Being far from your loved ones is never easy. Whether it’s distance, busy schedules, or financial constraints keeping you apart, the longing to connect is always there. Thankfully, there are thoughtful, budget-friendly ways to bridge the gap and make someone feel special, no matter how many miles away they are.
Here are six meaningful ideas to show your love from afar — without breaking the bank.
1. Video Chats That Feel Like Real Visits
Thanks to technology, staying connected is easier than ever. From FaceTime and Zoom to WhatsApp and Google Meet, video calls let you share stories, laughter, and even mealtimes together. You can schedule weekly check-ins, host virtual dinners, or read bedtime stories to little ones. These moments, even through a screen, can feel almost like being there in person.
2. Share Memories With Custom Canvas Prints
Photos have a magical way of bringing people closer. Sending your loved one a framed memory or a personalized print can brighten their space and remind them of cherished moments with you.
At CanvasChamp, you can easily turn your favorite photos into custom canvas prints that your loved ones will treasure. Whether it’s a picture from a family vacation, a wedding snapshot, or a candid moment, these prints make heartfelt gifts that last a lifetime.
3. Send Handwritten Letters and Snail Mail
In a world of instant messages, a handwritten note stands out. Writing a heartfelt letter, sketching a doodle, or including a child’s drawing can create keepsakes that loved ones hold onto forever. It’s personal, tangible, and a wonderful way to make someone smile when they least expect it.
4. Thoughtful Surprise Gifts
Online shopping makes it simple to send a thoughtful surprise straight to their doorstep. From personalized mugs and cushions to keepsake photo books, small gifts show you’re thinking of them. The key is to choose something that speaks to their personality — like a cozy pillow for a homebody or a quirky mug for a coffee lover.
5. Share a Meal, Even From Miles Away
Food is often at the heart of love and memories. If you can’t cook their favorite meal yourself, consider ordering takeout from a local restaurant near them. Another option is sending a food basket with their favorite snacks, chocolates, or even a bottle of wine. A surprise delivery of comfort food can warm both their heart and their stomach.
6. Acts of Service That Truly Help
Sometimes love is best shown through actions. If your loved one is going through a busy or stressful time, consider arranging services that can ease their load. Hiring a cleaning service for a day, booking a babysitter so they can relax, or gifting them a massage appointment are thoughtful ways to show you care, even from afar.
Final Thoughts
Distance doesn’t have to limit how you show your love. With small gestures and meaningful gifts, you can make your loved ones feel close, even when you can’t be there in person.
If you want to make your gesture unforgettable, consider gifting them a custom canvas print from CanvasChamp. It’s a simple yet powerful way to send love across the miles and give them something to cherish every day.
As the school year ends, parents face the perennial question of how to make summer both memorable and meaningful. The goal is to find activities that capture a child’s energy and imagination while building skills that last a lifetime, moving beyond passive screen time or unstructured play.
A well-designed kids obstacle course offers a compelling answer, providing a dynamic environment where children are challenged in a multitude of ways at once. Here, running, climbing, and balancing are not just motions but solutions to tangible problems. With each rope they scale and wall they conquer, children gain more than just physical strength; they build a genuine sense of accomplishment and a foundation of self-confidence.
This unique blend of physical exertion and mental engagement makes it one of the most effective tools for fostering holistic development during the long summer break, creating lessons that stick long after the season fades.
The Adventure of All-Body Fitness
Unlike the repetitive drills of many traditional sports, an obstacle course offers a comprehensive workout that enhances a child’s entire physical toolkit. The constantly changing nature of the challenges demands a wide range of motion, engaging muscles that might otherwise be neglected. A single course builds numerous skills simultaneously:
Crawling under a net: Develops core strength and coordination.
Balancing on a beam: Hones focus and proprioception (body awareness).
Climbing a slanted wall: Builds functional upper-body and grip strength.
This is fitness in its most practical form. Because each new station presents a different puzzle to solve, the experience feels more like an adventure than a workout. This inherent variety fights off boredom and encourages enthusiastic participation, helping children develop a positive relationship with physical activity and discover the joy and capability of their bodies.
Training the Mind Through Movement
An obstacle course challenges the mind just as much as the body. Each new station is a problem to be solved: How high do I need to jump? Where is the best place to put my hands and feet? What’s the most stable path across this beam? This rapid-fire process of assessing a situation, creating a plan, and adapting on the fly is a powerful workout for a child’s executive functions. It teaches them to think critically under pressure and to stay focused on a goal.
More importantly, it cultivates true Mission Grit – that essential combination of perseverance and passion that allows a person to push through difficulty. When a child decides to try an obstacle one more time instead of walking away, they are actively practicing the kind of resilience that will serve them in the classroom, in their friendships, and their future careers.
Stronger Together: The Social Side of Obstacles
When children tackle an obstacle course in a group, it transforms from an individual test into a lesson in teamwork and community. Suddenly, success is not just about personal achievement but about collective progress. You see it when one child gives another a boost over a high wall, when a team huddles to strategize the best way to cross a “lava pit,” or simply in the chorus of cheers that erupts when a friend finally conquers a tough challenge. These interactions teach vital social skills like communication, trust, and empathy in a very real and tangible way.
This collaborative spirit is often a core component of a structured program like a Mission Grit summer camp, where team-based challenges are intentionally designed to show kids that they can achieve more together than they ever could alone, building powerful bonds through shared effort and mutual respect.
The Freedom to Fail and Try Again
In a world that often puts immense pressure on children to succeed on the first try, an obstacle course offers a refreshing and crucial counter-narrative: it is a safe space to fail. Slipping off a rope, losing your balance, or needing multiple attempts to clear a hurdle is not seen as a shortcoming but as a normal part of the process. This low-stakes environment helps reframe failure from something to be feared into what it truly is: valuable feedback.
In the course, a stumble teaches children that:
Failure is not final; it’s just a temporary stop on the way to a solution.
Strategy matters; if one approach doesn’t work, another one might.
Information is power; each attempt provides data on what to adjust for the next try.
Effort is what counts; the act of trying again is more important than succeeding immediately.
This experience is fundamental to developing a growth mindset—the powerful belief that abilities are not fixed and that effort and strategy can lead to improvement. It’s a lesson in resilience that builds a deep-seated confidence to face any challenge, on or off the course.
Conclusion
The mud washes off and the sore muscles heal, but the lessons learned on an obstacle course are enduring. This kind of summer activity offers a rare, holistic form of development, simultaneously building a child’s physical literacy, mental agility, and social grace. It is a powerful antidote to the passivity of a screen-filled break, replacing it with dynamic problem-solving and tangible accomplishment.
By investing in an experience that challenges them to push their boundaries, we are giving children more than just a fun story to tell when they return to school. We are equipping them with a toolkit of resilience, a belief in their capabilities, and an understanding that collaboration makes any challenge easier to bear. Ultimately, when we teach a child how to confidently face and overcome a physical wall, we are giving them a blueprint for how to approach every obstacle they will ever encounter in life.
When your child has a disability, medical gear may become part of your world before you’re emotionally ready for it.
It starts with suggestions from therapists or doctors—often when most parents are marvelling at their child’s first steps or words.
In our case, a physiotherapist dropped off a catalogue filled with mobility equipment and asked us to consider a standing frame to help our daughter Syona weight bear. The catalogue sat untouched for months.
While we had faced everything else head on, the thought of a stander in our home immobilized me. It symbolized a future that might look very different from what we’d expected or hoped for. It seemed to represent all we’d lost.
However, at some point, my thinking shifted.
I began to see how the stander could enable Syona to do things. And it did. It became the place we could play, paint, colour and bake muffins. Now, as a teen, she still uses it while eating and helping to do things in our kitchen.
By the time Syona was about four, we were the ones asking about a wheelchair. “She’s young,” the occupational therapist said. “I think she deserves a chance to move around on her own,” I said.
Research shows that getting kids with disabilities moving earlier aids their development. After some conversations and a wheelchair trial, her therapist agreed.
Our biggest challenge was getting a chair to fit Syona’s tiny body. But seeing her propel herself around filled my heart with joy in the same way that first steps did years later with her sister.
Now we see mobility products as tools for independence, access and basic functioning. But we still face system and cost barriers to acquiring them.
For example, Syona was a full-time manual wheelchair user. Several years ago, we asked her team about a power chair, because propelling herself is exhausting. She is motivated and does a lot of it herself, but especially for longer distances, we must take over.
For years, we were told to wait on a power chair. The most frustrating reason was that Syona had to “prove” that she could drive one. This was for safety reasons, which I understand.
But compare the process for approving a power chair to how kids learn to walk. No one asks able-bodied children to demonstrate that they can walk before they are allowed to try. They fall, they stumble, and they learn. Somehow, when it comes to kids who need mobility devices, the bar is raised way higher. They must demonstrate they deserve the chance, instead of being given the chance, and learning along the way.
Recently, at age 14, Syona received her power chair and is learning to navigate it. But when she was able to raise herself up to my level by using a new feature, I looked Syona in the eye from an angle I had never seen. And she had the chance to see the world she lives in from a perspective that was new to her. “I can see what’s around me so much better,” Syona said. It was a miraculous moment and one that I will never forget.
Another barrier to technology is cost. Syona’s power chair cost $30,922. Ontario’s Assistive Devices Program covered $17,861. The Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy covered $1,000 and Easter Seals paid for $3,000. Insurance covered $500 and we paid $7,550.25 out of pocket.
Provincial funding systems are outdated and slow. Supplementary funding programs are complicated, timelines rarely align, and families are left managing the gaps. Even when much of what we need is technically covered, the percentage that isn’t still adds up to thousands of dollars. The very systems that are supposed to provide relief often add to our burden.
Then there are pieces of equipment that aren’t covered at all. Something as essential as toileting and bathing aids, which provide supported seating, aren’t covered by provincial programs.
Imagine someone took away your ability to safely use the toilet and shower?
Families are forced to make heartbreaking choices, weighing the cost of equipment against other household needs and their children’s independence.
Equipment is not just a tool. It is freedom, dignity and inclusion. When my daughter is in her chair, she can move through the world. When she has the right supports, she can play, learn and be part of her community.
I often think back to that version of me who let the equipment catalogue gather dust. I don’t judge her; she needed a moment to process things. Today I know equipment is about possibility, and I won’t ever get in the way of possibility for Syona again.
Now we need to overhaul funding systems and policies to ensure that they work for, instead of against, children and families.
Elizabeth Mohler has many identities when it comes to disability. She is blind. She is also a caregiver to brothers with disabilities, a PhD candidate at Western University in London, Ont. studying self-managed attendant care, and a volunteer who teaches in a Family as Faculty role at Holland Bloorview. “Living with a disability myself and being a caregiver—it’s not a space we talk a lot about,” she says. “I’ve always felt like I have this insider and outsider perspective.” We spoke about her personal and academic life.
BLOOM: How did disability impact your family?
Elizabeth Mohler: I live with a visual disability. I have two brothers who are blind and have non-verbal autism and other diagnoses. So growing up I was navigating being a sibling with a disability who also had more severely disabled brothers. We moved from Brockville to Toronto in the 1980s for services we could get at SickKids Hospital and Bloorview.
I was a sibling who went to support groups at Bloorview and the Geneva Centre for Autism, but I also had a disability. The support groups were for able-bodied siblings to come together about their experiences but didn’t really meet my needs. I have a disability that many would consider significant, but in comparison to my brothers, who aren’t able to see and talk and have behavioural issues, my disability was very different.
Until Grade 5, I lived at home with my brothers. Not being able to talk to peers about my situation at home was challenging. They didn’t understand why it was hard for me to have friends over. Sometimes my parents weren’t comfortable having people over because they could be quite loud and noisy, and if you’re not used to that, it can be frightening.
BLOOM: You said you had a great experience going to a boarding school for the blind.
Elizabeth Mohler. Yes, I went to the W. Ross Macdonald School for the Blind in Grade 5 and it gave me an opportunity to engage with peers that were like me. I’d never had that before. I made some really close friends there. Mainstreaming is important, but it can be isolating if you don’t see anyone like yourself. I was also able to meet successful blind adults and see what was possible for me. It was a safe place for me, and I can’t say enough good things about it.
BLOOM: What role do you play in your brothers’ lives now?
Elizabeth Mohler: My disabled brothers live in different community homes in the Barrie area, and I also have an able-bodied brother who lives in Halifax.
My disabled brothers have Passport funding, and I do the admin work for that, submitting invoices and paying workers each month. Passport allows them to go to therapeutic trampoline, swimming, Snoezelen and do gardening.
The Passport forms could be much more accessible. There’s an assumption that an able-bodied person is filling them out. When you are navigating your own access needs, it adds a whole level of complexity to caregiving.
I also participate in Zoom calls to check in each week with my brothers and see how they’re doing. My parents, who moved back to Brockville, also provide support from a distance.
BLOOM: My husband does the admin for our Passport funding, and I find it’s a lot of work. Do you ever find it onerous?
Elizabeth Mohler: I wouldn’t say onerous. A lot of caregiving discourse talks about the burden of caregiving. At times it can feel heavy, but that was more when I was younger. I see care as a really beautiful thing to be able to offer someone. You get better and faster at it, and I’m not involved day to day.
I find the terms caregiver and care recipient set up these binaries: ‘I’m the staff, so this is what’s happening, and you’re the recipient.’ For example, we’re night hawks in my family. We’re not an early to bed clan. We heard that one of my brothers was having trouble sleeping. Then we learned he was made to go to bed at 8 or 9 because they had fewer staff in the evening. So of course he’s not sleeping.
We talk in the literature about care being person-centred, but where people are paid to give care, it ends up being regimented so that everyone eats at this time and sleeps at this time. It’s important for researchers to understand that what the literature says should happen, and what actually happens, aren’t the same.
I like to think about care as something we’re all giving and receiving in different ways and at different times.
BLOOM: How did you get into rehab sciences?
Elizabeth Mohler: I would say through my lived experience and because of barriers I’ve faced getting into a health-care role as someone who is disabled.
My dream was to work in a hospital in complex continuing care. When I finished my undergrad, I applied to a social work program. I got into the program and went to the orientation. I said that I wanted to work in a hospital, and the dean said hospitals are really big places and I wouldn’t be able to be a social worker there as someone who is blind. So, I ended up doing a research master’s instead.
I also had trouble finding a volunteer position in health care. I was passionate about working with families and I applied to volunteer at a hospital. I had an amazing interview, and then I got a call saying we don’t know how we would accommodate you on the unit. ‘What if you bump into a patient or stumble over something?’ I explained that before I started volunteering, someone from the CNIB would come and orient me, to learn the lay of the land and where everything was.
The long and short of it was that they eventually made it work, but it didn’t feel like a genuine experience because they paired me with another volunteer, and that person engaged with the patients. So it wasn’t me that was making a difference.
BLOOM: Why did you want to study self-managed attendant home care in Ontario?
Elizabeth Mohler: I have friends with disabilities and have seen the struggles they’ve gone through to access care.
It takes a certain type of person to manage it all—whether it’s finding people, hiring them, placing ads, or doing the bookkeeping, which is a big piece.
The other piece is the precarity of it. We know care work is in crisis. It’s the precarity of not knowing if someone is going to come for their shift, or not knowing how long you’ll have someone. From the worker side, it’s getting a shift but maybe it’s only an hour, so how do you sustain that? We know a lot of invisible work falls on family and friends.
I wanted to take a critical look at this model. For example, I developed an analytic guide that I take the intake form through. It asks questions like ‘What is being problematized?’ or ‘Whose voice is centred?’ I’m developing a huge excel spreadsheet with the answers and building threads.
BLOOM: What have you gotten out of your role as Family as Faculty here?
Elizabeth Mohler: It’s brought my love of public speaking and using a lived experience perspective to the fore. It’s also given me an opportunity to engage with others in similar situations. I did my training online in 2024. Since then I’ve done several activities, whether it’s presenting to a lab about living with a disability, going to Ward Research Day and evaluating projects, or helping to teach the Social Work and Disability Practice course at the University of Toronto.
Finding volunteer positions in health care was hard for me and this role is great for my skill set. It’s so verbal and all about communicating and sharing your story. It’s a great fit and I love the people I’ve met, like Jean Hammond and Julia Kowal. It’s a very accessible way to volunteer and make a difference in health care.
That said, there’s still room for improvement. For some of our events, the registration form didn’t ask whether you require an accommodation to participate.
BLOOM: What would you like to do after your PhD?
Elizabeth Mohler: I’d love to support families and youth with disabilities around navigating life with a disability, services, and transitions—similar to what the LifeSpan program at Holland Bloorview does, or the work of your family support specialists. My lived and academic experience would serve me well in a role like that.
Ready for a scare-your-pants-off kind of haunted attraction? We visited Madworld Haunted Attraction in Greenville, SC and had a terrifyingly fun time. Thanks to Madworld for inviting us to experience their terrifying attraction so we could scare our readers in this review.
Love haunted houses, insane asylums, terrifying clowns, and all things Halloween? Then you’ll want to visit one of the country’s scariest haunted attractions at Madworld Haunted Attraction right here in Greenville, SC.
We’ll tell you all about how this place started, the terrifying things you’ll encounter, how scary Madworld really is, and how to experience the best of the Halloween season at Madworld.
About Madworld Haunted Attraction
Madworld is owned and run by two brothers, Joe and Tim Thompson, and 2025 is their 15th season of the haunted attraction. They’ve always loved horror and all things scary so producing and creating Madworld was a natural fit for both of them.
The haunted attraction has won accolades nationwide and is ranked as one of the scariest attractions in South Carolina. This is a pretty serious haunted attraction which Joe and Tim have built with the guest experience in mind. There are about 200 actors on any given night looking to terrify guests with their very real-looking getups and acting skills that have been honed for this place and their goal to give guests a memorable – and nightmare-worthy – experience.
We got a peek at some of the behind-the-scenes magic and the amount of work that goes into the makeup and costumes of each character is stunning. There are silicon masks, rows of makeup chairs, prosthetics, weapons that look real. The team is serious about the appearance of each character and makes sure to make them look as real as possible. Actors have to go through rounds of auditions to work at Madworld.
But that’s not all. Madworld has a quality control manager whose job is basically go through the entire park several times a night and make sure every character is acting their part to a tee. If not, well, I don’t even want to know. The guy who does this is very serious about his job.
All the Details about the Haunted Trail
The biggest part of Madworld is their nearly half-mile haunted trail through a zombie factory and into a world of all kinds of things that scare us humans.
Joe and Tim told us that they wanted to hit on a variety of things and scenarios that scare people as to make sure they are able to hit all phobias. That is quite obvious once you start walking through the haunted trail, which seemingly never ends.
The zombie factory starts off your tour after your photo is snapped by the Madworld staff to remember you by. OK, well, not really. You can purchase it afterwards at the customer service desk. Each group is ushered in separately so there may be a bit of a wait (get the Fast Pass – you’ll save a lot of time). There are green glowing lights and you feel like you’re in a prison. Loud noises are all around you and the actors try to reach for you from their jail cell. It’s awesome.
Once you get instructions about not running through any of the attractions from the creepy host, you’ll enter into the official part of the haunted trail. There are 13 sets/haunted houses and once you leave one, you’ll walk outside and enter into the next one. There are characters everywhere that either will jump out at you or show up in the shadows or just act completely terrifying.
After the zombie factory, I can’t even remember what is next because there are so many. I’ll tell you the things that stood out to me in the various places.
First, this wasn’t even me but Bethany and her husband were behind me and passed a writhing girl on the floor, who they thought was me. You can imagine their terror. Thankfully, I was just ahead of them getting scared out of my mind by an exorcist-type girl on a moving bed who was crawling towards me.
The clown house obviously involved a lot of clowns. But it also involved a lot of flashing lights, strobes, and creepy laughs. This is one the warnings they give you when you buy your tickets.
The pirate house was my favorite because the characters were entirely convincing but also because they had a part where it seemed that you were going to fall into water where a giant gator was going to eat you. Towards the end of the pirate house, you have to walk through a room where you can’t see the floor – so cool.
The insane asylum was just that: insane. Lots of patients screaming to let them out plus a room full of old toilets that had me convinced this was a real insane asylum. It was intense.
One part that was outdoors had a crazed guy lighting up propane with actors with chainsaws hacking up people. One bloody person was dragged in front of me by a dude with a chainsaw and I’m still not sure if it was a real person or not.
A witch nearly scared me to death when she popped out of her shack. And I really didn’t want to walk through the house with the label of “bless this house” on the door. No, thanks. But I did and it was haunting.
From the time we entered the zombie factory to when we exited the haunted trail was about 25-30 minutes. It felt longer. There is a lot of blood, gore, and screaming at Madworld.
Ghost Mini Golf & Carnival Games
While Madworld is probably most well-known for their intensely scary haunted trail, they have a lot of other things to do while you’re there that won’t involve straining your vocal chords.
They have an entire mini golf course, several different carnival games, and my favorite – ax throwing. None of these things are terrifying so if your kids want to go someplace “scary” but you know they aren’t ready for the full experience, you can take them here to do ghost mini golf and throw some balls at clowns. Then they can tell their friends they went to Madworld.
Tasty Treats at Madworld + Gift Shop
Being scared works up an appetite. Good thing Madworld can help out with that.
There are some tasty food vendors at Madworld that sell mini donuts, cheeseburgers, funnel cakes, muffins, fries, and even coffee and frappes.
These are located inside the park. You can sit around the bonfire and eat and calm your heart rate after going through the haunted trail.
As for the gift shop, you’ll want to go here before heading home. They have some really cool stuff like skeleton wine goblets, terrifying hoodies, ghost soap dishes, and candles.
Best Ages for Madworld
If you think I’m going to give you an age range for kids who will enjoy this, sorry to disappoint but it’s not happening. As an adult, I was scared. I know several adults who would also be terrified of Madworld but who want to go and scream their heads off. Other friends are scared just looking at my photos of Madworld.
I know my own kids, currently ages 12 and 9, and they would never sleep after going to Madworld. But other kids, including another 12-year-old and a teenager who came with us, absolutely loved this place and no doubt will want to go back. When we went, there was a little girl, probably around 7, who was first in line with her mom.
So what age is good for this haunted attraction? It totally depends on your kid.
Joe did tell us that when little kids come in, the actors don’t act as scary towards them. So, instead of quietly coming up behind them and waiting for them to turn around and be scared out of their mind, the characters will approach them from the front and give them a high five.
Tips on Enjoying Madworld
Here are a few things we found to be helpful when heading to Madworld Haunted Attraction.
The actors are not allowed to intentionally touch guests. They are allowed to get very close though and sometimes I brushed up against their costumes.
Wear sturdy and closed toed shoes. Sometimes you can’t see the floor in the haunted trail and there is part of it where the floor moves so you want sturdy shoes.
Plan to spend some time there. There are a lot of things to enjoy at Madworld besides the haunted trail so plan to spend the evening hanging out, getting scared, and playing carnival games, eating, or chilling at the bonfire.
Sign your waiver and have the proof you signed it on your phone at the entrance. That’s the only thing you need to enter Madworld and you’ll be checked for it.
If you’re able, get the Fast Pass. It will save you time on the haunted trail since you jump to the head of the line.
You can buy a no-scare medallion as part of your ticket package if you want to go but don’t want to be screaming all night. When kids wear these medallions, it repels monsters.
Do not wear your Halloween costumes. No costumes are allowed.
There are a lot of strobe and flashing lights and fog. If you have a condition where these things aggravate it, then it is not recommended you go. Pregnant women are also cautioned against doing the haunted trail.
Overall Review of Madworld
This type of attraction is typically not at the top of my Halloween excursions but readers, this is what I do for you. That said, Madworld was really, really fun. It’s obvious how much work went into creating a top-notch experience for guests who come looking to be scared and have a great night with their friends, family, or date (this would make a great date night).
The characters are very good at their work and everyone we saw throughout the haunted trail was on point for their particular scare tactic. We never saw any actor break character, which I imagine is very difficult to do for hours each night.
I’d certainly consider putting Madworld on my fall bucket list after this trip.
Spooky Drinks
Operating Hours & Tickets
You can purchase your tickets online or at the gate. They have several different packages whether you want the full experience of the haunted trail and all the carnival games or just a couple things to do. You can also purchase a season pass if you’re that kind of crazy. General admission tickets are $40/adult and $35/kids 10 and under. Ticket packages go up from there.
They are open weekends starting September 5, 2025 through November 1, 2025. They are also open Halloween and a few other days before the last weekend of October. The times vary so check the schedule before you go.
Madworld will open in light rain but if it’s raining heavily, they will need to close. Follow Madworld on Facebook for the most up-to-date announcements.
Un article traduit de l’anglais par Chloé Saint Guilhem, formatrice certifiée Hand in Hand
Les enfants adorent apprendre. Pour eux, apprendre est aussi naturel que respirer – véritables éponges, ils absorbent la moindre petite chose qui se passe. Ils apprennent par le jeu, en s’imprégnant du comportement des adultes et des enfants qui les entourent et en faisant leur propre expérience. Ainsi, aller à l’école, avec son lot de nouvelles expériences, d’enfants à rencontrer et ses possibilités d’acquérir des compétences importantes comme la lecture et les mathématiques, devrait être passionnant et amusant pour eux.
Pour bien apprendre, nos enfants ont besoin de se sentir en sécurité et acceptés
Les enfants ne peuvent apprendre qu’à condition de se sentir acceptés et appréciés. À l’école ils ont besoin de savoir que leurs enseignants les apprécient et pensent qu’ils sont uniques. Ils ont besoin de savoir qu’ils ne feront pas l’objet d’humiliation ou de moqueries dans la cour de récréation ou dans les couloirs. Ils ont besoin d’encouragements, qu’on les tire vers le haut et tout cela en s’amusant.
Le jeu, qui est le langage et l’activité des jeunes enfants, reste très important pour les enfants d’âge scolaire. Plus ils seront autorisés à jouer lors de l’apprentissage, plus vite ils s’approprieront des informations et développeront de nouvelles compétences. À la maison, ils ont besoin de gentillesse, d’affection et de temps partagé en face à face avec leurs parents, même si ce n’est que le rituel câlin du soir qui ne dure que cinq minutes.
S’assurer que les besoins émotionnels des enfants sont comblés autant à l’école qu’à la maison, favorisera l’apprentissage scolaire et permettra aux parents de soutenir leurs enfants.
Voici quelques pistes concrètes pour aider les enfants à se sentir aimés à la maison, compris et respectés à l’école, afin que leur esprit soit suffisamment clair pour apprendre.
Les enfants ont énormément besoin de manifestations physiques d’affection et de proximité avec leurs proches. La proximité renforce leur confiance et libère leur esprit des inquiétudes concernant leur sentiment de bien-être. S’ils ne se sentent pas en sécurité, ils ne peuvent pas se concentrer sur les apprentissages.
Les enfants décuplent leurs capacités d’apprentissage par le jeu et les activités pratiques. Le meilleur des profs est l’expérience, l’expérience et encore l’expérience ! Nous avons besoin de salles de classe où les enfants font des choses ensemble, expérimentent et s’enseignent mutuellement ce qu’ils ont appris. En particulier, le jeu libre, sans compétition ni règles préétablies, est un excellent moyen de développer l’intelligence, l’imagination et la confiance en soi des enfants. Sauter sur les lits et courir partout dans la maison, faire de la lutte et des batailles d’oreillers (les enfants étant les gagnants bien évidemment) sont le genre de jeux physiques qui remontent le moral des enfants et leur procurent suffisamment de plaisir pour qu’ils puissent garder espoir, même lorsque les journées d’école ne sont pas faciles. Si la vie semble être une corvée, l’apprentissage ne peut avoir lieu. Le jeu libre est donc essentiel. Il permet de maintenir l’étincelle d’espoir et d’intérêt de votre enfant.
Les enfants ont besoin d’être libres de faire des erreurs et de poser des questions sans craindre d’être humiliés ou rabaissés. Les erreurs et les « échecs » sont aussi instructifs que les réussites, à condition que l’enfant continue d’être respecté.
Le sens aigu de la justice des enfants exige qu’eux-mêmes et les autres soient traités avec considération et équité. Pour les enfants, l’équité signifie des limites, mais pas de colère, des frontières, mais pas de dénigrement, affronter les difficultés, mais pas attaquer les personnes qui ont des difficultés.
Lorsque des problèmes d’apprentissage surgissent, écoutez
Lorsque qu’un enfant n’est pas en mesure de se concentrer ou d’écouter c’est qu’il y a généralement un facteur émotionnel qui bloque sa progression. Ne pas être en mesure de réfléchir fait souffrir intérieurement. Cela fait peur quand vous ne pouvez pas faire ce que l’on attend de vous et que vous ne savez pas pourquoi ni comment y remédier. C’est la situation dans laquelle se trouve l’enfant qui ne parvient pas à écrire une histoire, ne retient pas les tables de multiplications ou qu’il ne peut pas s’assoir pour faire ses devoirs. Ils se sentent bouleversés et souvent effrayés. Ils se sentent également seuls.
En tant que parent, voir notre enfant être envahi par la colère en plein apprentissage est très énervant. Les problèmes de notre enfant nous font nous sentir fatigués et vidés. À ce moment précis, nous pensons quelque chose comme « À présent, il devrait être capable de faire ses devoirs tout seul ! Pourquoi est-ce que je dois m’en occuper ? » Nous voulons désespérément que les problèmes de notre enfant disparaissent afin de pouvoir retrouver un peu de tranquillité.
Ce qui aide énormément, c’est quelque chose qu’on nous a toujours appris à éviter à tout prix. Si tu peux t’asseoir près de ton enfant pendant qu’il pleure à propos de l’école ou qu’il fait une crise parce qu’il ne veut pas faire ses devoirs, il parviendra à évacuer une partie des sentiments négatifs qui le paralysent.
La libération émotionnelle aide les enfants à concentrer leur attention et à retrouver leur capacité à envisager l’apprentissage avec espoir. ton enfant ne semblera pas raisonnable lorsqu’il pleure ou se met en colère. Il croira très fortement aux sentiments terribles qu’il éprouve. Mais étonnamment, les pleurs et la possibilité de te faire comprendre à quel point il se sent mal ont un effet profondément apaisant. Essaie donc de ne pas discuter ni raisonner avec lui/elle, et reste à ses côtés pendant qu’il/elle « vide son sac » à travers ses larmes et ses pensées sombres ou colériques. Il/Elle finira par s’arrêter. Plus il/elle aura pu pleurer longtemps, plus te constateras une amélioration de sa capacité à se concentrer et à croire en lui/elle-même.
Les enfants souhaitent que leurs parents soient leurs écoutants
Les écoles ne sont pas conçues pour aider les enfants à gérer les tensions qui les empêchent d’apprendre et de s’entendre avec les autres. C’est une tâche qui incombe aux parents. C’est une tâche très difficile, qui n’a jamais été accomplie pour nous.Pour beaucoup, « on a tout faux » si on permet à un enfant de pleurer pendant des heures sans résoudre quoi que ce soit, si on ne l’envoie pas dans sa chambre ou si on n’insiste pas pour qu’il se ressaisisse.
Mais Rester-écouter. Écouter apaise. Écoutez ton enfant pleurer ou faire une crise sans essayer de « réparer » ses sentiments ou de résoudre le problème, et tu verras à quel point cela fonctionne pour lui éclaircir l’esprit et rétablir son sentiment de proximité avec toi.
Aider nos enfants, soutenir leurs écoles
Le besoin énorme qu’ont les enfants d’une attention individuelle pendant leur apprentissage est naturel. C’est l’environnement scolaire, où tant d’enfants doivent rivaliser pour attirer l’attention d’un seul adulte, qui n’est pas naturel. Les besoins des enfants sont perçus comme gênants par les parents et les enseignants, non pas parce que les enfants sont hors normes, mais parce que notre société est hors normes.
Les décideurs politiques et les citoyens n’ont pas encore décidé d’accorder aux jeunes enfants suffisamment d’attention de la part des adultes à l’école, et aux parents suffisamment de soutien à la maison, pour répondre aux besoins humains naturels de soutien et d’attention. Lorsque les écoles soutiendront véritablement les enfants, nous regarderons rétrospectivement la taille actuelle des classes, le manque de soutien apporté aux enseignants et le manque de services accordés aux enfants ayant des difficultés d’apprentissage et nous considèrerons les conditions de ce début de XXIème Siècle comme véritablement primitives.
En raison de ces conditions, presque tous les enfants connaîtront des moments difficiles à l’école. Et presque tous les parents se sentent bouleversés, impuissants et/ou en colère lorsque ces problèmes apparaissent. Notre amour profond pour nos enfants et notre frustration face à une société qui n’offre pas beaucoup de soutien à ses jeunes nous empêchent de réfléchir clairement lorsque nos enfants traversent une période difficile.
Il existe quelques principes de base que beaucoup de gens trouvent utiles lorsqu’ils traversent une période difficile.
Il est inutile de blâmer ton enfant, l’enseignant ou toi-même pour cette difficulté. Le blâme gaspille de l’énergie et aggrave le sentiment de culpabilité des autres. Rejeter la faute sur autrui propage les sentiments négatifs et est une entrave à la créativité et à la coopération indispensable à la résolution de problèmes. Tu n’es pas responsable. Tu fais de ton mieux pour accomplir cette tâche difficile qu’est l’éducation des enfants. Ton enfant n’est pas responsable. Il fait de son mieux et porte un fardeau dont il n’a pas encore parlé ou qu’il ne sait pas encore comment alléger. L’enseignant n’est pas responsable. Peu importe qui a commis des erreurs, le cœur du problème réside dans le manque de soutien et d’aide pour toutes les personnes concernées.
Toi, ton enfant et son enseignant êtes tous stressés parce que les conditions d’apprentissage ne sont pas optimales. Dans la plupart des écoles, les ressources humaines et l’expertise pédagogique sont réparties de manière beaucoup trop dispersée. Une action constructive consiste à rechercher les points forts des personnes, à faire appel à leurs bonnes intentions et, éventuellement, à rechercher une aide supplémentaire.
Tout d’abord, écoute ton enfant te parler de ses difficultés. Il/Elle se sent blessé.e et bouleversé.e, et il/elle ne peut pas résoudre le problème dans cet état. Essaie d’être suffisamment chaleureux.se et positif.ve pour l’aider à pleurer ou à piquer une crise. Les enfants peuvent souvent surmonter leur sentiment de victimisation et trouver leurs propres solutions aux problèmes rencontrés à l’école s’ils ont la possibilité d’évacuer leurs sentiments en pleurant à chaudes larmes à la maison.
Laisse ton enfant trouver les solutions. Une fois que ton enfant a évacué ses sentiments de colère et que tu as passé un moment à lui tenir compagnie sans essayer de résoudre le problème, demande-lui ce qu’il/elle souhaite faire. Écoute-le/la attentivement. Tu peux peut-être jouer un rôle en le/la défendant auprès de son enseignant ou en l’aidant à parler avec ses amis. Mais ne suppose pas que, parce qu’il/elle t’a fait part de ses sentiments, il/elle souhaite que tu prennes les choses en main. Souvent, les enfants réfléchissent à la manière dont ils veulent prendre les choses en main après avoir bien pleuré.
Si ton enfant souhaite que tu abordes un enseignant ou d’autres élèves, écoute attentivement avant d’essayer de trouver des solutions. Un enseignant, un directeur ou un élève a besoin d’exprimer son point de vue avant d’être en capacité de changer d’avis ou de coopérer, pour trouver une nouvelle solution. Si les choses ne fonctionnent pas bien, ils se sentent mal à l’aise, même s’ils font semblant que ce n’est pas le cas. Un comportement nouveau et constructif ne peut venir que d’un esprit qui a été quelque peu libéré de ses problèmes par une personne qui sait écouter, une personne qui se soucie de toutes les parties concernées. Tes réflexions sont importantes, et il est important de travailler à trouver une solution. Mais écouter attentivement les autres personnes concernées est aussi essentiel que de labourer un sol dur avant d’essayer de planter une nouvelle graine.
La résolution des problèmes est plus facile si les parents trouvent également quelqu’un à qui se confier. Lorsque nos enfants sont victimes d’injustice, nous avons envie de nous emporter et de nous mettre en colère jusqu’à ce que la menace qui pèse sur eux disparaisse. Le fait d’avoir quelqu’un à qui confier notre colère, notre déception ou notre épuisement permet de rafraîchir notre communication avec nos enfants, leurs amis et leurs enseignants. Cela nous aide à adopter une attitude positive lorsque nous intervenons.
En bref, lorsque nos enfants rencontrent des difficultés, nous nous sentons également perturbés. Pour être de bons alliés et résoudre les problèmes, nous avons besoin de quelqu’un qui nous écoute, peut-être à plusieurs reprises, pour comprendre ce que nous ressentons et ce que nous avons essayé. Notre efficacité en matière de résolution de problèmes est améliorée à 100 % si nous décidons de trouver une personne à l’écoute et de lui faire part de nos craintes et de nos frustrations avant d’essayer d’aider.
Comment l’écoute peut fonctionner
Ma fille avait un mois pour apprendre les noms de tous les états des USA ainsi que leurs capitales respectives. Je lui ai proposé de l’aider les apprendre par groupe de 6. Après avoir mémoriser les 6 premiers, elle a senti qu’elle ne pourrait pas les apprendre tous et elle a eu une crise de larmes. J’ai écouté. Alors, elle a repris en apprenant les 6 états suivants et leurs capitales mais à nouveau elle a senti que c’était trop pour elle. Elle a eu encore pleuré longuement. Je suis restée près d’elle. Elle continuait à dire « je ne pourrais jamais apprendre tout cela. Je ne peux pas le faire. » Elle était en colère contre moi parce que j’essayais de l’aider et a pleuré en disant que je l’embrouillais.
J’étais désorientée. Je me suis demandé si en fait je ne m’étais pas surinvestie dans cette mission. Quelques jours plus tard, elle s’est à nouveau sentie dans l’incapacité d’apprendre tous les états et elle a eu une troisième crise de larmes. Chaque crise a duré au moins une demi-heure. Elle avait l’impression qu’elle ne pourrait jamais faire ce devoir. Elle a retourné sa frustration et sa colère contre moi, contre le devoir et contre le monde entier. J’ai continué à l’écouter en me demandant comment tout cela allait finir.
Après la troisième crise, tout a changé. Elle a appris les listes d’états suivants rapidement et facilement. Elle a mémorisé des groupes de 18 états avec les capitales en une seule fois. Trois jours avant le contrôle, elle m’a demandé de l’interroger. Elle les connaissant tous ! Elle était folle de joie ! Je pense qu’elle était stupéfaite d’avoir réussi à réaliser quelque chose qu’elle pensait impossible. Elle était tellement fière d’elle. Le jour précédent l’interro, elle était complètement certaine d’obtenir 100% de bonnes réponses et elle avait attendait de moment avec impatience. En règle générale, elle appréhendait beaucoup les interros. Alors, je ne l’avais jamais vu comme cela avant.
Après avoir eu le devoir sur table, elle m’a dit qu’elle était triste que cela soit terminé et elle m’a dit qu’elle espérait pouvoir le faire à nouveau. Elle a parlé de cet épisode maintes et maintes fois en le qualifiant d’évènement majeur dans sa vie. Elle m’a énormément remercié pour mon aide dans ce projet et m’a dit qu’elle n’aurait jamais réussi sans moi. C’était merveilleux de constater que ce processus complet avait fonctionné.
I love my work. Part of it, anyhow. I love writing and sharing my thoughts with the world. I’ve always been a writer. I love being able to make a change in the world and I know that I’ve touched so many thousands or hundreds of thousands of lives with my blog over the years, and I get such pleasure from that. (I also love my foraging classes but that is less of what I do lately, so that isn’t what I’m focusing on, and it is less relevant to most people, so it isn’t what this post is about.)
But there is a part of my work that I really don’t like as well, and it’s annoying and frustrating… and that’s the part that actually makes me money. Ha.
I hate the pressure of needing to write on a specific schedule to keep up with clients’ needs and not just when inspiration strikes me.
I hate having to respond to so many emails, many of them trying to get me to give them things for free, or trying to lowball me so much, asking to get things for such an insultingly low price when I repeatedly tell them that I don’t offer discounts.
I hate the tediousness of certain tasks I need to do that are just, quite frankly, boring, and don’t use my brain.
On top of that, there are times when I can’t work so my backlog builds up, and other times I fortunately have so much work that I can’t keep up, but in both cases I feel a lot of pressure to not let down my clients and it is really rough on me, and this pressure makes me dissociate. Unfortunately, that one is a rough one and I don’t have a solution for that…
But other times when I’m trying to work, I find that I simply cannot. I start dissociating badly and cannot focus on my work. I feel like I am swimming under water and can’t see or hear properly, let alone focus on my work.
I’ve figured out some techniques, some on my own, some together with my therapist, and I wanted to share them with you, because maybe they’d help you, if you also find that your brain gets in the way of your working sometimes. These are almost all based on different DBT and other therapy related principles.
Work-Related Dissociation: Practical Ways I Get Unstuck
Get Out
Sometimes the biggest thing I need to do to get my brain to allow me to work is change my environment. Right now I am sitting at the dining room table working because when I’ve tried working from my room where my desk is and my computer usually sits my brain just started fogging over and I was utterly useless. Picking up the computer and moving it makes a world of a difference. Changing the environment and the associations you have with it are a good way to change how your brain is behaving.
Sometimes I don’t just move to a different room, I get out of my house entirely. I go to a cafe or I go to the library to work. In both of these I have no distractions calling me and it is a very different environment so my brain usually lets me focus better there. Especially at a cafe, because you’re paying for this food, so you better be making money to pay it off, subconsciously.
The next few techniques are sensory based, related to the TIPP skills from DBT, as well as mindfulness techniques.
Cool Your Body (TIPP: Temperature)
One way to get out of crisis mode is to change your temperature rapidly and cool your body. Dissociation, even if it feels like it’s from something ridiculous like working, is your body reacting to something that it feels is extreme, and it is your brain’s way of telling you that it is in crisis mode, sorry to say.
Having the AC blast, making your body cold, is from the T part of the TIPP skills, the temperature changing. Of course you can also put an ice pack on your face, but you can’t work while having an ice pack on your face, while you can work with the AC blasting. And I don’t know about you, but heat makes me feel light headed regardless, so even when not fully dissociating, I concentrate better when it is colder. If cold triggers headaches for you, try a cool washcloth on your face or wrists instead.
Bright Light to Re-Orient
One thing my dissociating brain likes to do is to tell me to go to sleep and let it all pass. What I need to do is tell it to wake the heck up, and turning on really bright lights, or opening the shades so I have sun shining brightly in my face, also helps me a lot. It also fits into the mindfulness aspect of paying attention to the senses and sometimes even overwhelming a certain sense to bring you back to the moment.
Let Yourself Complain Out Loud
I’m not actually kidding about this, but it doesn’t need to be a real scream. It can just be a moan, a vent, a groan, but it should be verbal, not just written out online (though writing it out online helps it doesn’t help to the same extent).
One of the things my therapist and I were discussing was that it is really frustrating to work, to need to be an adult and have adult responsibilities all the time, and especially in my situation where I was forced to be an adult already from 17, when I was self supporting and fully self sufficient, living in another country at that age, when I shouldn’t have needed to be. And then already at age 18 I was married and fully an adult in every way, and at 19 I was already a mother with too many responsibilities. I didn’t have a chance to be a kid, and there’s a part of me that is rebelling against that, this need to be adulting all the time. It’s something many people feel, but especially with my trauma, and my disabilities and needing to adult on top of everything else it is a lot.
So my therapist suggested that before I work, before I do any assignment, just scream out, complain, groan “UGH!!! I don’t want to work! This is soooo annoying!!!!!! I wish I didn’t have to!!!!” and I’ve been doing that today, and I have to say, it has stopped the dissociation right in its track. I’m validating myself. I’m allowing myself to feel what I was forbidding myself to feel because I didn’t want to come across as lazy and irresponsible, and then that went downhill into dissociation. But if I just let it out, my brain didn’t need to dissociate. It’s been magic. I don’t know how it will work on other days, but I have a good feeling about this one.
There’s also the aspect of letting it out of your throat that does something for you sensory-wise (and probably connected to your vagus nerve, something I learned about in somatic therapy), which is why when I’ve vented before on Facebook it hasn’t had nearly the same effect as when I’ve literally called out before each annoying task “This freaking sucks and I wish I didn’t have to do it!” If you have neighbors or sleeping kids, a pillow yell or car yell works.
Loud Music for Tedious Tasks
This only works if you have work that is mind numbingly tedious, because if you need to focus, you’ll need to stick to the next one.
But connected to the self validation of the previous one, and the sensory overloading of the ones before that, I find blasting certain music really helpful. Today I was blasting Bruno Mars’ The Lazy Song and it was really helpful, because it was talking about not wanting to do anything, just wanting to lay in bed and not function all day, and it was really validating, and while that was playing, I got to work.
There’s also the aspect of the loudness that is a sensory overload that jolts you out of the dissociation.
A few days ago I realized that blasting punk rock or similar like Green Day also really helped. Basically something loud and gripey which suited the mood of not wanting to do the work really got me out of my head and my inability to work.
Focus Tracks for Deep Work
When I need to write and I am having a hard time focusing, but then it is more ADHD than dissociation that is getting to me, I find that playing concentration, study, or focus music from Spotify or YouTube really helps.
Work When Your Brain Works
If you notice that there are times of day that you are able to focus more, that you dissociate less, don’t let that time slip away. Grab it and work then. Doesn’t matter if there are more fun things that you’d rather be doing, choose the time that you know you can work and do it then.
While I enjoy having lazy mornings, I find mornings are the times that I tend to dissociate less. When I’m tired, at the end of the day, with all the stress of the day, it’s usually the perfect mix of things to cause me to dissociate. But sometimes, like now, I get inspired to write things like this post, and it is the end of the day, and I’m working instead of eating supper because I want to take the opportunity and finish this while my brain is cooperating with me.
Get to know your brain, figure out your schedule, and time your work to when your brain works best, if you can do so at all.
Considering EMDR for Work Triggers
Lastly, I haven’t done this yet, so this is just a question mark, but my therapist and I are going to try to do some EMDR work on my work-related traumas, and hopefully they’ll also help with the dissociation.
Even if you don’t dissociate, maybe you just have a hard time focusing to work. Hopefully these tips will help you have an easier time working and getting your tasks done.
Do you ever dissociate when you need to work? Do you have any tips that you use? Do you think you’d try any of these tips?
Have you ever thought about how to balance your mental well-being while also keeping your family’s savings in check?
Parenting is one of the most rewarding roles, and when done with care and thought, it brings both joy and peace of mind.
Many parents want to give their children the best life while also staying mindful of their own mental health and financial choices. With a bit of planning and some small lifestyle habits, it’s possible to achieve both.
Why Parenting With Purpose Matters
Parenting with purpose means making thoughtful decisions that help children grow while also supporting your own happiness. It’s not about perfection but about making choices that create calm, balance, and financial stability.
Parents who focus on both mental health and savings often find that the two support each other. When the mind is calm, financial decisions become clearer, and when finances are stable, the mind feels lighter.
Parenting becomes smoother when small positive steps are added to daily life, such as encouraging healthy habits, planning family activities, or even choosing simple treats like bully sticks for pets that bring joy and teach children about care and responsibility.
These steps not only help parents but also set a strong example for children, showing them how to live with balance and responsibility.
The Link Between Mental Health and Savings
Mental health and money management may seem separate, but they are connected in many ways. Parents who practice mindful spending often feel more confident and less stressed. On the other hand, when mental health is strong, it becomes easier to set savings goals and stick to them.
For example, setting aside a little money each week can bring a sense of security that supports peace of mind. Likewise, regular self-care moments, like reading or taking a walk, create calmness that helps parents stay clear-minded when making financial choices.
Building a Positive Mental Space in Parenting
Parents need to focus on their mental space as much as they focus on daily responsibilities. A positive mindset not only benefits parents but also creates a happy environment for children. Small practices every day can make a big difference in maintaining this balance.
Daily Habits for Mental Calmness
Begin your mornings with a few minutes of quiet time to set the tone for the day.
Practice gratitude by noticing little things that bring happiness.
Share laughter and light conversations with children to build closeness.
Create a routine that includes time for rest, hobbies, and family bonding.
When parents keep their mental space healthy, children naturally learn the importance of calmness and positivity.
Smart Everyday Savings Without Stress
Saving money as a parent does not have to feel like pressure. It can be as simple as making small, thoughtful changes in daily choices. Parents can save and still enjoy the best parts of life with family.
Simple Saving Habits That Work
Cook meals at home and make it fun by involving children.
Plan weekly spending to avoid extra costs.
Reuse and recycle items at home, turning them into creative family projects.
Set small savings targets, like putting aside coins or small amounts regularly.
These savings habits not only protect family finances but also teach children valuable lessons about responsibility and planning.
Teaching Children Through Balance
Children learn more from what they see than what they are told. When parents show a balance between mental health and financial savings, children absorb these values naturally. This way, they grow up understanding the importance of both wellness and responsibility.
Lessons Children Pick Up From Parents
Respect for money and its value.
The importance of calmness in making decisions.
Joy in simple living and appreciating what they have.
Confidence that comes from a balanced lifestyle.
These lessons stay with children and shape them into mindful adults who value health, happiness, and smart choices.
Combining Mental Wellness and Family Finances
Parenting with purpose means blending mental wellness with financial savings, so both go hand in hand. A happy parent is often a better planner, and a thoughtful saver feels less stress. Together, this creates a stronger family foundation.
How Parents Can Balance Both Together
Plan family activities that are fun but low-cost, like park visits or picnics.
Share responsibilities at home so everyone feels supported.
Keep a family journal of happy moments and savings milestones.
Practice mindfulness when making spending decisions, asking “Does this add real value?”
When both mental health and finances are cared for, parenting becomes smoother, and family life feels lighter.
Creating a Supportive Environment at Home
The home environment plays a big role in balancing parenting, mental health, and savings. When children grow in a space that feels warm and stable, they thrive emotionally and mentally. Parents can encourage positive energy at home through routines, open communication, and kindness.
Ways to Build Support at Home
Encourage open talks where children can share their feelings.
Celebrate small wins together, like a week of savings or a happy family activity.
Keep the home filled with positive words and simple routines.
Support each other in both personal and financial goals.
These practices make the home a safe and happy place for every family member.
To Sum Up
Parenting with purpose is about creating harmony between mental health and everyday savings. By taking small, thoughtful steps, parents can build a balanced family life where happiness, stability, and financial confidence go together. Every parent can create a nurturing space while also being mindful of savings. This balance not only helps today but also builds a brighter future for children.
Looking for a place where you can grab a bite to eat, enjoy the outdoors, and let the kids run free—all in one spot?
The Mill at Fountain Inn is just the place! With a wide range of delicious food vendors, an open grassy area perfect for play, and even a big screen for movies and sports, it’s a go-to destination for family outings.
Here’s everything your crew will love about spending a sunny-but-cool day at The Mill!
Why Families Love The Mill
This isn’t your average food court—it’s a community hangout where families feel welcome and kids have room to just be kids. Here’s why it’s a parent win:
Spacious, grassy outdoor area where kids can run, roll, and play while you relax.
Huge outdoor screen often showing sports games or movies.
Indoor seating available for when the weather shifts or little ones need a break.
Live music on select days to add some extra fun.
Tons of seating options—benches, picnic tables, and inside tables—so you can settle in however you like.
It’s laid-back, lively, and easy to enjoy—whether you’re stopping by after a ball game, meeting up with friends, or looking for a no-cook night out.
A Tasty Variety of Food Options
The food hall at The Mill is packed with great choices—perfect for even the pickiest eaters. You’ll find everything from sushi and tacos to ice cream and coffee.
Bingbi Sushi – Rolls, sashimi, and flavorful Asian-fusion dishes.
Authentic Mexican Street Food – Tacos, birria, and bold, savory flavors (a favorite with spicy-food fans!).
Fountain Inn Brewing – Locally brewed beers for the grown-ups to sip and savor.
Sip & Share – Pasta bowls, charcuterie boards (including kid-friendly “Char*Cutie” boards!), and sweet treats.
Knowledge Perk Coffee – Great coffee, muffins, and breakfast bites.
Two Scoops Creamery – Classic ice cream, milkshakes, and fun toppings to top off the day.
It’s the kind of place where everyone gets what they want—and where you might just want to try a little bit of everything!
The Vibe: Relaxed and Family-Ready
There’s something about The Mill that makes it feel easy. No fuss, no rush—just good food, good people, and lots of space to stretch out. Whether you’re catching a game on the screen, sharing a snack board with friends, or letting your toddler toddle through the grass, it’s a spot that works for all ages.
Bring a picnic blanket, a soccer ball, or just yourselves—it’s all you need for a fun afternoon.
More Photos from our Visit to the Mill
Plan Your Visit: The Mill at Fountain Inn
Location: 101 Ellison Street, Fountain Inn, SC Best time to go: Sunny afternoons or early evenings Keep an eye out for live music events and other special happenings Pro Tip: Visit with another family so the kids can play while the grown-ups catch up! The Mill at Fountain Inn Website
Looking for safe, festive, and family-friendly ways to celebrate Halloween? Greenville County Library System has a packed lineup of Halloween-themed events all October long, from spooky storytimes to costume parties and pumpkin painting. With activities for babies through school-age kids, there’s something for every little ghost and goblin. The events below are kid-friendly, but there are a lot of fun adult Halloween events at your local library too!
Make Halloween Memories at Your Library
Greenville County Libraries are making October extra special with spooky stories, costumes, crafts, and science fun. These GCLS Halloween events are:
Free & safe – family-friendly environments perfect for little ones.
Creative & hands-on – from pumpkin painting to candy experiments.
Inclusive – babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children all have options.
Community-driven – connect with other families and celebrate together.
Mark your calendars, pick out costumes, and make this October unforgettable with Halloween events at your Greenville County Library branch! Always check with your local library in case of scheduling changes or cancellations!
Find more Halloween events, including a huge trick-or-treating list, in our Guide to Halloween!
Candy Corn Contest (Ages 12 & under)
HappeningOctober 1–31, 2025 at all library branches listed below Kids can test their guessing skills in this sweet challenge! Each participating library will have a jar filled with candy corn, just ask the librarian! Submit your guess, and the closest entry at each branch will win a prize.
Library Locations:
Travelers Rest Branch – 17 Center Street, Travelers Rest, SC
Anderson Road Library – 2625 Anderson Road, Greenville, SC
Berea Library (Sarah Dobey Jones Branch) – 111 N Highway 25 Bypass, Greenville, SC
Five Forks Branch – 104 Sunnydale Drive, Simpsonville, SC
Fountain Inn Library (Kerry Ann Younts Culp Branch) – 311 North Main Street, Fountain Inn, SC
Greer Library (Jean M. Smith Branch) – 505 Pennsylvania Avenue, Greer, SC
Hughes Main Library – 25 Heritage Green Place, Greenville, SC
Mauldin Library (W. Jack Greer Branch) – 800 W Butler Road, Greenville, SC
Pelham Road Branch (F. W. Symmes) – 1508 Pelham Road, Greenville, SC
Simpsonville Branch – 626 NE Main Street, Simpsonville, SC
Taylors Branch – 316 W Main Street, Taylors, SC
Spooky Storytimes for Kids, Toddlers, and Babies
Spooktacular Stories (Ages 5 & under) Ages 5 & under. Wear a costume for fun, spooky stories and songs.
Five Forks: Mon, Oct 27, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Mauldin: Mon, Oct 27, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Travelers Rest: Mon, Oct 27, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Berea: Tue, Oct 28, 2025, 10:30 – 11 am
Main: Tue, Oct 28, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Greer: Tue, Oct 28, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Fountain Inn: Wed, Oct 29, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Pelham Road: Wed, Oct 29, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am and 11 – 11:30 am
Simpsonville: Thu, Oct 30, 2025, 11 – 11:30 am
Augusta Road: Thu, Oct 30, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Taylors: Fri, Oct 31, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Not-So-Spooky Toddler Tales (Ages 19+ mos) Ages 19+ months. Wear a costume and listen to slightly spooky tales, songs, and rhymes.
Greer: Tue, Oct 27, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Main: Thu, Oct 30, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Spooky Goose on the Loose (Ages 1–24 mos) Halloween-themed Mother Goose on the Loose.
Main: Mon, Oct 27, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Lollipops Concert: Creepy Pair of Underwear! Story-based performance. Join the Greenville Symphony Orchestra percussion and Traysie Amick of the South Carolina Children’s Theatre. Great for ages 3 – 8.
Greer: Sat, Oct 11, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Main: Sat, Oct 11, 2025, 11:30 – 12 pm
Lollipops Concert
👻 Costume Celebrations for Little Ones
Musical Jamboree: Monster Mash (Ages 18mos–4yrs) Children ages 18 mos – 4 years. Wear your costumes for Halloween-themed stories, songs, movement activities, and instrument play.
Main: Mon, Oct 27, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Pelham Road: Tue, Oct 28, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Five Forks: Wed, Oct 29, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Simpsonville: Thu, Oct 30, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Bouncing Babies Boo Bash (Ages 1mo–18mos) Babies ages 1 – 18 mos and their caregivers. Wear costumes for a Halloween celebration featuring stories, songs, and finger plays. Groups are not allowed for this event due to space.
Five Forks: Tue, Oct 28, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Simpsonville: Tue, Oct 28, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Travelers Rest: Wed, Oct 29, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Taylors: Thu, Oct 30, 2025, 10 – 10:30 am
Pelham Road: Thu, Oct 30, 2025, 11 – 11:30 am
Main: Thu, Oct 30, 2025, 11 – 11:30 am
Twinkle Bear’s Pumpkin Party (Ages 3–6) Bring your favorite stuffed animal for a class led by Dance Without Limits for ages 3-6. Wear shoes you can dance in.
Teen Art:Pumpkin Painting (Ages 12–18) Ages 12-18 are invited to decorate their own pumpkin with paint. Limited to the first 15 teens. All supplies provided.
Travelers Rest: Fri, Oct 10, 2025, 10:30 – 11:15 am
Main: Mon, Oct 13, 2025, 3:45 – 5 pm
Spooky Stay & Play (Ages 2–6) Halloween-themed drop-in event for ages 2- 6 with kindergarten readiness skill practice.
Main: Tue, Oct 28, 2025, 10:30 – 11:15 am
Superhero Masks (Ages 5–11)
Mauldin: Tue, Nov 3, 2025, 3:45 – 4:30 pm
Main: Tue, Nov 4, 2025, 3:45 – 4:30 pm
Family Craft Night: Not So Spooky Fall and holiday-themed crafts.
Five Forks: Thu, Oct 23, 2025, 5 – 7 pm
About the Author
Erin is a Greenville, South Carolina native who loves taking her two young daughters on adventures around the Southeast. Erin enjoys gardening, hiking, and dabbling in DIY projects. Her favorite things to do with her husband and kids include sensory activities, swimming, playing with their dogs, and exploring the local state and national parks.
Parents will know when to get medical treatment if they take the time to learn about baby teeth development. Many children lose their baby teeth between the ages of 6 and 12. At this point, it’s crucial to help children stay healthy and maintain their teeth.
Extraction is a stressful procedure where children are likely to be anxious, so professional guidance must be sought, though the most effective way of dealing with anxiety is by helping the child with this through sedation. Over in the Upper East Side, you can get pediatric tooth extraction in NYC. Smiles+Grins, an authoritative practice, has valuable guidance regarding these procedures, and can help parents through this exciting yet sometimes confusing stage of baby teeth.
Freepik
How Baby Teeth Develop and Fall Out
Primary teeth start forming in babies from infancy, and the first primary teeth typically erupt between 6 and 12 months. By age 3, your child should have a full set of 20 teeth. These teeth act as space holders for permanent teeth, and contribute to chewing, speaking, and jaw alignment.
This simple process of baby tooth development, known as exfoliation, occurs naturally, with the roots of baby teeth dissolving, causing them to lose enough support to be removed by adult teeth emerging beneath. Development of the teeth is affected by genetic factors, diet, health, etc, so when the teeth start to come in is uncertain.
The lower front teeth tend to be the first to fall out in a child around age six, followed by the upper centrals. It may delay, but you may need to visit the dentist monthly to assess progress if the permanent teeth aren’t coming in or there isn’t sufficient space. This enables parents to understand the child’s dental development while also emotionally preparing them for this special milestone.
Key Physical Indicators That a Tooth Is Ready
Here are several signs that your baby tooth is ready to come out on its own, and what you should do as a parent. The most evident of these is
Wiggling: If the tooth literally moves back and forth or to the side without causing pain or discomfort, it is most likely ready.
Gaps: You may also notice gaps of space around the tooth and a slight reddening of the gum caused by the permanent tooth that is appearing.
New tooth poking through above, behind, or below the baby’s tooth.
These physical signs tell you that the root has almost entirely resorbed, which makes the whole process quick and painless for most kids.
Symptoms That Suggest Professional Attention
If a loose tooth hurts when touched or chewed, or you notice swelling, bad breath, or pus–see a dentist at once. If a deciduous tooth does not fall out before the permanent one arrives, then it can lead to malocclusion as well as crooked teeth. If a fever, face swelling, or pain in the mouth that keeps you up interferes with sleeping, seek help immediately. These are signs of dental issues in children that require treatment by a dentist.
Safe Ways to Help a Tooth Come Out
Tell the youngster to move the tooth around with clean hands or their tongue. This can help the tooth come loose naturally. Eating soft foods like apples, carrots, or crusty bread might help the process along by putting slight pressure on the body.
Leave the old or hazardous methods like attaching the tooth to a door or using strings, risking harm or profuse bleeding. A clean piece of tissue may be used to turn and pull out the tooth if it is very loose. Always wash your hands before and check for any signs of infection after.
Role of Dentists in Tooth Removal
The dentist gets involved if things go wrong. They often take X-rays to check on the roots and see whether they need to be pulled out. They use treatments that are better for kids, like local anesthetics or nitrous oxide, to make the process more comfortable.
Smiles+Grins pediatric dentists are gentle, using the least invasive methods in our office to make the procedure less traumatic and our patients have faster recovery than other practices.
A trip to the dentist also offers a chance to screen for hidden dental problems in children, such as rampant decay in neighboring teeth, turning it into an optimal health opportunity.
Managing Your Child’s Comfort and Anxiety
The easiest dental procedures can cause anxiety in children, so it is good to keep their comfort in mind. Explain to them the situation and what the dental technician will be doing. Use visual and audio ads where necessary.
And here are some other strategies that can help with comfort and anxiety:
Wiggling and visiting can be distracting, so give them things they like, like stories or videos.
Breathing exercises or a fun app for kids to help them relax.
Set up appointments when the youngster is not hungry and has had enough sleep.
Use the “tooth fairy” tradition to make it special and bring some positivity.
Follow this up with praise to enable confidence in future dental visits.
In conclusion
Understanding the definitive indicators for baby tooth development takes some stress away from parents. And knowing dental issues in children will help parents seek professional help early to avoid more complications.. The earlier bonds formed around these habits (brushing, check-ups, etc.), the smoother the transition and lifelong smiles.
Visit practices such as Smiles+Grins in NYC for the most experienced, considerate level of care. How are you managing your child’s baby tooth removal?
Is Ashwagandha for Kids safe? Today, we take a deep dive into what Ashwagandha is, its risks and benefits, and what parents need to do.
If you’ve been anywhere near social media, you may have noticed that everyone has become hooked on the Ashwagandha trend. It started when celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Meghan Markle, Oprah Winfrey, Kourtney Kardashian, and Jennifer Lopez vouched for the benefits of the herb, which thrust it into the spotlight.
However, Ashwagandha’s popularity isn’t limited to adults; parents have started wondering if the benefits can extend to kids. You may also have noticed some children’s products that now claim to contain Ashwagandha. If you’re a parent, it’s a good time to learn more about what this seemingly ‘wonder herb’ actually is and whether Ashwagandha for kids is a good idea.
What is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha’s scientific name is Withania somnifera,and it’s also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry. However, it is not to be confused with American ginseng or Panax ginseng. Ashwagandha is grown in the dry regions of the Indian subcontinent, as well as of the Middle East and parts of Africa.
Ashwagandha’s etymology is quite interesting; in Latin, somnifera means ‘sleep-inducing’. However, in Sanskrit, ‘ashwa’ means horse and ‘gandha’ means smell, referring to its horse-like smell.
Ashwagandha has been used in Ayurveda for centuries, and today it is available as powder, capsules, drops, or gummies.
General Benefits of Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is believed to be useful in treating anxiety disorders and reducing stress
There have been a few studies that showed that Ashwagandha can improve sleep quality and quantity
It may improve muscle strength as well as oxygen use, enhancing athletic performance
Regular consumption of ashwagandha may reduce inflammation in the body
Ashwagandha may improve cognitive function, including memory and attention span
Some studies show that it may help children with ADHD by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, neurotransmitters believed to be reduced in children with ADHD
Despite these benefits, ashwagandha is not recommended for certain people:
Pregnant and breastfeeding women
Men with prostate cancer or hormonal issues
Patients suffering from thyroid issues or autoimmune disorders
People with existing liver problems
Anyone about to have surgery or who has just had surgery
People taking medicines like barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and anticonvulsants
You’ll notice that this list doesn’t include children. So what about Ashwagandha for kids – is it safe?
While many people consider herbal supplements like Ashwagandha natural and hence harmless, that is not always the case. The American Academy of Family Physicians says that supplements affect children’s bodies differently, which is why they need extra caution.
1. Limited Research
The biggest concern when it comes to Ashwagandha for kids is that there isn’t sufficient research on the subject. Most of the studies done so far have been on adults, and even that is incomplete.
Children’s bodies are still developing and they react to substances differently from adults, which is why the lack of research is concerning. The few studies that have been done on children aren’t strong enough.
For instance, a study of 111 children published in the AYU journal found hardly any significant improvement after 1.5 months of Ashwagandha treatment. What’s more, nearly 80% of the subjects were boys, and the study did not cover adolescents at all. This shows that a lot of research is still needed when it comes to Ashwagandha for kids, with much larger sample sizes and longer study periods.
2. Potential Side Effects
Contrary to what most people think, everything ‘natural’ or ‘herbal’ is not devoid of side effects. At the end of the day, Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that can affect hormones. This makes Ashwagandha for kids a rather tricky proposition.
Some of the reported side effects of orally consuming Ashwagandha are:
Gastrointestinal discomfort
Diarrhea
Nausea or vomiting
Headache
Drowsiness
Hormonal imbalances
Toxicity in the liver
These are serious enough in adults, but could even prove fatal in children.
3. Lack of Regulation
Since children’s bodies are so vulnerable, we tend to think twice about everything that goes in. That’s where Ashwagandha for kids enters murky territory. Since it’s a herbal supplement, it’s not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – particularly for use in children.
While studies are ongoing, currently approvals are still pending, and offering your child a non-FDA product can be risky. Unfortunately, simply being natural does not mean it’s automatically kid-safe.
4. Overstimulation of the Immune System
One of ashwagandha’s proclaimed benefits is that it boosts immunity, which sounds like a good thing for children. However, this can be a problem for children who are suffering from autoimmune diseases or whose immune systems are otherwise compromised.
In such situations, the immune system can get overstimulated, leading to other complications. For children with chronic health conditions, ashwagandha can do more harm than good.
5. Interaction with Medications
As mentioned earlier, there’s hardly any good quality research on Ashwagandha for kids, which includes studies on the interaction of Ashwagandha with medications.
If a child is already on medication for any condition like ADHD, adding Ashwagandha into the mix could complicate matters, and there’s no saying how the interaction could turn out. This could be particularly severe for children with serious health conditions.
6. Risk of Overdose
Since the research is limited and there are no regulations, the question of dosage for kids can be a little confusing. For most adults, a dosage of 250–500 mg is considered safe, but going beyond the prescribed dose for a long time can result in adverse effects.
When parents try to reduce this dosage for children without proper guidelines, it can still result in an overdose, considering how vulnerable children’s bodies are. Such an overdose can be dangerous, especially for younger kids.
Tips for Parents regarding Ashwagandha for Kids
Consult your child’s pediatrician before administering any kind of herbal supplements, including ashwagandha
Never give a child under 5 adaptogens like Ashwagandha
Before offering your child something from a packet, search the ingredient list for adaptogens
Try to include all food groups in your child’s diet, so that they get all the nutrients they need
Make sure your child gets enough activity during the day, including time outdoors
Practice good sleep hygiene with your child, limiting screens and putting them to bed early
If you do decide to go with Ashwagandha for kids, be very careful about the dosage
Keep an eye out for any side effects; if you notice anything, go to the doctor right away
So the final question – should you give your child Ashwagandha or not?
Yes, Ashwagandha has seemed to help many people, especially concerning sleep and anxiety issues. However, this applies to adults, and as we know, kids are a completely different ballgame. Ultimately, it’s up to the parents to consider the risks and potential benefits and make a call about whether ashwagandha for kids is the right option for them right now.
The American Academy of Pediatrics cautions against the use of herbal supplements without consulting your child’s pediatrician, so if you’re still unsure, be sure to speak to your doctor first. It’s easy to get drawn into trending treatments, especially when well-known people vouch for them, but remember, it’s safest to follow the science and get advice from professionals.
References:
Buy Healthy Nutritious Baby, Toddler food made by our own Doctor Mom !
Understanding the Invisible Stress in Our Modern Lives
In today’s digital world, we constantly surround ourselves with devices—smartphones, laptops, Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth headphones, and countless other gadgets. They keep us connected and productive, but they also expose us to something invisible and often overlooked: electromagnetic pollution.
Electromagnetic pollution, also known as electrosmog or EMF exposure, refers to the radiation emitted by electronic devices. While it may not be as visible as air or water pollution, growing evidence suggests it can influence our mental well-being, particularly when exposure becomes chronic.
In this article, we’ll explore what electromagnetic pollution is, how it might affect your mental health, and what you can do to reduce your exposure and feel better.
What Is Electromagnetic Pollution?
Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are energy waves produced by electronic devices. There are two main types:
Low-frequency EMFs: From power lines and home appliances
High-frequency EMFs: From wireless technologies like Wi-Fi, cell towers, and mobile phones
We live in a time when EMF exposure is nearly constant. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exposure levels from man-made sources have increased dramatically in the last 50 years due to wireless networks, mobile phones, and smart technology (WHO, 2014).
How EMFs May Affect the Brain and Emotions
Although EMFs are invisible, your body can still sense and respond to them. The brain, heart, and nervous system are electrical in nature and may be especially sensitive to electromagnetic frequencies.
Let’s look at how EMFs can potentially affect mental health.
1. Disrupt Sleep and Circadian Rhythms
Sleep plays a vital role in emotional regulation and mental clarity. However, EMFs—especially from devices placed near your bed—can interfere with melatonin production and disrupt your circadian rhythm.
📖 A 2012 study in Journal of Applied Physiology found that radiofrequency radiation from cell phones reduced REM sleep and increased nighttime awakenings, contributing to fatigue, irritability, and poor mood (Loughran et al., 2012).
2. Increase Stress Response and Cortisol Levels
Exposure to EMFs may activate the body’s stress response, causing an increase in cortisol, the stress hormone. When cortisol levels stay high, it can lead to anxiety, brain fog, and emotional reactivity.
📖 A 2011 review in Reviews on Environmental Health reported that prolonged EMF exposure can stimulate the body’s fight-or-flight response, raising cortisol and other stress markers (Sage & Burgio, 2011).
3. Influence Brain Activity and Mood
Studies using EEG (electroencephalogram) technology show that EMFs can alter brain wave activity, particularly in regions responsible for focus, attention, and mood regulation.
📖 A small study published in Bioelectromagnetics (2006) found that EMF exposure from mobile phones increased alpha and beta brain wave activity, which may contribute to symptoms like mental restlessness, anxiety, and distraction (Croft et al., 2006).
Common Mental Health Symptoms Linked to EMF Exposure
While more research is needed, some people report experiencing the following symptoms with high EMF exposure:
Brain fog or reduced concentration
Mood swings or increased irritability
Anxiety and restlessness
Insomnia or poor sleep quality
Fatigue and low energy
Headaches or pressure in the head
In more sensitive individuals, this condition is sometimes called electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS). Though still a debated diagnosis in mainstream medicine, many clinicians acknowledge that EMF sensitivity can lead to real psychological and physical distress.
Why Are We More Vulnerable Now?
Technology isn’t new—but the intensity and constant exposure are. Many people sleep with their phones by their beds, work next to Wi-Fi routers, and wear smartwatches all day. Unlike nature’s rhythms, EMFs operate 24/7 with no seasonal or daily pause.
Our bodies, designed to operate with natural electromagnetic fields from the earth and sun, may struggle to adapt to this artificial overload.
Additionally, screen time and EMF exposure often go hand in hand with reduced time in nature, poor sleep, and information overload—all of which already impact mental health.
How to Protect Your Mental Well-being from EMF Pollution
The good news? You don’t need to throw away your phone or live off the grid. Small, consistent changes can lower your EMF load and support mental clarity and calm.
1. Create Device-Free Zones
Designate areas of your home—especially the bedroom—as EMF-free as possible. Keep your phone, tablet, and Wi-Fi router out of the bedroom at night. Use airplane mode during sleep.
2. Support Sleep Hygiene
Turn off Wi-Fi at night or use a timer
Keep electronic devices at least 3 feet from your bed
Use blue light filters or apps like f.lux to reduce screen light in the evening
Try grounding practices like walking barefoot outdoors to help reset your energy
3. Use Wired Connections When Possible
Use wired internet (Ethernet) instead of Wi-Fi when working from home. This not only reduces EMF exposure but often provides a more stable connection. Opt for wired headphones instead of Bluetooth when convenient.
4. Prioritize Nervous System Regulation
You can’t remove all EMFs, but you can support your nervous system to reduce reactivity:
Practice deep breathing or mindfulness meditation
Spend time in nature, which emits naturally calming electromagnetic fields (called
Schumann Resonances)
Limit screen time and take regular tech breaks to reset
5. Be Mindful About Smart Tech
Smart homes, wearables, and constant connectivity increase EMF load. Use only what’s truly helpful. Disable unnecessary features like automatic Bluetooth connections or always-on voice assistants.
Final Thoughts
Electromagnetic pollution may not be visible, but it plays a growing role in how we feel, sleep, and think. By bringing more awareness to your environment and taking small steps to reduce EMF exposure, you give your brain and body the space to rest, focus, and heal.
You don’t need to fear technology—but you do need to use it with mindful intention. Because your peace of mind matters. And sometimes, the path to mental clarity begins with turning off the noise.
References
World Health Organization (WHO). (2014). Electromagnetic fields and public health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int
Loughran, S. P., et al. (2012). Individual differences in the effects of mobile phone exposure on human sleep: Rethinking the problem. Journal of Applied Physiology, 113(11), 1792–1800.
Sage, C., & Burgio, E. (2011). Electromagnetic fields and brain function: The role of the pineal gland. Reviews on Environmental Health, 26(4), 319–328.
Croft, R. J., et al. (2006). Mobile phone emission affects human brain alpha waves in resting conditions. Bioelectromagnetics, 27(5), 373–384.
When Lizzie left for college three and a half years ago, it felt like a part of me had disappeared, like an invisible umbilical cord had been severed. I’d spent eighteen years being needed, from changing tiny diapers to organizing birthday parties to shuttling a carload of teenagers to speech and debate tournaments.
The author with her puppy.
I needed less in that decreasing linear graph of a child’s burgeoning adulthood each year. Lizzie adjusted more easily to college than I did to her absence — a switcharoo in separation anxiety.
Coping with my separation anxiety meant bonding with our dog
To cope with my separation anxiety, I took our seven-year-old dog, Wally, on long, lingering walks during work breaks and thought about how nothing in life is static. At home, Wally followed me around like I was a star and he, a benevolent groupie. I may no longer have had a human child who needed me, but I had Wally.
Then, in December, Wally contracted an incurable autoimmune disease. It happened so quickly that my husband, Jeff, and I didn’t have time to get used to the fact he was sick. Within a few days of his diagnosis, we said goodbye.
In a haze of tears and sadness, Jeff and I gave away everything that reminded us of Wally: a newly opened 28-pound bag of food to a rescue dog organization, his bed, and toys to our neighbor’s new puppy. A week later, I found a forgotten plastic bone under the sofa while vacuuming. I held it to my chest and sobbed.
I told Jeff I never wanted another dog — losing them was too hard. Jeff reassured me of all the good things being dog-free meant. We were now empty nesters — we could travel without a sitter or guilt. Think of the money we’d save on vet bills and food — no more walks in the freezing rain. We desperately searched for a silver lining, anything that would slap an emotional bandaid over our sadness.
When the dog died, his loss caused unremitting heartache
But the heartache remained. I fiercely missed Wally puddled at my feet as I worked. Jeff longed for the pogo stick of fur that greeted us each time we returned home, whether we were gone for a quick walk to the hardware store or away for hours.
I missed the click click click his toenails made on the hardwood floor and the way his rear vibrated when he wagged his tail hard. And we both missed his unbridled optimism — each night at dinner; he stared at the place on the carpet where, in sixth grade, Lizzie had dropped a piece of salmon as if convinced another would one day materialize. It never did.
One morning, I walked into Jeff’s office and found him on his computer, staring at photos of dogs.
“I was just looking,” he said sheepishly, slamming his laptop shut.
When we took our evening walks, I looked longingly at dogs like I had with babies many years earlier when I knew I wanted to become a parent.
We couldn’t replace Wally, but we needed a dog
So, three months later, we found ourselves surrounded by golden retriever puppies. No one could replace Wally, we told each other. We weren’t trying to replace him, but our house was empty. For us, a house with a grown child and no dog was only a house, not a home.
Puppies are fluff balls of condensed joy. I believe we could achieve world peace if we gave each country’s leader a puppy.
And thus, Flossie the puppy came into our lives.
Since Lizzie was four when Jeff and I met and six when we married, we never parented a toddler together. We’d also never raised a puppy together — our previous dogs had been older rescues.
Having a puppy was like having a toddler again, but one with tiny, razor-sharp teeth and an obsession with socks. After tossing yet another chewed-up sock in the trash, I wondered if I was too old for this. Had we made a mistake?
Though we occasionally bickered about what was developmentally appropriate for puppies, Jeff and I agreed about Flossie (as we had been raising Lizzie.) It turns out that parenting a puppy was quite similar to a young child.
Raising a new puppy was like parenting a toddler
Each time Flossie hit a new milestone, I felt the same pride I’d felt with Lizzie. When Flossie held out a paw on command, my heart swelled as it had when Lizzie stood on wobbly legs for the first time.
Jeff and I praised her the first time Flossie slept through the night. It was like the positive reinforcement I’d used with three-year-old Lizzie when she put away her toys without being asked. Of course, Lizzie could understand what I was saying. Secretly, I was convinced Flossie could, too.
Jeff and I took Flossie to puppy socialization class, where we sat in a circle with the dog parents, all with wiggly puppies in front of us. It was like the Mommy and Me classes but with dog treats instead of organic strawberries in bite-sized chunks. When we overheard one younger couple telling the instructor their puppy didn’t want to be in a group with Flossie, Jeff and I glanced at each other and frowned. I whispered to him that their dog was such a baby.
Flossie was enthusiastic, yes, but sweet and lovable. The instructor rolled her eyes. When a pup’s parent smiled and told me how well our puppies played together the next week, I looked over to see if the other dog’s parents had heard. They had. I smirked. Parenting a puppy had turned me into the type of parent I’d always hated: judgmental and competitive. And yet, I now secretly relished it.
Over that first year, Flossie morphed from puppy/toddler to dog. She grew into a good girl who enjoyed being told so.
Author with her grown dog.
Now, I take long, lingering walks with Flossie. She dutifully listens as I complain about a work stumble or a petty argument with Jeff about toilet paper rolls. Flossie never complains. She wags her tail enthusiastically and sits patiently for a dog biscuit.
And, although Flossie hasn’t learned to clean her muddy footprints off the kitchen floor or place her shedded clumps of fur in the garbage bin, she also never leaves a pile of clothes in her room or dishes in the sink. Our house feels like a home again. But I will have a hard time if Flossie leaves for college.
A couple of years ago, I applied for disability and was approved for 67 percent.
That broke down as: 30% psychiatric, 20% for EDS, 20% for fibromyalgia, 20% for obesity, and 10% for hypothyroidism.
In their math, that adds up to 67%.
I was also approved for 65% inability to work and given a small disability stipend.
From the start I heard mixed advice about appealing. Some people said to fight for more, others warned I could lose what I already had. I could hire a lawyer, but their fee would come out of my disability payment, so it did not seem worth it.
Since then, so much has changed.
I saw the EDS specialist in my country. Before that I had only seen orthopedists and rheumatologists. She wrote a five page summary of my disabilities.
My EDS has worsened. I often need physical therapy two to three times a week, and the tiniest things can dislocate or sublux my pelvis. My physical therapist wrote a letter, and my rheumatologist wrote a detailed letter about how severely EDS affects my life and what special services I need because of my limited function.
My rheumatologist also suspects ankylosing spondylitis and documented that, along with a diagnosis of Sjögren’s, another autoimmune disease.
I have since been diagnosed with asthma, which can also qualify for disability. I submitted that paperwork.
I now live with chronic headaches that affect my ability to work. I was hospitalized twice due to idiopathic intracranial hypertension. I submitted the hospitalization records and the pain clinic paperwork.
I saw a neurologist who specializes in EDS. He wrote a five page report about my neurological symptoms, his differential diagnoses, and a long list of tests he wants me to do. I have not finished all the tests, but I decided not to wait months before applying.
I submitted my tilt table test showing orthostatic intolerance.
I submitted paperwork from my hematologist about severe anemia and the extreme exhaustion it causes, even after iron infusions.
I need just 10% more in the psychiatric category to reach the next threshold. I asked a disability lawyer friend for advice, updated my psychiatrist’s letter accordingly, and my psychiatrist issued a new version.
My therapist, a psychologist, also wrote her impressions in addition to my diagnosed borderline, complex PTSD, and ADHD. She wrote that I appear to have dissociative amnesia and an unspecified dissociative disorder because of how badly I dissociate, especially when I am stressed about needing to work. She also described how work can trigger spirals that make me nonfunctional. It was hard to read, but also validating to see it all on paper.
Altogether I submitted 15 documents requesting a reassessment for worsening disability (the maximum you can submit).
My goal is to increase my psychiatric percentage. With 40% I become eligible for a range of special services, including line cutting privileges, which I genuinely need because of physical pain, even though the threshold is based on psychiatric percentage.
A higher overall percentage would also mean tuition coverage for my college degree which would help because it is expensive.
If I am approved for a higher inability to work, the stipend would increase too. That would make a real difference. Working has become very challenging for me physically, with pain and exhaustion, and mentally. I am spending much more on physical therapy and basic conveniences just to function, so extra funds would help.
There are also special services my rheumatologist and psychologist requested to help me run my household, like extra funds for cleaning help. I applied for what I think translates to mobility, which is financial assistance for car expenses for people who cannot rely on public transportation. Both my rheumatologist and physical therapist wrote that public transportation injures me.
I do not know what will happen.
They may reject it. They may not. They might ask for the MRI results and the additional tests the neurologist ordered. I do not know.
If I am not approved with all of this documented, I do not know what will. Maybe then I will hire a lawyer. We will see.
For now I am praying, crossing my fingers, and sending good thoughts to the universe that I am approved for an increase. I will gladly accept all the good thoughts, vibes, prayers, etc… from anyone reading this.
The sensory world presents its own set of contradictions for AuDHD women. We can be highly reactive to sensory input, yet also seek it out. Our ability to tolerate stimulation can fluctuate significantly from one minute to the next, making it hard for us — and the people around us — to predict our reactions.
We often desire highly stimulating environments, but we need to be the ones in control of the stimulation, since our needs are so specific and dynamic. We might eagerly plan a dinner party, craving the social energy, then spend the evening dimming lights, adjusting music volume, and slipping away to recharge when the sensory input becomes too much. From the outside, we can come across as unpredictable and domineering, when we’re just doing our best to stay comfortable.
Many of us also develop socially acceptable stims that don’t appear “weird” to outside observers. For me, this includes systematically filtering through clothing websites in a ritualized, repetitive pattern that provides visual, mental, and physical regulation. From the outside, I probably just look like someone scrolling through Poshmark. But for me, it’s about quietly managing my nervous system.
Are you looking for a place to take your family for some creative fun? Hearts of Clay, right here in Spartanburg, is the perfect place for almost any occasion. It’s more than just a pottery studio, and we’re going to tell you why our family loves spending time there!
About Hearts of Clay
For over twenty years, families have been creating memories with Hearts of Clay (Formerly Flying Saucers). In that time this family-owned business has expanded to include glass fusing, canvas painting, and more.
A trip to Hearts of Clay is the answer whether you’re looking for some family fun time, gifts for family members, a fun place to host a birthday party, or even a place to bring the kids for a parent’s night out.
Our family has visited so many times, I don’t even remember the first time we went. Since that first time, we have celebrated my son’s fourth birthday there, commemorated every month of my daughter’s first year of life, and enjoyed a mommy and son date night. I even eat my morning cereal out of a Hello Kitty-inspired bowl I made there.
If you feel like you aren’t artistically inclined, you shouldn’t be intimidated. The pieces available range from beginner to intricate, and there’s always someone around to help. If you mess up, the glaze can be rinsed off and you can start over. Any age can have fun painting pottery, the glaze used is non-toxic and will not stain clothes. For the more artistically inclined you have the option to use the pottery wheel to “throw” your own piece to paint. Once your item is painted, you leave it behind to be kiln-fired and it’s ready in about a week. There are also pre-fired items that can be painted with acrylic paint if coming back is not an option.
Hearts of Clay offers options for everyone
If pottery isn’t your thing, they also offer canvas painting and other classes in the studio. The classes and events cost between $5-$12, and reservations are encouraged. I’m always looking for mom’s night out activities and canvas painting and margaritas, sounds like the perfect night!
Hearts of Clay also offers Kids events. With their convenient location, it’s the perfect opportunity to have a date night or get some holiday shopping done. You won’t have to worry about the kids, they’ll be fed dinner and get to create something. Reservations are required, and the cost is $5-$12 per child.
Home school families can register for the art enrichment classes offered once a month on Thursdays during the school year. These 60-minute classes cost $12 per child.
Preschool age children receive $2 off the item they paint as part of the “5 & under club” on Wednesdays.
If your church or school is looking for a fundraiser idea, Hearts of Clay can help with that too! They’ll include everything you’ll need to make pottery of your choice. This can even be utilized as just a fun activity for a large group. And a percentage of your cost will be donated to your school, church, or organization!
There are so many reasons to visit Hearts of Clay! I encourage you to check out the event calendar and head over to make some memories.
Plan a visit to Hearts of Clay
Visit the Hearts of Clay website. Tuesday-Thursday 11 am – 5 pm Friday-Saturday 11 am – 7 pm Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm 660 Spartan Boulevard, Suite #20, Spartanburg 864.576.2228
Curiosity drives children to explore, and when firearms are present, even a moment of unchecked interest can lead to danger. Parents who set firm, consistent safety habits send a message of responsibility that children absorb naturally. Visible steps such as locked storage, open communication, and steady supervision turn safety into a daily expectation rather than an occasional warning.
Families that take time to model calm, repeatable routines reduce risk while building trust. Lessons that are clear, repeated often, and demonstrated consistently create lasting habits. Firearms can be part of family traditions, but only when safe handling rules are treated as non-negotiable and reinforced until second nature.
Locking Firearms Properly With Kids in the House
Locked safes on a closet shelf send a clear message. Keep firearms unloaded inside quality gun safes or lockbox anchored to a stud; store ammunition in a separate locked container. Tamper-resistant combination or biometric safes and occasional function checks reduce failure risk. Cable locks provide a secondary barrier during transfer.
Make locking the immediate step after handling: return the unloaded firearm to its safe, secure it, then lock the ammo elsewhere. Keep keys and passcodes out of reach and model the habit so children accept locked storage as normal. A practical habit is a nightly phone reminder to check safe and ammo locks.
Setting Non-Negotiable Rules for Discovery Situations
A hidden handgun in a toy chest creates a split-second choice, so teach a four-step response that stays calm and clear. Kids should Stop, Don’t Touch, Move Away to a safe spot, and Tell a trusted adult immediately. Explain each word with short examples so the actions feel concrete — stopping avoids handling, stepping back reduces risk, and telling removes the burden from the child.
Run short, low-pressure role-plays that imitate common finds, like behind couches, in backpacks, or near sheds, and praise correct actions without scolding mistakes. Try brief weekly drills having children demonstrate the four steps three times in a row to build muscle memory and confidence.
Safe Handling Principles That Apply Every Time
Children learn best when instructions are short, consistent, and reinforced through action. Every handling session should begin with the same visible steps: open the action, remove the magazine, and check the chamber. Narrating aloud—“action open, chamber clear”—makes the process predictable and easier for kids to remember. Always point the muzzle in a safe direction, with fingers indexed along the frame instead of the trigger.
Supervised handling should be limited to unloaded firearms with no access to ammunition. Short practice sessions where children mirror a chamber check or repeat a safety cue build confidence without pressure. When parents consistently model calm, precise behavior, children adopt the same habits automatically, making safe handling a natural reflex.
Communicating Responsibility Through Context They Understand
Children remember safety lessons best when connected to experiences they already understand. Crossing a busy street works well: looking both ways parallels scanning for an unsecured firearm, holding a hand mirrors keeping distance, and waiting for a signal is like confirming that a firearm is unloaded and properly stored. Familiar actions provide a relatable anchor that makes rules less abstract.
As children grow, learning to drive offers another natural comparison. Seatbelts represent locked storage, pre-trip checks resemble chamber inspections, and lane awareness reflects muzzle control. Parents who highlight these everyday parallels give children a practical framework, helping safety concepts feel familiar, concrete, and rooted in routines already part of daily life.
Reinforcing Lessons Through Ongoing Practice and Example
On hunting mornings when boots, cartridges, and checks are out, children notice the calm routine. Parents who pause to show an unloaded chamber check, safe carry positions, and how a lockbox closes give clear behavioral examples. Scheduling short, regular supervised sessions—dry-fire drills, muzzle-direction exercises, and verbal cue practice—lets kids rehearse specific actions without pressure.
Instead of one-off talks, fit reminders into trips, chores, and range visits so safety becomes part of the activity rhythm. Adults keeping little rituals—quiet confirmations before a walk or a shared checklist after a hunt—cements expectations. A tidy post-activity routine—two praises, one correction, and a brief demo—keeps lessons fresh and ready for the next moment.
Safe households are built on consistent actions, clear expectations, and visible routines. Children learn responsibility when firearms are always locked, ammunition is stored separately, and rules never shift with circumstance. Short drills, calm demonstrations, and relatable analogies turn safety from theory into habit. What begins as repeated reminders becomes a natural rhythm of trust and accountability. Families that commit to steady routines protect their children from preventable accidents while shaping a stronger sense of discipline and respect. The investment is not temporary—it creates lasting confidence and security for both parents and children alike.
My son is in the age of video games, and I wrestle with the idea of screentime because it’s also his “socializing” time.
With all this, I’ve gotten my first dose of how young kids today handle their newfound freedom of interacting online. A lot of the time, video calls come through on my phone as well as his tablet so I can monitor things. But these kids call at all times, all day long, INCESSANTLY. Mine included. Here are my gripes – I discuss these with my son and hope you guys do too.
– Call ONCE. You don’t need to call once, twice, fourteen times. The person at the other end will see they had a missed call and at what time. I had a little boy call my phone 12 times before I picked up and, as politely as possible, told him to STOP IT!!!
– If someone signs off, wait for them to call you back later. My son will tell a friend he has to go have dinner, and 10 minutes later, that said friend is calling back.
– Sign off politely. I hate to generalize, but boys seem a bit more abrupt and quick to say “hi” and “bye” on a call. There are still certain courtesies that should be in place when calling each other, no? “Hi, how are you? How was your day?” “I’ve gotta go but have a good night. Nice playing with you. See you tomorrow. Bye.” I ask the bean to get off for the evening and he blurts out to his friends, “I’ve gotta leave. Bye.” And just hangs up. We’re working on this.
– Forget the group calls. If four kids play together, they’ll do a group call, which means that EVERY SINGLE TIME they play together afterwards, your device will ring. Even when they’re just trying to reach one of the four.
Let’s all make sure we have a little sit-down with our kiddos to discuss this. If this is just the beginning of the online play, open communication is super important from the get-go. Plus: I’m losing my mind over here with the incessant calls. Thanks.
A full-time work-from-home mom, Jennifer Cox (our “Supermom in Training”) loves dabbling in healthy cooking, craft projects, family outings, and more.
Kidding Around® Media is a for-profit website owned by Bethany Winston, LLC that provides free content through paid sponsorships. This website also contains non-paid mentions of our sponsors, partners, and other local businesses when applicable to our readers. While we work hard to provide accurate and comprehensive information, readers are encouraged to check original sources in addition to our site. Events and deals are subject to change. Find our privacy policy and terms and conditions here.
