Do you have a color-coded life?

Yes, I'm nuts. I know this, but not for the reason you'd think...

This is the ONLY way to organize all the things in my life. I used to write everything down on little scraps of paper and leave them all over the house. I still do this to some extent (much to my husband's chagrin), but I've massively consolidated over the years. From tutoring sessions to dentist appointments I needed a way to organize it all, and a way to have it with me at all times. Thankfully iCal syncs up with my phone and back again to my computer so I always have an updated copy of what is going on and when and where I'm supposed to be.

Still, I realize I look like a complete OCD nut when you see the picture. Seriously, if you saw my desk you'd know this is not the case ;0)

Wiggling Works!

My wiggly kid during morning calisthenics

"Stop wiggling, and pay attention!" How many times have you as a parent said this? If you're the mom of a "wiggle worm" you know what I mean. Homework time is a chore, teachers mention your child can't seem to sit still and concentrate in class, and you can't help but feel that your child is a bit more sensitive to his environment than most (these are the shirt tag haters and the toe seam complainers). Kids wiggle. It's a fact. But some kids wiggle more than others, and sometimes those wiggles take over all other forms of concentration. Most kids don't have sensory integration issues, but I'm always surprised how many parents don't know the helpfulness of OT for typical kids. In comes the Movein'Sit, because sometimes a little movement is all you need (any of you leg jigglers out there can relate).

The Movein'Sit is an inflatable air-cushon with little nubby bumps all over it. It helps improve proper posture while sitting, and provides just enough "wiggle room" for children with attention and sensory integration issues. My son liked that he could wiggle just a tiny bit without anyone noticing, and it helped him get the wiggles out without being a distraction to anyone else.



You can buy the Movin'sit via Berkley's Beyond Play website.

Common Ground Spearker Series

Common Ground is a symposium brought on by a bunch of Bay Area private schools to further enrich parent education. The speaker series brings in many experts from a wide variety of fields related to raising children, education, and health topics (many progressive in nature). All member school parents are free to attend any of the speaker series, and guests from an outside school can attend for a $20 fee. Even if your child doesn't attend a member school, the $20 fee is worth the free food (private schools have the best grub, seriously), and the speakers are pretty good, too ;0)

Some examples of past speakers:

• Dr. Robert Sapolsky a noted Stanford professor and neuroscientist.
• Dr. Denise Pope, another Stanford professor and author about stressed out overachievers.
• Richard Lavoie, author and special needs expert.

I'm a huge fan of Drs. Sapolsky and Pope, and was bummed to miss their lectures, but Rick Lavoie was entertaining, insightful, and I really enjoyed his book about social pragmatics and learning disabled kids.

Z-Vibe

Okay, so the name just sounds dirty...like something that should be found in a sex shop. It sounds even dirtier when inquisitive people ask what it does. "It's an oral stimulator." The looks I've gotten! Anyway...

The back story: Our older son had sensory integration issues when he was younger (just another aspect of raising a special needs child), but I must say this thing really helped him a lot. He stopped chewing on his sleeves and his neckband for one. He also stopped gagging from eating certain textured foods like applesauce.

The Z-Vibe is a pen-like wand that vibrates, offering oral sensory input. It was designed by a speech pathologist, and has been used by Occupational Therapists and SLPs for a long time. It's FDA approved, made of aluminum and medical grade plastic, and latex free.

So then comes young Master Alexander. Teething was a pain in the neck....so I dug back out the Z-Vibe. He loved, loved this thing for his sore gums. It was also a great distraction at restaurants when he'd just about had it and was on the brink of a fussy fit, too :0)

Beyond Play in Berkley sells them via their on-line website.