Remember when we had the kids wear Baltic Amber necklaces as babies to combat teething pain? Well, whether or not those actually worked (we were inclined to think they helped, since neither James or Cora were overly dramatic about teething and often times we didn't know they were cutting teeth until their heads felt warm or we felt/saw the tooth), we're going to give them a try again. Not for teething (though yes, they are both growing new teeth to replace those they've lost, and Cora is getting her last set of molars - already cutting through on the bottom!), but for behavior issues. While we don't expect miracles, with Cora's behavior track record so far this year at school (and at home... so we know the teacher isn't just being picky or especially hard on her) and James' ADD diagnosis (though he has been doing SO WELL lately, both at home and school, with focusing and following directions), we figured it couldn't hurt to try. Rather than the Baltic Amber necklaces that Inspired by Finn is so popular for, we're trying out their gemstone necklaces (Jean wears one of their gemstone bracelets and likes it).
Cora's necklace is made from beaked hazel wood, amethyst, and rose quartz. The beaked hazel wood has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiradical properties. Among other potential benefits, it could help with teething pain and headaches. Amethyst is touted to "help resolve the root causes of thought and emotional patterns that do not serve us well". I realize that sounds very vague and unconvincing, but what if it works? Maybe just maybe it could help Cora control her temper a bit... Finally, the rose quartz is said to "resonate pure love" and help calm emotions. That is most definitely something she could use a little assistance with... But if nothing else, Cora thinks that the necklace is pretty (it has some of her favorite colors in it) and when I explained what the gemstones represent, she seemed pleased to be "wearing love". Plus, she now gets to wear jewelry to school, so that makes her very happy.
James' necklace is also made from beaked hazel wood, but it is designed to curb hyperactivity (not a problem that James battles, but it's part of the package) and attention deficit, and improve focus. It contains black tourmaline, which buffers negativity and compulsive behaviors, and supports the immune system. While James does not display compulsive behaviors, he is definitely a child that benefits greatly from positive reinforcement and reacts strongly to criticism and negative feedback. Lepidolite is said to promote relaxation and stress relief, and we know he deals with some anxiety now and then, so if this gemstone helps to calm that, then we're willing to try it out. James is happy to wear the necklace because he thinks it will help, so even if it doesn't, the placebo effect could come into play.
We promise our kids (out loud, so they know) that we will always do whatever we can to help them do their best (in all things), and this is just one way that we can contribute to that (not to mention a tangible, visible reminder to them that mama and daddy are always thinking about them and always trying to help them succeed). Between the necklaces, the vitamins (James takes Focus Factor and they both take Kids Smart fish oil for memory/learning/behavior), the essential oils, and our pep talks, we're just doing the best we can for them. James' maturation over the past few weeks is evident and we are just very proud of him and the efforts he's been making at home and at school. Maybe Cora will benefit from that same maturation... soon... but until then, if anyone has any other ideas for curbing sass/back-talk and calming a fiery temper, we're all ears! (Maybe this is what we get for naming her "seething pool"?...)
This baby girl has been keeping me on my toes for weeks with her kicking and punching. She often catches me off-guard, giving my belly button a swift kick when I expect her to be sleeping (like when I'm up walking around). She hits me high and low (sometimes very low, if you catch my drift), and is even starting to shift her body from side-to-side (giving my belly that funny lopsided effect). If I've been sitting for a while, I can feel her weight shift down when I stand up, which has the lovely side effect of having me heading for the bathroom every time I get up from my desk at work. My poor bladder can't take that 4.5 lbs resting on it! And sometimes it seems she's flailing all her limbs at once, and my belly honestly looks as though there are multiple babies kick-boxing in there... and that NEVER happened with James! Don't get me wrong, he was strong and made his presence known hourly, but this girl has got him beat! I've accepted the fact that when I lay down in bed for the night, I can expect her to kick and punch me for a good 10-15 minutes before she settles down enough for me to be able to doze off. At least I'm getting some reading done (and by reading, I mean playing games and Facebooking on my iPhone).
