Eyes Wide Shut?!

Playrooms filled with plastic, battery operated toys screaming, "Play with me!"; toy chests unable to close yet children exclaiming, "I have nothing to do"; kids running around wild and crazy like it is a free for all; adults feeling overwhelmed and drained with the constant clutter, noise, and chaos; TV, computers, and other screens available at everyone's finger tip 24/7, over scheduled days week after week...

Sound familiar?  Sure!  That's what we are all accustomed to, right, if children are in our lives?  And guess what, it's all OK because everybody else lives that way!  Right?  Or not.

Some how, some way, a culture was born...an American culture of raising children.  And, unfortunately, it is one that is not so nurturing for early childhood development.  "Childhood" is not respected.  Period.  And as adults, if we have never taken the time to evaluate and assess our approach to relating to and providing for our children, then it is highly likely that we go through our days with them with our eyes wide shut!

And what I mean by this, is that if we do not question the status quo, the norm, and become more conscious, more deliberate, and more intentional with our interactions and  environments regarding children, we are then leading our children blindly. 

But as soon as we wake up, and really truly open our eyes to the hard core realities of what is going on, we can begin shifting our perspective and altering our ways.  And what we will then find, surprisingly enough, is more reward, fun, and substance in our daily lives with children.

So, are your eyes wide open or shut?  It's your choice.
Want them to be wide open?  I am here for you. 
Give me a call and let's talk.

Nicole
(434) 227-0258

Head Downers!

"Head Downers"... it's an interesting term, isn't it? 
If you look it up online at Urban Dictionary.com it is defined as such:

one of the millions of clueless people walking (or driving) and texting, etc., and NOT looking  or paying attention to where they’re going or where they are!

And now, I think we can use that term when we see everyone sitting together all on their devices, with their heads down, and absorbed in their screens, rather than paying attention to each other.  This term "head downer" came to my attention when we were visiting my in-laws in Florida a few weeks ago, as we were noticing our family was guilty of it.  4 out of the 6 of us were sitting in the living room on our devices.  Hmmmmm...I didn't find that too thrilling!

The funny thing is, is that when I became more conscious of how much we really did have our heads down, I realized that we also had our heads down for other things, like cross-word puzzles, collecting shells and split seed pods, drawing, reading etc.  But those activities, even though they were "head down", seemed a little bit easier to digest.

I don't think 'head down" is a bad thing.  But I do think it is something to be aware of... and to be a little bit more deliberate as to when we use our devices, and when we don't.  For me, it's about balance.  It's about having time in the day for all of it!  Time to be on your ipad, time to read or draw, and time to lift your head, and enjoy being with others.  The power these hand held devices is uncanny.  Therefore, in order to maintain the balance that I want for my family, I need to limit the  use of them to feel better.

The reason I bring attention to this situation is because I believe you can not change or better your quality of living until you become aware and recognize that what is occuring naturally may not be the best scenario.  Once you become aware, you can evaulate.  Once you evaluate, you can change your behavior to work toward a more desired outcome.  That's what I did.  I recognized that there was something occuring on a regular basis with my girls that was unsettling.  So, I made a deliberate decision to change that.

Now I ask you to take a moment, and ask yourself, are you happy with the environment, activities, and choices you are providing the children in your life?  Is it up to your standards?  Are your dreams and desires coming true for you and your relationship with your child?  If so, that's wonderful!  If not, maybe it's time to alter your play spaces & experiences for your children.  And if that's the case, you know I am here for you! 

Here's to a little more "heads up!"
Nicole

Let's both have fun!

I am wondering if we have enough enjoyable experiences with our children these days...I feel like there are experiences for children, which are often crazy and chaotic, and then there are experiences for adults, that are less than desirable for children.  But I feel that it is hard to come by those experiences that are enjoyed by both adult and child.  Take a look at this month's Firefly Flash (a product of Explorations Play Studio) and let me know what you think!

Is the World Spinning Faster?

If I didn't know better, I would think it was just me... feeling like the world was spinning so fast...too fast that I find it hard to keep up!  But I interact with hundreds of families on a regular basis at Explorations Play Studio, and somehow I don't feel alone.  The hours, days, weeks, months, and years just seem to go by with a blink of an eye.  But I don't remember it always feeling this way. 

Up until recently, I have reconciled with myself that it is this way just because of where I am in my life.  I have 2 young girls to raise, a house with a yard to tend to, two dogs and a cat to care for, and a budding entrepreneurial husband to cheer for, while dedicating my work hours (and beyond) to growing and developing my business, Explorations Play Studio, into all that I know it can be.  Phew!  And I am sure you can relate to the feeling, the feeling of overwhelm, because we ALL have our stuff that fills our days, no matter what it is.  This, however, is not the song I want to sing.  I want more control and fun in my days!  But, then again, perhaps I'm not supposed to feel that way right now, as this is one of the busiest times of my life, right?!  Or am I wrong?

I was ranting and raving to my father the other day how I felt like I couldn't keep up and that everything was going too fast.  And how stressed out I felt because of the fast pace.  After so patiently listening to me, he exclaimed wisely, "Well, sometimes we feel that way because we are living for the future."  Living for the future?!  Oh, no, that's not me!  I am so conscious of living in the present!  Heck, I help others be "more in the moment" and present with their children and their days.  That's not my problem!  I just simply have too much going on. 

But then I pondered that comment a little more after being in the heat of the moment.  Hmmm...well, maybe I have gotten better about taking time to appreciate my family, my girls, and enjoying more "in the moment" times...But, honestly, have I done that with regards to my business???  Or have I only been focusing on what it "needs to be" or what it "could be", instead of fully absorbing all the joy and excitement it brings me on a daily basis, RIGHT NOW?!

Of course I have big dreams, but does that mean I can not embrace my business and experience the magic right here and now?  And if I am not always trying to reach a mirage of a finish line, will my life not slow down some?  I know I am curious enough to give it a try!  So, my challenge to myself, starting today, is to accept, honor, appreciate, and CELEBRATE where I am today, with regards to my family AND my business...each and everyday...and see if my world slows down a little!

I wonder if there is anything in your life that you could bring more into the present moment?  I bet there is.  I can't say I am an expert in all of this, and I work on fine tuning this skill daily, but if you feel like you would love to have more control and fun with your days with your children, so they don't pass you by, then you may want to consider joining our Playspaces Transformed/Collaboration community...I know I can help you there!

I would LOVE to hear your thoughts, so if you have them, post them below!

Happy transforming,
Nicole

Step by Step!

5 years ago, I opened Explorations Play Studio as a safe haven for children and their parents who value the importance of authentic play.  My desire was to create a nurturing oasis that appealed to both children and adults; and that offered enticing, open-ended materials  encouraging creative play in a serene setting. 



But in doing so, I didn’t pull out a manual, or follow step-by-step directions.  So when I began hearing parents, educators, and therapist say that they, too, wished they could have a space like Explorations, I decided to make it my mission to be able to share with others, step-by-step, how to create similar spaces.

In addition to wanting to share with others this 7 step process,  I discovered I had passion for bringing other like-minded people together.  It always makes my day to connect with others who are on the same page and value their child’s innate desire to explore and discover.  However, tending to children’s play environments as such, is not mainstream, and so being able to join together is key.

Because I feel so strongly about helping others reach their dreams and desires, and bringing like-minded people together, I have now created the Playspaces Transformed program and a community called the Collaboration.  if its right for you, I would love for you to join us!

~Nicole