I’ve been writing this blog for almost a year and in that time I’ve been pleasantly surprised to discover that this online community attracts women of all kinds and in all stages of life… even those who are not mothers.

This confirms a trend I’ve been noticing for awhile: In this day and age, women are not subscribing to traditional roles. Instead, we are insisting that our lives be a reflection of who we truly are and not simply who we feel we should be. Motherhood, while often an important facet of our female experience, is only one aspect of our womanhood.

Yet, the shared quality of nurturing – mothering – seems to be a natural inclination for most women. The problem is, in our efforts to nurture and care for others – families, friends, co-workers, etc. – we often neglect our own needs. It’s a bit of a conundrum. How can we juggle all the responsibilities of our personal and professional lives without neglecting our own personal needs?

No matter where we find ourselves in life, at times we crave the kind of caretaking we offer others, the kind we may ourselves have experienced as children. As women, I believe it’s up to us to support each other in getting these personal needs met, in taking the time to nurture ourselves, and in an ongoing commitment to placing our own needs at the top of the priority list… at least some of the time.

This blog is dedicated to all the women who give, nurture, and care. It is intended to acknowledge and celebrate the many facets of our womanhood; and to inspire greater attention to our own needs and desires.

Many years ago I established a self care ritual I continue to practice almost every day, no matter what else is going on in my life. Just before bed I turn off phones, lock the bathroom door, light a candle and run a hot Epsom salt bath infused with essential oils. I allow myself to soak until my body is relaxed and my mind is clear. Whether I can carve out 5 minutes or 30 minutes, this simple ritual always leaves me feeling nurtured and renewed.

I asked several dynamic women friends – each of whom juggle busy personal and professional schedules with incredible guts and grace – how they keep it all together.  Here are their self care secrets:

Jane Crawford, Owner and LMT (www.lavenderstonemassage.com) “Dry body brushing is an important part of my morning self-care routine. The hour I spend focused on my body and my healing allows me to be that much more present to the needs of my family and my clients.”

Kellie Jean Lewis, Reiki Master & Massage Therapist (www.kelliejeanreiki.com) “Each morning I write down 10 things for which I’m grateful as well as 10 things I want to attract to my life. I write them as if they are already happening. I then take a moment to get very clear about my intentions for that day, and I write those down as well. I read all of what I’ve just written, aloud. In this way, I start each day grounded in gratitude and positive intention.”

Kristie Connor, High-tech Marketing Specialist & Blogger (www.girlstalkingtech.com) “I keep it simple: every day I try to make time for one or two small but significant activities that feel relaxing and rejuvenating to my spirit.  It might be an extra 5 minutes of snuggle time with my son, a deep breathing exercise, a few jumps on the trampoline, a short walk, or a conversation with a friend. When I do this, I feel my stress melt away.”

Erin Donley, Marketing Consultant and Business Coach (www.marketingyourtruth.com) “ I often enlist advice and nurturing from a 3rd party perspective. For example, I work regularly with a business/life coach, and I occasionally seek counsel from one of the many astounding intuitive healers in Portland. This helps me see my situation from a new angle and, often times, clarity and a deeper understanding of myself and my priorities is all I need to regain balance, security, and confidence.

Diane Bays, Owner (www.healthyspacesonline.com) “I’ve always carved out time to nurture my spiritual life through women’s retreats and getaways, which is one way I have modeled for my children the importance of self-care. When I acknowledge my own needs as equally important, I hope I am inspiring them to seek balance in their own lives.”

Joanna Flores, Owner and L.Ac., M.Ac.O.M., ABT (www.groundspring.net) “After I put the kids to bed, I sit for 5 minutes and replay the events of the day to allow any unfinished business to complete and make its way out of my space.  My reward for doing this is I sleep wonderfully and I wake rested.  If I don’t, then I find myself fidgeting and restless.”

Christine Thum Schlesser, Owner and VP of Operations (www.advantig.net) “I treat myself to a weekly session with a fabulous acupuncturist who blends several traditional Asian techniques to help me maintain a healthy life balance.”

Please take the time to post a comment and share your own favorite strategies for personal renewal.  If you don’t have one, I hope you’re feeling inspired to carve out regular time for self care! You totally deserve it.

Until next time,

Delila

Dear Wize Mamas & Papas,

As some of you know, I offer consultations with families. The idea is to get parents the support they need to experience more harmony and less frustration at home.

I’m fascinated by the questions I get to ask…. designed to expand awareness and inspire parents to explore their feelings at a deep level. I think these are questions every parent should revisit now and then, to keep us mindful of our personal purpose and unique vision for our families.

I’ve chosen a few of the most thought-provoking questions to share here, and I invite you to ponder each one for yourself.

If it stirs anything up for you, let me know… I’d love to help.

1. What are the core values and beliefs of your family? What is most important to you?
   
2. How is your home set up to be comfortable and functional for every member of your family?
3. In what situations do you wish someone would hand you the “official book of parenting” and, what is it about these situations that tends to overwhelm you as a parent?
4. What about your child inspires you the most?
5. What about your child mystifies you?
6. What do you most want your child to remember about you as a parent?

And as always, this blog is about sharing diverse views on parenting… feel free to answer any of these publicly or add some of your own questions to the dialogue.

Let’s talk!

~Delila

Hi Wize Mamas,

My son recently had a case of (what looked like) the Swine Flu. I can’t be sure because it acted like any other flu:  fever, aches, diahhrea, vomiting.  He was miserable for a day and puny for 3 more days. I administered the tried-and-true “Wet Sock Treatment” (pioneer remedy for fever we’ve been using since Elliott was an infant), gave him big doses of Vitamins C and D along with lots of fluids and extra love and attention. He was back in school after several days but soon began complaining of chest pain.  He now has a confirmed case of pneumonia and has been sent back to bed with a strong dose of antibiotics ( first in 12 years, thank goodness) and orders for more rest. I don’t like using drugs, but in this case the remedy felt appropriate for the situation and the detrimental effects can be countered with probiotics and acupuncture.

I share this story because I think it’s a pretty common one.  We can all get run down and over-committed and we can all get sick.  When we see our children sick we can easily go to place of panic and worry, and may even temporarily lose touch with our intuitive sense of  what’s best.  It’s how we deal with our concern that makes the difference. Balancing facts and information against our intuitive mama-sense is an important aspect of our work as parents.

Recent dramatic news stories and alarming CDC alerts provide a perfect breeding ground for parental panic about the possible ramifications of the latest scary virus: H1N1 or “Swine Flu.” It can be difficult for even the most informed mama to sort out facts from hype as the  public controversy rages on between those entities promoting the vaccines to treat what they have labeled a frightening pandemic, and those reporting equally alarming stories of people suffering life-threatening consequences of the vaccines.   It’s a lot to sort out, especially when the health of our children is at stake.

Like most parents I’ve been pouring over article after article, searching for the best course of action for my family.  I’ve just read what I consider to be a well- informed and balanced view of this current “crisis.”  Dr. Krista Anderson-Ross ND shares important information about Swine Flu and how to Keep Your Family Healthy.  Krista is a Montessori trained educator with many years experience working with young children and families;  she is mama to three beautiful, healthy children; and  she is a Naturopathic physician with a practice in Portland OR.   Thanks to Dr. Anderson-Ross for offering so many practical tips, tools and healthy recipes for busy parents on her blog: www.wholefoodmatters.blogspot.com.

It’s not always easy to know what to do – is it ever easy? – and that’s why I believe coming together and sharing as a community is so important. I hope you’ll post a comment to tell us about what cold and flu remedies work best for your family, as well as your insights about how we can make informed health decisions for our families.

Until next time – stay healthy!

Delila

Greetings of Autumn,

You’ve probably heard some of the negative buzz about sugar… hasn’t every parent?  Sugar is said to significantly suppress the immune system;  cause hyperactivity, moodiness and anxiety; raise cholesterol and weaken eyesight; contribute to obesity and osteoporosis; raise blood pressure and cause blood sugar imbalances; lead to diabetes and other autoimmune disorders; cause depression; and advance the aging process.  Sound like a dangerous drug?  Refined sugar may not be classified as a drug, but it might as well be… it’s effects can lead to physical addiction and serious health risks such as those listed above. No kidding.

As parents we find ourselves doing battle with an aggressive media machine for which our little ones are a fast growing market. Fortunately, if we choose carefully and choose well, we don’t have to restrict our children from eating sweets.

My friend and (Montessori) colleague, Dr. Krista Anderson-Ross ND, shares more about this serious issue – as well as offers some healthy eating tips and fantastic recipes for kids and adults – on her excellent blog www.wholefoodmatters/blogspot.com. Check it out and stay tuned for an upcoming post in which Dr. Anderson-Ross will address truth, fallacies and strategies for managing flu season.

Until then, be well!

Delila

Hey Wize Mamas,

Subscribing to the MamaWize Blog is easy using the RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed. Here is how it works: look at the top right section on any page on the blog, keeping your eye out for the little orange, square icon which looks like this: You’ll see the word SUBSCRIBE beside the icon.  You can click on either.

When you click you will be taken to a page where you can choose the way you would like to receive your updates – such as in live bookmarks (within favorites), Microsoft Outlook, Google, or Yahoo accounts .  Once the selection is made, click Subscribe Now. You don’t have to worry about receiving too many messages; you’ll be informed only when the Blog is updated. You will never receive spam emails.

Subscribing to the blog is a convenient way to get updates about new articles and topics of interest to you. I hope you’ll subscribe, and I hope you’ll join our conversation!

Until next time,

Delila

Wize Mamas,

I just learned the term Body Burden, which refers to the level of toxicity in the body based upon the accumulated chemical burden of  environmental toxins, plastics, and what blogger Kristie Connor refers to as “synthetic grossness.”  While her description may be amusing, the magnitude of this very real problem is not. Check out Kristie’s blog article on Body Burden at www.girlstalkinghealth.com Awareness is key if we are to shift things for ourselves and our children… and for our planet.

Until next time,

Delila

Hello again wize mamas,

A few more thoughts on sleep.

As a general rule of thumb, well-rested children awake on their own and  in good spirits. If your child doesn’t get out of bed in the morning without a wake-up call, or awakes in an unpleasant mood,  it’s a likely sign s/he is not getting adequate rest.

Television, video games, computers, and other entertainment devices can and usually do interfere with sleep patterns.  I recommend limiting your child’s exposure to these devices,  and  avoiding them altogether during the several hours before bedtime.

Sometimes sleep eludes even the most tired of children. When the regular evening ritual – warm bath, short story and snuggles – doesn’t cut the mustard, I have a few tried and true strategies for helping a little one settle down. These are especially useful on those evenings when excitement and anticipation can keep us awake like, for instance, the night before the first day of  school:

Massage: light, gentle massage of the tummy or feet can be very relaxing and seems to work most effectively right after a warm bath.

Warm tea or milk: for many years my son’s bedtime ritual included a lukewarm cup of chamomile tea. He would sip his tea while I read aloud.  I highly recommend this lovely ritual even if your child doesn’t have difficulty settling down. You’ll be lucky to finish the story before your little one is snoozing…

Quietude: I am a big fan of homeopathy and I find Quietude to be an effective, safe, non habit forming remedy for sleeplessness. The remedy comes in a sweet-tasting little tablet that easily dissolves in the mouth. Most larger health food stores carry Boiron homeopathic remedies. Read more about it at http://www.boironusa.com/products/name.html

It’s easy for everyone to fall out of sync with healthy sleep patterns during the summer months, and it may take a week or two of consistent bedtime rituals to get things back into a steady routine. Healthy sleep habits develop through caring consistency.

What sleepy-time strategy works well for your children? Post a comment to join the conversation!

Given the right kind of  support even the youngest child can learn to manage many aspects of life independently. My next post will focus on the topic of dressing for independence. Stay tuned!

Sweet Dreams.

Until next time,

Delila

Hey Wize Mamas,

Have the first-day-of-school jitters hit your household yet?

As summer draws to a close, eager children and anxious parents anticipate the first day of school.  Whether your child is starting preschool or heading off to kindergarten, the transition represents an important milestone for the child and the family.

Even with a few solid years teaching experience under my belt, I was not emotionally prepared for my son’s first day at Montessori preschool. I adored the classroom environment and the teacher I had carefully chosen for him; his classroom felt like a home away from home.  Still, when the day came to leave my three year-old at the threshold of his first real experience away from me, I was devastated. I cried that morning and for many mornings after, grieving what I understood to be the first of many steps which would inevitably lead him further out into the world.

Parenthood is both joy and heartache, sometimes all at once.  It seems like just yesterday we passed that first momentous milestone and now another quickly approaches; my son is heading off to high school in a few weeks. As I was pouring over my notes in preparation for fall Parent Orientation, I realized the timeliest tips are useful at any age.

Over the next few days I’ll be sharing what I feel are the most important things a parent can do to ease the transition to (or back to) school:

Preparing for a School:  The Importance of Sleep

While the chronic effects of exhaustion are something to which many busy adults have become accustomed – hey, isn’t it about time for that mid-afternoon latte? –  fatigue seriously affects both adults and children. Fussiness, irritability, and lack of attentiveness are symptoms of fatigue.  Lack of sleep interferes with learning, affects social behavior, and creates an obstacle to success in school and life.

While most people may aim for eight hours of sleep per night, research cited in Newsweek* magazine recommended at least 10.5 hours of sleep for sixth grade children.  Younger children, experts say, need even more sleep for optimal health and development!  Research also indicates that when parents provide consistent sleep routines for the family, children are happier, more self-assured, less demanding and more sociable.  Same benefits apply to adults, of course.

Experts offer the following tips for helping children get adequate, quality sleep:

• Set a regular time for bed each night and stick to it
• Establish a calm bedtime routine, such as a warm bath, followed by a short story
• Avoid big meals close to bedtime, and no caffeine within six hours of sleep
• Make evening play relaxing; avoid television before bed
• Create a quiet, dim, relaxing space for sleep. If necessary, use a small nightlight.

Family rituals around bedtime should be simple and calming.  A warm bath, a short story, and little snuggle are all most children need to settle down for a restful night’s sleep. The same sort of routine works wonders for grown-ups too

What is your favorite family ritual? Post a comment to join the conversation!

Until next time,

Delila

*Newsweek, Fall/Winter 2000

Hey wize mamas,

The rains are here for a day or two and the buzz is all about water… but not rain water. The concern about the dangerous toxins present in tap and bottled waters continues to get louder. You’ve probably read the stories… it’s been all over the news.  Many parents worry about whether it’s safe to let our kids drink from public drinking fountains, or if the toxins from those nasty plastic bottles will cause problems long term. These are real concerns.

Water is something I’ve been studying for the past 3  years and, believe me, the concern is real.  There is no new water on the planet and all source water – whether from a mountain stream, a well or the tap – reveals chemical clues to global lifestyles. More then ten years ago, core samples taken from the polar ice cap revealed pharmaceutical residues. But nobody lives there! Right, but remember there is no new water.  It’s all recycled and reused, naturally. What goes up, must come down…

So as parents we need to carefully consider what kind of water we consume and especially careful about what we offer our children. We need a way to filter out all the bad – the viruses, bacteria, pesticides, herbicides and pharmaceutical residues (ack!) – while protecting the minerals which are essential for our health. There is now a way to do this and it’s readily available to most of us.

Alkaline, Ionized water is made using electrolysis. A water ionizer cleans and filters regular tap water, and isolates the beneficial alkaline minerals to create a super-hydrating, super-antixioxidant, super-tasty water for you and your children.

The water  ionizer mimics nature’s process to recreate the kind of water you can find in places like Vilcabamba, Equador and the Hunza in Pakistan. These are high mountain valleys where the native people routinely live healthy, purposeful lives well into their hundreds. Scientists have found that the mineral-rich, alkaline, ionized properties of the water they drink signficantly contributes to their longevity, which is why 1 in 5 households in Japan, and 1 in 8 households in Korea have an ionizer in their home.

The news about the health benefits of drinking ionized water is finally reaching us here in the west. I purchased my water ionizer for my home about two years ago and the benefits have been overwhelming positive for my family:

• My teenage son drinks many glasses of water a day – water is now his beverage of choice.
• My digestion, which has been a chronic challenge throughout my life, is healthy and normal. No more acid reflux.
• I sleep more soundly and awake more alert.
• My energy is increased.
• I crave this water – it tastes amazing and feels good in my body.

If you don’t have an ionizer at home or have access to someone who does, there are  several local (to Portland) clinics and retail outlets selling alkaline, ionized water by the gallon – bring your own container or purchase one when you get there:

Groundspring Healing Center – SW Portland

Phone: (503) 244-1330   www.groundspring.net

The Center for Natural Medicine – SE Portland

Clinic phone: 503-232-1100  www.cnm-inc.com

Healthy Spaces – West Linn, OR

503-655-3565    www.healthyspacesonline.com

Miller’s Homestead Restaurant – Tualatin / Lake Oswego

17933 SW McEwan Ave. (at exit 290, off I-5)      (503) 684-2831

If you would like to learn more about the properties and benefits of drinking Alkaline, Ionized Water: http://www.agelesswateronline.com Click on About Water.

What kind of water are you drinking? What are your concerns? Post a comment to join the conversation!

Until next time,

~Delila

Welcome to MamaWize!  I’m Delila Olsson, a mother, writer, speaker and consultant in the areas of education, parenting and health.  I am also a Montessori educator with many years  experience working with children and mentoring parents and caregivers.

The initial inspiration for my blog came about during a recent late-night chat with a group of women friends, as we were sitting around doing what women naturally do… discussing our families, sharing resources, and brainstorming solutions. I believe it really does take a village to raise a child and to nagivate the inevitable pitfalls of modern living.

This blog will feature articles and discussions on relevant topics such as common parenting questions and practices, educational philosophies, the pillars of health at every age, and strategies for managing the stress of daily life.

This is a place for real conversations about parenting and life in general, and a place where many diverse voices will join in and share.  Thanks to Jen, Amy, Seana and Jeanne Mare for your encouragement to start blogging and to Dia, the wize mama who came up with the name!

What parenting topics are most important to you? Post a comment to join the conversation!

Welcome to our village.

Until next time,

~Delila