Spring 2017: Green Child Magazine

Spring 2017

A health & family focused digital publication & community

Car Seat Safety Ages + Stages

From Pregnancy to Teen

Our 7th Annual

Eco Baby Gear Guide!

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Contents 6 Car Seat Safety

A checklist for new parents

8 Nutritional Nuggets 10 Look Listen Read 12 Ages + Stages 12 Baby: 12 How to handle baby’s fever without the worry 14 Toddler: Potty training at your child’s pace 16 Preschool: Roughhousing and developmental play 18 Gradeschool: 4 ways to maximize your connection with your child 22 Tween: How to prevent digital eye strain 26 Teen: Setting cell phone rules

28 Recipes 347th

Annual Baby Gear Guide

Find our top picks for safe, convenient, and must have baby gear in our annual guide.

44 Buying Baby Clothes The sustainable way

49 Guided Relaxation 3

Publisher & Editor Amity Hook-Sopko

Creative Director Amanda Hearn

Advertising Director Jesse Kingston

Copy Editor

Megan McCoy Dellecese

Media & Other Inquiries

media@greenchildmagazine.com

Cover Photography

Packer Family Photography Glendale, AZ

Contributors

Ashley Stevens Megan McCoy Dellecese Dr. Laura Markam Sarah Tilton Katy Lytal Carrie Saum Mellisa Dormoy, CH Green Child is owned and published electronically by Fresh Green Media, LLC. Copyright 2017.

All rights reserved.

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Car Seat Safety Checklist for New Parents |by Sarah Tilton Director, Consumer Advocacy at Britax Child Safety Knowing what to look for when purchasing a car seat – and knowing how to properly install it – can easily become a nerve-wracking process for any new parent. Thankfully, with the right planning and guidance, it doesn’t have to be a struggle.

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After nearly 20 years studying child passenger safety, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with countless parents, safety experts and industry professionals on this very topic. While working at Britax, I have used my knowledge of the space to help the company innovate and design some of the safest products on the market.

For anyone like me, a simple, easy-to-follow checklist can often be the simplest way to navigate important decision-making tasks, such as picking out the right car seat. The following checklists can provide a stress-free way for you to feel confident and in control when it comes to purchasing and installing car seats.

How to Choose the Right Car Seat Shop early. It’s highly recommended parents have their car seats installed by the time they’re seven months pregnant, just in case the baby arrives early. Also, this provides parents

with additional peace of mind during a stressful time.

Identify which direction you’ll need. New parents have two options when it comes to car seats: infant car seats, which are rear-facing only and convertible car seats, which can be rear and forward facing. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommend children use rear-facing car seats until they exceed the height, weight or any other fitment requirements of the specific car seat. Your car seat manuals will help identify these requirements.

Multiple considerations for multiples. If you’re expecting multiples, you’ll want to consider a car seat that can fit babies under 5 lbs so they remain safe and secure.

Additional questions to consider: 1. Will the car seat fit in my vehicle?

2. Is it easy to install multiple times?

3. How easy is it to clean and maintain?

4. Does it work with your lifestyle – e.g. does it fit into the stroller you use every day?

5. If it doesn’t click into a stroller, is it easy to move around between vehicles?

6. Does the car seat come with a warranty?

7. Does the seat pass chemical compliance testing?

8. If using an older car seat, what is its expiration?

How to Install Your Car Seat Always read the manual first. Your car seat manual will identify the proper weight ranges for your baby, the right direction to place the seat – depending on weight and height

– among other important instructions. Your vehicle manual is another great resource for details specific to your car’s make and model.

Conduct a full inspection. Make sure your car seat, booster seat, or seat belt is in good condition and appropriate for your child’s age, height, weight and developmental levels.

Know the right location. It’s important to place the car seat or booster in an appropriate location in your vehicle. For example, if you regularly parallel park, you’ll want to take baby out on the curb side of the road and not the street side, so your car seat should be installed appropriately. The rear center is generally the safest location in most vehicles.

Ensure correct installation. Again, the car seat manual is the best source of guidance.

Firm installation is key – it’s important to make sure there’s less than 1 in. of movement left to right and front to back in the belt path.

Additional installation questions to consider: 1. Can you achieve a proper recline once the seat is installed for your baby to maintain an open airway?

2. Does proper installation interfere with the driver seat or passenger seat?

Ensure proper harnessing: Again, a snug harness is key. For rear-facing seats, the harness should be at or below your child’s shoulder.

For forward-facing seats, the harness should be at or above your child’s shoulder.

Important considerations for any car seat: • Always register your car seat. This is vital to make sure you’re notified in the event of a recall.

• Also, parents should never purchase or use a used car seat if you do not know its history – e.g. if it’s has been involved in a cash, has missing pieces, etc.

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Nutritional Nuggets Maggie Chilton, RHN answers your questions!

Question: After reading about Leaky Gut Syndrome, I noticed that my family bears some of the characteristics and symptoms. I asked our pediatrician and she asked me what types of foods our boys eat. I explained that we do a lot of fruits and veggies, but also a lot of grains and some kid-friendly junk like French fries and chicken nuggets. She said it sounded like we were doing a good job and not to get too crazy with internet diagnosis.

I’m looking for some more easy-to-understand information about Leaky Gut and some tips for helping heal or strengthen the stomach lining of a picky little eater.

Leaky Gut is essentially the microscopic “holes” in our gut lining that open up and become bigger allowing food, gluten and bad microbes for example, into the blood stream, causing inflammation over a period of time. This creates an immune response. This inflammation, over long periods can contribute to depression, brain fog, ADHD and autism, rheumatoid arthritis and joint pain, IBS, celiac disease and other autoimmune disorders.

There are many ways we can heal leaky gut but the main ways that I have found are: 1. Consume bone broth daily, preferably home made chicken broth. Organic, grass fed sources are ideal. Bone broth contains vital proteins

that we may not be getting enough of in our daily diet, such as glycine, prolene and glutamine — as well as collagen which will help repair the intestinal walls.

Use the broth in soups, stews, or even scrambled eggs to get even more benefit and to integrate it into foods you already make and love.

2. Limit raw vegetables and fruit and opt for cooked or steamed vegetables in order to limit irritation. Raw vegetables can be irritating to the gut lining and should be limited until the gut has healed. Eat small amounts of fresh fruits when they are seasonally available. Eating seasonally will help our bodies to stay in homeostasis (balance).

3. Limit grains and dairy. Dairy is highly inflammatory, in particular “regular” dairy.

Choose alternatives such as coconut milk, almond milk (check the label for hidden sugars), hemp milk, etc. These are less inflammatory. Use grains sparingly and choose organic varieties where possible. Grains can also cause irritation to the gut lining, choose alternatives such as quinoa, teff, amaranth, buckwheat or choose lentils or millet for variety.

4. Avoid white sugar. White, refined sugar is highly inflammatory and hidden in many prod-

As a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN), Maggie specializes in hormone balancing and digestive health. Maggie’s passion for real food and continual dedication to motivate, inspire and empower women in particular, has led her to connect with clients on an international scale.

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— be vigilant and read labels. When needed, choose alternatives such as coconut sugar, maple syrup, raw honey, organic cane sugar, or stevia. Alternatives should be used sparingly but will help to keep your blood sugar balanced.

5. Probiotics are essential, especially for those with leaky gut. High quality brands should show you the genus, species, and strain on the packaging. The label should also indicate the type of CFU’s (colony forming units) that are present at the time of manufacturing. When purchasing a probiotic supplement always consider these key aspects: • High quality brand.

• High CFU count.

• Diversity of strains included.

6. Choose homemade. Even for “kid foods”.

Chicken nuggets can be made easily using almond flour. Bake or fry in coconut or avocado oil (making sure the oil does not smoke). Fries can be switched out and baked using organic potatoes, sweet potatoes, or

yams. Drizzle them in avocado oil and season with sea salt. Stay away from deep frying and frying in vegetables oils or olive oil.

7. Add fermented foods like sauerkraut or kimchi. These foods contain beneficial probiotics and can be eaten daily to improve the immune system and digestive function.

8. Reduce stress. Is school going well? Are they worried about anything? Do they have close friends who they feel they can talk to? Are you spending quality time together as a family without electronic devices? Spending time together can reduce stress and anxiety (which can lead to leaky gut) and create an atmosphere of trust and love.

Eating together as a family in a calm and relaxed environment is crucial for optimal digestive health. Allowing time to smell and take in the appearance of the food, to chew properly and to not drink with meals will also help the healing process and aid in optimal digestion.

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look listen read Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering

by Sarah J. Buckley, MD

The quintessential guide to all things in the natural parenting realm, this book makes the perfect gift for any mother-to-be who hopes to raise her child gently from birth. Organized in two parts - Gentle Birth and Gentle Mothering - internationally renowned expert Dr. Buckley lays every topic out in a relatable, approachable manner.

Natural Hospital Birth: The Best of Both Worlds

by Cynthia Gabriel

Written by an experienced doula, Natural Hospital Birth equips parents-to-be with the knowledge and confidence to create the birthing experience they desire. Interspersed with inspirational birth stories, you will finish this book calm in the peace that a natural hospital birth is, indeed, possible.

The Other Baby Book: A Natural Approach to Baby’s First Year

by Megan McGrory Massaro & Miriam J. Katz

We all know there are mountains of pressure on new parents to make the “right” decisions; plenty of “shoulds” and “shouldn’ts” that dog us. This book hopes to guide parents past these obligations in order to navigate a more natural, instinctual form of parenting. Includes contributions by moms “in the know” as well as leading practitioners.

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Home Grown: Adventures in Parenting Off the Beaten Path, Unschooling, and Reconnecting with the Natural World

by Ben Hewitt

If you believe that the best education a person - child or adult - can get is achieved outside classroom walls, this book is for you. A collection of essays by a homesteading father, Home Grown describes an unconventional yet uplifting method for raising (and educating) children. It’s inspirational enough to make you wish you had a similar upbringing while digging for ways to raise your own children similarly.

How to Raise a Wild Child: The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature

by Scott D. Sampson

Not only a guide to raising children with an appreciation and comfort for nature, this smartly written book is an entertaining and powerful read for any parent. Offering well-researched arguments for all humans - of any age - to get into the wilderness again, this book is hard to put down.

The Danish Way of Parenting

by Jessica Joelle Alexander & Iben Sandahl

Picked up by the popular media, this popular book is worth the hype. Using as a springboard the fact that Danish people are “the happiest people in the world”, this book offers practical tips to help create a calm, joy-filled life with your own family unit.

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how to handle baby’s fever

without the worry

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ages + stages | baby

A baby’s immune system is designed to fight infection, and a fever is actually a healthy response. Whether due to a viral or bacterial infection, the rise in temperature helps kill the invaders.

• Bad cough • Pulling at ears or other signs of an earache • Vomiting or diarrhea or significantly fewer wet diapers (baby may be dehydrated)

What is considered a fever?

Safe home remedies to comfort baby’s fever

The American Academy of Pediatrics considers a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C), or higher, a fever in babies.

If baby’s fever is within a safe range, try natural remedies to make him comfortable and support her body’s ability to ward it off.

If baby is 12 weeks or younger and has a temp of 100.4 F+ call the doctor immediately. Young babies are at much higher risk of serious infection and should be evaluated right away.

• Breastfeeding – Mother’s milk helps

If baby is 3 months or older, has a fever of 100.4 to 103 F, and is drinking fluids and interacting normally, you most likely shouldn’t’ worry. If the fever persists for 24 hours or baby isn’t getting better, call the doctor. Usually a fever over 103.5 F is reason alone to call the doctor.

Many pediatricians agree that a baby fever of 103.5-104 or higher is cause for concern, regardless of other symptoms. If baby is acting lethargic or has any abnormal symptoms, the telling numbers for a serious fever become: 101+ for babies 3–6 months old, or 103+ for babies older than 6 months.

If fever accompanies these symptoms, seek medical care • • • • •

Unusual fussiness Pale complexion or any type of rash Lethargy Exhibits signs of neck pain Loss of appetite

keep baby hydrated with fluids, natural probiotics, and electrolytes. It also gives her easy-to-digest nutrition so that her body can be nourished without having to spend too much energy on digestion.

• Cool compress – A cool compress (or

lukewarm sponge bath) may make her more comfortable. If it has the opposite effect, try other means of keeping her from holding heat in.

• Apple cider vinegar compress – Soak a washcloth in diluted ACV and apply to baby’s forehead. Or try adding a cup of ACV to a lukewarm bath.

• Bone broth, homemade chicken soup, or other nourishing foods – For older babies, these broths are packed with easily absorbable protein and gut-healing gelatin.

Healthy fats and minerals are a natural immune system boost.

• Snuggles – The healing power of touch

releases oxytocin, the feel-good hormone, which also promotes healing.

• Sleep – Rest heals many ills. Keep your

baby close enough to monitor and be there when he needs you.

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Potty Training

@ Your Child’s Pace If you’ve practiced attachment parenting, you know how successful and worthwhile it is to watch your child’s cues for readiness in every area of development. Toilet training is no different.

“From baby’s viewpoint, toileting is his initiation into ‘bigness’ – a rite of passage from toddlerhood into preschooler-hood. This explains why the desire to stay little makes some procrastinators resist,” according to Dr. Sears’ guide, The Baby Book.

Toilet Training is a Complex Skill Before you rush baby to the potty, consider what’s involved in learning toileting skills.

First, baby must be aware of the pressure sensations of his bowel and bladder. Then he must make the connection between these sensations and what’s happening inside his body. Next he learns to respond to these urges by running to the potty, where he must know how to remove his clothes, situate himself comfortably on this new kind of seat and how to hold his urges until all systems are go.

With all these steps, it’s no wonder many babies are still in diapers well into the third year.

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Bowel training usually precedes bladder training, mainly because the doughnut muscles

surrounding the bowel are not as impatient as those around the bladder. When a baby senses the urge to defecate, he has more time to respond before soiling his diapers. When the bladder is full, the urge to go is sudden, strong, and hard to control.

The usual sequence of gaining bowel and bladder control is: (1) nighttime bowel control; (2) daytime bowel control; (3) daytime bladder control; (4) nighttime bladder control.

Steps to Bathroom Independence Know When | The first step as a parent is learning when to begin potty training. Ask your child, “Do you want to learn to go potty like a big boy?” Gauge his response. Be understanding and supportive. Your child will let you know when it’s time. (You can try around 18-24 months, but every child is different.) Making positive associations with the toilet early on will certainly help.

Show Off | Show your child how you sit on the toilet to go “potty” and let her sit on the potty seat when she needs to go. Kids are natural mimics, and this helps pique her natural curiosity.

Be Patient | Plan on this taking time – and commit this time to you and your child. When you are potty training don’t take your phone or create other distractions into the bathroom.

Keep objects away from the toilet that could

ages + stages | toddler

fall in and avoid loose clothing that can make it hard to navigate around your child.

Teach Technique | Show your child proper wiping techniques – like wiping front to back.

For girls, explain she should wipe until she feels dry after “number 1.” Teach her to wipe until it comes out clean after “number two.” If there’s anything in the toilet, always end with a victorious flush.

Check In | Check your child’s wiping without doing the work for them. Try, “Let’s check to make sure that you’re done.” For older and more skilled kids, try, “Can you check?” As children get more confident and comfortable, you can give them more privacy to do this on their own.

Wash Up | Whether or not they actually “go”, always finish your potty routine with a good hand washing. 20 seconds is a good scrubbing time. Be sure to explain why it’s important to wash their

hands after every time they use the potty.

Celebrate | Praise will encourage more cooperation than nagging or threats. Learning this kind of control can be scary for your little one. Panic only causes more accidents.

Encouraging words and little rewards for every successful step in the right direction will work wonders. And on the first day they manage to stay dry all day – make that a special celebration lunch, day with mom or dad, etc.

Accidents Will Happen | When one occurs ask your child what he or she thinks happened and ask them to help come up with ways to avoid that next time.

Children might be scared or forgot they weren’t wearing a diaper. Don’t lose your cool. Try to solve the problem together and praise each little successful step. Soon you’ll reach the coveted potty training goal — together.

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ages + stages | preschool

Roughhousing & Developmental Play A kitten makes a sideways run to pounce on her unsuspecting sibling. Two puppies growl and nip each other, all the while thumping their tails with glee.

Roughhousing comes naturally to young animals (even non-predatory animals), so it should be no surprise our kids have the same instincts. “Play fighting” can actually help kids learn to deal with aggression. Plus, the movement and laughter help release built-up energy and generate oxytocin in the body.

And rough play with dad has been linked to many social and emotional benefits for both boys and girls. Horseplay can also help kids learn smart risk-taking.

Here’s how to keep your rough-andtumble kids safe and respectful (without you feeling like a full-time referee).

Keep It Fun

Horseplay should always be good-natured.

Make sure your child knows that when one participant stops enjoying it, it’s time to stop.

Always feel free to check in with each child involved and make sure they’re still cool with it.

Set Limits Up Front

Establish what’s ok and what’s not. (You’ll probably add to these rules over time.)

Designate areas where wild play is allowed, as well as off limits areas where someone could be hurt or something could get broken. Let the kids make some of the rules so they’ll have ownership in the situation.

Assess Any Danger

There’s a difference between rowdy and dangerous. Sometimes kids are just loud and boisterous and it feels more chaotic than it actually is. Your instincts will tell you if there’s something to worry about, and if you’re not sure, check in with the kids and ask how they’re doing.

Make a Safe Space for Wild Play Clear a space in a carpeted room (or lay down blankets or mats) for safe play. Pillows and other soft items

Be Calm But Firm

If the kids are spinning out of control, the last thing the situation needs is more worked-up energy. Take a deep breath and firmly state your intentions: “Remember: no horseplay around the fireplace.” “Can you see that your friend isn’t laughing anymore? Let’s take a break and make sure everyone feels safe.”

Cue Them to Settle

The 5-minute notice works well here. Plan a more calm activity for preschoolers to shift into the next gear before asking them to focus on something else. Some parents may worry that roughhousing kids can get so riled up they’ll never wind down, but play researcher Anthony Pellegrini says, “Some studies show kids are calmer and more ready for social play after a good rough-and-tumble.”

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ages + stages | gradeschool

4 Ways To Maximize Your Connection

with your kids |by Ashley Stevens

There’s no doubt that good schools and rockstar teachers are key to kids getting a quality education. However, the education that will really stick with kids is the one they receive at home.

According to Maurice Hedish, LCSW and creator of Specialized Family Therapy, children go through new stages of development every 5-7 years. Each stage essentially requires kids to develop inner skills which allow them to mature mentally, emotionally, and socially. So they quite literally grow out of tantrums (Hallelujah!). But the catch is… when they don’t get the opportunity to build these skills, they’ll keep turning to their immature behavior. And they’ll keep doing it until they finally learn a new approach.

All things considered, the way we interact with our children plays an important role in the kind of adult they’ll grow up to be.

As parents, we have A LOT to do and only so much time to do it.

That means multitasking and doing things quickly with whatever time and effort available. When our kiddo throws a sudden tantrum, it throws a wrench into our plans (and faltering sanity), but these moments are when

they need our parenting the most. Unfortunately, many of us try to address such situations by listening to our kids over a 10-30 second time span while we’re doing a mental (and physical) juggle with three other things.

Not cuttin’ it. If we expect our kids to listen to us, we must first set the bar.

Get on the same level and look eye-to-eye with your child. Genuine active listening happens by letting them speak, repeating the overall message you’re hearing, and acknowledging that this is important to them (even when it seems trivial to the insanity of adult life). The real trick to listening is to genuinely care about what they’re saying, and to understand what they’re trying to express to you. Yeah, we’re going to have to take away our attention from everything else, but sincere listening can be done in as little as two minutes (and the benefits will last a lifetime).

We think of hearing and listening as one in the same, but hearing to our children speak is a small part of the listening equation. Really hearing our children requires us to take in the situation as a whole. This kind of “hearing” goes beyond words by taking in vocal tone, emotions, past 19

4 Ways To Maximize Your Connection

with your kids

and present events, and their typical behavior.

You’ve got to dig past the surface and get to the roots!

forget to include some creative or suggestive reminders now and then (it’s a big part of the parent job).

Let’s say your child threw a tantrum you attributed to having a bad day after fighting with a friend. It would be easy to leave it at that, but by hearing the message within their words, feelings, and actions, we may realize that their hurt feelings are about more than their fight with their friend. If we really hear them out, we may see they’re struggling with a situation at home, unhappy with something at school, and so on. Their tantrum may not be a reaction to their fight with their friend. It could be related to all sorts of different things. So, hear them out. Hear, see, and feel everything.

We’d squirm and sweat if our boss reprimanded us for our work. Our kids are basically in that position every time we call them out on something. Being the brunt of someone’s disappointment, criticism, or frustration is a serious drag. But we’re dragging our kids down with it every day. Agh!

Believe it or not, long-winded explanations, detailed sticker charts, and daily itineraries can be horribly boring and overwhelming. The simpler we can keep things, the easier it will be for them to catch on. This also gives us the opportunity to encourage our children to develop skills. If we’re telling our children what to do, how to think, and what they should feel, they won’t develop the skills to do so themselves. We should trust that they have the ability to do these thing themselves, and encourage and guide them in doing so.

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As the saying goes, “less is more.” Take the opportunity to try open-ended questions to encourage thinking, clear statements for basic instruction, prompts that provoke action, and to-the-point explanations that allow for creativity and learning. You can even open up the floor to let them devise schedules, plans, and limits so they can learn about priorities and organization firsthand. And, of course, don’t

If we want to connect with our little one, we need to take a hint and act more like a kid. So, instead of talking at them, we can talk with them. We can swap out being critical and taskcrazed for being encouraging, playful, and helpful. We can talk about the positive aspects of a situation as well as the negative (or rather, the “learning opportunities”). We can laugh at ourselves and share stories from our adult life or childhood that parallel the situation our child is in.

Tapping back into our inner child gets us living in the now and making the most of it.

What could be more important than that? So, let’s be light, and happy, and turn challenges into lessons and opportunities. Look for all the ways we can make the most mundane things fun. Boring is boring! Have fun!

If you want to learn more about how you can maximize your parenting and bring on the love, check out PBS’s parenting tips. They have some great guides that everything from communication to meltdowns. And they even offer age-by-age insights that are super helpful with little ones. Be on the lookout…. Your family life may just improve by 100%.

ages + stages | gradeschool

www.attachmentparenting.org

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How to Prevent Digital Eye Strain |by Megan McCoy Dellecese As our kids get older, life gets more complicated. Harder assignments. Bigger emotions.

Scarier topics. We do our best to provide a nurturing environment for them to vent and relax and just be themselves while hoping to maintain safe boundaries.

One thing that skyrockets when children start reaching their tween years is that their digital use. Whether at school, with friends, or in their own homes, there are plenty of opportunities for tweens (an age that can start as young as 9 and go up to 14) to engage with technology. And it’s not just computers anymore; it can range from tablets and iPads to their own personal cell phones, all designed to stay close to the person and in very frequent use.

The first thing we often think about is online safety, as we should. Being aware of what our kids are clicking and watching, maintaining strict rules for social media, and selecting a parental block setting is imperative to hope to stay abreast of the dangers that screen time can bring. Regular honest, open dialogue (no matter how difficult for both parent and child) is also a great deterrent for tweens to feel they have a safe zone to discuss the virtual world they’re learning to navigate.

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But, studies are starting to show that there are other dangers that widespread technology use can bring.

Think about how you feel after a marathon session of flipping between your favorite social media apps, news stories, feeds, recipes, gorgeous pics, and the like. You put your phone down and almost feel like you see a halo and fund yourself blinking. Your neck and shoulders may feel tense, either from the nature of the stressful news you’ve been reading or the angle at which you’ve been browsing. Sure, it goes away, but over time it can lead to eye strain, headaches, migraines, and overall aches and pains.

Well, consider the long-term effects that this may have just for your child’s eyes if they start their extensive screen use as early as 8, 9, or 10. Over the years, the so-called “blue light” (the thing that we recognize as a device being “backlit”) that causes your eye strain is being shown to damage retinal cells. This light penetrates further into the eye than ultraviolet light, damaging the retina by exposing it to a greater spike in intensity.

While there are times that this light actually poses positive effects such as alertness, some long-term side effects may include earlier rates of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Beyond the eye, blue light has also been known to disrupt sleep patterns by suppressing the natural release of melatonin. As we all know, sleep deprivation can influence a child’s mood, attentiveness during learning and other

ages + stages | tween

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How to Prevent Digital Eye Strain activities, and have an overall negative effect on well-being.

Additionally, children may be using computer workstations that are set up for adults, which can be uncomfortable and contribute to eye strain and tech neck symptoms.

HOW PARENTS CAN HELP Minimize screen time. Obviously, the best way to handle the negative side effects of digital intake would be to minimize it. Allowing a child’s eyes (as well as the rest of their body) to rest helps combat not only the negative physical side effects but also helps to hinder the addiction that we all know can come from too much screen time.

Offer opportunities to experience nature. By providing the opposite of what most technology gives - namely, natural light and colors, soothing sounds, exciting exchanges with wildlife and weather - you’ll teach your child to recharge by seeking out the beauty beyond the screen and in the world that we take for granted around us.

Teach how to comfortably use technology. We definitely don’t advise that children shouldn’t use any technology; it’s unrealistic in today’s day and age, particularly when they are educated in a traditional setting. However, by giving tweens the tools to know how to sit comfortably without bending their necks down (it is said that bending one’s neck at a 60-degree angle puts 60 pounds of pressure on the neck and back), to hold their device properly in front of them (but not too close to their face), and to take frequent breaks, it will alleviate much of the problem.

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Don’t allow technology use after a certain time of night. In order to allow

the body to start winding down and get the proper night’s sleep, be sure to implement a “screens off ” time every night. The best way to know that your child will stick to this? Don’t keep devices in their rooms, but have a single docking station in a common area of your house. And if you’ve fallen into the habit of using cell phones as alarm clocks, try buying a traditional one for each bedroom instead.

Set time limits and stick to them. It may be an uphill battle, but use the parental control settings on your child’s phone and devices. You can also set a physical timer as a reminder to yourself that it’s time they move on to another activity. Have a list or even kit of alternative activities to offer - and not just mundane things like chores or homework, although they could be included - that kids can go to when the devices are shut down.

Model proper behavior. Here’s the tough part. How do we expect our kids to listen to us and respect our suggestions if we don’t take them ourselves? Yup. We need to start cutting back on device usage ourselves. We need to be more present and find our own alternatives to our Internet use. We need to engage more with our children and not use our phones as alarms and go outside to enjoy the fresh air and green trees more. It’s a hard habit to break, but if we’re asking our children to do the same, we should be willing to give it a go ourselves.

While many of these tips may be unpopular with your child at first (especially since every family has different technology rules and friends may have a more lax device experience than your child), remind yourself that it’s in your child’s best and long-term interest. Be sure to keep the lines of communication open with each other so that they realize why you’re looking out for them - not just to be a downer.

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ages + stages | tween

Keep an eye out for a special link in an upcoming newsletter!

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Setting Cell Phone Rules When that first cell phone comes with written rules and responsibilities in the form of a signed agreement, young people learn how to handle them responsibly. If you ask your kids what they think the rules should be, and negotiate until you’re happy, they will “own” those rules.

1. Never send anything you wouldn’t want forwarded to everyone in your school, your principal, and your parent. Remember that everything you send can become public.

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2. Always ask before you forward a text or photo. Be respectful. How would you feel if someone forwarded an unflattering photo of you?

3. Always ask before you take a photo or video. Even once someone has given you permission to take a photo, ask before you post it.

4. If someone asks you to send a sexy photo, remember that even with Snapchat, the

ages + stages | teen |by Dr. Laura Markam Aha Parenting

7. Never respond to numbers you don’t recognize 8. If you receive an unsolicited text, that’s spam. Don’t click on it. Instead, tell your parents so they can report the problem and have the caller blocked.

9. Don’t download apps without your parents’ permission 10. Don’t wear your cell phone on your body and don’t use it if you can use a landline. Cell phones are always looking for a signal, and that means they’re sending out waves that you don’t want going through your body. Cancer? Maybe. We don’t know enough yet. So why not just be cautious?

11. Set up your charging station in the living room so your phone is not in your room at night.

12. No cell phones out of your backpack while you’re in class. And of course turn the sound off.

13. Have a life. Don’t feel obligated to respond to texts right away and don’t text until homework is done, during dinner, or after 9pm. picture can be copied and forwarded to others. Anyone could see it. It happens all the time to great kids. Just don’t send it.

5. If you receive a sexy photo, immediately delete it from your phone, tell your parents, and block the number so you can’t receive more. Possession or distribution of sexual pictures of people who are underage is illegal.

6. Never broadcast your location or post your cell number.

14. L8R – Later! If you’re driving, turn off your cell phone and put it in a bag where you can’t reach it in the back seat. (Make sure you have directions before you start out.)

15. Monitor your phone usage to prevent addiction. Our brains get a little rush of dopamine every time we interact with our phones. Why is that a problem?

Because it can distract us from other things that are important but maybe not so immediately rewarding, like connecting with our families, doing our homework, and just thinking about life.

To prevent addiction, make sure you block out time every day -- while you have dinner and do homework -- when your phone is off.

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Inspired Dishes |recipe by Carrie Saum Our Stable Table

Slow-Cooker Lamb Shepherd’s Pie Stew Ingredients:

Directions:

• • • • • • • • • • •

1. Rub roast generously with salt & pepper. Set aside and allow to come to room temperature while you prepare the other ingredients.

2. Prep all herbs and veggies, minus the peas.

Combine well.

3. Rub the inside of your slow cooker with olive oil and place roast inside. Place veggies around the roast, cover, & cook on low for 6-8 hours.

4. Add peas. Shred or cube roast.

5. For the pie topping: Steam rutabaga and turnips until tender. Mash with butter. If cooked properly, turnips and rutabaga should become silky and whip up even better than potatoes. Stir shredded cheese into the mash, and add salt and pepper to taste.

6. Evenly spread the stew mixture into a large baking dish. In small spoonfuls, add the mash over the top of the stew mixture.

7. Broil the uncovered dish on high for 10 minutes or until the top gets golden brown.

8. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.

1-2 lb lamb or grass-fed beef roast 5 carrots, halved and chopped 3-4 large shallots, peeled and chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 lb baby bella mushrooms 1/2 lb frozen peas 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves 1 tsp fresh oregano leaves 1 Tbsp arrow root powder (optional) salt and pepper olive oil

Topping Ingredients: • • • •

2 large rutabagas, peeled and cubed 2 turnips, peeled and cubed 3 Tbsp grass-fed butter 1 cup organic white cheddar, finely shredded (optional) • Chopped parsley

Pro-Tips

Like to plan ahead? Prep and refrigerate to cook later in the week. Preheat oven to 350 for 25

minutes, then broil uncovered for 10 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown.

This also makes a great stew! Skip the topping and enjoy. For a thicker stew, use 1/2 cup of the

cooking liquid from the slow cooker and mix vigorously with arrow root. Stir the slurry back into the slow cooker and serve!

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Inspired Dishes |Recipe from Martha Stewart’s Vegetables

This salad offers a healthier alternative to frying eggplant: The rounds are simply broiled on a wire rack until blistered, then tossed with olive oil.

Blistered Eggplant with Tomatoes, Olives, & Feta Ingredients: • 1 large eggplant, cut into¼-inch- thick rounds • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling • 1¾ pounds mixed tomatoes

• • • •

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper 6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled ½ cup mixed olives ½ cup lightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

Directions: 1. Heat broiler with rack 8 inches from heat other side, 10 to 12 minutes. Immediately source. Toast bread on a rimmed baking transfer to a large bowl, toss with oil, and sheet, tossing once, until crisp, about 2 cover with a plate. Let stand until softened, minutes.

10 minutes.

2. With rack 6 inches from heat source. Place 3. Arrange eggplant and tomatoes on a platter, eggplant rounds on a wire rack set on a seasoning each layer with salt and pepper rimmed baking sheet. Broil until eggplant is and drizzling with oil before adding next blistered and deep brown on one side, 10 to layer. Top with feta, olives, and parsley and 12 minutes. Flip and broil until blistered on serve.

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Reprinted from Martha Stewart’s Vegetables by the Editors of Martha Stewart Living. Copyright ©2016 by Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. Photographs by Ngoc Minh Ngo and others. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

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Inspired Dishes Tomatoes, zucchini, and bell peppers are perfect for stuffing. Once the flesh and seeds have been scooped out, the remaining shells are firm enough to hold their shape as they cook.

Here, tomatoes are filled with sautéed corn and greens (any of the ones in the Greens chapter will do), toasted bread pieces, and mozzarella, which melts and turns deliciously golden under the broiler.

Stuffed Tomatoes with Mozzarella Ingredients: • 2 slices rustic bread, torn into small pieces (about ¾ cup) • 4 ripe medium tomatoes, halved horizontally • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• • • •

Pinch of red-pepper flakes ½ shallot, thinly sliced 1 cup corn kernels (from 1 ear) 3 cups packed chopped greens, such as Swiss chard, or beet greens • 3 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

Directions: 1. Heat broiler with rack 8 inches from heat Cook, stirring, until reduced by half, about source. Toast bread on a rimmed baking 2 minutes. Add corn and greens; cook, sheet, tossing once, until crisp, about 2 stirring, until vegetables are tender, about 2 minutes. minutes. Season with salt.

2. Scoop out seeds and flesh from each tomato 4. Fill tomato halves with vegetable mixture, into a bowl; reserve. Arrange tomato halves dividing evenly, then sprinkle each half in a broiler- safe baking dish; season with with toasted bread, drizzle with remaining salt and pepper. tablespoon oil, and top with mozzarella.

Broil until cheese is bubbly and golden in 3. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil spots, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately. over medium. Add red- pepper flakes and shallot; cook, stirring frequently, until just tender, about 2 minutes. Increase heat to high; add reserved tomato flesh and juice.

Reprinted from Martha Stewart’s Vegetables by the Editors of Martha Stewart Living. Copyright ©2016 by Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. Photographs by Ngoc Minh Ngo and others. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

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7 Annual th

Eco Baby Gear Guide

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A

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C

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D

A. Fisher-Price Cradle Swing $90 Just being honest, this is pretty much the only way our editorial staff was able to shower for 6 months. B. Ergobaby Bundle of Joy $135 This buckle style carrier is easy to use and includes an infant insert. C. Nurturing Life Giftbox $70 at Motherlove Self-care is a must. From pregnancy to labor and breastfeeding to baby, this gift box is full of certified organic herbs & pure ingredients that will help meet a variety of needs for any new mom. D. NoseFrida $10 A little cringeworthy but SO worth it when you have a stuffed little one. We promise!

must-haves

......

Peggy O’Mara

Editor & Publisher at PeggyOMara.com “My favorite tool for new mom and baby is a rocking chair, a comfortable, not fancy rocking chair with a pleasant rock and a comfortable seat, plus arms to rest mama arms on while nursing baby. Essential.”

Ashley Wright

Goddess & Inspirational Speaker “My must have are baby wipes - Bambo Nature Why? Because they are for everything and everyone. Safe, non allergenic, no dyes or perfumes wipes that are not only good for wiping diaper bottoms, but amazing for my adult skin as well, after handling gas pumps, lunch and anything else that requires encountering tons of germs and/or mess. No worries about what’s seeping into my blood stream with these wipes.”

Melissa Huynh

Creator of Lalabye Baby “I used CJ’s BUTTer on both of my children over 7 years ago and still keep some around for chapped or dry skin. I love it and bonus they have awesome scents!”

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sleep

......

Narwhal Decorative Pillow Decorative nursery pillow made from buttery soft vegan suede. $22 at Little Fruit Tree Shop

Cloud Mobile Gentle showers in shades of aqua and silver ( but available in so many more! ) $105 at Baby Jives

ErgoPouch Perfect for cooler weather, this sleepsuit transitions from sleep bag to legs using zippers.

100% cotton filling. $60 at ergoPouch

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A

B

C

D

A. Calming Lavender Baby Lotion $18 at Earth Mama Angel Baby Soothe baby with a gentle massage before bed with this heavenly calming lotion. B. Emily Natural Crib Mattress $249 at My Green Mattress Features natural materials like organic cotton and wool. GOTS & Greenguard Gold certified. C. DockATot $165 Claimed to be a miracle worker at getting baby to stay asleep by more parents than we can count. D. Hold Me Close Swaddles $30 at Amazon Generously sized 100% cotton muslin swaddles.

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A

B

C

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D

A. Duez Town Playmat $49 Kayak down the river or spend time exploring the local museum with this whimsical playmat made from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. B. Stainless Miracle Sippy from Munchkin $15 A game-changer that sips like a normal cup without the spills. C. Gertie the Goose Toy & Book Bundle $30 at Amazon 100% pure natural rubber teether with an adorably illustrated story to engage your little one. D. Pediped Shoes $40 This soft sole design allows for proper foot development and control while protecting little feet from tough terrain.

play

......

Polaroid Teething Rattle Made from Indian hardwood and finished with natural vegetable seed wax. Stuffed with beans that produce an ocean-like sound when rattled. $19 at Finn + Emma

Activity Block Handmade in Australia with organic cotton. $30 at Babee & Me

Radish Rattle Colorful and soft, this fun shape is a unique gift idea.. Made by Maileg. $18 at TheTot

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gear

......

Altogether Tote Versatile enough to be a handbag when it’s not being a diaper bag. Available in a variety of fun designs with a coated canvas that’ll keep it looking new. $169 at Petunia Pickle Bottom

Self-Installing Car Seat Superior protection with effortlessly perfect installation every time. $500 at 4moms

Sonata Breast Pump Sonata Breast Pump Designed to give hospital-level performance in a compact, personal pump. $400 at Medela 42

A

B

C

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A. Ovo High Chair $430 at Micuna Stylish, modern and made from beechwood, the Ovo evolves as your child ages. B. Siliskin Straw Tops $9 at Silikids Made to fit any cup for spill free sipping. C. Your Life in Letters $30 A fresh spin on the baby book that will leave a lasting impression for a lifetime.

Each page contains a space to attach a letter (and more) for each of your child’s first 18 years. D. Natursutten Glass Baby Bottles $30 at Amazon Dishwasher-safe, shock-resistant and features an anti-colic double valve to prevent gas.

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The Smart (and Sustainable) Way to Buy Baby Clothes |by Katy Lytal Ethical Infant There’s no faster fashion in the world than that of babies. This thought didn’t cross my mind until I had kids. But then, it hit me like a ton of bricks - or more appropriately - like a laundry basket full of barely-worn onesies.

Babies can go through an entire wardrobe of clothing in a matter of months, or even weeks.

When my first child was 6 months old, I remember the overwhelming feeling of guilt as I packed away an entire bin of mostly unworn clothing… many items still with tags. It was so wasteful. It was so excessive. “This has to change,” I thought, “but how?”

Well, being ever so slightly Type A, I decided to...

1. Identify what was driving this excessive purchasing 2. Determine feasible steps I could take toward sustainability After a bit of trial and error, I was amazed at how easy it was to create a positive shift in the way I participated in the infant layette world.

I’ve boiled my thoughts and experience down to 6 steps you can take for the most sustainable (and costeffective) baby clothing experience.

1. Take the Community Approach Just like parenting, the road to sustainability is one that shouldn’t be traveled alone. Community is the key to our success. Thankfully, community comes in many forms these days.

Yes, you could take a bin of barely worn baby threads and gift them to the new mama down the street. No babies on your street? Try posting pics of your items on local social media groups. You can even large websites that are specifically designed to connect you to communities all over the country, with the intent of selling or sharing clothes. The options to share clothing are endless. This first step towards baby clothes sanity, allows you to extend the life of a garment and build relationships in the process.

2. Buy Only as Needed This step takes a bit of self-restraint but you will save a ton (of both money and wasted textiles) in the end. If you’re like me, you frequently ask yourself things like, “Do my little ones have jackets for the coming rain?” “Do they have long pants for colder weather?” Being prepared is good. However, when it comes to baby clothing, advanced purchasing can be quite problematic. Just like the weather, growth spurts are far unpredictable in advance.

When you think to yourself in August that it will cool down in October, and that’s the time

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The Smart (and Sustainable) Way to Buy Baby Clothes

your little one should fit into 6 months clothing, it doesn’t mean that either of those things will be true. You may end up with the warmest fall on record and a baby who grows like a weed and passes right through the 6-month clothing stage. Resist the urge to pre-buy and wait until you’re certain of baby’s size.

3. Choose Quality, Clean Garments Cotton is the world’s dirtiest crop. Period.

Conventionally grown cotton accounts for roughly 4% of the world’s crops, but uses 25% of the world’s pesticides. Due in part to their size, and skin-time in contact with textiles, babies are far more vulnerable to the toxic effects of pesticides than adults. We must be as careful about what we put ON our babies, as we are about what we put IN our babies.

Even with thorough washing, some chemicals cannot be removed from garments and will then be taken in and processed by our skin (the body’s largest organ). Organic clothing = healthy clothing!

4. Opt for Gender Neutral I’ll skip the part about hyper-gendered clothing being oddly sexualized, demeaning, and creepy (i.e. clothing that say things like, “Future Diva” or “Little Bruiser”), and stick to the part about how hyper-gendered clothing is doing a number on the environment. Not long ago, babies were just babies; not little men, or little women. By branding clothing as being for a boy or girl ONLY, clothing companies have doubled the odds of you having to purchase entire wardrobes from one kid to the next. Sticking to neutrals allows you to focus on the beauty of your babe and opens up your options for future clothes sharing.

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5. Get Smart About Sizing Want to cut your purchasing in half? Follow this one step. Currently, if you walk into a baby store, you will find the clothing separated as such: Newborn, 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, and so on. Historically, this was not the case for sizing. Until recently babies were clothed in just 3 sizes: Small, Medium, and Large. It used to be Ok to have your baby in a onesie that was just the tiniest bit snug, or just a touch too loose at the legs. By dividing sizes up into such small increments, clothing purchases for the first year of life double – seriously, double! Good news though, there are wonderful companies making the switch back to the 3 size model. Often you can find these companies online or in small boutiques.

6. Upcycle When Possible I’m no crafting queen, but when it comes to upcycling clothing there are a few projects even I have mastered. With just a tiny bit of work you can double the life of your favorite garments. The easiest project by far is converting winter clothes into summer clothes.

A basic hem is about the extent of my sewing talent and that’s all that it takes to turn a pair of pants into shorts or a long-sleeved shirt into a T-shirt. If you’re skill level exceeds mine, you can really have a blast with this step, making a memory quilt out of your child’s favorite t-shirts, or even making your own headbands.

The possibilities are truly endless, and again, the more you use an item, the less need there is to purchase new items!

With just a few of these steps, you can positively influence sustainability and change the paradigm for over-purchasing. Here’s to living small, and making big changes!

1 in 3 families struggles to afford cloth diapers.

We can help.

Visit our website to see if your family qualifies.

www.givingdiapersgivinghope.org

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guided relaxation

“Spring Renewal ”

With Spring right around the corner, we’re focusing on this season’s sense of renewal and personal improvement.

Simply read the words to your child in a relaxed manner as they settle into bed or nap time.

Lie down and allow your body to become very comfortable. Close your eyes now and begin to pay attention to how your breath flows in and out of your body.

Doesn’t it feel so wonderful and calming? As your exhale, imagine exhaling everything that happened during the day. Imagine breathing in peacefulness.

Visualize little bubbles of air containing relaxation and calm traveling to all parts of your body and filling it up completely. You feel so calm and peaceful and relaxed right now.

Spring is coming soon. This new and fresh season is a good time to make room for new wonderful things to happen in your life. Remember that you are growing and changing each day! Every season brings a new you. Think about how during the winter months certain flowers disappear only to come back to life stronger during the spring time.

Imagine yourself now being a flower, ready to sprout from the flower bulb. You’ve been hibernating all winter in a warm cozy shelter snuggled in the earth. The earth has protected you all through the frosty, cold wintery months.

Now, as spring approaches, the rains fall from the heavens and you soak up the water completely. It renews you and gently wakes you up. Notice how

with Mellisa Dormoy of Shambala Kids

you look forward to feeling the beautiful warmth of the sun once again. Now you break through the bulb and start to grow into the beautiful, bright, proud flower that you are becoming.

This is much like how it is in life. We choose new goals or things to strive for, and work towards those which makes us feel amazing and good each and every day. We always strive to show the best in ourselves and to be the best we can possibly be.

Think about something new that you’d like to do or achieve, or something you’d like to improve upon in your life right now. What is it that you’d like to be able to do better? Focus on that for a moment now and imagine yourself growing and learning and becoming better at that exact thing. (Pause to allow your child to imagine).

See yourself being perfect at whatever it is that you wish to do. See it your mind as already being real and true. See all the colors and everyone who loves you surrounding you and cheering you on. You’re so proud of yourself and everyone else is proud of all you have accomplished. Feel your heart welling up because of your achievement. This is what you set your mind to, what you focused on. Because of your focus and your effort to improve yourself each and every day and because you BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, you have made it happen!

Just as a flower comes back stronger each and every spring, you do too. You’ve done a beautiful job relaxing and imagining today. When you’re ready, give your body a big stretch and open your eyes.

For more meditations and guided relaxation audios, visit Shambala Kids online.

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