4 Tips to Master the Art of Merging Structured Routines and Spontaneous Adventures for Kids

In this episode of The MudRoom, and it's all about merging structured routines with spontaneous adventures! Now, I know what you might be thinking - routines and spontaneity don't exactly go hand in hand, right? But trust me, there's a delightful balance to be found, and I'm here to show you how. I share my top 4 tips to help you craft a day that nurtures your child's blossoming personality while keeping you sane. It's all about creating a beautiful harmony where discipline meets joy, and structure dances gracefully with spontaneity. If you've ever felt like the ringmaster at the most unpredictable circus, juggling daily schedules and the delightful surprises your little ones bring, then this episode is for you. I'll guide you through planning for flexibility, documenting your day with a visual schedule, adding spontaneity within routines, and even planning spontaneous days that break away from the monotony. Oh, and before I forget, if you're feeling guilty about not always enjoying playing with your kids, I've got another episode you might find interesting. It's called Why You Don't Have to Play with Your Kids (And Why It's Good for Them). I dive deep into this topic and explain why it's perfectly okay to not always be the playmate. I would love for you to join me in exploring these topics and more. So grab a cup of your favorite brew, find a comfy chair, and tune in to The MudRoom podcast. If you enjoy the episode, don't forget to follow, like, or subscribe - your support helps other parents find this valuable content. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mudroom/message

Put down that cup of cold coffee momma and come listen to this interview.  (Actually…bring it with you. You probably need it.) Parent’s everywhere are walking around like zombies, absolutely exhausted and tired because their child is not sleeping.  Whether you’re awake because your newborn just can’t seem to sleep for more than 2 hours or if you’ve been up till 11 PM every night trying to convince your preschooler to stay in bed– You’re tired. And that’s why I’m thrilled for this interview with Eva Klein from My Sleeping Baby.  She became a certified sleep coach after experiencing the stark differences between her first and second born’s sleep habits, and has since helped over 3,000 parents get their children to sleep.  ➡️ We talk about the serious effects of sleep deprivation on children’s behaviour and parent’s ability to care for children.  ➡️ The risks of downplaying/minimizing being exhausted for both parents and kids  ➡️ And the surprising truth about sleep training and its impact on your relationship with your child. Plus we discuss some other great perspective shifts so you can do away with the mom guilt and start prioritizing sleep for your whole family (you included).  This interview is for all my parents running on empty and surviving off of sheer will and caffeinated beverages. As my friend Eva said, “it doesn’t have to be your normal just because it’s common.” Connect with Eva Klein: Website: https://mysleepingbaby.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysleepingbaby/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1121914384529065/ Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mudroom/message

“Sometimes what happens is the more help that we get, we start to lose a little part of that power about being a major part in our children's success; their happiness.” - Alex Leech Grab a (virtual) seat and a drink. We’re talking about burnout and the impact it has on our parenting. I’m thrilled to be interviewing friend and neurodivergent teen parenting coach Alex Leech about what parents and caregivers can do when they begin to feel overwhelmed and consumed by everything that parenting requires.  Because if we’re being honest, it requires a lot.  Especially if you’re also navigating through raising a neurodivergent child, or if you’re working through challenging behaviours with your child.  This interview is filled with gems like I know will have you nodding your head in agreement and spark some “ah-ha” moments.  We get into things like: Fears about offloading responsibility and caregiving tasks to other people What could self-care look like (hint* It’s not always a visit to the spa)  Modeling self-regulation  How thinking about the worst possible situation can actually help 🤔 The role of a community for preventing burnout Plus an extremely eye opening moment about the truth behind what’s actually happening emotionally when we burnout.  What I loved about this interview is that it wasn’t a false promise about how we can magically get rid of burnout, because being imperfect humans who are also raising imperfect humans, which means that sometimes we’ll deplete our energy reserves. But it was an honest conversation about recognizing when we’ve reached our limit, how that can show up in parenting, and how to mitigate it when it comes around. Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mudroom/message

Remember when we chatted with Eva about helping your kids get to sleep so you can rest better?  What if you finally get your kids to go to bed at a reasonable hour without the tantrums, screaming, and requests for another cup of water but now… You’re laying in bed wide awake. 😳 It’s now 11 PM 12:30 AM 2 AM And before you know it, the alarm is blaring and you’ve got to pull yourself out of bed to get your kids and yourself ready for the day. 😴 You’ve had little to no real sleep and believe me, I know from experience, sleep deprivation can really mess up your day.  Well, what can be done about it?  I’ve personally heard a lot about sleep coaches for children, but did you know there are sleep coaches out there for adults?!  This week I’m chatting with Talia who is an adult sleep coach and we’re diving into the topic of parents getting enough quality sleep so that we can be present and ready for the day’s adventures and challenges. Talia describes herself as a former chronic insomniac and having kids only exacerbated those sleep issues even more, which I know many of the parents I work with can relate to.  In this episode we discuss:    What do you do when your kids are (early) morning people but you’re absolutely not Understanding the role of chronotypes and how that impacts your parenting What revenge bedtime procrastination is and what to do about it Making a wind down routine work for you Plus, we have a heart-to-heart about the challenges of shutting off our brains when it’s time to fall asleep cause it seems like those 30 minutes before you commit to lying down is when your mind needs to rattle off your ever-growing to-do list and things to worry about.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mudroom/message

Do you remember playing outside and then having to rush back to the house before the street lights turn on? There are great memories made outdoors and it’s unfortunate that our children aren’t getting to build those same kind of memories.  And those magical, happy feelings and memories you have playing outside isn’t just nostalgia. There are some real health benefits for children to be outdoors!  I’m not talking about doing strenuous hiking trails and traversing through woods either (although if that’s your thing, go for it!), even simply strolling through a park can have amazing effects on your child’s mental and physical health.  So, in a day and time of tech and structured activities, I’d like to take some time to chat with you about why we should be encouraging and supporting our kids with getting outdoors much more often.  In this week’s Mudroom episode I’ll not only break down the benefits, but I’ll also give you some ideas too.  Because I know being the loving parent that you are, there’s a temptation to think you have to do something extravagant or elaborate for there to be a benefit to your child— which is overwhelming as f*ck. With so much on our plates already, there’s no need to add more.  I’m sharing some very realistic and simple ideas for outdoor time that you can integrate into your weekends or afterschool schedule.  Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mudroom/message

Summer is around the corner and for many parents, that also means school is closed and the children are home. ☀️ It’s time to prepare.  You don’t want to wait until you’re 3 weeks into summer break and on the brink of losing your marbles before deciding to create a plan for what summer is going to look like for you and you’re family.  I’m not just talking about prepping for summer vacations either.  Since a lot of households involve both parents working (whether that’s at home or in the office), it can be tricky to navigate schedules, activities, and little ones wanting attention all while you’re trying to attend a Zoom meeting or get ready to leave in the morning for work.  Being a business owner myself, I spend the majority of my days working from home so I know from personal experience just how hectic that can get.  In this episode of the Mudroom and I’ll share:  Some important things to keep in mind when you’re creating a schedule/routine for the summer How to create that schedule/routine but still be flexible enough for the changes of summer activities My hack for helping children keep track of summer camp activities and when you’re available (vs when you’re working)  And a very important thing to make time for that most parents are tempted to overlook Despite what all the parenting memes say about how horrible and stressful summer is with children home (not going to lie, some of them are funny), it doesn’t actually have to be that way.  It can be filled with fun, adventure, and even still stay productive. ⛱️ Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mudroom/message

Grab a scoop of ice cream, this is a special dedicated episode all about a parent’s journey transforming their child’s behaviour and becoming a more confident parent.  I’m excited to be chatting with Heather, mom of two children with ASD who I’ve had a privilege of working with inside of my curated parenting membership ParentAbility.  Heather joined ParentAbility after a year of challenges and road bumps while having both children home during the “unprecedented times” and now she’s sharing her experience.  If you’ve had questions like: Would ParentAbility still work with my neurodiverse child? What parenting is like without the reward charts and timeouts If ParentAbility can truly help with meltdowns and sensory needs Then this is the episode for you!  I’ve had plenty of parents wonder if ParentAbility is right for them, and while I could shout from the mountain tops how skill building and strategic, proactive action can completely change your child’s behaviour, you don’t have to only take my word for it.  Hear it directly from another member!  It’s great to hear about the growth and wins Heather has had and how it's changed her approach to parenting since joining. And of course it’s exciting to hear about the leaps and bounds her children have made behaviour wise!  Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mudroom/message

Grab a scoop of ice cream, this is a special dedicated episode all about a parent’s journey transforming their child’s behaviour and becoming a more confident parent.  I’m excited to be chatting with Heather, mom of two children with ASD who I’ve had a privilege of working with inside of my curated parenting membership ParentAbility.  Heather joined ParentAbility after a year of challenges and road bumps while having both children home during the “unprecedented times” and now she’s sharing her experience.  If you’ve had questions like: Would ParentAbility still work with my neurodiverse child? What parenting is like without the reward charts and timeouts If ParentAbility can truly help with meltdowns and sensory needs Then this is the episode for you!  I’ve had plenty of parents wonder if ParentAbility is right for them, and while I could shout from the mountain tops how skill building and strategic, proactive action can completely change your child’s behaviour, you don’t have to only take my word for it.  Hear it directly from another member!  It’s great to hear about the growth and wins Heather has had and how it's changed her approach to parenting since joining. And of course it’s exciting to hear about the leaps and bounds her children have made behaviour wise!  Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mudroom/message

I’m gonna keep this one short and sweet! We’re living in a technological age, and if you can’t beat em’, why not join them. The wonders of modern technology really can make life easier, and the little handy device that you’re likely reading this email from, aka your phone, can even help you out with discipline believe it or not. While throwing on a Youtube video and handing over the tablet to get five seconds of peace can come in clutch, these apps are actually helpful for behaviour and supporting your child as they strengthen those executive skills I’m always talking about. 😉 Shuffle around your widgets, maybe delete 1 or two of the 8 million photos of your children at various adorable angles, and make some space on your phone, because I’ve got 5 apps that I absolutely love that I think you’ll find helpful too. They’re tested by myself and they’ve been incredibly with things like helping your child recognize when they’re being too loud, independence and getting tasks done or routine and schedules. Try them out and and let me know what you think! Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mudroom/message

I’ve been getting this question a lot lately and I think it’s a fantastic point of conversation. Let’s chat about neurodiversity. First, a definition: Neurodiversity essentially refers to the variety of ways a person's brain can function and the impact that has on their behavioral traits. Those who are neurodiverse operate differently from those who are neurotypical. People refer to neurodiversity a lot in the context of children on the autism spectrum but it also includes ADHD, OCD, and sensory processing disorder, and others. Now, a lot of parents have sought out evaluations for their child/ren. And since we’re a little further into the school year, and also because children have been on waitlists because of the pandemic, there’s been a wave of parents receiving diagnosis for their kids and learning they’re neurodiverse. It can be a lot for a parent to process and definitely a lot for a child. So the question is, how do you tell a child about their diagnosis? What age should you tell them? How do you explain something so complex? In this week’s Mudroom I’m going to share how you can talk to your child about their diagnosis and neurodiversity in a way that’s not overwhelming for them. Not only can this conversation be a great way to start helping them build an understanding of their own behaviours and feelings, it’s also a great way to affirm and empower them if/when they start to notice their differences compared to their neurotypical peers. Chatting with your child about their neurodiversity isn’t explored a whole lot so I’m excited for this convo! Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mudroom/message