Finding Balance: A Parent's Guide to Reducing Stress in 2024

Studies show parents in 2024 are suffering from stress.
Shocking, right?

As we move deeper into autumn's balanced embrace, what are some ways you can lower your stress levels?

#1: Self-Care: Make sure you're taking the time to acknowledge and love yourself. Even if it's a quiet moment for a 10-30 minute meditation/breath session (whatever time you can get!). Self-reflection time, a nice shower and/or bath, a quiet walk, doing your hair, etc. Your self knows what it needs, especially when you take the time regularly for self-care and self-reflection.

Try making your own face care for renewal or youth.  As you prepare your beauty oil, cleanse yourself, the room and your tools, then set your intentions into your ingredients as you add them to your oil.  Use castor oil or whatever oil you are drawn to as a base then add your ingredients - also whatever you're drawn to.  I love using rose petals, rosemary, apple leaves, etc.  
Let it sit over night in the moon for moon magick, or just let it sit.  Apply to clean skin. 

#2: Play with your kids!: Yes! Studies show when you dance, sing, play games, or have playtime with your children, you release endorphins, and that promotes well-being! As well, when you take the time to connect and play with your kids, you're allowing them to regulate, feel, and be acknowledged. PLAY IS HOW CHILDREN COMMUNICATE!!! So playtime with your kids is a win-win situation for the entire family. 

Here are some ideas for play:

1. Nature scavenger hunt: Create a list of autumn items (e.g., acorns, colored leaves) for kids to find outdoors.
2. Leaf art: Collect fallen leaves and create art projects (e.g., leaf rubbings, leaf-print paintings).
3. Indoor fort building: Use blankets, pillows, and furniture to create cozy indoor spaces.
4. Autumn-themed sensory bins: Fill containers with items like dried corn, small pumpkins, and cinnamon sticks for sensory play.
5. Pumpkin decorating: Use paint, stickers, or markers to decorate small pumpkins.
6. Apple stamping: Cut apples in half and use them as stamps with paint to create autumn-themed art.
7. Indoor obstacle course: Create a fun course using household items like cushions, hula hoops, and cardboard boxes.
8. Autumn-themed baking: Make simple recipes like apple muffins or pumpkin cookies together.

Products that could assist:

1. Mindfulness apps for parents and kids (e.g., Headspace for Kids, Calm)
2. Family communication tools (e.g., OurHome app for chore management and family scheduling)
3. Subscription boxes for family activities (e.g., KiwiCo, Little Passports)
4. Board games that encourage communication and problem-solving (e.g., Feelings in a Jar, Cooperative games by Peaceable Kingdom)
5. Art supplies for creative projects (e.g., Crayola washable paints, kid-friendly scissors)
6. Kid-safe cooking tools for family cooking activities
   
   
   
   
   
   

#3 Stay Flexible & Open to New Ideas: Communication and problem-solving with your children may seem stressful just to think about, but in the long run, it will ultimately reduce your and the entire family's stress.

Resources for communication and problem-solving with kids:

1. "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk" by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish (book)
2. Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University (https://developingchild.harvard.edu/) - free resources on child development
3. PBS Parents (https://www.pbs.org/parents/) - free activities and advice for parents
4. National Association for the Education of Young Children (https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics) - free articles on various parenting topics
5.  https://thereconnected.com/ -   The Reconnected is an online course + community hub for individuals who are seeking a more modern, more intuitive, more value-aligned approach to parenting.

#4 Expand: Find support where you're able. If you can't afford a sitter or have any family support, try to find and build relationships with families you feel safe and comfortable with and arrange a bi-weekly or monthly childcare exchange.

 Also, make it fun for everyone - every time each family plans an activity while they're providing childcare. For example, this week we are learning how to make spaghetti and have things set up and planned so each child can help. Don't forget to be age-sensitive with activity planning. You can incorporate seasons, holidays, etc., for fun ideas.

If you can afford it - hire someone to help lessen daily chores or someone who can just give you a break in general from the kids and all of it.

The local library or a church can be a great place to meet new parents!

#5 Focus on the Essentials: Don't overfill your plate too much! We tend to lose focus and possibly shut down altogether when there is simply too much to keep up with healthily. What each person can and does carry is very individual and personal.

Take some time for self-reflection. Get your journal or notebook and make a list of your goals, responsibilities, and needs.

Now make another list mentally first, then again in your journal. Shorten the list to what MUST be accomplished first or want to be accomplished first. You can move on to the other parts of your lists as you progress and expand. You're doing great!

Moms, Try this Busy Mom Calendar/Planner from etsy.

Dads here is a calendar/planner designed for families that is perfect for Dads.

Make sure to remind yourself often, "I am doing the best I can with what I have. I am worthy of progressing." And, you are!!!

Beautiful Autumn has moved us into Mabon. 

Celebrate the Festival of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Festival of Ingathering at the turn of the year.
Exodus 34:22

A time of gratefulness, harvest, abundance, and rest. 

This week I am sharing a simple apple recipe that you can try with your family. 

Mabon Baked Apples: A Festive Autumn Treat

Celebrate the autumn equinox with these delightful Mabon Baked Apples. This recipe yields multiple servings, perfect for sharing or enjoying throughout the week. Leftovers can be easily refrigerated and reheated, making them a convenient and tasty treat any time.

Ingredients:

• 4-6 apples (Gala or Fuji recommended), halved and cored
• Raisins
• Fresh ginger
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground cardamom
• Butter (optional, one small cube per apple half)
• Sweetener: cane sugar, honey, or maple syrup
• Optional toppings: fresh cream, vanilla yogurt, or ice cream

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the apples:
   • In each apple cavity, place a few raisins, some freshly grated ginger, and a pinch each of cinnamon and cardamom.
   • Feel free to experiment with spices like nutmeg, anise, or cloves. Pre-mixed apple pie or pumpkin pie spice works well too.
   • Consider substituting dried currants or cranberries for raisins.
   • If using, add a small cube of butter to each apple half.
3. Arrange the prepared apples snugly in a baking dish.
4. Sprinkle sugar or drizzle honey or maple syrup over the apples.
5. Pour about an inch of water into the baking dish, avoiding the apples themselves.
6. Bake for approximately 1 hour, checking after 30 minutes to ensure there's still liquid in the pan. Add more water if needed.
7. Once cooked, turn off the oven and allow the apples to rest inside until the oven cools.
8. Serve warm, either on their own with their natural juices or accompanied by fresh cream, yogurt, or ice cream.

Enjoy your Mabon feast with these aromatic, perfectly spiced baked apples!

Dancing with the Falling Leaves: Fall Equinox Rituals and Incense Cleansing 

Nature's Wisdom: Learning from the Trees 

Oh, how wise our leafy friends are! They know it's time to let go of what no longer serves them, just as we should. Imagine yourself as a beautiful tree, gently releasing your worries and old patterns like colorful leaves dancing in the wind. It's time to make room for new growth and wonderful experiences!

The Magick of Incense: A Hug for Your Soul 

Incense, oh incense! It's been our aromatic friend since the dawn of time. In many spiritual traditions, these fragrant herbs and resins are like love letters to the divine, purifying our spirits and inviting protection and peace into our lives. For our Fall Equinox celebration, we'll use incense to sweep away any stagnant energy and welcome in fresh insights and inner balance. It's like a gentle, fragrant broom for your soul!

Let's Craft Some Autumn Magick: Incense Recipe 

Get ready to mix up some love and intention with this joyful autumn incense blend!

Ingredients (A Pinch of This, A Dash of That)

* 1 tsp. apple peel or dried apple (for sweetness in life)

* 1/2 tsp. lavender flowers (for peaceful dreams)

* 1/2 tsp. rose petals (for love and beauty)

* 1 tsp. powdered cinnamon (for warmth and prosperity)

* 2 tsp. powdered myrrh resin (for healing and protection)

Directions 

1. Grind up your herbs with a mortar and pestle or in a clean coffee grinder. Sing a happy tune as you do!

2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients with love and stir with joyful intention.

3. Transfer your magical blend to an airtight container, sealing in all the good vibes.

4. When you're ready to use it, place a pinch of your loving blend on a lit charcoal disk set atop a heat-safe surface. Watch the cleansing smoke rise and dance!

Creating Your Mabon Altar: A Cozy Corner of Autumn Joy 

Let's create a special space to celebrate the season! Find a calm spot indoors or out, and gather treasures that make your heart sing with autumn joy. Think colorful fallen leaves, warm candles, and decorations in those gorgeous fall hues of orange, brown, gold, and scarlet. Don't forget to include some yummy fall treats and magical plants like ginger, elderberry, white oak bark, chamomile, or star anise. 

Arrange your autumn bounty around a safe spot for burning your homemade incense. Light it up, let the fragrant smoke swirl around you, and take a moment to set your loving intentions for the season ahead.

Fall Equinox Meditation: A Hug for Your Spirit 

Find a comfy spot near your altar and take a deep, cleansing breath. Think about any challenges you've faced recently, acknowledging any tiredness or hurt with compassion. Then, with a smile, imagine the sweet incense smoke carrying away any tension or worry. 

Once you feel light and refreshed, bring to mind all the wonderful blessings in your life right now. Let gratitude fill your heart like warm sunshine. Take in the beautiful sights and scents of your altar, feeling them nourish your spirit and prepare you for the cozy months ahead. You're ready to greet autumn with a spring in your step and love in your heart!

Merry Mabon, beautiful souls! May your days be filled with pumpkin spice, cozy blankets, and endless joy! 

Blessings & Light 

~ Lori Wayfair