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Rachel McFedries

Occupational Therapist | play educator

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Posted on August 31, 2019

Paula. Mum of three (ages 7, 5, and 3), NZ Registered Occupational Therapist.

by Rachel McFedries - Family Occupational Therapist.In .

“I’m loving the content and feel like it’s structured in a clear ordered way that makes it easy to follow.

Great points on importance of de-cluttering toys and particularly how this enhances creativity with the toys they do have… great description of open ended toys.”

July 2019

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Simple play ⭐️ I am not really into “setting up” play activities. That’s why you don’t see many play invitations set up on my feed. I used to do all the sensory bins and whatnot, but since then my philosophy around play has changed somewhat and I’ve moved away from that. . What I do love to do at home instead, is to provide an environment that results in natural child-led play. . It doesn’t need to be fancy. Here is a very simple DIY “mud kitchen” setup. For the last few summers I’ve very much wanted to buy the kids a lovely wooden outdoor mud kitchen, but it’s never happened (💸😉). . The kids helped to set this up today and had a good time playing with just plain old hose water, making me “dinner” and watering the plants. To extend the play we could have added flowers, herbs, leaves, or colour to the water, or sand... whatever the children wanted. . This is an absolute favourite play scene over summer in our house. Do your kids love this type of play as well? . #playallday #playislearning #playmatters #letthechildreanplay #letthekids #childhoodunplugged #learnthroughplay #learningthroughplay #playideas #imaginativeplay #creativeplay #childled #screenfree #sahm #mumlife #preschoolers #siblings
We are LOVING our new stretchy wrap! I had a different brand last babies, but this one has extra stretch to it and is a bamboo blend. It’s sooooo super soft! And easy to wrap with! I love it approximately 5000 times more than my last stretchy 🤗 (just an estimation). . I like to use a stretchy wrap for comfort around home during the first few months and then move to using a structured carrier after that. . Bubs is two weeks old here and was having a bit of trouble with wind today so didn’t want to lay down for a nap. Popped her in the wrap and she was out like a light straightaway 🙌💖 . This is a Boba Serenity Wrap, which I purchased from @thesleepstore last month x . #babywearing #babywearingmama #wearallthebabies #handsfree #lovebabywearing #newborn #twoweeksold #parenting #mumlife
Breastfeeding quote of the day: “She has trouble finding the knob sometimes, doesn’t she Mum?” - Mr 6 🙄😂 . . #breastfeeding #newborn #siblings #littlesister #familylife #weektwo #twoweeksold #babylife #thingskidssay
The first six weeks postpartum can impact on a mothers’ recovery long term. Did you know that? . What was your postpartum recovery journey like? . This book ‘Golden Month’ tells stories and gathers themes from women around the world, about what postpartum looks like in their cultures. It is a *powerful* insight into the concept of ‘mothering the mother’; a concept that we can do better at in our Western world. . The four themes that emerged when the author of this book looked at different cultures’ postpartum practice were: A) rest, B) nutritious food, C) warmth, D) massage . Having support and being able to rest throughout the Golden Month means that it sets up the mother well for her ongoing health. The book makes links to positive outcomes in both physical and mental health. . With my other babies, even though I’ve been well supported, I don’t feel like I took well enough care of myself postpartum. This time around, I’ve been intentionally resting, eating nutritious warm food, and surrounding my body in warmth. . I’ve had to make an intentional effort to do this. It’s taken planning, honest conversations, saying no, and a shift in mindset. No, I won’t pick up the toys from the floor. No, I won’t go to that BBQ. No, I won’t hang out the washing. No, I won’t post on social media. Being mindful of where my energy {physical, emotional, and social} has been going has been helpful in this process. . So tell me, what do you think of this concept of the Golden Month? Its made me realise I need more massage in my life! . #postpartum #postpartumjourney #postpartumrecovery #postpartumhealth #postpartumbody #postpartumdepression #goldenmonth #motheringthemother #mothering #womenshealth #newmum #newmom #parenting #bookrecommendation
Caught up in a bubble of newborn delight 💕. But whew, I think I’d forgotten how many hours are spent on the couch feeding in these early days, right?! Who remembers that! I think my memories of this time with the other kids had all faded into a bit of a blur actually - that’s hormones for you huh! . #postpartum #postpartumlife #babygirl #postpartumbody #oneweekold
Actually have four kids. Did sparklers. No one burnt themselves. Win 💥 . #mumoffour #what #whoami #sparklers #guyfawkes #mothering
She arrived in the early hours of Tues 5th Nov 💞. We are currently enjoying our bubble of newborn days/daze, including all of the hours of cluster feeding and not much sleeping (for me) 😴. Her birth was a fast, quick straightforward birth at home, after which I went into St George’s Maternity Hospital for a few days rest, and now I will forever miss their infamous milos. She’s a lovely wee size at 7lb5oz, which is actually the biggest out of all of my babies will you believe! I am ignoring the rest of the world and focusing on resting and recovering, eating good food, keeping my amazing body nurtured, and my mind focused on bonding 💞 Thank you for all of your lovely messages xxxxx Rach . 📸 pic: @dear_ilk xx
I’ve been chatting about birthing at home in my stories today. We’ve had one baby at hospital and two babies at home now, and so I thought I’d share a bit about our experiences and our reasons for choosing home 💛. . In NZ we are extremely lucky to have a maternity system which allows us choice as women about place of birth 🌟 We are encouraged to explore our options and choose where feels right for us 🙌. The facts for me is that as a healthy, low risk woman, there is no medical reason for me to birth in a hospital, and home makes sense given my fast labours. I’d be at risk of birthing in the car if I tried to transfer during labour to hospital or a birthing centre 🚗🤭 . Home gives me autonomy and choice over my birthing process. It reduces the chance that I might experience further interventions. It allows the birthing process to unfold as naturally as possible. It’s incredibly empowering. Hear more in my stories if you want 💖 . 📸 from our wee girls birth in 2016. . #homebirth #homebirthbaby #homebirthing #birthwithoutfear #empoweredbirthproject #empoweredbirth #birthchoices #evidencebasedbirth #birthphotography #birthing #naturalbirth #naturalbirthing #birthisbeautiful
Current bedtime routine ➡️ I take care of Miss 2 while hubby puts the boys to bed. This means I get to snuggle her to sleep in our big bed, and I usually get into my pj’s at 7pm to do so! What are we going to do when our new wee babe arrives I wonder? I’m anticipating that things are going to have to change a bit - baby isn’t just going to lie down smiling like this baby doll does, that’s for sure! Ready to make this up as we go - like we do with most other parenting decisions in our house 😉 Wish us luck! . #parenting #motherhood #motherhoodthroughinstagram #mothering #honestmotherhood #honestlymothering #lifewithlittles #mumlife #motherhoodrising #familylife #family #kiwimamalife #bedtime #threekids #fourkids

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