Skip to content

The Stay at Home OT

Parenting through an occupational therapy lens

Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter

Home
Kids’ Activities
Reviews
Winter Survival Tips
Home Birth Story
About Me
Contact

Contact

If you have anything you’d like to chat about, please feel free to email!

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Comment(required)

Follow The Stay at Home OT on WordPress.com

Instagram

Play play play. Play is the way to a child’s heart. Do you remember the adults who played with you when you were young? I do. It’s such a special bond. . #playallday #playislearning #playisenough #playmatters #letthechildreanplay #letthekids #childhoodunplugged #learnthroughplay #learningthroughplay #imaginativeplay #learnandplay #childled #otmom #occupationaltherapist #playtherapy #nzblogger #nzbloggers #sahm #mumlife #preschoolers #theearlyyears #socialemotional #childdevelopment

DIY sensory soothing jars ❤️💛💙 - food colouring - glycerine (approx 2T) - dishwash liquid (approx 1/2T) - glitter - water . Aren’t they just lovely? So relaxing. The kids adore them! The idea of these is that it will help calm them down and soothe their nervous systems through sensory modulation. . Just another raging Friday night in our house 😅 Lucky I have a stash of empty glass jars to raid! . Please note that all of those measurements are guesses as I just added until it seemed to be just right. And don’t forget to hot glue the lids on! xx . #sensorydevelopment #sensoryprocessing #sensorymodulation #emotionalregulation #emotionaldevelopment #connection #autonomy #anxiety #mentalhealth #wholebrainchild #parenting #childdevelopment #occupationaltherapy #occupationaltherapist #diy

This week I’ve been purposefully setting up some afternoon invitations to play for my kids, to help us get through the after school grumps. I do this because otherwise we get home from the pickup and they nag me for TV while I’m cooking dinner and I get frustrated with them (just being honest!). . Setting up a play invitation for them/with them changes that vibe and they can reconnect with each other through play. . Mr 4 has been requesting animals play so this is why the setups are focused around that. We had one inside one day because it was so hot outside, and then changed it up the next day and took it out to the yard, adding some water. . I don’t always set up play like this - sometimes I can’t be bothered or other times they fall into their own pattern of free play. But acknowledging that their routines have changed with adding school into the mix, they are extra tired and so a bit of help scaffolding their play has really helped ease the afternoon stress. . Occasionally I join in a little bit but mostly I’m busy cooking dinner and leave them to it. . Setting these up takes maybe 10 minutes and can result in an hour of play. Pretty good return on investment right there. . I use natural resources found in our yard (eg old bricks, cut branches, stones) and material found in op shops for props. Also featuring our Rock-it Board for the waterfall (Mr 6’s idea)! . #intentionalparenting #playallday #playislearning #playmatters #letthechildreanplay #letthekids #childhoodunplugged #learnthroughplay #learningthroughplay #playideas #imaginativeplay #learnandplay #childled #screenfree #nzblogger #nzbloggers #sahm #mumlife #preschoolers #siblings #threekids #flashesofdelight #mymemories #recycledmaterials #naturalresources #theearlyyears #socialemotional #childdevelopment

From a professor of psychiatry. What exactly does this look like though? What does deeply loving your child mean? For me at the moment it’s taking the time to spend with Mr 6 making sure he’s comfortable and connected at school so he settles. For another kid it might be completely different. Love languages are one of the most important things I’ve learnt about in life. Highly recommend reading up about The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell. . Imagine if a whole generation of parents were allowed the time, and felt able to deeply love and connect with their children. Prioritising their emotional health. Imagine it! . #respectfulparenting #lovelanguage #lovelanguages #parenting #motherhood #motherhoodthroughinstagram #mothering #honestmotherhood #honestlymothering #motherhoodrising #family

How blimmen cool is it when your kid brings home his first home reader?! When we made the decision to start school at six my main anxiety was that he would be behind with reading. I know that would be a concern for lots of other parents too; in the society we live in there’s a lot of value placed on early academics. I just had to keep reminding myself of the value of PLAY, the reasons why we decided on a later start, and the research that shows that reading ages eventually level out no matter what age they start to read. . I know I’ve harped on a lot over the last week about how school starting has been for us. Sorry here’s another post 😆 but it’s a huge deal in our house right now! He was so proud 🌟 . #parentingmilestone #parenting #motherhood #mothering #mumlife #mumofthree #familylife #family #kiwimamalife #startingschool #sixyearsold #childledlearning #letthembelittle #kidlife #mumlife #kiwimum #mumbloggers #nzblogger

Lunchboxes for the three kiddos for Monday. Recently I bought a Planetbox Rover (the middle stainless steel one) but have to say that I didn’t love it once it arrived (talk about heartbroken, they’re so darn expensive and I’d been eyeing one up for ages!) So when Noriyo over at @bentoninja.co.nz saw the situation (on my stories) she asked if I’d like to try her lunchboxes in exchange for me reviewing it for her. Her one is the first one on the left there, it’s the ‘Deep’ one. So far (its been about two weeks) I’ve been loving it - and MOST important, so has my 6 year old son 🙌. The Planetbox has been given to Miss 2, and Mr 4 still has a bento box bought for him a couple of years ago ✅. I will have to get a full review written up, but here’s some pictures just because it’s 8.30pm Sunday and I feel rather organised so took some photos. Don’t worry, I’m not usually this organised - most mornings I’m rushing doing the lunchboxes at the last minute whilst gulping down my coffee! . #gifted #stainlesssteel #lunchbox #kidslunchbox #lunchboxlove #lunchboxinspo #bentobox #mumlife #healthylunch #packetfree #rubbishfreelunch #reducereuse #mumlife #kiwimum #mumbloggers #nzbloggers #nzblogger #mixedvegeslunchboxes

These kids have been playing so well together this weekend. I think because the boys miss each other since Mr J has started school. I hardly heard from them on Saturday, just a few sibling arguments, feed them, then they were straight onto the next imaginary game. It was so incredible to witness. Maybe one of the unforeseen benefits of him starting at six is that he had an extra year to bond and play with his siblings. I can definitely see why people homeschool (as that’s something I hear homeschoolers saying too). . Now, the house is an absolute tip but oh well! Off to sort it out before the next week starts! . #parenting #motherhood #motherhoodthroughinstagram #mothering #lifewithlittles #mumlife #mumofthree #momofthree #threekids #siblings #familylife #family #kiwimamalife #startingschool #sixyearsold #childledlearning #letthembelittle #kidlife #mumlife #kiwimum #mumbloggers #nzbloggers #nzblogger #childhoodunplugged #learnthroughplay #playallday #playislearning #homeschooling #unschooling

Mini Rambo in the making? . #christchurch #christchurchnz #nzmum #kiwimum #lifewithkids #letsgooutside #outdoorkids #outfam #livelifeoutside #outdoors #freeplay #letthembelittle #playallday #playoutside #natureplay #parenting #naturetherapy #mymagicalmoments #mytinymoments #childhoodunplugged #adventure #mothernature #curiouslittleexplorers #outfamcommunity #stayandwander #outdoorplay #outdoorfamilies

“Oh, hello people!” She says, absolutely delighted to see them hiding there. I’ve been making more of an effort to slow down and PLAY and man it is good. I’m so aware that this time is flying by and so even though sometimes I don’t want to, (of course sometimes I just want them to play by themselves and I leave them to it), occasionally I make myself mindfully sit close and just observe, talk to them about their play, occasionally join in. It helps me s l o w d o w n and be present. . And then I’m back to cooking dinner or folding washing or attempting to write blog posts or some other adulting task. But I don’t think I’ll regret the time spent on the floor with them. . #playallday #thisiswhyweplay #openendedplay #nzmade #shopsmall #learnthroughplay #playislearning #otmum #otmom #occupationaltherapist #screenfree #nzblogger #nzbloggers #sahm #mumlife #preschoolers #motherhood #rieparenting

Facebook

Facebook

Search

Search for:

Catagories:

Balance Christmas creative play Early childhood development Eco-lifestyle Evidence Based Parenting Family Fine motor development Gross motor development hand eye co-ordination hand strength Indoor activities Mental health mindful parenting mothering Natural parenting newsprint roll occupational therapy open ended play Outdoor play Parenting Personal Preschoolers Screen free activities Sensory play Toys Traditions Vestibular visual perceptual skills Winter

Archives

February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
June 2018
May 2018
March 2018
February 2018
November 2017
October 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017

Recent Posts

Mindful Moments Easing my Days
From Hindrance to Helpful: Jobs for Kids at the Campsite
Ode to the Preschool Years
Open Ended Toys and Shopping Small: What Our Kids are Getting for Christmas.
Save Money and Have an Eco-Friendly Christmas

Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter

Blog at WordPress.com.