Quarantine Crazy?

Hey mom's and mom's-to-be!

Today's Blog was supposed to be about starting your baby on hard/soft foods, but more than one person asked for a "Quarantine Entry" explaining what we've been doing not to go completely crazy (even though it feels like it some days) :P

I'd like to start by saying the moms with more than one child are SUPERHEROES! I only have Finn and I find him to be such a handful sometimes, I have no clue how you mommas do it but I salute you! Also a shout out to grand-parent's, I honestly didn't realize the importance of them aha Man, do I ever miss my mother-in-law texting me and asking to see Finley! She usually always came to pick us up with coffee (life saver) and we would spend the morning at her house, it was an amazing feeling to see Finley loving his grandma and also gave me my sanity back a bit to be able to talk to an actual adult and have a real conversation other than "You want num nums? Wanna go broom broom?"

So yea, I guess it's safe to say that I am going quarantine crazy! But in my craziness I've been trying to find things for Finley to do, because trust me, he gets beyond bored! If your baby is anything like mine as soon as they get bored they are screaming and need something to do, if not they become cranky as all hell. There's all kinds of things you can do with your baby, read book, play with toys, learning activities but I'm a SENSORY MOM! I'm such a supporter of sensory learning, I'm so passionate about it and I think it drives Devin just a bit crazy when I let Finley explore the feeling of his food haha.

*Before I completely loose you in all the technical terms for sensory play, just know that I will be posting a second blog with some DIY recipes for some fun and colorful sensory play!

According to Educational Playcare sensory activities facilitate exploration and naturally encourage children to use scientific processes while they play, create, investigate and explore. Sensory literally helps shape what children believe to be positive and safe in the brain. Ultimately, shaping the choices children make and impacting behavior.

Here are 5 reasons why sensory play is beneficial:

1. Research shows that sensory play builds nerve connections in the brain’s pathways, which lead to the child’s ability to complete more complex learning tasks.

2. Sensory play supports language development, cognitive growth, fine and gross motor skills, problem solving skills, and social interaction.

3. This type of play aids in developing and enhancing memory

4. Sensory play is great for calming an anxious or frustrated child

5. It helps children learn sensory attributes (hot, cold, sticky, dry)

It looks like I elaborated a little bit more on sensory play than I did on being stuck inside the house with my child haha. Just know that ITS OKAY to be going crazy! Its okay to want to turn on the tv and just let them watch a movie while you sit down and have your coffee. Its okay to let them play alone, you do not have to be this model parent and always have your child doing something, especially if they're happy just doing something alone. Trust me, I wish Finley would be like that sometimes lol. Take that much needed break momma! But I do encourage sensory play maybe once a day, when you have time. Throw all your rules out the window and just have fun with your baby! Devin and I moved the entire kitchen table over the other day and just let Finn paint all over the floor! HE HATED IT AND WOULD BARELY TOUCH THE PAINT lol So it was a bit less of a mess to clean up for us, but DO IT! Have fun, laugh and play with your baby! I'm contradicting myself a bit because I told you to take a break and now I'm telling you to play with your baby, but the point is, do what ever you feel is right! Don't let other moms make you feel like you need to be doing anyhing!

Now scroll on over to the DIY section and check out the recipes for sensory play!

From one mom to another.

Just-A-Mom