BRAYSLO

We are back.....

After a much longer break than anticipated, classes are returning 🤍

Slightly different format where we will incorporate music, song and messy/sensory play.

Suitable for parents/caregiver with babies and toddlers. Giving you the opportunity to bond through song and movement, and opportunity to explore senses through play. Also an opportunity for you to meet others.

Spaces are limited.

Delighted to be running this class in the lovely grounds of the which has a fabulous outdoor space should we find ourself with nice weather 😀

Places can be booked through the website www.brayslo.ie/classes/

See you there.

A different type of post today.
- TAKE A MOMENT FOR YOU💞

Today was World Mental Health day! And this week is Baby Loss Awareness week, which makes a day like today even more significant to me.

To give the most to the little ones around us we need to take the time to mind ourselves too. I share this cause we all hear IT'S OK NOT TO BE OK, but yet too often we are afraid to say we are not or if we do others don't know how to respond.

In Limerick we are extremely lucky to have a perinatal mental health service and today those of us who have the support of these amazing people, were invited to a wellness day.

As a parent we are continually moving, thinking ahead, and not getting that time to just stop. And today offered this time , and even better you could bring your baby and no one batted an eyelid. A safe environment we all long for.

Today I got the time to stop. To breath. To just be. A few tears were shed as that stillness brings emotions up, but these are days we all need.

So for many of you, if you feel you need the support reach out. If you have any questions about this service I can only tell you of my experience so feel free to reach out. If your pregnant and you need that extra support ask for this service, believe me to have that support is second to none, there is no judgement just support as this is something I was afraid of.

Lastly, sometimes when you are feeling down it is often very hard to 'reach out' so for anyone 'looking in' please don't be afraid to use these 7 words ARE YOU OK? HOW CAN I HELP? And just listen, cause when someone is down the often don't need advice they just need someone to sit, listen & just be ♥️♥️♥️

Tummy time!!!!

I don't know about your little one, but this little man is not a fan 🤣 We were a bit slow on getting really going due to a number of factors, but now he has started adding a few extra minutes every day.

There are 2 things that I have found great in helping with this:

- Firstly, I had purchased these cards for the classes. They are baby visualization cards. I bought them on Amazon and they are fantastic. https://amzn.to/3L87TzA

-Secondly, I watched a great video on about tummy time. And I swear it made all the difference. Instead of putting the baby straight onto their tummy,have them on their back or side and roll them over. So simple, but so affective, you need to check it out.

Do you remember 🤔

I remember the good old days of the community games, where we all gathered and had great fun out doors.
I remember the outdoor games of red River, what time is it Mr wolf and stuck in the mud.
It was the simple things.

Yesterday we played some of the old simple games- the sack race, the egg & spoon race and the 3 legged race. It was so much fun, and so much fun to see the smallies enjoying it.

It's the simple things that bring most fun and make the most memories. I ordered some plastic medals online to present at the end, just for the fun of it all.

The weather may be taking a turn but get outside and have some fun. The rain will make you grow 🤣

The greatest invention in the world is the mind of a child.

— Thomas A. Edison

Best wishes to all starting on their journey this week, and also remembering all those who should be 💓

🌈

👣Memories👣

Capturing moments- what I will do and how you can do it too😊

Another school year is soon due to begin, and I'm very excited to have my main little man starting preschool this year.
Last year, if Sloane was here she would have started, so I'm going to make sure I take in every minute of this little man's big day.

Here are 2 ideas I've created to capture that moment in time, and hopefully capture at the beginning of each year:

1: HANDPRINTS: it will be nice to look back at the little hands in years to come on their first day in the school system. I found a lovely little poem , so I added it to a little design I made. On the day I will add Brayden's hand prints to it.

2: BLACKBOARD INFORMATION: Capturing some details of what was happening at that moment for your little one. I will add a photo of Brayden from that day. I will add the date and the school name. I will update any details that need updating.

How can you do this at home?

I used a tool online called CANVA to create these designs. You can download it and use certain elements for free. The ones I have used were in that category. You can use this on your phone or laptop. And once you have an account you can access and edit on both.

For the HANDPRINT, I chose a blank A4 template design, added the elements I wanted and added the text box with the poem I had found.

For the BLACKBOARD INFORMATION, I searched "first day of school sign" and loads of options came up. I then edited the information I wanted to change, and added/removed items I wanted. For example, I added the picture of Brayden (to remove the background that was behind Brayden I used https://www.remove.bg/ saved the image and then uploaded it to Canva and added it to my design.)

You can create so much online and make it as personalized as you want.

If it is something that rings a bell with you give it a shot, mind you there is so much cool stuff on Canva you might fall down the creative hole🤣, and if you have a question I can help with throw me a message. It's great to capture all these occasions.

Best of luck to everyone starting school soon 💓

👣Barefoot👣

With this hot weather (or if your little one is like my one the weather doesn't matter🤣) they love to be barefoot outside!!!

Saw this fantastic piece about why, even when we think about the dirt or stubbing the toe, we should encourage bare feet as much as possible.

*UPDATE*

Apologies all for the silence over the last few months, I was busy growing a little human who ensured I knew he was there and growing and kept me suitably distracted 😜

We were thrilled and delighted to welcome the little man 3 weeks ago and welcome him into the family.
For the next few months, we will be busy getting to know each other, but look forward to planning some exciting things for BRAYSLO in 2023!

Omg 2023...sounds like miles away, but we can't wait to meet you all then.

In the mean time, I'll pop up some ideas over the coming months that may help where I can.
Also, I have seen loads of other fabulous groups pop up over the last few months, which is just super. The more out there for little ones and parents/caregivers the better.

Have a fabulous summer everyone💞

Another day done in the wonderful world of Brayslo💞