Zen Mommy Minute: The Words We Use

Here are some thoughts about the words we use and ideas on how words can help or hurt us in our parenting. Whether you are pregnant with your first or raising teens, we can all benefit from watching for a few important words like should, try, need and MY/MINE and the messages they convey.

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How to Help Your Baby Breastfeed

Is your infant having trouble latching on? Dr. Colleen Stratton helps nursing moms and their infants by making sure there are no cranial issues preventing them from achieving a good connection. Video (3:53)

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How to Get Bound with a Book

My dad died a long time ago,  long before I had children. Yet, among other things, we are still bound by a book. It’s a hardcover edition of Mark Twain’s short stories. My dad bought it when I was a toddler and gave it to me the night before I got married, telling me that Twain’s humor and wisdom would come in handy in the years ahead. It did, and it still does.

When you share a book with someone it’s as if you’re saying “I value what’s in this book enough to want to share it with you because I value you too.” Simple sentiments become more powerful when accompanied by a book.

Parents of small children know how important “book/cuddle time” is to raising a reader and making essential connections. Parents of preteens and teens can continue to build a special closeness through books: Read more

Positive Parenting Tip: Commercial Grade

Our Yogi Parenting audio tips are presented every Friday by Michaela Turner, BS Ed, CYKT, YKT, Co-Founder Yogi Parenting

Listen to this :15 AUDIO TIP:

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Michaela is a 30 year veteran educator and a Certified YogaKids Teacher and Trainer. She teaches yoga baby and yoga kids classes for children throughout St. Louis, Missouri. As the Co-founder of Yogi Parenting, Michaela offers tips on parenting and seminars nationally, blending her joy for yoga with her love for children.

28 Weeks: Pregnancy Calf Cramps to Wake the DEAD

If you are or have been pregnant, odds are you know what I’m talking about. Over 50% of pregnant women suffer (and I mean suffer!!!) from these horrible, jaw clenching seizures in the muscles of the legs, usually in the calves, and (for me anyway) the sneaky little devils like to strike in the middle of the night.

I started getting them every other night around 2a.m.  about two weeks ago. One was so bad it lasted into the next day and had me limping… considering a cane or a crutch as I was going to a convention downtown and needed to walk a ton. Ego prevented me from going to that extreme so I just limped along for the day and sat as much as possible.

I’ve figured out a few things that work to help my cramps and hope they help if you are suffering from them too!

1. Sometimes if I freeze (much like a deer in the headlights) those nasty leg cramps will pass me right on by. I love when this happens but have to say, it’s the exception… not the rule.
2. When they do strike, I get right out of bed and put some weight through the leg. this not only flexes the foot putting the spasm-ed calf muscles on stretch, but weight bearing is supposed to have a mellowing effect on spastic muscles… a trick I learned as a physical therapist.
3. Massage the muscles. I use the same massage oil I use for belly massage and to prevent stretch marks. If I’m lucky, I wake my husband with all my moving around (not to mention the sounds of pain that come from me, enough to have anyone in earshot swearing I was in labor) and he works my calves with the oil. One of only two perks I can think of from the whole calf pain thing.
4. The other thing I do, and the second “perk” (if you can call it that) of having calf cramps to wake the dead in pregnancy… is that it gives me a chance to pretend I’m in labor. Yup. I actually have decided with each spasm to pretend I am indeed in labor… to soften my other muscles even as the one in questions locks into a spasm. This is exactly what occurs in labor, except that it’s my uterus doing the seizing not my leg muscles. I breathe in the mantra “I am love” and breathe out with “I am enough”. This really does help. Mind over matter? I think so.
5. Following nights where the cramps were super bad, I wake up and soak my legs in as hot of water as I can stand. This REALLY sets me up to win… taking me from limping in pain to limp free in 20 minutes.
6. And finally, I have started eating a banana, handful of almonds and glass of o.j. a day as I’ve read all of these can help. I think they do. That and being sure I remain hydrated through the day, but I tell ‘ya, if I drink any more water than I already am, I’m bound to float away.

I know I’m not the only one out there so I’d love to hear from you, misery loves company… do you get calf or leg cramps? when did they start? and what do you do about them that seems to work?

Related Articles:

39 Weeks : We are so BLESSED!
37 Weeks : Crystal Ball
36 Weeks : Pre-Birth ENERGY
35 Weeks : House Arrest
34 Weeks : Like “Cantaloupes”
33 Weeks : Blessingways and Birth
32 Weeks : Other New Moms & Icing
31 Weeks : Newborn Baby Checklists
30 Weeks : Sage “New-Mom” Advice from a Friend
29 Weeks : Placental Encapsulation
27 Weeks : Holiday Maternity Fashion Tips
26 Weeks : The Nursery
25 Weeks : Back to Baby Names
24 Weeks : Cord Blood
23 Weeks : Baby Fat
22 Weeks : Baby(s) Moving! Time for Belly Massage
21 Weeks : Flu Bug
20 Weeks : Parents As Teachers
19 Weeks : Sleep
18 Weeks : Breastfeeding
17 Weeks : Childbirth
16 Weeks : Sex of the Babies. We’re having…
15 Weeks : Baby name Game
14 Weeks : Prenatal Yoga
13 Weeks : Mindful Nesting
12 Weeks : My Changing Pregnant Body
How Spirit Moves

This Zen Mommy Minute is published in partnership with Due Maternity, a great place for maternity clothes.  xoxo

Suzanne Tucker, aka Zen Mommy

In addition to mommying to two magical girls born in 2000 and 2003 and expecting twins in Jan of 2010, Suzanne co-owns a holistic health center with her husband Shawn in St. Louis, Missouri where she practices as a physical therapist, Certified Educator of  Infant Massage and health education teacher. Certified in a number of healing and life education approaches, Suzanne is a Co-creator of My Mommy Manual and the online parenting course, Yogi Parenting, a positive parenting approach for raising kids of all ages.

How to Keep It Together During Family Holidays

Our Expert Mommy, psychotherapist Shellie Fidell is also a regular on Great Day St. Louis. We loved her recent segment that shares her practical tips on how to manage the added stress of extended family… starting, yup… this week!

Do you have a story to share about a stress-free or stress-full holiday gathering? Share in the comments below. I know Sharon has a great one about a Green Bean Casserole….

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How to Make Easy Holiday Treats
How to Celebrate Thanksgiving Read more

How Can You Tell If Your Child Needs Braces?

Good question. It seems like almost everyone gets braces these days. In my conversation with Dr. Jackie Demko, she confirmed that 80% of the U.S. population does indeed get them. BUT she provides a really great perspective on whether this is something your child NEEDS!

Does your child wear braces? What tipped you off the he/she needed them? Leave a comment with your story!

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Week 27: Holiday Maternity Fashion Tips

This week I’m thinking about THANKSGIVING and CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR’S EVE!!! All these big parties coming up. I just hope I’m mobile enough to enjoy them all… the end of January feels just around the corner. Am I ready? I may not have the nursery done.. but I know what I’ll be wearing come Christmas. Ha. That’s gotta count for something!@#@!!!

If you are pregnant, here are some tips to help you prepare… well… at least your closet anyway… for the holidays.

TIP #1: Save Energy:
Shop online for maternity clothes. This allows you to shop the high fashion name brands and more affordable lines all in one place, and frankly, I just don;t have the staying power to shop multiple stores in a row to find the right outfit and a good deal like I used to. There are also a number of free shipping offers and deals around the holidays. The main idea here is to sav your energy. Shop smarter… not harder! And if you are hitting the stores, shop early and avoid the crowds. Getting out to shop on Black Friday is NOT be at the top of my to-do list…

TIP #2: Buy Versatile Maternity Clothes:
Plan a few festive outfits you can mix and match that will work for ALL the upcoming holidays, from Thanksgiving to Christmas and New Year’s. Don’t wait until the night of the party to figure this out… have it planned. You’ll end up saving money and getting alot more wear out the the items you do end up buying!!! Here are a few good picks when it comes to being “versatile” items.

1. This black skirt from Japanese Weekend is also a killer black halter top maternity dress and only $78. That’s alot of bang for the holiday clothing buck.
2. Dress up your jeans with a dressie top. I like this one in Black Eyelet from Maternal America and plan to wear it on Christmas day with the family with jeans and black boots.
3. Pick a few maternity tops that can be dressed up/down and worn well past the holidays as well like this off-white one… off-white is a great color for winter and the holidays.

TIP #3: Buy at least ONE Dress

Pregnant or not every girl needs a Go-Dress! To help you get the most mileage out of this specail dress:

1. Pick a classic solid color so that different accessories can easily be added.
2. Look for a maternity wrap dress as these are adorable over jeans and can be worn with funky tights/boots or really dressed up with heels.  Look for one in red, a great color for the holidays.
3. Look for ”smart buys” when it comes to selecting your go-to dress; one that is sure to work for many occasions, many seasons and even future pregnancies. Classic cuts and colors will take you MUCH furture than trendy styles here.
4. FINALLY: The trend in Maternity fashion is fitted so have fun showing of your beautiful belly bump! It truly is something to celebrate. Here I am showing off mine on a local St. Louis morning show going over tips for Holiday Maternity Fashion.

I hope your pregnancy is going well and that you are in the holiday spirit!!! If you have any great maternity fashion tips or questions, I’d love to hear them below.

Related Articles:

39 Weeks : We are so BLESSED!
37 Weeks : Crystal Ball
36 Weeks : Pre-Birth ENERGY
35 Weeks : House Arrest
34 Weeks : Like “Cantaloupes”
33 Weeks : Blessingways and Birth
32 Weeks : Other New Moms & Icing
31 Weeks : Newborn Baby Checklists
30 Weeks : Sage “New-Mom” Advice from a Friend
29 Weeks : Placental Encapsulation
28 Weeks : Pregnancy Calf Cramps to Wake the DEAD
26 Weeks : The Nursery
25 Weeks : Back to Baby Names
24 Weeks : Cord Blood
23 Weeks : Baby Fat
22 Weeks : Baby(s) Moving! Time for Belly Massage
21 Weeks : Flu Bug
20 Weeks : Parents As Teachers
19 Weeks : Sleep
18 Weeks : Breastfeeding
17 Weeks : Childbirth
16 Weeks : Sex of the Babies. We’re having…
15 Weeks : Baby name Game
14 Weeks : Prenatal Yoga
13 Weeks : Mindful Nesting
12 Weeks : My Changing Pregnant Body
How Spirit Moves

This Zen Mommy Minute is published in partnership with Due Maternity, a great place to shop online for holiday maternity clothes.  xoxo

Suzanne Tucker, aka Zen Mommy

In addition to mommying to two magical girls born in 2000 and 2003 and expecting twins in Jan of 2010, Suzanne co-owns a holistic health center with her husband Shawn in St. Louis, Missouri where she practices as a physical therapist, Certified Educator of  Infant Massage and health education teacher. Certified in a number of healing and life education approaches, Suzanne is a Co-creator of My Mommy Manual and the online parenting course, Yogi Parenting, a positive parenting approach for raising kids of all ages.

Positive Parenting Tip: Short and Sweet

Our Yogi Parenting audio tips are presented every Friday by Michaela Turner, BS Ed, CYKT, YKT, Co-Founder Yogi Parenting

Let your kids teach you how!!! Listen to this :15 AUDIO TIP:

—

Michaela is a 30 year veteran educator and a Certified YogaKids Teacher and Trainer. She teaches yoga baby and yoga kids classes for children throughout St. Louis, Missouri. As the Co-founder of Yogi Parenting, Michaela offers tips on parenting and seminars nationally, blending her joy for yoga with her love for children.

Personalize Those Holiday Treats! $1

For just $1, you can win this adorable 3 qt. Cookie jar features a cozy airtight place to store your favorite cookies. Designed by world renowned artist, Kathy Davis, this very colorful cookie jar will delight any home. Personalized with your family’s name. Invite your holiday guests to enjoy the “Tweets” inside.

And you can win this one for ONE DOLLAR. It’s October’s Power of One prize, valued at $38 from ArtisticSensations.com Click on the widget to donate $1 to Parents As Teachers using your credit card. Easy!

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