Is it time to get outside and reboot your child’s (and your) body?

So often when life seems to get a little overwhelming, our kids are hyperactive, arguing with each other, not communicating; or we are feeling frustrated or angry. We need to stop and reboot and the best place to do this is outside in nature.

There is actually a scientific reason why we need to get outside in nature and it has to do with Negative and Positive Ions in the air. We all need a balance of negative and positive ions to be healthy. We actually need more negative ions than positive ions for proper body balance. Unfortunately, however, our environments are way too ‘positively’ charged.

This is a problem as it creates an acidic environment (not good for a body to thrive). So why are our environments and air positively ion charged? These are some of the things that create positive ions in our environment:
• Electrical equipment, computers, phones, tvs, dishwashers, washing machines, wireless internet etc.
• Furnishings and furniture – especially if they are new.
• Not enough fresh air – ie polluted air.
• Paint fumes, cleaning chemicals +++++
• Stress, frustration and anger attract positive ions too.

What we actually need is a negative Ion environment to thrive. That’s why it feels so good when you take that first step onto the beach or into the bush, or even go outside for a while. These natural environments are full of negative ions, and when we breathe them in they bring balance back to our bodies.

As we know children are sensitive and so it is likely that they are being affected by the ‘Positive Ions’ more than us. And they are not likely to say, hey mum and dad I need some more Negative Ions, what is likely to happen is that they start to stress out, argue, get sick, become hyperactive, or even slow down and become lethargic. It is important to realise that we all will respond to a positively ion charged environment in a different way because we are all unique.

So, when our children are hyperactive, frustrated, angry, arguing they may be calling you to take them to a place where their (and your) energy can move and rebalance – a Negative Ion Environment. When we get outside in nature, or we create a natural environment at home, it helps us to do just this.

So here are a few ideas that will help you keep your bodies and homes ‘Negatively Ion’ charged and healthy!
• Encourage your kids, and you, to got outside, take their shoes off and dig their feet into the ground, or walk on rocks or sand. There are lots of negative ions there.
• Open up the windows and let nature in to revitalise your home.
• Spend less time on computers and step away every so often.
• Wear devices that attract Negative Ions to your body like the Titan Wristband.
• Put plants in your home like the indoor lilly.
• Diffuse therapeutic grade essential oils – because they are from nature they attract negative ions.
• Use low chemical paints and natural fabrics when decorating your home.
• Use essential oils to clean your home instead of chemically based cleaners.
• When outside take really deep long breaths and revitalise all your body systems. In other words breathe right down to your toes!

May you and your children find many ways to REBOOT everyday and keep your energy flowing!

PS I would love to hear your ideas or comments. So please add your comments to the blog so others can benefit from your wisdom.

Does what you think and say about your child make a difference?

Have a look at this video about water

How does this relate to supporting children naturally?
When we are born we are 90% water, an average adult is 70% water. If thoughts and words affect water crystals, what do they do to us? What if what you think and say about your child affects them because they are water?  When I started thinking more positively about my boys and their health, their health changed. Was this the reason? What can you do? Every time you remember – think and say LOVING and KIND things about your child. You can make a difference!
More info in the book ‘Hidden Messages in Water’.

And now this one.

How does this relate to ‘Naturally supporting children’?
Dr Emoto (featured in the 1st water video) suggests in his book ‘The Hidden Messages in Water’ that we test his water theory ourselves. The man on this video did the test for 147 days and these are the results. 
Saying ‘Thank you, makes a huge difference!

with infinite love and graitude
Karin

Create a Nourishing & Nurturing Christmas

For me creating a nourishing and nurturing Christmas is all about creating spaces for me to do the things that I LOVE DOING and to be the things that I LOVE BEING. Here are five tips:

 

1.       Finding nourishing Christmas Recipes
I often found that by Boxing Day I was feeling sluggish and not myself because I had eaten foods that didn’t nourish my body. The key was to find some yummy, healthy, Christmas treats that I loved and could share with others. I have found things like Bliss Balls; Orange, Chocolate and Almond Cake and Avocado and Tomato salsa with vege sticks to be my favourites. And of course I always take time to make my Great Grandmothers ‘Christmas Pudding’ which is full of nuts and fruit.

2.       Tapping into your Creativity
When I tapped into my creativity, Christmas took on a whole new meaning. I believe that everyone has creative abilities they just need to find them. The way that I love to create for Christmas is to paint silk, and turn the silk into lamps, sarongs, paintings and clothes. I also love to make Christmas tags and paper. Have you thought of how you could create your Christmas – bringing close friends together; cooking Christmas treats; giving to people who don’t have others to share with; creating your own Christmas decorations; or writing a poem to someone you love.

 

3.       Giving gifts of Love
To say that I struggled with the whole gift thing at Christmas would be an understatement! I am so confronted with all those advertisements that start in October, well nearly. So what to do? Again I came back to my heart. I wanted to give gifts of love so I turned to the ‘Five Love Languages Model’ for inspiration. The Five Love Languages model is all about understanding that every person has a primary Love Language. And when you tap into it and give them in this way, they know they are loved. The five Love Languages are  – Quality Time; Acts of Service; Words of Affirmation; Touch and Gifts.

 

My dad and my youngest son’s Love Language is Quality Time so I often give them a handmade voucher to spend time together. Another family member loves touch so I give a gift of ‘massage’. It really does make gift giving a little easier and lots more fun!

4.       Being You
Being your authentic self is the biggest gift you can give yourself. When you do this you are vibrant and truly alive. But where to start? I started with the mirror – by looking myself in the eyes and saying ‘You are PERFECT just the way you are!’ I also take a moment to read my book ‘Be You … it’s all you need to be’, yes maybe I wrote this book for me! And I take time to write in my journal to talk to myself, ask myself questions, and listen for the answers. From here I am able to step into the world, confidently as me and so ready to share with love!

 

5.       Spending time Reflecting
I had to put a stop some of my commitments, because I just wasn’t having fun. I need time to reflect as well as share with others. So I slowed down a little so that I could spend time with me as well as spend time with others. I created time to go the beach, to write in my journal, to create, to cook, and to be with me! Ahhhh – what a relief it was to be nourished and nurtured.   

I would so love to hear how you create a Nourishing Nurturing Christmas, and I’m sure others would too. You can do this by adding a comment below.

May you create a nourishing and nurturing Christmas.
With warmest wishes and love to you and your family

 

 

Let’s create a nurturing revolution together

Our children are crying out to be nurtured, not only by you, but by their teachers, their schools, their communities, and their world.  And if your child is sensitive, their cry is a little louder than the rest. They are showing us that something isn’t right in our universe, something needs to change.

So what do our children need? They need to:

• Be loved and accepted just the way they are. And to be told every single day ‘You are Perfect just the way you are’.
• Be connected with the earth and nature. To go out and touch the ground, the rocks, the trees, to listen to birds, to watch butterflies, to build sandcastles, to play with water, and watch clouds roll by.
• Live in a home that nurtures their body. Reducing the unseen toxins from cleaning products, personal care products, electromagnetic radiation, and other chemicals.
• Eat ‘life giving’, natural and alive, food that supports and sustains their bodies to be the best it can be.
• Spend time with people that care about them – talking, listening, creating, singing, dancing and being.

It seems so simple, but somehow we have lost connection with this. Why? And what will it take for us to create this again for our children? My invitation to you is ‘Will you create a Nurturing Revolution with me?’ If your answer is yes, what do you need to do it? How can we work together? Please write your comment below, I would love to hear from you.

It’s time to assess our cleaning products

Chemicals and toxins in our homes are creating many health issues. It is time we get real and understand what our families are dealing with, and offer a cost effective, simple solution that works. So if you can spare one more moment, please read this info, and think about your home and what you are creating for your family. You can make a real difference to your child’s life in so many simple ways.

This quote is from the book called ‘The Awful Truth about Cleaning Products and fertility’ by Gabriela Rosa. It really highlights what is happening to our children as the result of using chemicals in our world:

“A study was recently done in the US on the cord blood of newly born babies. They looked for a range of known toxins and found the majority were present AT BIRTH in the cord blood collected. Of these, 62% were known carcinogens, 75% were neuro-developmentally toxic, and many were know to produce birth defects or reproductive system damage. Essentially our babies are being born polluted. 

This probably explains the changes currently being seen in paediatric diseases. We are now faced with epidemics of paediatric conditions that were not present only a few years ago, including allergies, epipens, asthma, adhd, autism, paediatric cancers and schools full of overweight children.

If we change the ways we do things perhaps we will give the next generation the best possible chance for a healthy body and brain …. Until then the home needs to be as chemical-free as possible.”
 

Dr Emmanuel Varipatis MB.BS.(UNSW)

One way we can make a real difference in our homes is change our cleaning products and personal care products to non-toxic ones that contain no nasties. If you are like me you probably thought you were. My suggestion is look again, it seems you just can’t trust a brand, and what it says on the label. For years I purchased a spray on cleaning product called “Earth’s Choice” at my local supermarket. I was horrified when I read my bottle and it listed methylchloroisothiazolinone a chemical that is a human skin toxicant which can cause asthma; allergic reactions; sensitisation; contact dermatitis. How do I know this? I have a little red book called “The Chemical Maze” it lists hundreds of chemicals, it’s function and possible effects.

The Simple Solution

Gabriella’s book goes on to offer a simple solution – that is nontoxic and pure. She recommends using 100% pure essential oils and making up blends yourself. 

Personally I have found 100% Pure Essential Oils to work, and they smell fabulous. I have recently come across the Young Living range of Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils that also have a cleaning product that really works. It is called ‘Thieves‘ and it is antiviral, antibacterial, anti fungal.

Just yesterday I used Thieves to clean the streaks off my granite benches, cleaned out the mould in my sandstone water feature (without bleach) it looks fabulous (my dog can even drink out of it safely). I also cleaned the glue off a bottle, and put a drop under my tongue to stave off a tickly throat. This is unbelievable but true, Thieves is safe, and non toxic. I just couldn’t help sharing this with you as I know that for years I was looking for a safe way to clean that was simple to use, smelt nice, was cost effective and non toxic. If you want to know more send me an email: karin@nurturehouse.com.au

There is no evidence homework is beneficial in early school years, writes Ainslie MacGibbon.

This article says it all, it is time for us to PLAY with our children! Thank you Ainslie.  Karin

The merit and need for some homework is generally accepted in secondary schools, but the practice has crept all the way down to kindergarten, where its benefits are highly contentious.

Australian seven- to eight-year-olds spend an average of 954 hours in the classroom annually, according to the OECD Education at a Glance 2009 – among the highest of the OECD countries. This excludes time spent on homework. Compare this with the same age group in Finland, who spend on average 608 hours.

A Finnish child usually starts schooling closer to age seven, when it is deemed developmentally appropriate – two years later than Australian children. Yet Finland is regarded as having the most successful education system in the world, based on OECD and World Economic Forum indicators.

Go here for the whole article:  http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/lifematters/life-after-school-all-homework-no-play-20090920-fwt2.html

Stop the world I want to get off

From my newsletter:

Is your world spinning faster and faster?  Are there more and more things to do and not enough hours in the day to do them?  Does it feel as if you are being pulled along and you don’t have any choice?

 

This is a trap many of us fall into and it can make life with sensitive children stressful and even more unmanageable.  If your sensitive kids are anything like mine, when I was stressed my eldest would become hyperactive and unfocused and my youngest would get sick with asthma and a cold. What a nightmare!

 

So what can you do about it? How can you break the cycle? Here are three steps that you may find useful:

 

Step 1 – Understand where you are living from

If you are living from your head, you just get dizzier and dizzier, until you eventually fall over. If you live from your centre, it is easier to focus on what is important to you and let everything else drop away.

 

Step 2 – Connect with what is important to you
The first thing you need to do is create a vision for yourself, your family and your children.

 

Next have a look at where you are expending your energy.  Are you doing the things you love or the things you feel you should do? Are you nurturing and caring for yourself and your family or looking after everyone else? What are you doing to create a peaceful and harmonious home?

 

Another useful tip is to look at your world through the eyes of your children.

 

Step 3 – Stick to your vision

The final step is to stay focused on your vision. So when any new opportunity comes your way you can easily decide if it really what you want to do. 

It is also important to learn to say no; schedule your time with lots of space to just hang with yourself, your partner and your children; and remember to look after your health.

 

May your month be filled with many magical moments with your child.
 

Warm regards

Karin

 

 

 

PS If you like the idea and don’t know where to start, I have produced a little book to help you. It includes ideas on how to centre; a vision page and a page to review where you are spending your time now; and sheet to plan how you want to spend your time in the future. Plus a number of other useful ideas. Click here to buy now and I will email you a copy. 

 

PPS If it’s not what you were looking for I will refund your money no questions asked.

As long as you get back to me within a week of your purchase

What’s happening to our family life?

My experience was that my work was not only cutting into my family life, but also our health, balance is the key.  Karin

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals that extra hours, multiple jobs and weekend work are all cutting into Australian family life, while one-quarter of our children are overweight or obese. People may also find it hard to balance employment and care.
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4102.0?OpenDocument

Alcohol and the teenage brain

Article by Tracy Tresidder 25/5/09
www.coaching4teenagers.com.au

The Teenage brain is still under construction and with new modern imaging technology scientists can actually view the human brain while it is alive and functioning. Neuroscience can help parents understand the importance of delaying their teens’ alcohol consumption The last Australian School Students Alcohol and Drug Survey was conducted in 2005.

The survey found: • Almost 40% of teenagers got their last alcoholic drink from their parents • 10 per cent of 12 year-olds had consumed alcohol in the week before the survey • this had increased to 49 per cent by the time they were 17 • 30% of 15 years olds & 44% of 17 year olds were binge drinking (7+ drinks for males, 5+ females) in the past week • 25% of parents thought it acceptable to provide 15- 16 yr olds alcohol at a supervised party

These are rather alarming statistics now that we have the research. Alcohol appears to damage more severely the frontal areas of the adolescent brain, crucial for controlling impulses and thinking through consequences of intended actions. Teenagers appear to be more sensitive to the learning and memory problems that can be caused by alcohol. They are more likely than adults to suffer from lack of judgement and memory loss. Alcohol has a powerful impact on the ability to form new memories, particularly for facts and events. Short- term or moderate drinking can impair learning and memory far more in youth than in adults. Adolescents need only drink half as much as adults to suffer the same negative effects.

For more information visit these websites:
A parent’s guide to the teen brain
Why 21?
Alcohol and adolescent development
The Australian Drug Foundation

Tips for Parents: • keep yourself informed – new research is very compelling • under 18′s should avoid alcohol • it is not OK to give under age teenagers alcohol • it is against the law to give other people’s underage teenagers alcohol • create a community of like minded parents • not “everyone’s” parents is providing alcohol • set an example – walk the talk • know what is going on in your teenager’s lives • know their whereabouts • check that gatherings and parties are being supervised an no alcohol is being served Remember, you are not alone. Other parents of teenagers are most likely facing the same issues. Share your concerns as well as what has worked for you when dealing with teenagers and alcohol. If you don’t agree with underage drinking (hopefully the new scientific proof has convinced you) then voice your opinion to other parents. You will find that many agree but are afraid to say so for fear of being ‘uncool’ The physical and mental well being of your teenagers is paramount. When the circle of parents of your teenagers friends can agree on safe, responsible behaviour then you will create a safe, strong structure for them to socialise in. Ultimately we, as parents, want our children to grow into confident, courageous and compassionate young adults.

Children’s Emotional Health – Discussion with Dr John Gottman

How parents are getting along relates to how they relate to their baby which in turn effects their growth and learning. April 14, 2005

Follow this link:  http://bit.ly/AXQlT