Tag: Parenthood

Walking, Listening and Breathing

On By justmymomsenseIn Parent Life, writing challenge7 Comments

Two springs ago, my husband and I started going on walks while the kids were at school. We did it just as a way to get out, enjoy the nice weather and didn’t have a goal in mind.

Once the summer and fall came, I missed walking. What I hadn’t realized is that walking had made me feel better, even though I wasn’t feeling bad. So we got back into walking, sporadically, on nicer days.

Last year my 9 year old switched to a school that is in walking distance from our house. We walked him to school everyday and most days took the long way back home. Once this past summer hit, I made it a point to make sure I continued to walk. This time I did it solo.

Once my husband was done working, we would divide and conquer. I would go out, put my earbuds in and just walk. He started doing the same in the mornings before work.

We are still parents, so life can get in the way and these walks can’t happen everyday. However, we have made it a point to set aside this outside walking time for ourselves as often as possible.

Personally, I am walking for mental health and to move my body. I have Hashimotos and exercising is important, with gentle exercise being the preferred method. While walking, I like listening to audiobooks, podcasts and sometimes just music. We had ordered iLuv myBuds Wireless EarBuds awhile back, due to the cost and not knowing how often we would be using them. Now that we’re using them more, they’ve been great and I have no plans on switching any time soon. Just remember to keep the volume at a place where you can still hear your surroundings. If I can walk at the end of the day, I find it better because I don’t have my daily to-do list running through my head like it is in the morning. But I take what I can get!

Finding solo time as a parent is tough and everyone’s situation is different. Whether it’s a few minutes or a few hours, once a week or everyday, I would highly recommend it. Take time to watch a favorite show, favorite movie, go out for a walk, stay in and do a home workout, read a favorite book, journal, meditate or find something else that allows you time to breathe and center yourself.

If you would have told me two years ago that I would be walking on my own a few times a week, I would have said “I don’t have time for that.” Mental health is just as important as overall health and whatever you can do to help yourself be the best version of you, to feel good and get through the day, please do!

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Why Do You Blog?

On By justmymomsenseIn writing challengeLeave a comment

Today is Day 4 of my 30 Day Writing Challenge. My blog is hosted by WordPress and on the home page I saw this writing prompt: Why Do You Blog?

In life and especially in parenthood, you never know what kind of twists and turns there will be. Twists and turns I’ve experienced with my kids have included a speech delay, sensory processing difficulties and anxiety.

Everyone talks about “Dr. Google” because google is the first place most people go to try and find information. Maybe they head to social media to join groups, discussions and get feedback from their peers. Information is at our fingertips in good….and in bad ways.

I wanted to share my personal experiences and my family’s experiences as we navigated through speech therapy, occupational therapy, school, virtual school during a pandemic and having fun in between.

Blogging helped me process and appreciate all the good that was happening and all the milestones we were achieving as a family.

I blog because I’ve always loved to write.

I blog to be one of the many pieces of information another parent may come across while searching for something I’ve been through.

I blog to be part of a community.

I blog to remember the day to day.

I blog in order to take some of the harder moments and turn them into something helpful for someone else.

I blog to remind myself where we’ve been.

Back to School Haircuts

On By justmymomsenseIn schoolLeave a comment

The other day I took both of my kids to get haircuts. Who doesn’t need a fresh new cut for school, right?!

My 9 year old has never been thrilled with haircuts but he is able to sit through them now. He did seem to get himself stuck in a cycle of hair falling on his face > wiping his face with the cape > the cape was covered in hair > more hair would end up on his face and the cycle would continue. But, he made it through!

As we were leaving, a little boy was coming in looking terrified and crying. He didn’t want to sit in the chair and was holding onto his mom as tight as he could. In that moment, I looked at his mom and I saw myself.

When we got in the car, my son and daughter asked why he was so sad. I went over some possible reasons and asked my son if he could relate. He could. We talked about how he used to cry, scream and stiffen his body anytime we brought him in for a haircut.

My daughter didn’t seem to understand and we talked about how getting a haircut affected my son. I asked how loud the scissors were while getting her hair cut. She said a 0. I asked my son how loud the buzzer and scissors were and he said a 25. I’m not sure what their scales were, but clearly one was a lot different. He talked about how it feels like sharp tools on his head, it’s loud and it’s itchy.

This took us on a path of talking through different senses, how the brain processes things differently and how each of them react to different foods, textures, sights and sounds. This was a conversation I’ve had with my son before, but not as much with my daughter.

I’m proud of my son for being able to get through things that once were so difficult for him, even though they’re still not easy and for being able to recognize them better now than he ever has before.

As far as we’ve come, his very first haircut still seems like yesterday.

Suffolk County Public Libraries Summer Tour

On By justmymomsenseIn new york, writing challengeLeave a comment

If you follow me on Instagram, you have seen some of our library hauls through the years. We love our library and are there at least once a week, usually more. When Suffolk County announced plans for a library summer tour, we knew we had to check it out!

One library in particular was definitely a sensory friendly favorite!

Suffolk County is one of two counties in Long Island, NY. Long Island consists of two counties, Nassau and Suffolk. In total, there are 62 counties in all of NY state.

For this summer tour, each of my kids got their own passport book that they could personalize with their name and home library. From July 1 – August 31, every time we visited a library, they would receive a stamp in their passport. There were also three different milestones in order be entered into raffles:

5 library stamps: One entry into a raffle for a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card

15 library stamps: One entry into a raffle for a $1000 Barnes & Noble gift card

25 library stamps: One entry into a raffle for a Nook & $25 Barnes & Noble gift card

Up until this tour, we had only frequented two libraries prior, so most of these were new for us. In total we visited 16, receiving 15 stamps (we saw two libraries from the same branch) and visited our home library numerous times throughout the summer.

Let’s start with our favorite sensory friendly library:

Sachem

The thing that stood out to us most at Sachem was definitely Discovery Grove.

Discovery Grove is an outdoor classroom for children birth through 5th grade and their caregiver. Each area provides children with many learning opportunities in math, science, music, and art while promoting imaginative play, problem-solving skills, and socialization. These experiences provide occasions to hone their fine and gross motor skills, expand language and communication skills, and gain confidence to engage in new experiences and environments. – Sachem Library Website

There were areas for digging, building, climbing and more. All the senses can be activated through water play, instruments, heavy work and creativity. We spent so much time out in Discovery Grove and my kids started working together to build a house. This is definitely a spot we will be visiting again!

Here is a list (in no particular order) of the other libraries we visited and what stood out to us about each location:

  • Northport and East Northport
    • These two buildings are a part of the same branch and located a few minutes from each other. They had great kid areas, a fun scavenger hunt to locate literary characters throughout the children’s section and East Northport has a great playground right outside.
    • Fun Fact from the passport book: At Northport, we have a commemorative statue of The Little Prince and at East-Northport, the whimsical Library Bear!
  • Cold Spring Harbor
    • This is probably the prettiest library we visited. Located on a hill with water views, this library was quiet, quaint and had live streams from other countries scrolling on a monitor in the children’s section.
    • Fun Fact from the passport book: The library is located directly on the Cold Spring Harbor State Park & Green Belt Trail.
  • Huntington
    • This library is in a great location in the heart of Huntington. After your visit, you can easily walk to local restaurants and shops.
    • Fun Fact from the passport book: The main building used to be the NY Telephone Building.
  • South Huntington
    • The children’s section was big, bright and had a big offering of books and movies. There’s also a great play area!
    • Fun Fact from the passport book: We have a large terra cotta fish tank!
  • Elwood
    • This library is small, cute, friendly and the highlight for us was the chess board! My son played chess for the first time and won!
    • Fun fact from the passport book: Our building was a former Blockbuster Video.
  • Harborfields
    • Large children’s area, including a quiet cubby for movie watching. Right next door, you’ll also find a great playground!
    • Fun fact from the passport book: We opened to the public in a 10-by-50-foot trailer parked on a grass strip on January 10, 1971.
  • Commack
    • This library had a super modern feel. The children’s area was big, bright and had an awesome interactive gaming table.
    • Fun fact from the passport book: The Children’s Room has LED lighting in the ceiling which can change colors throughout the day by patron request!
  • Half Hollow Hills
    • Walking up to and into this library immediately gave us the feeling that we were in a new school! Next to the book section was a big playroom for smaller children!
    • Fun fact from the passport book: The Melville Branch was originally the Old Melville Schoolhouse.
  • Deer Park
    • Some libraries had more of an offering of specific books my kids were looking for than others. At Deer Park, there was a large selection of Easy Readers which was exciting for my 6 year old!
    • Fun fact from the passport book: We aren’t the only Deer Park Public LIbrary. There are three others in Texas, Cincinnati, and Toronto.
  • Sayville
    • Driving up to it my kids said “is this a hotel?!” This library is super convenient to the LIRR and has a big children’s section. If you’re driving, be aware that parking is located in the back.
    • Fun fact from the passport book: We have a little free pet pantry!
  • Central Islip
    • The children’s section was decked out in a space theme, complete with inflatable aliens.
    • Fun fact from the passport book: We have an art gallery!
  • Hauppauge
    • This library was all in on Barbie! There were Barbie and Ken photo frames set up and a Barbie themed door hanger craft.
    • Fun fact from the passport book: We have a summer outdoor event series called Fridays Out Front.
  • The Smithtown Library Nesconset Building
    • Crafts inside in the Children’s area and plenty to do outside with a playground, tennis courts and more!
    • Fun fact from the passport book: Between 1909 & 1912 the library’s collection was housed in a small building that still stands today on the Smithtown Historical Society’s property.

We are thankful for this summer tour because it got us to visit libraries we may never have otherwise. The libraries all had friendly staffs, great collections of books (and yes we got at least one book from each) and so much to offer their communities.

Day 1 | 30 Day Writing Challenge

On By justmymomsenseIn writing challengeLeave a comment

Today is August 31, 2023 and I am about to start a 30 Day Writing Challenge.

Wouldn’t it make more sense to start on September 1?

Yes! BUT I am giving myself the advice that I would give someone else: Just Start!

Time has flown by in the last 9 years of being a mom and in writing this blog. When I look back on posts, some that I think were written recently were actually written 4+ years ago. I like writing, I like sharing things that have worked for our family with others and I want to be doing more with this blog. Step 1, get to writing MORE!

For day 1, I want to do a re-introduction! My name is Jen and I’m a stay at home mom of a 9 year old son and a 6 year old daughter. I’ve been married for over 11 years and we also have 11 year old pup! I co-host a weekly podcast with my brother <shameless plug> which you can find on your favorite podcasting platforms: Dillo’s Diz Podcast. For a year and a half, I also co-hosted The Magical Mommy Monday Podcast with my friend Angela.

I started this blog to document my family’s journey navigating my son’s speech delay, sensory processing difficulties and the day to day of family life. I always find it helpful when I’m able to get another parent’s perspective on different topics and wanted to be a resource for others going through a similar journey.

I’m mostly in the land of social media under @jenillo but you can also find me on Instagram @justmymomsense.

Should I start a TikTok for this blog too? Hmmm, stay tuned for the rest of this challenge to see if it happens!

Day 1 is now in the books! See you tomorrow!

Back To School Blogs From The Archives

On By justmymomsenseIn school1 Comment

Back to school time is upon us and I wanted to share some school related blogs I’ve written along the way:

The After School Eruption

School May Not Look Like You Imagined Part 1

School May Not Look Like You Imagined Part 2

School May Not Look Like You Imagined Part 3

School May Not Look Like You Imagined Part 4

Be sure to check out A Few Of My Favorite Things for books, favorite authors, toys and more that can help with the transition back to school and all year round!

Let me know how you’re feeling about this time of year by leaving a comment or connecting on Instagram: @justmymomsense!

The Crocs Results I Wasn’t Expecting

On By justmymomsenseIn Uncategorized4 Comments

Believe it or not, this summer is our first experience with Crocs.

My 6 year old really wanted them and while shopping around for them, my 9 year old decided he wanted them too. They each found a pair they liked and put them on in the car.

My 9 year old had a sense of calm come over him and couldn’t stop talking about how much he loved the way the shoes felt on him. He didn’t want to take them off and asked if he could sleep in them. The texture, the air flow, it was all a plus for him.

My 6 year old didn’t love the texture under her feet and wanted to keep socks on with them. She kept talking how it was bumpy and felt weird. Since then, she mostly wears them with socks and loves them.

It was the sensory experiment I didn’t realize I was conducting. I didn’t expect Crocs to have such an effect on them. They also really wanted to decorate the shoes. My 6 year old got some Princess pins for hers and my 9 year old got some Mario pins for his. They wear them daily and love them.

It’s a great reminder of how little things can have a bigger impact when it comes to living a sensory life. They were able to personalize shoes that brought a lot of comfort and calm to one and happiness to the other.

The Princess Crocs pins we ordered are no longer available, but I found a similar bunch: https://amzn.to/45gC54D

If you have a Mario fan in your life, here is a link to the ones we purchased: https://amzn.to/44OXt0u

If you’re interested in trying out Crocs for yourself, click here: https://amzn.to/3Oqdfsf

Just My MomSense is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program

Poppy and the Overactive Amygdala

On By justmymomsenseIn Anxiety, Mental Health, Sensory ResourcesLeave a comment

I recently purchased Poppy and the Overactive Amygdala to have as a source of reference for my kids.

However, for today, I want to chat about reading it on your own, as a parent.

Description from the back of the book:

Many kids suffer from an overactive “Fight or Flight” response, which can affect them in all areas of their lives. Follow Poppy as she explains some of her struggles with anxiety, anger, and friendships as a kid with an overactive amygdala. This book was created to help build understanding and empathy for children with a wide range of mental health challenges. This type of behavior can be seen in many children, including but not limited to those kids with DMDD, ADHD, ODD, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, PANS/PANDAS, RAD, Autism disorders, PTSD, IED, and Conduct disorder, among others. While many of the children struggle with comprehension of their disorder, they all have one important factor in common. They did not choose this. As adults, we have a responsibility to build understanding, encourage empathy, and continue to grow our own set of skills and knowledge in order to best serve our most vulnerable population: Children.

Both of my kids have anxiety and one has confirmed sensory processing difficulties. Here is what I already know: going through everyday activities that we all take for granted, can be really tough for someone with sensory processing difficulties and anxiety. Here is what I need to be reminded of: going through everyday activities that we all take for granted, can be really tough for someone with sensory processing difficulties and anxiety. I try my best to continue to educate myself, to listen to podcasts, read books or social media and watch videos, all in an effort to make sure I’m doing everything I possibly can to make things just a little easier. But, I am also human. I have good days and bad. I’m always juggling all the things in life. And sometimes, I start to take the day to day for granted and slip back into needing a reminder.

This book is a good reminder. A reminder of the emotional storm that can happen quickly and easily inside a child. It talks about the ups and downs, the negative thoughts they experience and what adults can do to help them through it.

If you’re like me and aren’t always perfect, I recommend you read through Poppy and the Overactive Amygdala, on your own, thinking of your child going through the things that are described. It may be just the reminder you need to get yourself back into the routine.

I have links to this book and a few others on my “A Few of My Favorite Things” page which you can access by clicking here.

Just My MomSense is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program

The After School Eruption

On By justmymomsenseIn school4 Comments

I remember reading awhile back that children often keep a cap on their emotions during a school day and by the time they get home, the cap pops off. They know they’re in a safe and caring environment. They’re in a familiar place. They can now just be themselves.

My son is now 9, my daughter is 6 and the cap comes off each day. Some days it’s for a few minutes and some days (I’m looking at you Wednesdays) it lasts until bedtime. Being at school is a lot of work. When you’re experiencing different anxieties or having trouble grounding your senses, it can be completely overwhelming.

In school, kids have to:

  • Sit in one spot for a good chunk of the day
  • Interact with different kids and adults
  • Be able to handle distractions going on around them, whether that’s another child calling out in the class or something happening outside
  • Visit the cafeteria with different smells, an increase in volume from everyone talking, different lighting, etc

The list goes on. Now let’s throw in things like a child who is starting to get sick, maybe they have something going on at home, maybe they’re in the midst of a move or maybe they’re having a hard time making friends.

Now your child walks through the door at the end of the day carrying a suitcase full of mental, emotional and social experiences. It’s no wonder it pops open!

Consider this blog another reminder that kids are just small people trying to figure out life. Not so different from adults. Being a kid is hard and giving them the tools to help process all the ups and downs will help them as they get older and all of that stuff they’re carrying grows too.

The after school eruption can be tough, remember to regulate your own emotions from your day in order to help them regulate their day.

(Sometimes easier said than done but we’re all out here trying our best)

Click here to check out some of my favorite books and products that can help with the after school eruption.

I Love The Love For Reading

On By justmymomsenseIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

If you follow my @justmymomsense Instagram, then you have definitely seen some our library hauls.

Each of my kids got their first library card at around 6 months old. Our library is so awesome. They offer classes from the baby stage all the way up to classes for adults. Their children’s book section is extensive and it also fills the void that Blockbuster left by giving us the ability to take out DVDs and video games.

I love the love for reading that my kids have. They’re excited to pick out books and look forward to having new ones in the mix.

We’ve spent time making reading forts.

We’ve taken things outdoors in order to read on the trampoline.

Reading before bed is always fun since my husband is good at providing some of the character voices.

Along with gym, music and art, my kids also go to their school libraries once a week. They learn about new authors and are able to bring a book home from that library as well.

I am grateful for the library and schools we have. I know what a privilege it is for my children to be able to have access to so many wonderful authors, stories and opportunities.

If have a library card, you may be able to access apps in order to take out books virtually and have them sent to your Kindle or iPad. Apps like Libby are also available to read books on different devices. (This isn’t an ad, just something we’ve used)

Growing up I liked book stores and I remember having favorite authors, but I wasn’t always able to get lost in stories. I remember setting up a reading nook in my room to help give me that nudge I was needing, which probably only worked for a short amount of time. I think it’s awesome that my 8 year old loves reading new books, writing fan fiction and draws his own illustrations. My 6 year old is in Kindergarten and has come so far with reading in the last few months, it’s been amazing to watch her growth.

And now for my unsolicited advice: if you have access to a library, please get yourself and your child a library card and read with them. One of the coolest things you’ll experience is sharing a story together. That may look like you reading to them, them reading to you or just looking through pictures. However it’s done, enjoy those moments!

I’ve included some of our favorite children’s book authors over on my “These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things” page which you can check out by clicking here.