How Me and Babywearing Came To Be: Part 5/8

In June I was honoured to be interviewed by Birdie’s Room as part of their Spotlight On Babywearing Education. The full version can be found here.  I believe that parents should be given as many tools as they can to succeed in raising the next generation, and to remain sane while doing so!  – and that babywearing can contribute greatly to that success and sanity. I’m thankful that Birdie’s Room gave this opportunity to share about my passion!

Spotlight on Babywearing: Part 5

How has your babywearing journey as a leader, educator and a babywear influenced other areas of your life such as your lifestyle, career etc.?

Being an active member in the group has definitely influenced my decision to become an educator and consultant! It helped me discover my passion for increasing the connection between parents and children, and makes use of my love for teaching as well. I love seeing that “Ah-ha!” moment! As for my lifestyle, it has made getting out of the house so much easier. I used to get so overwhelmed with getting the baby ready to go out that sometimes I would simply decide to stay in, especially if I have my older children with me. Wearing my youngest during our routine to go out has cut down on my stress and has enabled me to take more impromptu walks and grocery trips with all of my kids. I know it sounds small, but to me it was a big thing to be able to have a fairly sane time buying groceries! Being able to have less stress (not no stress, but less) when going out with all 3 kids on my own has helped our household accomplish more.

What do you love most about teaching babywearing?

I love seeing parents watching their child settle into the carrier and relax, meaning the parents start to relax as well. It doesn’t always happen right away, especially if things haven’t gone well up until we’ve met, but when it does, it’s gold. You can see the stress melt away and the anticipation of happier times ahead. I enjoy so much giving parents the hope that parenting can be easier than what they’ve seen so far!

How has teaching enhanced your life?

Teaching others about babywearing has helped me find a purpose outside of being a mother. While I love teaching my kids and spending time with them, it has been good to know that I can contribute to adults learning as well. I also needed an outlet and a way to connect with adults in a natural way, so teaching has provided me opportunities to meet up with other parents. And having occasional meet ups at my home have forced me to clean more!

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How Me and Babywearing Came to Be – Part 4/8

In June I was honoured to be interviewed by Birdie’s Room as part of their Spotlight On Babywearing Education. The full version can be found here.  I believe that parents should be given as many tools as they can to succeed in raising the next generation, and to remain sane while doing so!  – and that babywearing can contribute greatly to that success and sanity. I’m thankful that Birdie’s Room gave this opportunity to share about my passion!

Spotlight on Babywearing: Part Four

What made you decide to create Strand by Strand?

As wonderful as the meet-ups are, I realized that it was difficult for some parents to come out either due to weather, scheduling conflicts, and/or simply the demands of parenting! I want to meet the parents where they are and help teach them the skills in the comfort of their own home, which would hopefully boost their confidence in using a carrier and in turn, raise their confidence in parenting.

Tell us more about Strand by Strand.  What is your mission?

My mission is to help normalize babywearing and for everyone to see that it is a great tool in bringing parents and children closer – not just physically, but emotionally and mentally too.

How has Strand by Strand influenced the community?

Strand By Strand is still fairly young so it isn’t that well-known yet, but I believe that we are playing an important role in raising awareness about babywearing through the meet ups we have had this year at Treehouse Play Center. Parents using the facilities (i.e. not attending the meet up) are seeing people learning about babywearing and supporting each other, and members see the value in learning about their carrier in-person. I look forward to seeing more babywearing in Richmond Hill!

[Edited to add: We’re meeting up outdoors while the weather is still warm, so please check out York Region Babywearers for future dates!]

How Me and Babywearing Came to Be – Part 3/8

In June I was honoured to be interviewed by Birdie’s Room as part of their Spotlight On Babywearing Education. The full version can be found here.  I believe that parents should be given as many tools as they can to succeed in raising the next generation, and to remain sane while doing so!  – and that babywearing can contribute greatly to that success and sanity. I’m thankful that Birdie’s Room gave this opportunity to share about my passion!

Spotlight on Babywearing Education: Part Three

Why did you become a Babywearing Educator?

I love to share the opportunity for less stress and more calm to other parents and caregivers. I see parents almost everywhere who are trying to calm a tired and frustrated child, which is draining for both adult and child. A nap or a snuggle in a carrier can easily change that, and is much easier than, say, being at IKEA or the mall and holding a toddler in arms while they sleep. Too often parents give up on a carrier because it becomes uncomfortable or it’s too daunting, and almost every time it would only take a simple tweak to make the carrier feel great, or 5 minutes with an educator for a parent to gain confidence in his ability to use a carrier well. I saw how patient and encouraging the leaders in the Toronto babywearing group, Carry Me Close, were to all the members and I wanted to be part of that, especially in York Region where I live now, and where I am one of a handful of educators.

What Groups do you lead and/or volunteer at?

I am one of the leaders in the York Region Babywearers Facebook group. I became involved when I organized a few meet ups in south York Region, as the 2 current leaders lived up in Newmarket and most of the gatherings happened up there. I also hosted a few meet ups with other woven wrap users before taking the Level 1 course through the Canadian Babywearing School, and joined the YRBW leadership team in February 2017.

How Me and Babywearing Came to Be – Part 2/8

In June I was honoured to be interviewed by Birdie’s Room as part of their Spotlight On Babywearing Education, which I’ve broken down the interview into eight parts (full version can be found here; Part One can be found in this link). It was encouraging for me to reflect on my journey first as a mother, then as a babywearer, and finally as an educator and consultant. It hasn’t been easy, but I believe that parents should be given as many tools as they can remain sane while raising the next generation and that babywearing can contribute greatly to that sanity. =D I’m thankful that Birdie’s Room gave this opportunity to share about my passion!

Spotlight On Babywearing Education, Part Two

How did/has Babywearing let you carry on your everyday life as a parent?

I knew that with my 2 energetic older kids, I would need my hands free to play with them, hug them, and generally get things done. I anticipated I would need to do baby’s naps in the wrap regularly to keep the day running smoothly, and I was more than

Wearing my youngest at 6 months old in a wool wrap using a ruck carry. Wearing the Junah soft-shell coat in -15 degrees Celcius.

right! My youngest had most naps in a wrap every day till about 6 months old, and thankfully he transition well to sleeping in his crib. Those wrap naps saved my sanity as I didn’t have to find a way to occupy my two older kids and I didn’t have a cranky, over-tired baby on my hands. I can’t imagine doing it any other way! Without babywearing, we definitely wouldn’t be considering to have another baby.

 

 

What do you love most about Babywearing?

The Ontario Science Centre was more enjoyable with a carrier because I could skip the elevator line-ups.

Babywearing calms my anxiety and deflates my stress levels. There are so many things to watch out for as a parent, never mind as a parent of 3 kids. I’m always afraid I will forget something, and there have been times I’ve been late to feed my baby! Thankfully he is a *very* easy-going child, but I was glad to have him so close to me pretty much all the time in those first 6 months so I was never wondering how he was doing. I always knew what was going on, and I was able to attend to my older children as well. Babywearing also gives me freedom. I love that I didn’t have to lug around the infant seat around all the time when we were out, and that I didn’t have to plan around the use of a stroller – I didn’t have to hunt for elevators and ramps anymore! I can go almost anywhere I want to. I did have to pack lighter and more creatively since I would carry the bag instead of use the stroller, but that was a good challenge for a heavy packer like me.

How Me and Babywearing Came To Be – Part 1/8

In June I was honoured to be interviewed by Birdie’s Room as part of their Spotlight On Babywearing Education. It’s quite a bit to read, so I’ve broken down the interview into eight parts (full version can be found here). It was encouraging for me to reflect on my journey first as a mother, then as a babywearer, and finally as an educator and consultant. It hasn’t been easy, as this is still a new field business-wise and using a carrier is less normalized than, say, strollers  – which are not an alternative to carriers, but are a great partner to carriers in this journey of parenting young children. But I believe that parents should be given as many tools as they can to succeed in raising the next generation, and to remain sane while doing so!  – and that babywearing can contribute greatly to that success and sanity. I’m thankful that Birdie’s Room gave this opportunity to share about my passion!

And without further ado…

Spotlight On Babywearing Education, Part One.

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I’m a homeschooling mother of 3 kids 6 years and under. While I wasn’t expecting to be here – I completed my Masters of Divinity in Biblical Studies to be involved with church ministry – I’ve been open to homeschooling even before I had children. Like anything it has its ups and downs, but I love the time that I get to spend with my children. I also love music, and am currently learning to play the ukulele. I can’t wait till my kids can join me in playing! Re-watching TV series on Netflix is another pastime of mine – Bones, Grey’s Anatomy, House, Being Erica. I’d watch a new one but I get so drawn in, nothing else gets done!

How did you embark on your Babywearing journey?  

I started with a Moby with my first baby. I saw a friend use it at church and loved how close baby could be to the parent. It was intimidating to watch her wrap, and then learn it myself! – but the desire to hold my baby son close was my motivation. With my second, I invested in a Britax light structured carrier because I found the Moby uncomfortable when my son was 12 pounds and wanted something that lasted longer. While it helped, I found it bulky and difficult to bring around when not in use. When my daughter started to walk, I realized I would need something that I could use quickly when I took the two kids out together. I tried a Tula and while it was great, it didn’t completely meet my needs. I saw a friend who carried her 2 children, a toddler and infant at the time, in 2 woven wraps at a music festival and found it fantastic that there was something which allowed us parents to do this! I started with a mid-size wrap and was able to use a traditional sling carry for quick trips like crossing a parking lot or paying for something at the store, and use a ruck for her nap times when we were out. Once my third was born, I was very comfortable using woven wraps and haven’t looked back!

Winning the wrap & using it!

Congratulations to Crys, the winner of our giveaway! We had a great time getting to know the wrap, and it was sweet seeing her baby fall asleep within minutes of snuggling in. He was definitely fussy during the wrapping but calmed down fairly quickly. Crys is also the first receiver of our BabyLegs promo! With each lesson $35 or more, you can pick out either a newborn-sized pair of BabyLegs, a set from their BabyCool line (has UV protection!), or a good regular pair of BabyLegs. Available until supplies last!

 

 

Strand By Strand giveaway of Wrapsody Breeze woven wrap in the colourway Gabriel.

Wrapsody Breeze in Gabriel shown new in package, and in their carrying bags made of the same wrap! Didymos Petrol Ecru Fish used in the background

Showing off the goods!

Practicing with a demo doll

Wrapsody Breeze Giveaway!!

Sorry I haven’t been posting much! It’s been easier to do that one Facebook, but I’ll come back here more to update as well. Bigger news than that though is….

We’re doing our FIRST GIVEAWAY! Tune in on Facebook or directly to the contest page. Contest closes Monday, July 10.

Big ups in a big mall

Had a mother-daughter morning date at Yorkdale on Saturday. It’s been so long since we just hung out! I brought a wrap just in case she got tired after lunch. I didn’t think we’d actually use it but, as you can see, it came in handy. I think it was the first time someone over the age of 2 was carried around at Yorkdalr, and even more so inside Nordstrom. 😬 

It was a great time together when she was up though, much better than dragging Her Whineyness through the mall and parking lot. We got to chat, since her head was right beside mine and we could hear each other, and see dresses together, and I got to feel her sweet head at my neck when she wanted to lie it down. Instead of stressfully ending our outing, we had a lovely and snuggly 15 minutes together. 

Teething and fussy baby but tired arms = wrapping time

Just a short post here. I think toddler is breaking out yet another bunch of teeth (5 came out at one time, then another 3 before the previous group completely broke through!) as he’s been fussy, not nursing and not wanting to sleep. I’m not playing this game another night but my arms are tired from holding him for 30 mins already, so into a wrap he goes. Didymos Smeralda Prima size 4 in a Front Wrap Cross Carry tied under the bum allowed for snuggles, giggles, a late night snack and less-tired arms.