Annah Mohlominyana’s Post

Preparation, understanding, and support! And throw in some grace for good measure. Trust your instincts. 💜 💥 Remember that every child is unique, and it's okay if your Thanksgiving celebration doesn't follow conventional traditions. Prioritize your child's well-being and enjoyment!! Here are a few tips to have a successful holiday with friends and family... 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: Share the plans and schedule with your child beforehand, using visual aids or a social story to help them understand what to expect. 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆-𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Create a calm and comfortable space where your child can retreat if they become overwhelmed. Consider noise-cancelling headphones, a weighted blanket, or familiar toys to help them feel secure. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀: Inform your guests about your child's needs that will help everyone have a more enjoyable day. Encourage them to be patient and accommodating. 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀: Stick to your child's typical schedules as much as possible, including meal times and bedtime routines. This consistency can help them feel more secure and reduce anxiety. 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀: Schedule short breaks throughout the day to allow your child to recharge and decompress. This can be a quiet activity or a walk outside to provide a sensory break. 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀: Consider your child's food preferences and sensitivities. Offer alternative options that they enjoy to ensure they have something they're comfortable eating. 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: Involve your child in Thanksgiving preparations, such as setting the table, decorating, or helping with simple cooking tasks. This can provide a sense of engagement and accomplishment. 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀: Use visual supports like a visual schedule or a "first-then" board to help your child understand and follow the day's activities. #knowledgenowsolutions #telehealthaba #bcba #drbrittfarley

The holidays are almost here, and while the break is a chance to relax and celebrate, parenting during this time can be a bit... chaotic. 🎄 Here are some easy tips to keep the season joyful for everyone: 1️⃣ Set a routine that’s flexible but gives the day a little structure—kids thrive on it. 2️⃣ Plan fun activities like baking, crafting, or a family movie marathon. 3️⃣ Make time for downtime; sometimes the best memories are made in the quiet moments. 4️⃣ Balance screen time with reading, puzzles, or even just a good chat around the table. 5️⃣ Celebrate the little things—every giggle, every cuddle, every smile. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be magical. You’ve got this. ✨ #ParentingTips #HolidayBreak #FamilyFun #WinterHolidays #ParentingWins #MakingMemories

🎉 Thanksgiving is a time for family and gratitude, but it can be overwhelming for kids with sensory needs. Here are 3 tips from St. Mary’s to make the holiday more sensory-friendly: 🍂 Thanksgiving Sensory Bin: Fill a bin with dried corn kernels, mini pumpkins, fake leaves, and scoops to keep little hands engaged while celebrating. 🍴 Weighted Support for Mealtime: Use a weighted lap blanket or festive pillow during dinner to provide calming sensory input and ease stress. 🛋️ Create a “Calm Corner” : Set up a cozy space with fidget tools, headphones, and Thanksgiving-themed items like pumpkin-scented playdough or coloring pages for a relaxing retreat. At St. Mary’s, we believe in creating joyful, inclusive holiday moments for every child. 💙 Like, share, or comment to help others! #SensoryTherapy #ThanksgivingTips #SpecialNeedsParenting #InclusiveHolidays #SensoryFriendly #StMarysStrong #HolidaySupport #ParentingHacks

4 Holiday Tips for Kids with Special Needs 🎄✨ 1️⃣ Stick to a Predictable Schedule: Holidays can bring excitement and unpredictability. Maintaining a routine and sharing the day’s plan in advance can help reduce anxiety. 2️⃣ Prepare for Sensory Overload: Festive lights, music, and crowds can be overwhelming. Equip your child with noise-canceling headphones or create a calming space to retreat to when needed. 3️⃣ Encourage Participation: Let your child join holiday activities in ways that make them comfortable, whether it’s decorating, baking, or creating handmade cards. 4️⃣ Communicate with Family: Share your child’s needs and preferences with family members to foster an inclusive and understanding environment. Together, let’s make this holiday season magical and inclusive for every child! 💕 #HolidaySupport #SpecialNeedsCare #InclusiveHolidays #AidingWithCareHealthServices

🎄 Holidays can be magical—but for families with sensory-sensitive kids, they can also be overwhelming. Here’s one simple tip to make the season more sensory-friendly! ✨ Create a Quiet Zone: Designate a calm, quiet space in your home or at holiday gatherings. Fill it with comforting items like noise-canceling headphones, favorite toys, or a weighted blanket. This gives your child a safe place to retreat if things get too loud or overstimulating. 🌟 Remember, it’s okay to take breaks and adjust traditions to fit your family’s needs. The goal is to make the season joyful for everyone. Do you have a go-to sensory-friendly holiday tip? Share it in the comments—we’d love to hear it! #SensoryFriendly #AutismAwareness #HolidayTips

This holiday season, please remember that you can better someone's day with a simple act of kindness. Smile at a child. Have patience in busy stores and restaurants. Ask if you may help someone who looks as if they need it: hold a door, get something off a high shelf, hand them something in your reach. Give grace to parents who are shopping or dining with their children. Whereas many people on LinkedIn are taking time off for the holidays, not everyone has that ability. Show compassion. Just like others have no way of knowing what's going on with you, you don't have a way to know what is going on with them. Make the holiday season bright and safe for yourself and others. Happy Holidays! #kindness #holiday #compassion #positivemindset

🎄 Holidays can be magical—but for families with sensory-sensitive kids, they can also be overwhelming. Here’s one simple tip to make the season more sensory-friendly! ✨ Create a Quiet Zone: Designate a calm, quiet space in your home or at holiday gatherings. Fill it with comforting items like noise-canceling headphones, favorite toys, or a weighted blanket. This gives your child a safe place to retreat if things get too loud or overstimulating. 🌟 Remember, it’s okay to take breaks and adjust traditions to fit your family’s needs. The goal is to make the season joyful for everyone. Do you have a go-to sensory-friendly holiday tip? Share it in the comments—we’d love to hear it! #SensoryFriendly #AutismAwareness #HolidayTips

🎄 Be the Real Santa This Holiday Season! 🎁 As a parenting coach, I believe the best gifts don’t come in boxes—they come from our time and presence. Here’s how to spread the true holiday magic: 🎅 Santa’s “Experience Vouchers” Give the gift of shared adventures! Whether it’s baking cookies, building a snowman, or a no-phone movie night, these little moments create lifelong memories. 🎅 Santa’s “Golden Hours” Dedicate uninterrupted time to your kids—no devices, no distractions. Play, chat, laugh—just be present. These moments build bonds that last forever. 🎅 Santa’s Listening Ears The best gift you can give is your full attention. Listen to their dreams, fears, and stories without judgment—it’s what being a real Santa is all about! ✨ Create Holiday Magic You don’t need a North Pole workshop to make the season special. The real magic lies in your care, attention, and ability to turn ordinary moments into extraordinary ones. This Christmas, let’s be the kind of Santa who gives the gift of love, presence, and connection. 🎄 Merry Christmas! ❄️ Let’s make this holiday season unforgettable. #BeTheRealSanta #ParentingTips #HolidayMagic #PresenceOverPresents #FamilyTime #MerryChristmas

The holiday season is a magical time for families, filled with traditions, togetherness, and, of course, gift-giving. But have you ever noticed how too many gifts can sometimes overstimulate kids? Here’s a tradition that strikes the perfect balance: The Rule of 4. It’s a thoughtful way to focus on what truly matters while keeping the joy alive: 1️⃣ Something They WANT – A toy or game they’ve been dreaming about. 2️⃣ Something They NEED – Everyday essentials like shoes or a backpack. 3️⃣ Something to WEAR – Cozy pajamas or a cute outfit for the season. 4️⃣ Something to READ – A book they choose, making it personal and special. This simple yet intentional approach adds meaning to the holidays. Instead of a pile of gifts that may lose their sparkle quickly, it creates moments of connection, reduces stress, and teaches children to value what they have. Remember that you're not just filling stockings—you're shaping memories and instilling values. How do you keep your family’s holiday traditions intentional and meaningful? I'd love to hear your thoughts! #HolidayTraditions #MindfulParenting #ParentingTips #GiftGivingIdeas #MeaningfulHolidays #IntentionalParenting #FamilyBonding #ThoughtfulGifts #LifestyleMedicinePaediatrician

🛑 Stop using Santa as a bribe for good behavior from your kids! The “naughty or nice” idea has been so normalized, but it can create a lot of unnecessary stress for kids. When you ask, “Have you been good?” kids can spiral into worry about every little thing they’ve done “wrong.” This anxiety often leads to more meltdowns, bigger outbursts, and worse behavior—the exact opposite of what you’re hoping for. Instead of using Santa as a way to scare kids into behaving, let’s rethink how we approach the holidays and use our Kidtuition to create a more enjoyable holiday season for our kids. Instead of asking, “Have you been good?” try these questions instead: ✨ “What are you excited about for Christmas?” ✨ “Is there something you’re hoping to get this year?” ✨ “What’s your favorite part of celebrating the season?” ❤️ Let’s normalize a stress-free holiday season–like this post and share with a parent who would appreciate this perspective! . . . . #holidaytraditions #santaornosanta #mindfulparenting #gentleparenting #consciousparenting #positiveparenting #understandingkids #stressfreeholidays #holidayparenting #kidtuitive