Dear Rockstar Mama

We have been tested so much this year, but, in contrast to the darkness in the world, all I have seen around me is YOU - stepping up and shining your beautiful light even more brightly to light up the lives of your little people. Let’s take a moment - you - are - a - freaking - ROCKSTAR!

Ok - that said and acknowledged, I wanted to share some valuable insight with you today. You know those days that you didn’t feel “rockstarry”? Yes... those days. We all have them. What happened? Think back.

Was it a noisy day? Was it raining and your Little Lives were stuck inside making a mess and shouting? Were you stuck at your desk all day with no movement?

HOW ARE YOU? I THINK OF YOU SO MUCH AND AM AMAZED AT YOUR RESILIENCE AND STRENGTH.

Was your bra uncomfortable that day? Your jeans too tight? Was it too hot? Or too cold? Mama - we all have triggers. Sometimes we are not totally aware of what makes us dragons some days, but SO often, it’s related to our SENSORY environment and whether or not our sensory needs are being met.

Very often it’s uncon

scious. We aren’t aware. If we aren’t aware, how can we expect our little ones to be aware?

Mama, this week I challenge you - observe. Take note. Become aware of your little lives’ sensory profile. How does sensory input influence his/her behaviour?

Having an understanding is HUGE and SO empowering for parents, because once we KNOW and understand, we can be intentional about providing the sensory input that our little lives NEED, in order to be in a good space and thus behave in a more manageable way.

I have seen SUCH powerful changes in parenting after I have helped parents understand sensory processing and their child’s UNIQUE sensory profile, and how that causes anything from significant anxiety, hyperactivity, avoidance and impulsivity etc. Each child presents with behavioural responses in reaction to their sensory environment, and it’s up to US as parents, teachers and therapists to HOLD them, and help them to manage and cope. You are amazing Mama!

With love, Em.

Emma Wijnberg is an Occupational Therapist and Parenting Mentor at Little Lives Occupational Therapy. You can contact her on emma@littlelivesoccupationaltherapy.com or visit www. littlelivesoccupationaltherapy.com.