing. The dark color is great for a more dressed up appearance up but can also be worn for the everyday errand running or lunch date.  I paired it all with a simple grey mock turtleneck to keep the outfit looking sleek and streamlined.  This is a great layering piece- perfect with a faux fur vest or puffer over-top or even a soft cozy cardigan.

    This cape was a present from Brendan last Christmas.  It is quintessential British cape and I love it.  Not only does the lining make me smile but the warmth is unmatchable.  It is pure wool, heavy, thick and amazing.  I have linked a few others <here> and <here> as I am aware this exact one is a bit pricey.

    Tis’ the season to believe and even at 34 years old I still believe in the magic of Christmas.  The last time I read The Polar Express to Declan, just the other night, I was literally choked up by the ending (if you are not familiar the little boy receives a bell from Santa that can only be heard by those who continue to believe in the magic of Christmas).  I realized as I read this children’s story to my son that I have never stopped believing.  The bell still rings for me- each and every year.  The magic of Christmas completely consumes my heart and my mind- it is the driving factor in continuing the traditions of the season (see my post about Holiday traditions here), it is the reminder that magic is what you make it and it is the intention of ensuring my son grows up believing.

    While I will never preach my religious views to you and I accept and respect everyone’s opinion to feel and practice the way they choose, part of the magic in believing lies in my faith.  It is about believing in something bigger than myself- that this life is a gift given to me. It is about believing in my purpose in this life.  Teaching my son about the magic of Christmas, about the beliefs of our faith and about the importance of respecting what he is given is a journey that only gets more and more important each year.  I never want Declan to stop hearing the bells….

    And I promise to never stop believing.

    With Love,


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