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Rachel McFedries

Occupational Therapist | play educator

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Tag: Nature

Posted on August 29, 2018September 6, 2018

Book Review: Balanced and Barefoot

Recently I have been re-reading one of my favourite parenting books: "Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children", By…

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Posted on June 19, 2018

Matariki – a Wonderful Winter Celebration

We have a wonderful Winter Celebration here in New Zealand, and it's called Matariki. Matariki is the Maori New Year. The exact timing of this…

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Posted on May 1, 2018May 1, 2018

Our “Science Board” (aka Bug Collection).

We have a collection of bugs in my son's room. Dead bugs. Creepily stuck to a pin-board, dead as a doornail, along with other flora…

Continue reading → Our “Science Board” (aka Bug Collection).

Posted on March 28, 2018

Autumn Easter Boxes

Down here in the South of the world, Easter comes at a time when the leaves are changing and the days are getting shorter. And…

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Did you know this? Two years ago when I was looking for info to back up my decision to reduce my own kids’ screen time I stumbled across this in a document produced by the Ministry of Health. Literally found it of my own accord. *Why* did Plunket not tell me this? *Why* did I not see it on public health posters around the place? *Why* are more parents not aware of this guideline?! . Awareness and empowerment are key to making change 🌟. If parents aren’t being told this information, then how can it be expected that NZ’s children will be able to stick to these guidelines - and reap the massive health benefits that come as a result of having less screen time? {proven by research} . It is my own personal vision that ALL of New Zealand’s children will have less screen time that the recommended maximum guideline 🙌💖 . Talk about it with your friends, people. Your Plunket nurses. Let’s have these conversations. . Ref: Ministry of Health, 2017. Sit Less, Move More, Sleep Well: Active play guidelines for under-fives. . *This MOH guideline is similar to international guidelines by the World Health Organisation (2019) and American Academy of Paediatrics (2016).
At last, I am excited 🌟 30 weeks and I’m now at the stage of embracing our impending arrival, celebrating our new addition, looking forward to baby snuggles, and imagining life as a Mum of four with more joy than trepidation 💖 . This journey of pregnancy has been a mindful journey, one of reflection on what this lovely unexpected bundle means for us as a family, especially me in my mothering role. . I have had to change my expectations of what the next few years will look like for me. Process unexpected emotions accordingly. Seek help as it all got a bit much to do that on our own. And acknowledge that life can look different yet that’s OK. . At last, I am excited 🌟 . #motherhood #motherhoodthroughinstagram #mothering #honestmotherhood #honestlymothering #lifewithlittles #mumlife #motherhoodrising #mumoffour #momoffour #pregnancy #maternalmentalhealth #mentalhealthisforeveryone #mentalhealthawareness #prenatalhealth #healthymind #maternitymentalhealth #30weeks
Because sometimes you just have to preserve a moment in time... 💚 . #mumofthree #mothering #motherhood #dinnertime #feedthecrew #threekids #soontobefour #notcrazy #fullhandsfullheart #hardisnotthesamethingasbad #proudmoment #everyonessittingdown #miracle #mytinymoments #thehappynow #momentslikethese #motherhoodrising
Some days when I work from home I wear trackies and a hoodie. Other days I dress smart-casual like I used to when I worked in an office, and I take a selfie in front of the garage door just because I want to. Either way, I still eat far too many snacks and procrastinate too much 🤷🏻‍♀️ #truth . #youdoyou #workfromhome #thisisme #lovelife #lovethelifeyoulive #onlineentrepreneur #writer #blogger #mumpreneur #mumpreneurlife #lookgoodfeelgood #28weeks
PLAY. I fully believe that when you know more about play as a parent, you naturally become less inclined to turn to screens. Why? Because play is super epically *important*. Play gives things developmentally that screens just absolutely don’t give: . - better social skills - better working memory - better achievement results in school - more natural curiosity for learning - better overall physical health . Plus SO MUCH MORE... {^all of the above is proven by research by the way... I’m just in the process of popping the links up on my website}#watchthisspace . It’s a natural process that when you learn more about the developmental benefits of play, you become a . —-⭐️ PLAY ADVOCATE ⭐️ —- . and encourage more time in free unstructured play rather than screens 💖 Educating yourself is part of the process. Which is why in my course I wrote a whole section called “Educate Yourself”; and also another called “Decipher Play” 💖. It’s all about equipping and empowering ourselves with the information and knowledge we need to navigate this digital world we live in alongside our children 👩🏻‍💻 👦🏼 👧🏻👶🏽 . Would you call yourself a passionate play advocate? I know a few!
Pregnancy green smoothie 🍐🥬 What’s a common preggo problem? Getting a bit blocked up! Yep, I’m talkin’ about the ol’ bowels - constipation 🙈. I’ve started chugging back the green smoothies in an effort to up my greens, vitamins and minerals intake, and help relieve that afternoon tiredness. . I created this recipe today that seems to be perfect for keeping the insides healthy and regular 👏 . Pear - good for adding fibre. I used two. Prunes - we all know they work their magic! I added three. Kale & spinach - hello... healthy x5000. I just used a handful. LSA - because I ALWAYS add it to smoothies. I used about two spoonfuls. Turmeric - because it felt like the right thing to do and I wanted to see what it tasted like in this concoction! You only want about half a tsp. Apparently turmeric should only be used in small amounts during pregnancy. . Add about 1.5C water and some ice cubes. . Taste: this is more a savoury type of green smoothie than a sweet one. You definitely want both of the pears in there! . I love experimenting with green smoothie recipes - how about you? My favourite is using pineapple and coconut milk as a base! Mmmm, pina-colada 🏝 . #greensmoothie #pregnancysmoothie #thirdtrimester #thirdtrimesterproblems #healthypregnancy #healthypregnancyeating #naturalhealth #naturalremedies #foodasmedicine #realfood #justeatrealfood #greensmoothiesforlife
Just over here with my bump dreaming we are on a tropical island baby moon. Did you have a baby moon? With our first we jetted off to Tonga! Nothing quite as exotic these days, but hubby and I must plan a wee getaway for before this wee one arrives me thinks! . P.S. this is actually the Chch Botanic Gardens 😆 the banks of the Avon River has to do for me for now! . #babymoon #dreams #dreaming #fourthbaby #27weeks #thirdtrimester #tropicalholiday #mumoffour #naturelover
Hello 👋 Intro time... seeing as we managed to get a decent family photo yesterday, I thought I’d do a wee intro! . This is my crew. Plus one due in Nov!🤰 #27weeks . I’m Rachel, closer to 40 than 30 😉 and transitioning from full time SAHM to online entrepreneur - I graduated as an OT in 2010 and this is a brilliant way for me to bring my skills and knowledge to something that works for me instead of your normal 9-5!👩🏻‍💻 . Matt is my offsider and he’s already on the other side of 40 🤩, he runs a company called @debtordaddy, which is an app that helps small bizzos chase debts - I know that sounds incredibly boring #eyesglazeover but it’s pretty darn incredible that his business has paid our mortgage and supported our growing family over the last six years really 🙌 . Mr J is 6.5yrs, been at school for six months, loves outdoors and parkour 👦🏼 🌳 . Mr L is 5 (this is his new birthday bike from yesterday!), will start school in 2020, loves board games and maths 👦🏼 🤓 . Miss E is 2.5, adorable, tiring, and loves baby dolls and water play 👧 🍼 . And our wee one joining us in Nov is also a wee girl #littlesister I come from a family of four kids so I’m pretty excited about this and stoked that Miss E will have a wee sister ❤️ You can’t plan this stuff guys, I’m amazed at how it’s worked out. . So that’s us! And man it was long 😆 sorry #notsorry but I guess when your family is growing the intros just get longer huh?! . Anyway, hi 👋 especially if you’re new to following xx . #family #familyofsix #familyphoto #thisisus #plusabike #intro #hithere #nzmama #mumlife #entrepreneurlife #nzbloggers
It’s OK to admit that screens are a problem for your household. And it’s OK to ask for help to manage them 💗. I have never wanted to shame or guilt parents by launching an online course to address screen time. In fact, it’s about empowering and supporting one another as we navigate modern parenting together. We are all in the same boat, people. Let’s acknowledge that this is a problem, and make meaningful change if you want to. . This quote is from an interview that @radionewzealand did with an American ‘Screen Time Coach’ a few weeks ago. If you want to take a listen jump onto their website and search “screen time coach” ☺️ . I’ve set up a sneaky wee discount code for you if you DO want support to reduce your kids’ screen time - enter RADIONZ at checkout for $50 off No More Square Eyes: valid until Sunday 18th Aug 💗 #linkinbio

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