tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56373833599236418242024-03-13T16:16:59.345-07:00sensational childrenempowering children and familiesDomenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-12739041913315900282015-08-20T17:40:00.003-07:002015-08-20T17:40:52.355-07:00John's Pet Rock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BK-8bwyf9xR24fzLLAJO8Phkl_iag7dT5MLZMZPLUKPY_5hGwZMNqxvPYcNdZiOMApz6gLlcp53xpn8qcigNqWy8ax79zT1Oelb-YbOnusxaJeOJCf33Kfm73Ax73nVg0bmbVFjKweHr/s1600/rock+pet.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BK-8bwyf9xR24fzLLAJO8Phkl_iag7dT5MLZMZPLUKPY_5hGwZMNqxvPYcNdZiOMApz6gLlcp53xpn8qcigNqWy8ax79zT1Oelb-YbOnusxaJeOJCf33Kfm73Ax73nVg0bmbVFjKweHr/s400/rock+pet.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's John's birthday today (August 20, 2015). He wants a pet rock! This is better than the pet he wanted last year; a bearded dragon. I was not prepared to be storing crickets in my house to feed to a reptile, but a pet rock, I can handle. </div>
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So I wasn't just going to present him with a rock….it took days to find the right rock…and then less than an hour in my art studio and voila! The rock was cold, so I thought it needed a hat (crocheted from red twine; the first 3 lines were crocheted in a circle and then I started to skip loops until the hat came to a point). And I found some remnant fabric and sewed a little cozy bed. It all sits in a simple box. All made from treasures in my art studio. I love my art studio….it has everything…except the rock.</div>
<br />Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-56628364809936873152015-08-04T10:48:00.000-07:002015-08-04T10:58:11.165-07:00Sensory Processing<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">In my <a href="http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=4d64548eef5f028385bab6644&id=137e8391be">June
Newsletter</a>, I wrote about how I would be “that awesome parent” this summer.
It’s not happening. The kids are out of control and I find myself (once again)
buried in books about sensory processing, trying to find the solution. I’m
having trouble getting all their sensory needs met. Add my sensory needs to the
mix and I get lost in a maze of words. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Sensory
processing (or the sensory system) includes information from the environment and
the body, the senses, how the brain interprets the senses, and the responce to
the senses. The response is usually what we’re interested in and want to
change. To do that, we have to go back to the information or experience that
triggered the sense, and then how the brain noticed (or didn’t notice) the
sensory input. Was it too much, too little? And what do we do to alter the
whole experience to create a desirable response. Are you lost? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">So I gathered
some information that (I hope) will get us out of this predicament. The information
below was gathered from the SPD Foundation (<a href="http://www.spdfoundation.net/">www.spdfoundation.net</a>), Wikipedia (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_processing">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_processing</a>)
, and the books, <a href="http://livingsensationally.blogspot.ca/">Living
Sensationally, Understanding Your Senses</a>, by Winnie Dunn and <a href="http://out-of-sync-child.com/">The Out-of-Sync Child</a> by Carol Stock
Kranowitz. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Sensory Processing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sensory processing is the neurological
process that organizes sensation from one's own body and the environment, thus
making it possible to use the body effectively within the environment,” describes
Wikipedia (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_processing">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_processing</a>)
.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Sensory
information from the environment helps us understand the world around us. We
also have sensations inside ourselves that help us keep track of how are bodies
are doing. To understand our bodies, we have touch sensors, body position
sensors, movement sensors, and oral sensors. To understand the world around us,
we have visual, auditory and smell sensors. See the list of senses below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">We experience
life through our senses. Sensation is everywhere, but we all react differently
to sensory experiences in our everyday life. We experience a sense of calm with
some sensory experiences and get overwhelmed with other sensory experiences.
The way we respond to a sensory experience is related to how quickly the brain
notices the sensory input and what we do in response to make ourselves
comfortable and satisfied. </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">The responses we have
adds to our understanding of human behaviour.</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Sensory Processing
Disorder<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">“Sensory
processing disorder (SPD; also known as sensory integration dysfunction) is a
condition that exists when multisensory integration is not adequately processed
in order to provide appropriate responses to the demands of the environment….Sensory
processing disorder is characterized by significant problems to organize
sensation coming from the body and the environment and manifested by
difficulties in the performance in one or more of the main areas of life: productivity,
leisure and play or activities of daily living,” </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">describes
Wikipedia (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_processing_disorder">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_processing_disorder</a>)
.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">The SPD Foundation (<a href="http://www.spdfoundation.net/">www.spdfoundation.net</a>) describes, “Sensory
Processing Disorder (SPD, formerly known as "sensory integration
dysfunction") is a condition that exists when sensory signals don't get
organized into appropriate responses.… A person with SPD finds it difficult to
process and act upon information received through the senses, which creates
challenges in performing countless everyday tasks. Motor clumsiness, behavioral
problems, anxiety, depression, school failure, and other impacts may result if the
disorder is not treated effectively.”</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><u>The Eight
Senses</u><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Interoception</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">: The internal sense, responsible for knowing you are hungry, feel
sick or have to use the restroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Proprioception</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">: </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">Body position
sensor that tells us about our muscles, tendons, and joints. The position-sense
keeps track of where our arms, legs, head, and body are even without seeing
them. It helps understand what movement feels like inside your body. When
people are less aware of their position-sense, it is difficult to make
adjustments. This person would have trouble in an exercise program based on
verbal instruction. Repositioning their body based on verbal instruction is
difficult because they don’t understand what movement feels inside their body.
They will need physical adjustments to help them position their body
accordingly.</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Vestibular</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">: Your sense of balance, of where your body is positioned in space
– like lying down, turning upside down, jumping and climbing high off the
ground. </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">These sensors tell us
how fast and in which direction your head is moving. Some people love the
feeling of movement; they are the roller coaster riders, others prefer their
movement receptors quieter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Taste</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> (gustatory)</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">: </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">Oral sensors create a log of things that
go in our mouth. We feel textures, temperatures and we taste flavours.</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Touch</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> (tactile)</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">: </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">Touch sensors keep the brain informed about
our skin and the edge of our body. </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Your sense of feeling,
all over your skin; responsible for how your clothes feel, knowing there is
food on your face, and having your hair combed or cut.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Smell</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> (olfactory)</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">: Your sense of
what things smell like, from freshly baked cookies, to perfumes, soaps and
skunks. </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">We can map the world
through our noses. Our brain categorizes smells and creates memory of them;
which is why a smell can remind you of past events and places. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Sight</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> (visual)</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">: How you see things, responsible
for picking out one object in many, recognizing facial expressions and
adjusting your eyes to lighting conditions. </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">Our visual sensory receptors catalogue light and colour. Some
of us are more sensitive to visual input and prefer dim lighting, and monochromatic
decorating with less contrast and familiar patterns. Others are delighted with
flooding light, lots of vibrant colours and lots of contrast and interesting
features. Our visual sensors develop maps of our surroundings, we use these
maps along with our body maps to navigate our surroundings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Hearing</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> (auditory)</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">: </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">Auditory sensations map space and distance
around us. </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Responsible for knowing who to listen to in a
crowded room, organizing directions for a task, and taking in the sound of an
alarm or siren. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-35799478094221035672015-07-11T10:24:00.003-07:002015-07-11T10:26:20.342-07:00Travelling with Children<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCA-Y2ZZGCCYoTQ4Xvb15T4N3CDH_FJk8UkoSpy8hxk6v_jl0Q4vnID_M80EKbiRi9YR_k8TXWPCtIT6QXozL6FVQ9xVc2HArMqvZrmr4esRrJFTB9A2Svsf1YfRQm7nGav0L8shrQ6FC/s1600/travelling+with+children.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCA-Y2ZZGCCYoTQ4Xvb15T4N3CDH_FJk8UkoSpy8hxk6v_jl0Q4vnID_M80EKbiRi9YR_k8TXWPCtIT6QXozL6FVQ9xVc2HArMqvZrmr4esRrJFTB9A2Svsf1YfRQm7nGav0L8shrQ6FC/s320/travelling+with+children.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;">This article was written for <a href="http://www.westvanbeacon.ca/" target="_blank">The Beacon</a>, July 2015
edition.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;">Why travel with children? Children
need structure, routine and familiarity; all of which are difficult while
travelling. But we (parents) do it anyway, every year, sometimes more than once
a year, and sometimes every weekend. Why? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;">People are wired for personal
growth. It is our destiny to grow as human beings and engage in personal
development. And the best way to do this is to have children, despite the grim
stats on the subject. Did you know that parenthood actually creates marital
dissatisfaction? Data collected by John and Julie Gottmann of the Gottman
Institute in Seattle reveals this very truth! Two thirds of couples that have
children experience a break down in their relationship. But there is hope! </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">I had the opportunity to study at the
Gottman Institute to bring the renowned “Bringing Baby Home” program to the
North Shore; helping couples with this transition to parenthood.</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;">So it all makes
sense.....really....it's all a journey in self improvement; a journey that
usually involves physically travelling with children. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;">There are many articles with
wonderful tips about how to travel with children. Google “travelling with
children” and you will find what you need. Start your journey by planning the
holiday together with your children. Plan a list of activities for everyday and
help your children create a scrapbook to record their memories. Buy a Polaroid
camera so the kids can post their photos instantly in their scrapbook. Digital
media can also be useful, but beware. Too many family photos get stuck in the
digital world. They serve no purpose there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic";">Children love holding and looking at real photo albums; and
it’s important for their development. While sitting together, looking at photo
albums “help your kids talk about their experiences,” Dr. Daniel Seigel and Dr.
Tina Payne Bryson write in the </span><a href="http://wholebrainchild.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Whole Brain Child</span></a><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic";">,
“Studies have clearly shown that the very act of recalling and expressing an
event .... can improve immune and heart function, as well as general
well-being.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;">My final advice for a happy
vacation is to simply remember that happiness requires a lot of work and that’s
okay. Family holidays can equip our children with a strong and happy
foundation. They strengthen families by bringing them together for a common
goal, creating shared meaning, trying new things together and most importantly,
talking about those experiences. Ultimately, your journey isn’t just one of
personal development; you are raising a generation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic";">So who in their right mind would travel with children? We do
(parents). We don’t want our children just to survive; we want them to thrive. And
family holidays can provide the kinds of experiences that will help raise
resilient, well-integrated, happy children. </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-74565818564698731262015-04-24T23:16:00.005-07:002015-04-25T10:42:07.920-07:00Painting Sensational Brownies<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqR4RgbhuUTozRnccqiN5c94lwNFz2ap-k7QNVs3K9r1NuTChzNnU7L5SVaWMUHrw7l5xcXVLrcdbqw9RpMEi50XPkWDtny-EUk-qCqT7AnGoZ_QZl4u6IRIDfMBFwmmcV_qALpsVQdqyG/s1600/sensational+brownies+recipe+2015+photo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqR4RgbhuUTozRnccqiN5c94lwNFz2ap-k7QNVs3K9r1NuTChzNnU7L5SVaWMUHrw7l5xcXVLrcdbqw9RpMEi50XPkWDtny-EUk-qCqT7AnGoZ_QZl4u6IRIDfMBFwmmcV_qALpsVQdqyG/s1600/sensational+brownies+recipe+2015+photo.png" height="216" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">My daughter,
Kate, invited me to her class on Thursday. I was her VIP and she wanted me to
show off my art. My children know me as an artist; that’s a part of me I </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">forget</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"> and, to often, take for granted. I guess children remind us
of who we really are….</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
<a href="http://www.domenicamastromatteo.com/Domenica_Mastromatteo/Welcome.html" target="_blank">domenica mastromatteo</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">My art is
personal….it’s mine….it’s for me….and so hard to give/sell away, but I remember
reading somewhere, once, long ago, that it’s our duty as human beings, to share
our life and experiences with others, we’re suppose to learn from each
other…..I’m trying…. I’m a private person, with a blog….I’m definitely trying!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">But back to my
art…. I realize it’s time for me to share that too, and so glad to be sharing
with my daughter’s class. So I created my <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xIiyIMZlgyr2oIcO1lRS8P-SZl30ZQ3JtO65IYZsb_Q/edit?usp=sharing">slide
show</a> and briefly spoke about my two passions! <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Art</b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Human Development</b>,
specifically, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Parenting & Child
Development</b>. I spoke of the beginnings of Sensational Children and my wish
to empower ALL families. I spoke of the combining my two passions and creating <a href="http://www.sensationalchildren.ca/Sensational_Children/Sensational_Art.html">Sensational
Art</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">And then came the
fun!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">I brought out the
sensational brownies, the edible food paint and ta-da!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqXT8EVosV5mLdNSjIjJB61G1N9rMppkj2gFktf-SgCoVLYe5KKewaaHa1Sl8ZWaPZmyf5S-JzbjUJNdh3kuZlnOaZasSBuW07GXZos_lUZPRXtXxWuhpYFdO8hE4k025jttwt0jflDzV/s1600/painted+brownies.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqXT8EVosV5mLdNSjIjJB61G1N9rMppkj2gFktf-SgCoVLYe5KKewaaHa1Sl8ZWaPZmyf5S-JzbjUJNdh3kuZlnOaZasSBuW07GXZos_lUZPRXtXxWuhpYFdO8hE4k025jttwt0jflDzV/s1600/painted+brownies.png" height="640" width="489" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">BEAUTIFUL!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">I got them to
create masterpieces and eat their fruits and vegetables! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">The Sensational
Brownies recipe is below along with instructions on how to make the edible
paint. These brownies are delicious; even with spinach, blueberries and flax
seed mixed in the batter! This mixture contains antioxidants, omega 3 fatty
acids, vitamin C, folate, calcium and (a little bit) of iron! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">But, yes, they are
still dessert. They don’t replace fruit and veggies; meaning, in order to
promote a healthy diet, we need to present veggies during mealtime. Children
need to be exposed to many different varieties of foods. They need to smell the
cooking vegetables and see them on the table. It’s our job to make nutritious
foods available; it’s the child’s job to decide what and how much to eat. But
you can feel better about (occasionally) allowing dessert; even after they’ve
refused spinach for the hundredth time!</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9O3VH8-3ab4KV0mdVOBQhiNQrmIBGvFiSLU6Pb-TGrx-nqClwmuLCnmPqNdKRlvjFWjqsxF94zkwCXFoMkw27mD8eRJ2CInEdsG-pSqFDhMfFBfYRq4O7HyBe7-SjorTyubO7GTGx-8b/s1600/sensational+brownies+recipe+2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9O3VH8-3ab4KV0mdVOBQhiNQrmIBGvFiSLU6Pb-TGrx-nqClwmuLCnmPqNdKRlvjFWjqsxF94zkwCXFoMkw27mD8eRJ2CInEdsG-pSqFDhMfFBfYRq4O7HyBe7-SjorTyubO7GTGx-8b/s1600/sensational+brownies+recipe+2015.png" height="640" width="542" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">You should be
able to increase the spinach to 1 cup and a half without any problems. These
brownies really do takes great and their own, but if you’d like to re-create
the art project, you’ll need to make a batch of <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/the-most-royal-of-icings">royal icing</a>.
Spread a thin coat of icing on the brownies (crumb coat), then let rest until
the icing hardens (about 30 minutes). Spread another layer of icing on top of
the crumb</span> <span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">coat (save some
icing to make the paint). Cut into individual brownies. Let rest about 2 hours.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIzAy6w2jO-yKrHA2VwFPoD1b9d-cy07nNdE7oLxI5bgEkKeAVVndQAJQqXhFP9Q_1vwUkcWNrzOIO4BeV31BntZnHFoPDUIoteSb-LC7wS3dfj2271LeRmdktdP8Z5JzqHINgLqcOnZW/s1600/IMG_8272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIzAy6w2jO-yKrHA2VwFPoD1b9d-cy07nNdE7oLxI5bgEkKeAVVndQAJQqXhFP9Q_1vwUkcWNrzOIO4BeV31BntZnHFoPDUIoteSb-LC7wS3dfj2271LeRmdktdP8Z5JzqHINgLqcOnZW/s1600/IMG_8272.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">While you’re waiting, make the </span><b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">edible paint</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrub5lJAsStsUZbYBW6pPslkoScAxQqoqcx0PQQyiYe6PY7lRUT1-3LEpOJ2F4RLH5V8zBQUnZSKfAknZ3fkK3G_obu5d_BXKdAbuyYK6hOAHaYh0y_E6_LgCZ_0tpHXdgUzx_2P-vH6L/s1600/IMG_8269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrub5lJAsStsUZbYBW6pPslkoScAxQqoqcx0PQQyiYe6PY7lRUT1-3LEpOJ2F4RLH5V8zBQUnZSKfAknZ3fkK3G_obu5d_BXKdAbuyYK6hOAHaYh0y_E6_LgCZ_0tpHXdgUzx_2P-vH6L/s1600/IMG_8269.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Spoon remaining
icing into little containers. Add a few drops (between 5-</span> <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">10
drops) of food colouring. Stir. PAINT!!</span></div>
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Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-36702398759817590712015-03-07T15:35:00.001-08:002015-03-07T15:35:30.188-08:00Sorry for all the Emails!If you've subscribed to my Sensational Children blog….I'm sorry for all the email updates you've been getting! I'm reorganizing my "blogging world". Everything will settle down soon….Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-87099704936753558502015-03-07T15:29:00.003-08:002015-03-07T15:29:43.049-08:00Using your Child's Sensory Needs as a Parenting Tool<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Marc Landry (occupational Therapist) presented "Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder, Promoting Self-Regulation, Supporting Stress Management" at <a href="http://kgms.ca/" target="_blank">Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School</a> on Friday January 24, 2014. I spent years trying to understand and help my son (John) with SPD…and I wondered if I could (maybe) miss the talk, save on the babysitter, and just stay home. I'm glad I didn't. Marc Landry is a great speaker….and he brought to light many things I've forgotten!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">John has been attending Occupational Therapy for 6 years; it's helped him keep his sensory needs within a "normal" range…making our life at home much easier….that's my excuse for forgetting….</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I've been using discipline to redirect misbehaviour. And what's wrong with that? Sounds good…except, is the behaviour really misbehaviour? I've been defining it as such….but I've forgotten that behaviour is a form of adapting and what I may call "misbehaviour" is just my child's way of adapting to his/her environment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18px;" /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18px;">Interesting how things seem to fall together. I'm taking the the </span><a href="http://blog.positivediscipline.com/" target="_blank">52 Parenting Tools in 52 Weeks Challenge with Positive Discipline</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18px;"> by Dr. Jane Nelson. January 19's parenting tool was "</span><a href="http://blog.positivediscipline.com/2011/12/listening-tool-card.html" target="_blank">Listen</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18px;">". And I've realized that I've been reacting, correcting and trying to fix the behaviour without "listening" at all levels. I'm also reading (finally) the </span><a href="http://wholebrainchild.com/" target="_blank">Whole-Brain Child</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://wholebrainchild.com/" target="_blank"> </a>by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson. Reminding me that I must "connect before directing"….but I'm "surviving instead of thriving"….</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I'm grateful for those reminders. But before I lose you….I'll try to explain what I've forgotten and what Marc Landry helped me remember with an example.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">One of the reoccurring "misbehaviours" and cause of "disharmony" in our household is 7 year old Kate's demeanour during mealtimes. Limbs and hair everywhere…..she can't sit still…she keeps getting up to give me a hug…..no, it's not cute….we're trying to teach her manners. Kindly reminding her about the importance of good posture will sometimes lead to a power struggle….Richard says she's improving….but I've been feeling like we're missing something….like we don't have the whole picture…how quickly I forget!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Kate has always benefitted from my knowledge in sensory processing and I've always felt like I've deflected what could have been possible problems by meeting her sensory needs…and that's the missing piece! I wish it was as simple as asking Kate what she needs and how we can help her stop fidgeting … but she won't answer with, "I need prioprioceptive input to stay engaged during dinner." Knowledge of sensory processes is a positive parenting tool for everyone! Since we've moved (house), many sensory toys have not been unpacked and Kate was the biggest user….She has always needed regular proprioceptive feedback, but monkey bars are gone, trampoline is gone…where's the bean bag? So Kate's misbehaviour is just Kate's way of adapting to her environment.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18px;" /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18px;">So where does Kate sit in the Sensory Modulation Continuum? She's Hypo-responsive…she needs to fidget to bring herself to a learning state. She has signs of low tone as she lethargically leans on the dinning table with her head falling into her plate….then she'll jump up and give me a hug to satisfy her proprioceptive need…..(To learn more about SPD, go to </span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://sensationalchildren.blogspot.ca/">sensationalchildren.blogspot.ca</a>.)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">So what do we do? We need to get the trampoline back, the monkey bars…..get Kate to monkey around before supper. Maybe, she needs to sit on an exercise ball or wrap heavy elastics around the legs of her chair, so she can fidget with her feet. Maybe, a bowl of fidget items on the dining table.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Sensory Processing (Disorder?) to the rescue again….</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;"><i>As your <a href="http://www.spdfoundation.net/parentconnections.html" target="_blank">SPD Parent Host</a>, I am always available to answer questions about your child's sensory needs. Please feel free to comment or fill out my comment form (on the right bar).</i></span></span>Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-17710373654441602772015-03-07T15:25:00.000-08:002015-03-07T15:25:20.097-08:00Dealing with Technology<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXrluzXvOEwGEtF-VKJqbhYV3TDJBLPPZy6cN8MX4034ysLY8Brixzh2nA5qvNVv67QcLXtwzvSnoerntNQTki2ootHsLOlmbXgP5i13Vw2gx0N7tbwNs4STU1PKqaqTmXX6_4-v3-84/s1600/IMG_5280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXrluzXvOEwGEtF-VKJqbhYV3TDJBLPPZy6cN8MX4034ysLY8Brixzh2nA5qvNVv67QcLXtwzvSnoerntNQTki2ootHsLOlmbXgP5i13Vw2gx0N7tbwNs4STU1PKqaqTmXX6_4-v3-84/s1600/IMG_5280.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Children are now faced with increasingly more options for screened entertainment, leaving families disconnected and disengaged.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;">Would it surprise you to know that 2-5-year-olds watch more than 32 hours of TV a week? (</span><a href="http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/newswire.html"><span style="color: #2572b2; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Nielsen</span></a><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;">) Many children learn to operate sophisticated remote controls before their third birthday and sit mesmerized in front of the screen. In fact, many parents include television as part of a child’s bedtime routine, unaware that television viewing before bed may disturb children’s sleep patterns.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;">Children ages 8-18 spend more than 53 hours a week online and almost 8 hours of media use each day. (</span><a href="http://kff.org/other/event/generation-m2-media-in-the-lives-of/"><span style="color: #2572b2; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Keiser Family Foundation</span></a><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;">) In today’s digital world, families are exposed to more screen time than ever before. Smartphones, tablets, YouTube and the ever-popular game, Minecraft are just a few of the many sources of electronic connection that vie for time and attention from both parents and children.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #535353; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;">Research demonstrates that screen time can negatively influence brain development. But you don’t need research to know that your children are on their screens too much each day; you know this from your own wisdom and intuition. But not many of us want to pull the plug on television. We want our kids to keep up with technology and learn new skills that will help them in their lives, but we know that too much media use prevents them from becoming proficient in person-to-person communication skills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #535353; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;">The key lies in finding a balance. What you can do to help your kids find that balance of screen time with “real life” is to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">work together</b> to set limits around daily media use…including your own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #535353; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;">The Positive Discipline Association suggests the following tools to help manage your family’s screen time so it doesn’t manage you:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1. </span></span><b>Have a family meeting.</b><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;"> Get the whole family involved in a plan for reducing screen time. Part of the solutions should include things to do in place of screen time. It is more difficult to give something up when you don’t have plans for what else to do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2. </span></span><b>Create a “parking lot”</b><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;"> for electronics—have a basket or charging station in a central location in the house at which family members “park” their electronics during certain times of day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3. </span></span><b>Establish new routines.</b><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;"> Start with one time of day to be screen free (such as dinner) and periodically add on other times of day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4. </span></span><b>Stay close with your child with special time.</b><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;"> Children will listen to your limits about screen time when they feel understood and that you “get” them. Spend regular one-on-one time together to keep your relationship strong.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5. </span></span><b>Hold limits with kindness and firmness.</b><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt;"> Changing a screen time habit is hard; be ready for disappointment, anger, and sad feelings. Hold your limits by empathizing with a child’s feelings and sticking with the limit you’ve set.</span></span></div>
Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-31697403276285936572015-03-07T11:40:00.003-08:002015-03-07T11:40:24.260-08:00Connection Before Correction<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Extensive research shows that we cannot influence children in a positive way until we create a connection with them. It's a brain (and heart) thing. In my parenting workshops this week, we spoke about communicating with our children and the subtle ways we can change our language to allow our children to feel connected. We also talked about curiosity questions beginning with "what" or "how" (instead of "why") to help our children accept personal responsibility for their own actions and begin effective problem solving. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">I encourage you to be mindful every time you “tell” your children what to do. Try “asking” instead. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lead</b> your children by asking them what they think needs to be done. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Asking creates respect and cooperation by “drawing forth” from children instead of trying to “stuff in”.</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">Have an awesome long weekend!</span></div>
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Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-69135948752842757132015-03-07T11:38:00.001-08:002015-03-07T11:38:32.109-08:00A Misbehaving Child<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Any child who is misbehaving is subconsciously saying, “I am a child, and I just want to belong, and I have some mistaken ideas about how to accomplish belonging.” Misbehaving children are discouraged children. Dreikurs said many times, “Children need encouragement, just as plants need water. They cannot survive without it.” The best way to help a misbehaving child is through encouragement. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 13px;">(adapted from Jane Nelsen, Positive Discipline)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">But what does this mean? It is not easy to act encouraging toward a child who is misbehaving. What does encouragement look like? Remember that encouragement is the focus of positive discipline and every method discussed in the positive discipline approach is designed to help children (and adults) feel encouraged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">Last week, we looked at encouragement and other positive ways of communicating with our children. Just by changing our communication style, we can see positive results in our children’s behaviour. But what happens if the misbehaviour continues? What now? What have we overlooked? In our last class of this 4-week workshop, we will look at Driekurs concept of mistaken goals and learn how our own feeling are clues into our children’s mistaken beliefs. We’ll learn what to do about our children’s misbehavior, how to help them make amends, and truly turn difficult situations into wonderful learning opportunities.</span></div>
Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-9782048768838496982015-03-07T11:32:00.001-08:002015-03-07T11:32:15.705-08:00Find Your Happy: Finding Happiness at Home<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilr-1gxJMycpn5KnE5J41lr4UDxCJ8A-xctKc02mIy40AcI6hdMBzjZHgcW1cedFGPp44mNrrF95MJOqjHFbqGCJcmMKImR57albR3W84j11Gnj-3wftkzt9-fAwY8p-ExkCHJr5L3tA8/s1600/piclab.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilr-1gxJMycpn5KnE5J41lr4UDxCJ8A-xctKc02mIy40AcI6hdMBzjZHgcW1cedFGPp44mNrrF95MJOqjHFbqGCJcmMKImR57albR3W84j11Gnj-3wftkzt9-fAwY8p-ExkCHJr5L3tA8/s1600/piclab.png" height="400" width="266" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Is it really possible?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Thoughts of happiness (and the lack of) seem to be engulfing my mind lately. Not only am I trying to recall happy moments from our family summer trip (visit <a href="http://bloggingeasterncanada.blogspot.ca/">bloggingeasterncanada.blogspot.ca</a>), but I’m exploring the happiness in my everyday life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">So, I’ve noticed my mood hasn’t been what I would like it to be. And honestly, I’ve always been a “glass half empty” girl. I work really (really) hard at appreciating what I have, but, honestly, it’s hard not to notice that things could be better. Why settle for half empty when you could have the whole thing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">But I’ve always bought into the idea of empowerment. We talk about empowering our children in Positive Discipline. We’ve all heard the phrases, “don’t be a victim”, “take control of your life”. But .... and here’s the big BUT....happiness and unhappiness are catching.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">You know the daily drill....child wakes up crying, older kids don’t want to get out of bed, they’re SO TIRED! Kate can’t find her paper....that paper that was on the table last week! Someone must have taken it! There’s nothing to eat....there’s nothing to put in the kids lunch....at least that’s what the kids say....they’re all TIRED and oh, John doesn’t want to go to school....he’s sick....really, he’s sick and Jane is still crying...now louder because no one is paying attention to her....Kate stomps off shouting, “I hate you!” and that’s just the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">How did I create that tornado? Really, I don’t want to take ownership for that. I keep wondering how my days can possibly be happier if I have to put up with THEM? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But all of that (apparently) is normal. Data collected by John and Julie Gottmann of the Gottman Institute in Seattle reveals that having children (statistically) causes depression....I’m just a statistic. I’m doomed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Research also says that family members affect each other’s happiness. I’m doomed….how can I find happiness when everyone is pouring their negativity on me? Happiness and unhappiness are catching. You can tell yourself you’re not going to get sick, but if someone with a horrible cold sneezes in your face....aren’t you going to get sick?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">If you’re immersed in a clan of unhappy people, you will catch it....unhappiness. But I can’t give up…..I can’t be doomed(yes, I realize my article is full of contradictions!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">How do we find happiness at home? The two major thoughts my mind struggles with:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Happiness and Unhappiness are Catching</span><br /><span style="color: black;">Fake it (Happiness) until you make it (Happiness)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Haven’t I already covered that? My children, walking around (moping around) with issues and complaints (and most of them aren’t even teenagers yet), (my children) download their negatively on me everyday. How do I fight that? Statistically, I’m doomed! But Happiness is also catching (I won’t mention that as Gretchen Rubin writes in Happier at Home, “negative emotions are more catching than positive emotions, and persist longer, and one grouch can drag down an entire group very quickly.” I did not write that, I did not say that…you did not read it).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">My biggest truth about parenting is that if children engage in an activity or mood that you dislike, look at yourself…. How are you portraying that behaviour? (Katie Byron does a great job of explaining this in her book, Loving What Is). Children learn through example…. What kind of example have I demonstrated? Ugh…the truth hurts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">But it’s so hard to rise above that…..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Parenting is hard!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">And here comes that second thought: Fake it until you make it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Take responsibility for the energy you bring into a room because children can’t. They’re too young to assume that responsibility….until you model this concept for them. I’m still struggling with this one….and my guess is, I’ll keep struggling…..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I am hoping that the more I fake it, the more I’ll make it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Yes, we alone are responsible for shaping our own lives, we create our worlds, we need to take ownership of our lives , stop blaming others….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">But I know that’s not enough….. There is more to this whole faking it…..especially, when you’re raising children. Children know when you’re not sincere, so how is this faking it going to work? Time to throw in the towel? Or time to remind myself that YES, parenting is hard! And difficulties create great learning opportunities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">So I don’t know how you will find happiness in your own home. I like to think of happiness as a state of mind….and I can always change my mind….so when unhappiness enters, well, its time for a change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Maybe happiness just lies in the pursuit of happiness. And the more you look for it, the more you’ll find it. I was in Zing Paperie and Design, at The Village in Park Royal yesterday and picked up a book entitled, Live Happy: Find the Joy That’s all Around you. Seriously? I thought. But I looked all around me, at all the pretty things, and it was hard not to feel just a little bit happy. A paragraph in the beginning of the book caught my eye: “Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, you can find your happy simply by deciding to look for it, because there are always good things within reach. Cultivate a habit of noticing them.” I like that; “find your happy”. I guess I won’t find happiness if I don’t look for it. I get so busy; I forget to look. Can I find happiness at home? Can you find happiness at home? Time to start looking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-14303500375576434512015-03-07T11:28:00.000-08:002015-03-07T11:28:08.015-08:00Why Take A Parenting Class?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.sensationalchildren.ca/Sensational_Children/Upcoming_Classes.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgai8Om-ATqF2Z5YcKtoXziCgM9ipeG-cLtQne0I-e7BKh2RekjANiRbXwmYG4FuX1Fdz78acyuEWxvbzeXKbRCcEXyOiJZpsKbFpgc4MMq8GzoOIXBdvJx_9hE4DdQgRJzn6M_5ONbEWc/s1600/photo+for+why+take+a+parenting+class.png" height="611" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve heard it before, “I don’t need a parenting class. My child and I have a great relationship.” Great! But children grow and change. Will you be able to meet your child with the respect, dignity and understanding he deserves through his changes? Parenting classes are not just for parents that are having trouble with their kids, it’s for all parents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, so we take golf lessons when we want to learn to play golf, we’ll sign up for art classes, or photography classes, or scuba diving. We’ll get a personal trainer to help us with our career, our health. We’ll join the running club. Any thing worth doing is worth the time to gain more knowledge and do better. Why not parenting?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“Parenting is the most challenging job we will ever have and the one for which we are the least prepared.” writes Mimi Hudson, M.A., R.C.C. (</span><a href="http://www.familyservices.bc.ca/index.php/resource-library/parents-a-families/374-why-take-a-parenting-course"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">http://www.familyservices.bc.ca/index.php/resource-library/parents-a-families/374-why-take-a-parenting-course</span></a><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">). And did you know that “there has never before been a generation so stressed and so starved of nurturing adult relationship”? Writes Dr. Daniel Seigel (in </span><a href="http://www.drdansiegel.com/?page=books&sub=parenting_from_the_inside_out"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Parenting from The Inside Out</span></a><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">) about our children. “Having been a kid and having parents is not enough training. We tend to parent the way we were parented or as a reaction against it. Parenting is a process with no quick fixes”. (Mimi Hudson, M.A., R.C.C.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Even if you try to keep up on child rearing in books, magazines, television and online, the information is confusing and contradictory. If you’re still using time-out, gold stickers, behaviour charts, and “consequences”, have you considered the “real consequences” of these quick parent fixes?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Today’s children know their rights and are entitled to be treated as equals; at least in terms of human worth and dignity. </span>Treating our children as equals means we will treat them with dignity, respect <span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">and cooperation not rewards and punishment.</span> This doesn’t mean we must be permissive!<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> </span>Adults need to be the leaders, they have the experience, skills and maturity and it’s our responsibility to guide our children.<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My workshop will teach you how to lead your children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s not about making a child do what we want him to do. It’s about raising capable, compassionate, hard-working individuals who feel good about who they are, enjoy meaningful relationships, and live a life full of meaning and purpose. It’s about the long haul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sign up for my workshop <a href="http://www.sensationalchildren.ca/Sensational_Children/Upcoming_Classes.html" target="_blank">here</a> at <a href="http://www.sensationalchildren.ca/Sensational_Children/Upcoming_Classes.html">sensationalchildren.ca</a>!</span></div>
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Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-16779023271901715382015-03-05T14:04:00.002-08:002015-03-05T14:04:30.726-08:00March SPD - Parents' Connections <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZGAiRHLWkx6GRxwNCrQGoDgPfsDG3d7HM2NJIaSDEsaAh3CudOcpEidHvuni8PT85UYgEK-lJkfeI96Vco8gWB2Af-fY_4vBmP7SsRqGm5oHh46R24mvyF6-j3TnhbejTpEfLGkNBioP/s1600/picturespdmarchmeeting.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZGAiRHLWkx6GRxwNCrQGoDgPfsDG3d7HM2NJIaSDEsaAh3CudOcpEidHvuni8PT85UYgEK-lJkfeI96Vco8gWB2Af-fY_4vBmP7SsRqGm5oHh46R24mvyF6-j3TnhbejTpEfLGkNBioP/s1600/picturespdmarchmeeting.png" height="640" width="571" /></a></div>
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Explore raising children with special needs. Each month, we will cover sections of the book, Positive Discipline: For Children With Special Needs by Jane Nelsen, Steven Foster, and Arlene Raphael.<br />
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Positive Discipline is an approach to child rearing and teaching that emphasizes helping children learn valuable social and life skills that will help them make responsible decisions that lead to a more productive and satisfying life.<br />
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Parents of children with special needs must contend with the judgments of strangers, teachers, and even members of their own families. Much of the information and suggestions they receive are about managing their children. Positive Discipline will help you raise your children.<br />
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In March, we will discuss psychiatrists Alfred Adler and Rudolf Dreikurs' belief that the primary motivation of all human beings is to belong and feel significant. Thus, a primary purpose of behaviour is to act on that motivation to achieve a sense of belonging and significance. Sometimes children make "mistakes" about how to find belonging and significance and "misbehave". We will analyze the possible mistaken beliefs that underlie children's challenging behaviours.<br />
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Register by emailing: <a href="mailto:dmastromatteo@sensationalchildren.ca">dmastromatteo@sensationalchildren.ca</a>Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-20390327666260615732015-02-09T16:48:00.001-08:002015-02-09T16:48:49.583-08:00Romance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_oVFhzEVFJFMljIJE5tWOlUo41zdt8ZpY9IsHSOYm1yPi_N_lYsYwPUKy92QKXkUa5LOT-OS3RYDZseR1VzI-Zsxbn4S5-dW8gZqaGAoBRuHJtJK0TMDnkTx3xEbglXyCI6FNgj6GK5G/s1600/romance+photo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_oVFhzEVFJFMljIJE5tWOlUo41zdt8ZpY9IsHSOYm1yPi_N_lYsYwPUKy92QKXkUa5LOT-OS3RYDZseR1VzI-Zsxbn4S5-dW8gZqaGAoBRuHJtJK0TMDnkTx3xEbglXyCI6FNgj6GK5G/s1600/romance+photo.png" height="432" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Remember that? Romance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Duh?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">What?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">A few weeks ago, my cousin’s wife posted a picture on Facebook of
her home; decorated in hearts for Valentine’s Day. All I could think is, ugh….where
does she get the energy? She has two girls; two lovely girls, I’m sure. I have
four monsters. Everyday chores are more than I can bear. Adding holidays to my
list of things to do is just cruel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">So sad. Everything feels like so much work! Where’s the magic? And
when it comes to Valentine’s Day, I guess I should ask, where is the romance? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">According to The Gottman Institute, “Research shows that within
three years after the birth of a baby, approximately 2/3 of couples will
experience a significant drop in relationship quality and have a dramatic increase
in conflict and hostility.” It is an international social problem; one that I
am not immune to. Richard and I are busy…..what romance? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">So I have to put my pride aside and say Valentine’s Day is for
people like me; people who need that yearly reminder that Romance is important.
A reminder of the part of myself that I’ve been ignoring for too long. Before
children, LOVE was everything. I engulfed myself in love poetry, held on to
sentimental thoughts; danced in love’s energy….life was beautiful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">I’m reminded of the article entitled, “<a href="http://qz.com/273255/how-american-parenting-is-killing-the-american-marriage/">How
American Parenting is Killing the American Marriage</a>” on qz.com. Danielle
Teller writes, “Nothing in life is allowed to be more important than our
children, and we must never speak a disloyal word about our relationships with
our offspring. Children always come first. We accept this premise so
reflexively today that we forget that it was not always so.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Another thing to pondor, “In the 21st century, most Americans
marry for love. We choose partners who we hope will be our soulmates for life.
When children come along, we believe that we can press pause on the soulmate
narrative, because parenthood has become our new priority and religion. We
raise our children as best we can, and we know that we have succeeded if they
leave us, going out into the world to find partners and have children of their
own. Once our gods have left us, we try to pick up the pieces of our long
neglected marriages and find new purpose. Is it surprising that divorce rates
are rising fastest for new empty nesters? Perhaps it is time that we gave the
parenthood religion a second thought.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Sadly, that’s what I sometimes think….parenting is so hard, I want
to press pause on my relationship with Richard. But life is an ever-changing
organic experience. I can’t press pause. Relationships can’t be frozen, to be
played at a better time. While waiting for the right time to come along, things
are changing, people are changing, and a relationship that hasn’t been taken
care of will fall apart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">And for those of you who still feel that children need to be our
number one priority; further research has shown that relationship discord and
conflict have a profound negative effect on infants and toddlers (and no doubt,
on the development of our adolescent children as well).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">I guess it’s very timely I am just starting to offer the <a href="http://www.sensationalchildren.ca/Sensational_Children/Bringing_Baby_Home.html">Bring
Baby Home Program</a> developed by the Gottman’s at The Relationship Research
Institute in Seattle. The goal of the program is to improve the quality of life
for babies and children by strengthening the parental relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">And what about my relationship with Richard? You may ask. I have
all the literature and research summaries on how to maintain a solid
relationship; and it’s all very helpful. It really is. Just looking through the
literature floods me with wonderful memories of our shared love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">How do I get over my “ugh” for Valentine’s Day?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>William Shakespeare wrote, “Sweet love,
renew thy force….do not kill the spirit of love with a perpetual dullness…” I
found solace and a renewed energy in those long forgotten love poems I used to
read in my youth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t just
brush my ambivalence away or accept my frustration over preparing for “another holiday”
as the current state of affairs. What I’m trying to say is I’m making an effort
to look for Romance and I’m finding it everywhere. Remember my blog, “<a href="http://bloggingeasterncanada.blogspot.ca/2014/08/travelling-with-children.html">Travelling
with Children</a>”? I explained that we can look at things in different
perspectives and make arguments to prove each perspective right. I’m finding
proof that there is Romance everywhere and Valentine’s Day gives us a wonderful
moment to celebrate love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Happy Valentine’s Day!</span> </div>
Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-89761466185932760852015-01-16T20:40:00.001-08:002015-01-16T20:40:25.468-08:00Just One More Week to Go!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just one more week to go until my workshop!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so excited!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">View the <a href="https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/0f1f5e9a-45d7-484a-a5db-96ad38647271" target="_blank">AGENDA</a> for more information!</span><br />
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<a href="http://sensationalchildren.ca/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0-wL1kGQeifzoI0lG8UUQ_E1Zi5nnDxgeGNPeR0O-UW8X1dU5qd1P7bs9jijpl2-DSlpZ8T5x1-sY4XJ3mlvas6ebtQ0sJoyYWNIuR4kmLjCrK7ZIYtJYU3-ZQddLpR4P8iGiwrHqYyc/s1600/for+parents+caregivers.png" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-20360001354005882452014-12-31T20:13:00.000-08:002014-12-31T20:13:37.446-08:00A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJb0uomVTZqsNf_PgMzmhTfgZvPTjGfCaEpqc6qTOKbbVg2XpjqxbV1VmpYAfUSyv9Ji8zXG6xeYwhRo2z_Ljwz8XfuVBh61Q2htnV6FpqjYlQp3tnktgoYzA5hQIHjmXgrxFc9Y8R9qeQ/s1600/cslewisquote+children.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJb0uomVTZqsNf_PgMzmhTfgZvPTjGfCaEpqc6qTOKbbVg2XpjqxbV1VmpYAfUSyv9Ji8zXG6xeYwhRo2z_Ljwz8XfuVBh61Q2htnV6FpqjYlQp3tnktgoYzA5hQIHjmXgrxFc9Y8R9qeQ/s1600/cslewisquote+children.png" height="380" width="640" /></a></div>
"A picture is worth a thousand words."<br />
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When I saw Silvia Simpson's (of <a href="http://www.silviaphotography.com/" target="_blank">Silvia's Photography</a>) photograph of my daughters (above), I new it was time to start creating my vision of <a href="http://sensationalchildren.ca/" target="_blank">Sensational Children</a>. The picture just screamed, "SENSATIONAL CHILDREN"and everything that needs to be done to make sure children remain sensational!<br />
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Dr. Gabor Mate writes about how the disfunction of the world can be mirrored in an individual (<a href="http://drgabormate.com/book/in-the-realm-of-hungry-ghosts/" target="_blank">In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts</a>). When I learned about my son's disorder, sensory processing disorder (SPD), I recognized much of what was lacking in society's common practice of child rearing….Sensational Children (for me) was always more than "just" advocating SPD. It's about treating all children with the respect they deserve.<br />
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Wouldn't it be wonderful to practice mindful parenting and consciously download (into our children) information that will serve our children? Much of what we do arises from automatic programming that bypasses conscious awareness and may even run contrary to our intentions. Decisions that we may believe to be freely made can arise from unconscious emotional drives or subliminal beliefs. They can be dictated by brain mechanisms programmed early in childhood and determined by events of which we have no recollection. In the real world, choice, will and responsibility are not absolute and unambiguous concepts. People choose, decide and act in a context. That context is determined by how their brain functions. Brain development is influenced by conditions over which the individual, as a young child, had no choice whatsoever (summarized from <a href="http://drgabormate.com/book/in-the-realm-of-hungry-ghosts/" target="_blank">In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts</a>). If we are responsible for the programs that are downloaded into our children, let's download healthy ones.<br />
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Through my parenting workshops, parents will learn the skills for supporting their most important work; their children. I'm certified to teach <a href="http://www.positivediscipline.com/" target="_blank">Positive Discipline</a>, and the Bringing Baby Home and Emotion Coaching Programs from the <a href="https://www.gottman.com/" target="_blank">Gottman Institute</a>. I would love to teach them all….all the time….but as a parent myself, I'm balancing my love for sharing these wonderful concepts with others to implementing them with my children. And implementing them takes most of my time. My children need me. And my experience as a parent can only add to my usefulness as a facilitator.<br />
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Our children need us to be mindful of our parenting, they also need time to connect with others and time to unwind, time to integrate their experience while they play out what they hear and see; time and a safe place for their creativity to blossom. I want to create a space for children to do just that; and as a life-long artist, I can't think of any other place than my art studio. Elliot Eisner, Art Education Researcher and Scholar, says, “The arts enable us to have experience we can have from no other source.” Through creativity, our children learn adaptability, what Dr. Shimi Kang (writer of <a href="http://drshimikang.com/the-dolphin-way/" target="_blank">The Dolphin Way</a>) admits is the number one skill our children will need in the 21st century. Sensational Children would not be complete without <a href="http://www.sensationalchildren.ca/Sensational_Children/Sensational_Art.html" target="_blank">Sensational Art</a>. But I'm not sure what that will look like yet.<br />
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As I work through the licensing criteria (for my whole vision of <a href="http://sensationalchildren.ca/" target="_blank">Sensational Children</a>), things keep changing. Doors close, but there are still so many open. The process of bringing my vision to life is not a straight path; it's organic and changes. As Steve Jobs said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.” I trust my vision will take the shape it needs to; also, I trust that my journey (itself) will spark (in many) the realization that raising children (that children themselves) are THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK.<br />
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Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-79385885444469771402014-11-30T15:45:00.001-08:002014-11-30T15:48:43.092-08:00'Twas the Night Before an SPD Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>'Twas the Night Before an SPD Christmas</strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">By <a href="http://pancakesgoneawry.blogspot.ca/2011/12/twas-night-before-spd-christmas.html" target="_blank">Patty</a>, her husband and <a href="http://www.hartleysboys.com/" style="color: #015782; text-decoration: none;">Hartley</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">The snack packs, arranged on the counter with care,</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">In hopes, on our journey we’d be well prepared.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">The children were nestled all snug in their beds,</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Ma in her hoodie, and I in my sweats,</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">were to put away pillows and therapy nets.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">When in the back room there arose such a clatter,</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I ran at full sprint to see what was the matter.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">But a puzzled old man buried up to his ears,</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">(In scooter boards, swings, and small colored spheres.)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Poor devil had brushed ‘gainst our therapy stash,</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">When it came down around him it made such a crash!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">He recovered with grace, so lively and quick,</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">That I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">"What is all this stuff that you people collect?</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Are you Circus performers?”--the old man interjects—</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">"I came here with toys, for the boys and your girl</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">But looking around I think ‘what in the world?’</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">This room that would normally have children’s stuff</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: xx-small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">s packed to the gills with equipment enough</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">To start your own CIA torturing session!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Tell me I’m wrong and you’re not!” (oh good heavens!)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">My wife and I snickered and held out our hands,</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">And reassured Nick we’d had no evil plans.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">“Our kids have a condition; they have a hard time—</span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">They yell when it smells and they climb up the blinds.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><br /></span>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"></span></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">At first we didn’t know just what to think,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">But eventually found an OT who could speak</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"></span></span>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">To their curious quirks and aversion to crowds</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And toothpaste and barbers and things that are loud.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">St. Nick answered back, "So, then they misbehave?"</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">We answered with, "Actually, no, they're really quite brave.</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Kids with SPD deal with all kinds of things,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Like big hugs, itchy tags, and loud alarm rings,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Or can't get enough and spend hours on swings.</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">You see, our children are sensitive to all that life brings.</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Yet do very well with a consistent routine.</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">But it isn't bad behavior you see when they yell,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">But rather a problem that is hard to tell.</span></div>
</span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Our kids work hard, at therapy and play</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Spending hours and hours and hours each day</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Trying to find ways to control their bodies,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">And working hard not to look naughty.</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">But what they need is understanding, and some help along the way,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Because our kids amaze us, each and every day."</span></div>
</span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">The old man looked surprised, at what we had shared,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Small children with parents who did what we dared.</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">To seek out help, and look far and wide,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Turning over each rock, letting nothing hide.</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Until we found what they needed, what would make them feel whole,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">For families like ours St. Nick couldn't leave coal.</span></div>
</span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">So, Nick with the bundle of toys on his back,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Frowned and thought, then sullenly sat,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">(And mumbled to himself which took us aback):</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">“I’m quite at a loss, I don’t know what to give</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">To children who struggle while trying to live</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">In a world that is already noisy and bumpy</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">And twisty and scary and thorny and jumpy—"</span></div>
</span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Then he rifled again through his sack and reposed</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">While he tugged at his beard, and scratched at his nose</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">(And he huffed and he chuffed and he shifted his clothes)</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Then with a wink of his eye and a twist of his head,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">He drew the sack wide till the seams popped some threads,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Dug in his hand and pulled out a small box</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">(With very small writing) --but before he could talk</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">He ungloved his hand to wipe soot from his eye</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">(Or was it a tear? Or perhaps a sty?)</span></div>
</span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">So he bid us farewell, and went back to his work,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">He filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">And laying his finger aside of his nose,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">While giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.</span></div>
</span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I said to Ma, as she turned towards the tree,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">"Who knows what St. Nick left us, we'll have to see.</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Yet we gave him something great, I say with fairness,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">We sent him on his way with a new found </span></span><strong style="line-height: 18px;"><em>Awareness</em></strong><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">."</span></span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Which is a gift to our kids, in a different kind of way,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Because when all understand SPD, that will be a new day!"</span></div>
</span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Now we looked o’er the copious gifts left behind,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">The tiny collages of paper and twine,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">The moon-sparkled ribbons, the plastic that shined,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">We spied the small box for the children to find.</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">“The best gifts can be pretty small--” Ma started then said,</span></div>
</span><em style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<em><strong>“But our best gifts of all are still snuggled in bed.”</strong></em></div>
</em></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">This Holiday season, you SPD Fathers and Mothers,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">You cousins and nephews and sisters and brothers,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">When you wake in the morning and throw off the covers</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">(And tear into presents while everyone hovers)</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Do you think ‘Will I get what I wanted this year?’</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Or realize ‘all that you need is right here!’</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">You might think it’s corny, but surely remember</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Your children are better than any gift in December.</span></div>
</span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">And in case you were wondering what Santa had stashed,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">It may not surprise you, it might make you laugh,</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">“What did the children receive?” you may ask?</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Well, when the snowy chips are down…</span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">…Even </span></span><strong style="line-height: 18px;"><em>Santa</em></strong><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> gives cash.</span></span></div>
</span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Merry Christmas to all and to all</em></div>
</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a <strong>SENSATIONAL</strong> night!</span></em></div>
</span></span></span></div>
Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-42453443472277487982014-10-27T11:44:00.001-07:002014-10-27T11:52:52.169-07:00How To Love Your Daughter<div class="MsoNormal">
Written in collaboration with my eight year old, Kate
McLeod.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeqyBwJn65A0x8Ff5MOdlYDUvmglFeMwGzvyLhVoQkI1txyDq4YI0DPu_rMTkoJcghze-ZAHF9YraOtZsdc6ix-Ej36R0G7wCJoV-bZnmAr6dPmb95H4YS5nj54ouAVTAXsOdmRB-Hgit/s1600/how+to+love+your+daughter.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeqyBwJn65A0x8Ff5MOdlYDUvmglFeMwGzvyLhVoQkI1txyDq4YI0DPu_rMTkoJcghze-ZAHF9YraOtZsdc6ix-Ej36R0G7wCJoV-bZnmAr6dPmb95H4YS5nj54ouAVTAXsOdmRB-Hgit/s1600/how+to+love+your+daughter.png" height="320" width="222" /></a>We were all still sitting around the dinner table one
evening, after dinner was complete, table half-cleared…… talking about my
future blog posts and how most of them would require years of personal
development before I could tackle them…..Kate stared dreamily, eyes glazed and
grabbed paper and pen. Twenty minutes later, she stood up and said, “I have
it….this is what you should write on your blog….” </div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How to Love Your Daughter.”</span> </div>
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She (Kate) said it should be a list of things that I do to
show her (Kate) how I love her. This list would include:</div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
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<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Spend a lot of time with her</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Do her favorite things with her</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">If you’re busy, give her a clue….that you’re
busy and can’t help her</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Love and support her</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Every day, if she is getting you frustrated,
smile and count to ten….then ask her what she wants.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Tell her, I love you more than you do</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Tell her she is as graceful as a butterfly</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">You are as sweet as a loving bird eating candy!</span></li>
</ul>
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And there it is!</div>
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And this is where the inspiration for my first <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/a0e86702-f0e6-4dc0-b1ea-45aeabdc4154" target="_blank">free printable</a></span></b> was born.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Click <a href="https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/a0e86702-f0e6-4dc0-b1ea-45aeabdc4154" target="_blank">Here for the free printable on how to love your children</a>. </div>
<br />
<br />Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-34625279248674959652014-08-25T16:25:00.001-07:002014-08-25T16:25:37.181-07:00Celebrate Calm Teacher Training: 3 Ways To Improve Focus & BehaviorHere's an interesting video you may want to share with your child's teacher.<br /><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9LMqq5PLEFM" width="480"></iframe>Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-15887704572704694062014-06-17T17:28:00.002-07:002014-06-17T17:28:53.916-07:00just a thought on bullying….<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.nbc.com/parenthood/video/maxs-first-solo-field-trip-the-aftermath/2763755?fb_action_ids=10152888150273066&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_ref=s%3DshowShareBarUI%3Ap%3Dfacebook-like" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBZUqR6cP644s2VBi5QxiGPNCftP8-mCrBkOziwv0HRVpC3-unERhXvKzzbKbBxqcWy78goAg7BFWEiK4RNjKDCu2hQL1wlVCC6WY_62ZHtvM9gmqgpDdhmpsnSgVjy311YFtUv-dl0TE/s1600/140320_2763755_Max_s_First_Solo_Field_Trip__The_Aftermath.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After watching this, it's clear why we try to raise resilient children, so they aren't damaged by bullying.<br />
What do we do about the bullies?<br />
<br />
The bullies are the normal children…who are getting along just fine….they could be your children/my children. We need to be conscious about raising children that are respectful of themselves and others. We need to remember that empathy is learned….children will not pick it up if they don't see examples of it in their caregivers. Children learn from example, so it's not about the bullies, but it's about how do we (the adults) change? Society will not change until each individual decides to work on themselves; we all have to work on becoming better people. That is the only way we can create a better world.<br />
<br />
And this is why I teach parenting….so that (us) parents can get together and have that conversation about how we're going to change so that we can raise children into the adults we hope they become.Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-67816229389257403622014-05-24T11:26:00.000-07:002014-05-24T12:45:21.703-07:00a letter from the SPD foundation<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">We have an unprecedented opportunity to prove occupational therapy wo</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">rks for SPD. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=7c4a19d0-3ef5-43d4-b408-1df7fd517cb8&c=0e93f8b0-40df-11e3-b693-d4ae528440e0&ch=105fb800-40df-11e3-b786-d4ae528440e0" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFj3eui-DZ8mNjr4sSHPKrTkzTbjQRJpQhGD3BVPW2fCTtASICc_JGl45Rcp_6kRIecCuwNlkaDO0CvGFe3lIIfcTswxvnlETpHAdxC6Bm6YoFrYGBuvE1_uvrb4pLrxgMwSD-lzlE3Wip/s1600/155.png" height="320" width="117" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Last summer Drs. Marco and </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Mukherjee, researchers at UCSF, published a study (see #1 below) documenting differences in MRI scans of brains of children with SPD from the brains of children with Autism and ADHD. They are ready to collaborate with the SPD Foundation and STAR Center to conduct MRI scans before treatment and after treatment to see the actual differences in the brain from therapy. What an exciting opportunity... and timely! Last week <i>The Washington Post </i>(see #2 Below) reported that "Most experts believe OT can help children with sensory processing issues, but some, ... caution that there's little scientific evidence to prove it."</span></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It's time to PROVE IT! We need your help!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">If <b>everyone </b>receiving this message <b>donates $10</b> we can fund this study and get real answers about therapy. It's really easy to do.</span></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wgNsjtiWcsk2JkCJhkibMF7jjRhngVtWqcyS5x5mf_doDlvIka5xHbjAKYQfW68sEkB4JDU3YpXgueE9ltdIgpA_lkue73v0rI3tpJ4aEjpzGBXWgIOqjNIDkGXZGdbOTYtWV53iEzWwVTmYEjE8Knt5FjZ9zP1nWMSV_cQxNDvU40TwKoGr9Fot_wYyK3ba&c=6mXhkMjTvkGwZDSn5Kt_2SUIN3B1OLh57K9BmLGvpxICb2UMQ0LBlA==&ch=-IM3YVlrnUoH7pTXU0ZOz8r3yuXlv8E57ivVdm12CHrQ9nqCrp7Muw==" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;" target="_blank" track="on">donate $10 or more here online</a><span style="font-family: Arial;">. </span></span></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">That's it!</span></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Please, <b>please donate $10</b> or more today and help show the real impact of therapy.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thank you! </span></div>
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<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wgNsjtiWcsk2JkCJhkibMF7jjRhngVtWqcyS5x5mf_doDlvIka5xHbjAKYQfW68s2cUw7mpOWB-BHv_P6BMz5zXZ3pL1jN2eToJXHDMCyHMoRPCzwYLz3FlhWiLFRxMKJrpO8QIG6z-5SndfOmmFWmu221qMgUgdYuVUYiia98k6Y60ppWygrh5QVQcJQaXmjtM7g7m8rKmffLaLGc03KfhCjj4CldXBupoPqQKlkMv2nuyrSqvcpKvbXwfGURw8QQ36-eipCZJAj8XN_LOINXaF6g173lMdb_iJCvZJu4ZDngV1jigTTA==&c=6mXhkMjTvkGwZDSn5Kt_2SUIN3B1OLh57K9BmLGvpxICb2UMQ0LBlA==&ch=-IM3YVlrnUoH7pTXU0ZOz8r3yuXlv8E57ivVdm12CHrQ9nqCrp7Muw==" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: Arial;">Breakthrough Study Reveals Biological Basis for Sensory Processing Disorders in Kids</span></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #000085; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wgNsjtiWcsk2JkCJhkibMF7jjRhngVtWqcyS5x5mf_doDlvIka5xHbjAKYQfW68sN8rAWLNqzZ6DJ2DNW7bz5UPavLGZlOle0faxnVEZVx9jiaKSxSegWnDrum7xcMt8OGHkIS7wUPJO3vK_NY8PpYJjL56cbULxRegdToGDYWt1rxVl38IGS1fxtvJ3WykjeNOd2ThElw0RMKBXPhbZSmwxTGpuhKnCBvRBh0GrgxRkVjC0db8ZKY7Cakg5mkU-fDeaL9ad4XcnTWB_JaOkv0V9nCQmjankIRXvSszbl483YDqwa9VGc4ZcOO7dkKX0tsdvkWEq3UAoi7jAOZHjYEQCG8Emxn_3yl7e6Der1aIARCC0WVSOk1TrHnK-iesnt9PLD2Z5AlyegKsjXixGTw==&c=6mXhkMjTvkGwZDSn5Kt_2SUIN3B1OLh57K9BmLGvpxICb2UMQ0LBlA==&ch=-IM3YVlrnUoH7pTXU0ZOz8r3yuXlv8E57ivVdm12CHrQ9nqCrp7Muw==" shape="rect" target="_blank">The Debate Over Sensory Processing Disorder: Are Some Kids Really 'Out of Sync'? The Washington Post</a></span><br />
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Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-19053024556519803992014-05-15T12:24:00.004-07:002014-05-15T12:24:57.194-07:00Is Your Daughter or Son Struggling to Achieve their Potential?Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School believes "every young person can succeed if given the right tools and learning environment. For over 40 years," they "have been offering an intimate, supportive private school for students with needs not typically addressed by a traditional school setting. Visit" the school "and discover how" they "can help overcome obstacles and create a path to success."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fm3yCBxr-D_2XFE9VkhT5gUwKaKvmqqCB8nOJbntq-8VJF8dgpjosbJjermAk-u66Rom7FMlfp89cQxBBIIATg5iNg3Sqjo-lOAr1w9TaMC6WihpVClJcsShti3r_GAuxheGjW3CkXWe/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-15+at+12.19.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fm3yCBxr-D_2XFE9VkhT5gUwKaKvmqqCB8nOJbntq-8VJF8dgpjosbJjermAk-u66Rom7FMlfp89cQxBBIIATg5iNg3Sqjo-lOAr1w9TaMC6WihpVClJcsShti3r_GAuxheGjW3CkXWe/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-15+at+12.19.06+PM.png" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-4792941660156620982014-05-03T21:31:00.005-07:002014-05-03T21:31:52.183-07:00Parenting the Positive Discipline Way<div apple-content-edited="true">
<b style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="-webkit-line-break: after-white-space; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; word-wrap: break-word;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="-webkit-line-break: after-white-space; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; word-wrap: break-word;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">positive discipline</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">May 6, 2014 - 7:30-9pm</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">May 13, 20, 27 2014 - 7:00-8:30pm</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"><a href="http://www.westvanlibrary.ca/visit/library/location-hours" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">West Vancouver Memorial Library</span></b></a></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Elizabeth Musto Room, 1950 Marine Drive</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"><b>Register at</b></span></div>
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<b><a href="http://sensationalchildren.ca/">sensationalchildren.ca</a></b></div>
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<b style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Positive discipline is based on Adler's belief that all human beings are equal and deserving of being treated with <u>dignity and respect.</u></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #778184; line-height: 18px;"><b style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Parents (and teachers) have an obligation to <u>provide opportunities for children to develop responsibility and motivations.</u> We can turn the challenges we have with our children into the opportunities to develop the characteristics and life skills we want our children to possess. We'll learn how in the 4-part workshop series starting next week at 7:30!</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://sensationalchildren.ca/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLZhoX3I_hfvHWCQymjNF64EFafurBPCi4JJ0V5qHeezUDO6QvPZkdf9Kps9hVatVcR1fy5w1VjPj5SxXjs2EqD25A39vfDC-KaAZmoHqMC8IiAv1AnFDr6S3A4yPyrq3yYTRLT_i41m_/s1600/silviaphotography-9950.jpg" height="320" width="276" /></a></div>
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Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-15634403941166571412014-04-24T22:36:00.001-07:002014-04-24T22:36:26.190-07:00Workshop - Raising a sensory smart child<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VdYP2yHz-CaRL0KhvPpCpWdFnpTJfxjxzbPt7B5MqmiVGSVL65MklgHpXE3OOmGXKPwnzzESIbug9FKinymHD1FrIav9SIdl4jy7ME3zaWE1I27CSSPxDBCcupIV8kAKEyn7NJyFTfUW/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-24+at+10.35.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VdYP2yHz-CaRL0KhvPpCpWdFnpTJfxjxzbPt7B5MqmiVGSVL65MklgHpXE3OOmGXKPwnzzESIbug9FKinymHD1FrIav9SIdl4jy7ME3zaWE1I27CSSPxDBCcupIV8kAKEyn7NJyFTfUW/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-24+at+10.35.06+PM.png" height="640" width="492" /></a></div>
<br />Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-91598795799291206412014-04-24T22:31:00.005-07:002014-04-24T22:31:56.126-07:00Understanding Your Child's Psycho-Educational Assessment<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">Kenneth Gordon Maplewood school<br />Thursday, May 1<br />7 pm, Library<br /><br />A little fuzzy on the meaning of the terminology used and the data generated in the report of your child's psycho-educational assessment? Just what are the report's implications for his or her educational performance? Get your questions answered so that you are in a better position to advocate for your child's educational needs.<br /><br />Presented by Dr. Barbara Holmes, an adjunct faculty member with the School Psychology Program at UBC, school psychologist, former special education teacher and counselor, and the supervisor of our school psychology intern, Virgina Tse. Virgina and Carleigh Kula, a learning resource teacher at KGMS will join Barbara.<br /><br />Open to the public. RSVP at <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:mpc@kgms.ca">mpc@kgms.ca</a></span>Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637383359923641824.post-7956757608316959612014-04-04T14:48:00.001-07:002014-04-04T14:48:38.355-07:00Hey! My Brain Doesn't Work that Way!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6304VGnWuHQvCnL0FPc2k53rjTP4sPlHB0yZiRSM3itmRffpajjBjBg7r0mYZEx1VOWX2iBJ4qVEH2Jirf-A869kfvBrT5rZc_YIQfg2Y98pATW9ww6O02lEZl40uH0itXXgO5Ys2Zny/s1600/marc-landry+april11,2014.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6304VGnWuHQvCnL0FPc2k53rjTP4sPlHB0yZiRSM3itmRffpajjBjBg7r0mYZEx1VOWX2iBJ4qVEH2Jirf-A869kfvBrT5rZc_YIQfg2Y98pATW9ww6O02lEZl40uH0itXXgO5Ys2Zny/s1600/marc-landry+april11,2014.png" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Domenica Mastromatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990968849558457824noreply@blogger.com