Today’s Motherhood

First of all, we would like to take this opportunity to introduce MumBabyBliss, a center that is dedicated to the wellness and fitness of mummies and babies.

We provide a full suite of ante-natal services that addresses today’s parental needs – pre/post natal yoga, baby massage, baby care, first aid classes, mummy/baby yoga, slimming, just naming a few.

Our team of certified professionals – midwives and therapists come with a wealth of experience who can provide the best services for our patients during their pre and post-natal period.

MumBabyBliss also conduct workshops for breastfeeding, childbirth preparation, child first aid, pregnancy diet. We do events with Stemcord, hospitals and other organizations.

Outlet : 583 Orchard Road #08-03 Forum Galleria Shopping Mall Singapore 238884
Tel: +65 6737-1328
Fax: +65 6737-1323

Website: www.mumbabybliss.com.sg

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Feel like you are stuck in a rut? Wish you could change the way you think about things? What we tell ourselves about difficult situations influences our moods and can establish patterns of behaviors. Yet, it’s possible to shift our thinking and get better results. Learn how the mind, body, mood connection influences behavior. This workshop is great for anyone who wants a new way to look at their situation or thoughts.

Who Should Attend?

Anyone who wants to learn how to look at things differently and to experience more happiness. Are you a nervous expectant mom, or a person who’ll be undergoing IVF or may be an executive getting ready to give a presentation or a student nervous about an upcoming exam. Almost everyone can benefit from the skills learned in this talk.

Hands-On

Participants will practice new techniques to break negative patterns of thinking. Learn effective skills that can help you challenge unhelpful thinking styles or thought patterns.

Hosted by: Deirdre Hahn Ph.D., an educational psychologist and licensed counselor, specializing in research on learning and cognitive decision-making attributes. See her complete profile here

Date: Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Time: 5:30 – 7:30pm
Location: 55 Market Street, Level 10, Right next to Bank of Singapore Building,
MRT: Raffles Place
Cost: $60/person

Nearby Clark Quay Boat area where there a number of restaurants. You can grab a bite to eat afterwards

To get the tickets, please go to here

Brought to you by All In The Family Counselling

Kid’s Apparels Made in Korea Opening on 1st July 2011 @ Century Square Pushcart Level 1

Opening Special:

“Shoot and Post” Contest on facebook - with purchase from thedotedline. Winners will stand a chance of walking away with a S$80 NTUC voucher. Check out www.facebook.com/thedotedline

Stress affects the physical, emotional and mental aspects of a person. It primarily comes from the body’s response to environmental demands and the events that happen within our surroundings.

Although we need eustress (healthy stress) in our lives, having excessive and unnecessary stress can be detrimental to our physical and mental well-being.

Parents have higher stress levels, as they need to juggle more roles and responsibilities simultaneously, as compared to non-parents. Working mothers, for instance, are expected to keep up with their home responsibilities and career.

Here are some strategies to help curb your stress level:

Ways to Conquer Stress

• Exercise has always been the key to health and fitness. It will help to take away some of the tensions in your mind and body. Exercise also produces endorphins, which are known as ‘happy hormones’. A simple physical activity such as jogging will be a great way to start your day on a positive note.
• A healthy diet. A proper diet provides you with the essential nutrients for your body, so that you can face everyday challenges with vigor and strength. Your physical strength also affects your mental strength. One will feel more vunerlable to stress when the body is physically weak or unwell.
• Sleep well. Sleep deprivation causes irritability and dulls your concentration. Ensure that you have ample sleep (at least 6 – 8 hours) after a long day’s work.
• Laugh it out. Laughter helps to relieve your stress and anxiety as it increases the blood flow in the body.
• Deep breathing. Breathing in and out deeply especially when at the brink of a stressful situation is effective as helps to calm the body. Alternative nostril breathing is also one of the most popular and simplest means of breathing exercises.
• Get some time out. Escape from the work environment once in a while and take a break. Being in a new environment also allows you to see things from a different perspective. So whenever you feel irritated, weak, distracted or moody, be mindful that it could be your life stressors at work. Find some ways to curb and let go of theses stressors. Having a happy and positive outlook towards life will also help in your battle with stress and anxiety.

A “Sensory Diet” (a term coined by Occupational Therapist Patricia Wilbarger) refers to a carefully designed and personalized activity plan that provides the sensory input a person needs to stay focused and organized throughout the day. The word “diet” is an interesting term used here because it is commonly associated with eating. However, it can also be defined as “a manner of living” and “habitual nourishment”. Hence, it is an appropriate reference to describe the needs of the senses.

Just as we need food on a daily basis, some people need daily sensory activities to survive and thrive in the world. For a child with sensory processing issues, a sensory diet meets all of these definitions: it is 24/7 nourishment, which is just as essential as eating breakfast, lunch and dinner.

A sensory diet, created jointly with a qualified occupational therapist, can help meet sensory needs in safe, predictable, effective ways. The goal is to give your child the right type of sensory input in regular, controlled doses. This will reduce the need for your child to resort to undesirable behaviours to fulfill his or her sensory needs.

For instance, instead of squashing you or other children to get deep pressure input, your child can roll up in a “burrito” blanket or “sandwich” himself between pillows. Instead of chewing on a pencil or toys, your child can chomp on a safe, age appropriate chewy tube. Instead of jumping on the couch, your child can jump for a specified number of minutes on a mini-trampoline before it is time to sit down on the chair.

Creating a Sensory Diet
Each child is unique so there is no cookbook recipe for creating a sensory diet. The starting point is to look at your child’s behaviours, especially those you find a little uncommon. Generally speaking, a child whose nervous system is on “hyperactive” or “too wired” needs more calming input. On the other hand, a child who is more “lethargic” or “too tired” needs more arousing input.

Interestingly, many of the activities can meet both sets of needs. “Heavy work” or “proprioceptive input” that uses the larger muscles and joints of the body, such as climbing, jumping, pounding, pushing and pulling, makes us feel grounded within our bodies. This is especially beneficial for a child who needs help to self-regulate.

While each person’s likes and dislikes are different; generally, activities that are slow, rhythmic and repetitive tend to be more soothing. Those activities that are more rapid and erratic tend to be more alerting. A child may need both types of input as part of his or his sensory diet. Finding the perfect activities to achieve that optimal state (not too tired and not too wired) takes some careful observation, creativity, and empathy. With the help of a knowledgeable occupational therapist, an appropriate 24/7 sensory diet can be created and fitted for your child.

Example of a Sensory Diet
It is strongly recommended that you work with an occupational therapist who specializes in sensory processing issues.

In the morning

• Tickle feet and back or listen to fast music e.g. nursery rhymes to wake up the senses (lethargic kids)
• Massage arms and legs or listen to calming music (hyperactive kids)
• Eat crunchy cereal or chewy granola bar or licorice or creamy yogurt
• Use vibrating toothbrush and/or vibrating hairbrush
• Jump on mini-trampoline as directed

In School

• Do jumping jacks or jump on mini-trampoline
• Add variety by playing catch or toss balls or bean bags into a basket while jumping
• Provide deep pressure massage with/without lotion on arms and legs to regulate body system
• Use therapy putty by squashing, rolling, pounding, poking or pinching, etc.
• Put inflatable cushion while remaining seated on the chair or the floor
• Put weighted lap pad or wear weighted vest
• Listen to favourite music
• Provide oral motor exercises
• Suck thick liquids through straw
• Eat chewy and crunchy, or creamy, smooth and thick snacks
• Do wheelbarrow walk
• Bounce on a therapy ball
• Play catch or hopscotch
• Play at the playground for at least 30 minutes

At dinner time

• Help with cooking, mixing, chopping, etc.
• Help set table, using two hands to carry and balance a tray
• Put weighted lap pad or wear weighted vest when fidgety while eating
• Provide crunchy and chewy, creamy, smooth and thick or lumpy foods

At night

• Encourage family time activities
• Create clay projects, painting projects, etc.
• Take a warm bath with bubbles and calming essential oil (typically vanilla, rose, and sweet orange)
• Use vibrating toothbrush and/or vibrating hairbrush
• Massage arms, legs and back during reading time

This article is brought to you by the team of speech-language therapists and occupational therapists from The Children’s Therapy Centre. They work with children of all ages with communication, motor or attention difficulties.

They can be contacted at

Address: 9 Yio Chu Kang Road, #02-01 Kovan Centre, Singapore 545523
Email: mth@thkms.org.sg
Tel: 6488 1271
Website: http://www.moraltherapyservices.org.sg

This article was first published in Today’s Motherhood Magazine Apr / May 2011 issue Page 18

Bebe Avenue is a moms’ and babies’ online specialty store.

We carry a wide range of carefully selected products from United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Malaysia. Currently, we’re the sole distributor for Woombie (USA) peanut zippered swaddle and authorized retailer for Earth Mama Angel Baby products in Singapore as well as the online retailer for Le Top (USA) unique and whimsical children clothings in Asia.

Brands that we carry include the famous Skip Hop, Fertilemind, Theraline, Bambino Mio, Ezee Reach, Mama Patch, Autumnz, Loving Avenue, May Crimson, The Gro Company and Traditional Medicinals.

Website: www.bebeavenuesg.com
Contact: +65-81808759
Email: bebeavenuesg@yahoo.com
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/BebeAvenue (LIKE us to get regular updates on products and discount on your first purchase)

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As you spend time nurturing and caring your newborn, it is important not to overlook your relationship with your spouse. Your relationship with your husband or wife might start to take a toll if both parties do not make any effort to sustain the relationship.

Here are eight tips how you can improve your relationship:

1. Have a weekly ‘relationship dates’

Reserve a few hours each week to go on a date. Such dates do not have to be fanciful or expensive. A simple activity such as packing a picnic or taking walk down the beach is good enough. Spend time to talk about what is going on in your life, where both of your relationship is heading, or resolve past issues.

2. Ensure you have your partner’s attention before talking about an important issue

Simply ask, “Is this a good time for us to talk?” This will ascertain the fact that you are being heard. Avoid holding a conversation when your partner’s mind is on something else. Schedule a time when both of you will be able to give each other undivided attention. However, in times of crisis, it is crucial to drop everything at hand and be prepared to listen.

3. Give in on the little things

Ever heard the saying: “Don’t sweat the small stuff, and remember, it’s all small stuff”? With the arrival of your baby, your attention and priorities have changed, and there are bigger things at stake. Consider reading Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff in Love (by Richard Carlson and his wife of 14 years, Kristine) for their simple and stress-free approach to love.

4. Find ways to say ‘I love you’ without saying the actual words

Random acts of kindness go a long way in demonstrating your love to your partner. Simple acts such as setting the coffee machine to brew, making lunch or opening the car door goes a long way. You can always be nice without reason.

5. Saying “I love you”

It might sound like an oxymoron comparing to point number 4, however I assure you, it isn’t. Besides being kind and considerate, it is always nice to remind and assure your spouse of your love. The saying, “Love not expressed is love not received,” rings true. If you want your spouse to know about your affection, speak it and show it.

6. Communicate your feelings in a loving, constructive way

If you do not wish to hurt your partner, refrain from speaking your feelings out of hurt or anger. I assure you that you are not doing your partner a favour, or yourself. Instead, the grudges you nurse or resentment you harbour is only poison that will kill your relationship over time. Find a way to communicate openly and amicably.

7. Fight fair

It is inevitable that conflicts will arise. Do not get caught up in the bickering game and leave it without any concrete solutions. The solution is to resolve a conflict in a positive, constructive manner. Never threaten the relationship. Don’t call each other names or belittle each other. Resolve issues before going to sleep, or agree to disagree.

8. Act romantic and you will feel romantic

Do not wait for the right “mood” to be romantic. Set the scene, be receptive to touch, and you will be surprised at how your desire will arise naturally. Part of being romantic has to do with understanding the way you like to be romanced, while the other part is just being open to possibilities.

With these tips, may your household continue to be one of love.

About the writer
Dr. Martha Lee is Founder and Clinical Sexologist of Eros Coaching. She is a certified sexologist with a Doctorate in Human Sexuality. She provides sexuality and intimacy coaching for individuals and couples, conducts sexual education workshops and speaks at public events.

For more, visit www.eroscoaching.com or email drmarthalee@eroscoaching.com.

Playing is an important part of a child’s day. Playing with toys not only promotes mathematical or language skills but also life skills such as sharing and turn taking. Here, we review four products that are suitable for children of various age groups.

Alphabet Suitcase

• Suitable for 3 years old onwards

This sturdy suitcase comes with activities to scaffold a child’s learning about alphabet and phonemic awareness, letter sounds, handwriting and alphabetical order. It comes with 52 die-cut alphabet and picture cards, labeled on the reverse side with the initial letter of each item, and also 15 write and clean activity cards for tracing. The colorful illustration makes it appealing to young children and is easy to keep and convenient to bring around.

Minute Math Electronic Flash Card

• Suitable for 6 years old onwards
• A gadget for both individual and shared fun

The electronic flash card encourages your child to do quick mental sum while developing mathematical fluency. It comes with a 60-second timed mode, an untimed mode and 3 different levels of difficulty. To make it more interesting, you can challenge with your child to solve the most number of sums in one minute.

Pizza Fraction Fun

• Suitable for 5 years old onwards
• A game for 2-6 players

There are so many different ways to play this game, making it suitable for children from 5 onwards. It comes with instructions for 7 different games to not only understand the concept of fraction but also practice addition, subtraction, estimation and problem solving. Game includes 13 double-sided pizzas, with one side shows numerical fractions, and three double-sided spinners providing different levels of learning. With these concrete materials, it helps children to understand the difference between 1/6 and 1/9 and other concepts in a fun and interesting way.

3D Pentomino Puzzle

• Suitable for 7 years old onwards
• A game for both individual and shared fun

A challenging activity for young and old. Comes with a guide with more than 50 geometric puzzles to keep you and your child entertained. Go beyond the 50 geometric puzzles by coming up with your own guide book by capturing photographs of you and your child’s puzzles and compile them together. Younger siblings can get involved by using this puzzle as blocks to create animals and vehicles.

Teachers and parents can use this game effectively to build on the 3-Dimensional and spatial reasoning in the child. The puzzles are graded from basic to advanced and the advanced puzzles are challenging even for the adults.

Check out The Learning Store for more educational toys!

This article was first published in Today’s Motherhood Online Magazine Apr-May 11 issue Page 24

In conjunction with this milestone, Sophie & Friends is running a giveaway campaign called Sophie’s 50th Birthday Celebration with Air France.

The giveaway campaign includes a sure-win draw with any purchase of Sophie the Giraffe in Singapore. Attractive prizes from Sophie and Friends and our sponsors.

That’s not all - All participants stand a chance to win the Grand Draw prize of a pair of tickets from Air France! Such attractive prizes are our way fo saying a big “Thank You” to all of Sophie’s fans, as we continue to share the joy of Sophie to all babies and parents around the world today. The contest is ongoing and will last till 31 Dec 2011.

Visit Sophie.sg for more information.