Ok, there is no such “syndrome”, but there is an increased stress level in many families due to the holidays. This wonderful, magical, social, and fun time is also marked by lots of additional stress in our lives.
Yesterday I attended a weekly music class for babies and toddlers that is usually a highly participatory, fun event. The group was large, and both babies and adults were cranky, subdued, and not engaged nearly as much as usual. My 'armchair diagnosis' is sensory overload from all the ‘extras’ already going on because of holidays. I heard a couple of Moms comment on their incredibly long lists of extra things they were trying to accomplish because of holidays, and several bemoaned how close together Thanksgiving and Christmas are this year!
While I have no solution to the overwhelm many adults succumb to during this season, I do suggest shielding your baby from it as much as possible. Be aware that your baby absorbs all the ambient 'energy', whether or not it is directed at her. Even if you are wisely maintaining the regular routines, she is also picking up the heightened state of excitement everywhere, from the retail buzz in stores to festivities at friends’ homes. If you carefully limit how much you choose to expose baby to, you will have much less stressed out crankiness with which to contend.
Happy Holidays!
Email and phone support available throughout!
Ingrid Johnson
The Baby Parenting Coach
303.776.8100
babyparentingcoach@gmail.com
www.BabyShaman.com
Friday, December 12, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Fill Your Parenting Toolbox Today
Having the right tools, right away, is an asset in any task we undertake. In the lifelong role as parent, starting out with the right tools is great. And for all the rest of us, assimilating the best possible tools as we go in the process of parenting is a great way to do it, also.
You don't have to attend workshops or travel to weekly sessions in order to assemble your own best set of tools. The key component is learning to trust your innate abilities. Common sense often trumps expert opinion in this vocation. The more you develop your own common sense, and learn to trust your own voice, the more your confidence grows.
As parents today, our vulnerability is ripe for exploiting. Never have there been more choices, and more pressure to enroll in services, purchase products, and participate in information and consumption overload. Parenting has in some cases become a business, preying on parents' fears.
I offer objectivity and support for developing your own cycle of self-reliance. In a collaborative way, we address immediate concerns and then look at overall values and goals that you want to implement. Getting rid of extraneous stuff that is draining your energy is vital at this important stage of your life. Your confidence is your best ally. Clarity and continuity are part of the support system I provide.
Ingrid Johnson
303.776.8100
www.BabyShaman.com
babyparentingcoach@gmail.som
babyparentingcoach.blogspot.com
You don't have to attend workshops or travel to weekly sessions in order to assemble your own best set of tools. The key component is learning to trust your innate abilities. Common sense often trumps expert opinion in this vocation. The more you develop your own common sense, and learn to trust your own voice, the more your confidence grows.
As parents today, our vulnerability is ripe for exploiting. Never have there been more choices, and more pressure to enroll in services, purchase products, and participate in information and consumption overload. Parenting has in some cases become a business, preying on parents' fears.
I offer objectivity and support for developing your own cycle of self-reliance. In a collaborative way, we address immediate concerns and then look at overall values and goals that you want to implement. Getting rid of extraneous stuff that is draining your energy is vital at this important stage of your life. Your confidence is your best ally. Clarity and continuity are part of the support system I provide.
Ingrid Johnson
303.776.8100
www.BabyShaman.com
babyparentingcoach@gmail.som
babyparentingcoach.blogspot.com
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Your Baby, Your Self
As you become a parent and begin to understand the lifelong ramifications, you may also observe opportunities to grow yourself as a person. Our child give us many chances, in many different settings, to observe our own choices of our behaviors and reactions.
Of course, our own child's behaviors trigger us at times. She may exhibit a pattern or habit that we don't like in ourselves. He may somehow remind us of a relative or person we have memories of, and that may be pleasant, joyful, sad, or annoying. Every time such an event comes up, it's a chance to choose what we do.
Many parents revert to the pattern established by their own parenting. Others have studied approaches that may have appealed to them, and are trying to implement those. Some are influenced by friends and peers, others allow their own parenting style to emerge as they meet their baby.
The choices today in parenting styles are many. How do you choose the way that is right for you? What do you do if the way you have chosen isn't working?
How do you best use parenting to grow yourself as a person? The results you experience are very much up to you. Having excellent support increases the chances of the outcome being what you desire.
Ingrid Johnson
THE Baby Parenting Coach
303.776.8100
babyparentingcoach@gmail.com
www.BabyShaman.cmo
Of course, our own child's behaviors trigger us at times. She may exhibit a pattern or habit that we don't like in ourselves. He may somehow remind us of a relative or person we have memories of, and that may be pleasant, joyful, sad, or annoying. Every time such an event comes up, it's a chance to choose what we do.
Many parents revert to the pattern established by their own parenting. Others have studied approaches that may have appealed to them, and are trying to implement those. Some are influenced by friends and peers, others allow their own parenting style to emerge as they meet their baby.
The choices today in parenting styles are many. How do you choose the way that is right for you? What do you do if the way you have chosen isn't working?
How do you best use parenting to grow yourself as a person? The results you experience are very much up to you. Having excellent support increases the chances of the outcome being what you desire.
Ingrid Johnson
THE Baby Parenting Coach
303.776.8100
babyparentingcoach@gmail.com
www.BabyShaman.cmo
Friday, October 17, 2008
Parenting - The 'Irrational' Vocation
If you saw an ad for a position that was exhausting, caused discomfort, took up most of your time, and involved risk (during pregnancy and childbirth), would you be excited about getting into the job?
When you decide to become a parent, you sign up for all that, as well as all the rewarding and heart-warming moments that make up being a parent. The rewards are huge, and so are the challenges. Preparing ahead of time is wonderful, and I encourage you do that. However, the best preparation in the world does not anticipate the unforeseen developments that come with a new baby.
Whether it's a temperament or patterns that are not what you were told about in your parenting class, your baby is almost sure to bring you some unexpected challenges. Also, the predictable pieces can still create stress and discomfort for parents. How you handle this will determine the overall quality of your parenting experience.
Lining up excellent support is a wise decision before your baby is born. Knowing that there is experienced and wise support available is important. Call upon it when you need it.
Ingrid Johnson
THE Baby Parenting Coach
babyparentingcoach@gmail.com
303.776.8100
www.BabyShaman.com
When you decide to become a parent, you sign up for all that, as well as all the rewarding and heart-warming moments that make up being a parent. The rewards are huge, and so are the challenges. Preparing ahead of time is wonderful, and I encourage you do that. However, the best preparation in the world does not anticipate the unforeseen developments that come with a new baby.
Whether it's a temperament or patterns that are not what you were told about in your parenting class, your baby is almost sure to bring you some unexpected challenges. Also, the predictable pieces can still create stress and discomfort for parents. How you handle this will determine the overall quality of your parenting experience.
Lining up excellent support is a wise decision before your baby is born. Knowing that there is experienced and wise support available is important. Call upon it when you need it.
Ingrid Johnson
THE Baby Parenting Coach
babyparentingcoach@gmail.com
303.776.8100
www.BabyShaman.com
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Oh Baby!
Here's a great opportunity to meet me and learn more about the services I offer - The Oh Baby! Baby & Family Expo in Denver on September 27-28.
I'll be there both days, and would love to see you!
If you're in Colorado and have a chance to stop by, please do - Colorado Convention Center in Denver, lots of valuable information, fun, and lots of shopping!
www.ohbabybabyexpo.com
Hope to see you!
Ingrid Johnson
www.BabyShaman.com
303.776.8100
BabyParentingCoach@blogspot.com
I'll be there both days, and would love to see you!
If you're in Colorado and have a chance to stop by, please do - Colorado Convention Center in Denver, lots of valuable information, fun, and lots of shopping!
www.ohbabybabyexpo.com
Hope to see you!
Ingrid Johnson
www.BabyShaman.com
303.776.8100
BabyParentingCoach@blogspot.com
Friday, July 25, 2008
Bump Up Your Confidence As a Parent
Monday, July 21, 2008
Stress, 'corrosive cortisol', and your baby
Highly recommended book for all parents:
Why Love Matters: How Affection Shapes a Baby's Brain
by Sue Gerhardt
A highly readable and lively book about the neuroscience, psychology, and biochemistry behind the shaping of your baby's nervous system, this book confirms many important correlations between love and brain development. The chapter on 'Corrosive Cortisol' alone makes the book worth reading. Secure emotional attachment is vital for a lifetime of mental and emotional health.
Persistent powerlessness (the very nature of babyhood) and unrelieved, chronic stress are clearly identified as causes of damage to mental and physical health in babies. The importance of tender, protective parenting cannot be stressed enough. However, many parents are so stressed themselves that offering this type of parenting is challenging, to say the least.
The link between emotional insecurity and cortisol dysfunction is clearly documented. Tuning in emotionally and being available to your child is vitally important. Creating optimum support for yourself as a parent is a wise and powerful choice. Ensure that you are available to your child on this level.
Please contact me at
for details on how I provide coaching by phone and email for busy parents.
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