The First Months as Parents

June 10, 2018 by Maria Leave a Comment

Learning As We Go

Those first few months as new parents were terrible. When we took the birthing classes at the hospital, one of the first things the nurse said was, SIDS is real, my granddaughter died from it. Really? Why would you say that to a room full of expecting parents? Yes, it is very real. But, we are already freaking out about bringing up our tiny humans, ease us into it. Don’t start class that way. After that comment, my husband turned into Nervous Nelly. He was up every hour making sure Joey was sleeping. We also read in Dr Sears’ book that your child should be eating a certain amount of ounces per their weight. So, we were interrupting Joey’s sleep and over feeding him.

No Sleep

None of us got much sleep those first several months. My husband was convinced Joey was going to die. He stressed out over the heat in the room, what Joey wore to bed, and wanted to make sure we got up to feed him. It was beyond stressful. I know Ed was doing everything he could to be a great dad to our tiny human. I felt awful and like the worst mother ever because I didn’t stress over those things. I kept saying, he will wake up if needs something.

Since we were still feeding him every two hours and increasing his ounces, Joey threw up, a lot. It just added to the stress. We didn’t know what the hell we were doing. We were zombies and just trying not to kill our baby and each other.

We Needed Help!

We had to call for help. We were drowning. I reached out to my best friend and asked her to come out and help us. Having Courtney here gave us the opportunity to catch up on some much needed sleep. Ed’s Aunt would also come over from time to time so that I could take a nap and that helped as well.

With little sleep, Joey was still the center of our universe. We loved watching him develop into his personality. We saw him as the most amazing little guy.

Our Special Little One – The Day We Became Parents

June 5, 2018 by Maria Leave a Comment

Little did I know how our life would change when Joey was born. Not just being first time parents, but it opened our eyes into a world we didn’t even imagine; Autism.

Easy Pregnancy

I had a pretty easy, no fuss type of pregnancy. Any sort of “issue” I may have had was all very normal. Sciatic problems which made me waddle early, heartburn at night, hemorrhoids, and leakage (which disgusted me more than anything). I gained a whopping 13 pounds my first trimester and my doctor basically told me I needed to simmer down on my food intake. I gained about 60 pounds with Joey.

Starting Labor

On November 1st I was working from home as I was nearing my due date (Nov 5). I had been having Braxton Hicks contractions since Halloween night but they would stop after about 45 minutes to and hour and come back after a few hours. On November 1st I was having the same Braxton Hicks. I didn’t time them but was watching the clock for how long they would go for. At 4:00 they didn’t stop. At 5:00 they were still going. They never hurt, so I called my doctor to see what he wanted me to do. I got the answering service and they told me to go to the hospital. Music to my ears!!!!

When my husband got home at 6:00 I had the suitcase by the door and a huge smile on my face. “It’s time!” I told him. He said “for reals this time?” This would be our 6th trip to triage, HA! First time pregnancy, nervous new mom.

We checked into triage around 7:00, they put the monitor on me and we waited. I was starting to feel the contractions now but they were nothing horrible. At my appointment a few days earlier I was 2cm and 70% effaced. The nurse checked me and there was no change. She checked me again around 8:30 and I was 3cm but still 70% effaced. The nurse sent us on our way, she told us we could either walk around the hospital or go to the mall and walk to try to speed things along. So we left the hospital and went to Costco. We walked around Costco with painful contractions coming every so often. Then we went to the mall, same thing. Finally decided it was better to go home and get some rest.

Off to the Hospital

Around midnight I couldn’t sleep, so I jumped in the shower with hopes the warm water would help. At 1am I woke my husband up and told him I was in too much pain and we needed to go. So, back at the hospital, answering the same questions, but this time it was through gritted teeth. I just wanted to get hooked up to the monitor and to lie down. Around 3 or 4am the nurse came in to see what kind of progress I had made. It was the most painful thing I have ever felt. I swear she was trying to reach my tonsils. The problem was, my cervix is up pretty far, and she has Vienna sausage fingers. I told Ed, if she doesn’t get her fist out of me it was going to turn ugly. When she left to get a nurse with longer fingers (thank you!!) my water broke.

Nurse Long Fingers came in, after checking me she announced it was time to go. I think I was at 6cm at this point. Do you want an epidural? Hell yes!!!!!

Welcome to the World

After getting yelled at by the anesthesiologist, the epidural was in and only worked on half my body. At 7am it was shift change and I was losing the best nurse ever for a bunch of students wondering around my room with their thumbs up their ass. I started pushing around 7:15 and at 7:32am the most beautiful baby entered this world.

Nothing else mattered (except a shower, I was super messy from my water breaking) in this world. I finally got to meet my son. Joseph Amedeo. He was 6lbs 14oz and 21 1/2″ long. He had so much hair. I couldn’t get over all the hair. His hair had some curl too and when it was brushed forward it looked like a little Cesar cut.

I called my dad and told him, he’s (Joey) perfect!

Rodan + Fields Celebrates 10 Years!

June 4, 2018 by Maria Leave a Comment

Wow!! I can’t believe it has been 10 years! The products have actually been around much longer than that though. After the success of the Doctor’s first product, ProActiv which targeted Acne, the Doctor’s wanted to branch out and target all types of skin issues. The Doctor’s believe in using the right products in the right order to target those issues. That’s how ProActiv works for so many people. Rodan + Fields is no different, just different ingredients. They developed five new regimens using their Mulit-Med Therapy targeting Sensitive Skin, Acne Prone Skin, Aging Skin, Dull and Uneven Skin.

A Little History

In 2003, Estee Lauder bought Rodan + Fields and started selling the products in department stores. What the doctors noticed, more people were buying their products because a friend recommended them. The associates behind the counter weren’t selling or promoting their products, the users were. Dr Rodan and Dr Field saw the potential of their products at a time when the economy was tanking. They tested their theory by hosting an event at someone’s house showcasing their products. What they found was that people were more interested in hosting their own events. In March 2008 the company launches their products as a Direct Sales company in the United States.

Accomplishments

Since launching into the direct market sector the Doctor’s wanted to change the way they did business. They wanted to disrupt the market. With a no party approach the consultants were able to leverage social media as a way to market the products. The basis of the company are their regimens. Using the right products in the right order to give you optimal results. In October of 2014 the Redefine AMP MD System launched (re-engineered system launched Fall 2017), as a way to amp up your results. This revolutionary system utilizes micro-exfoliation to gently and safely condition the uppermost layers of your skin and removes areas of dead skin cells to boost the efficacy of other products applied.

Going International

In February 2015 the Company launched into the Canadian market. After only being in Canada for 2 years Rodan + Fields became the #1 Fastest Growing Skincare Brand, #1 Premium Acne Brand, and the #1 Anti-Aging Brand! Pretty amazing for only being in Canada for two years.

September 2017 the company launched in Australia and is already getting beauty magazines buzzing and winning in many categories for the Glosscar Awards. I can see Rodan + Fields being #1 in Australia.

The long term goal of the doctor’s is to be the #1 Skincare Brand in the world. In order to expand, in May of this year the company linked arms with T PG “to accelerate its next phase of growth as it transforms the skincare industry.” It will be fun to see which country the doctors go to next.

Happy Anniversary

With the Anniversary Buzz, Rodan + Fields changed up their business kits giving anyone a chance to start their own business at different price points.

If you would like to discuss what this business could do for you, I would love to have a conversation with you. If you are interested in products, fill out this quick little form and I will be in touch.

Our First Suspension, and Hopefully Our Last

June 3, 2018 by Maria Leave a Comment

It happened. It actually happened. I got the dreaded call from the Assistant Director of Joey’s school called and informed me that Joey was outside her office with an in school suspension. My heart sank as she and I talked. Any parent dreads this kind of call. But when you have an autistic child who struggles socially, and hates school – you kind of expect to get this call but hope you never get it.

The day of the incident

It was like any normal pick up. I went to Joey’s school and asked him how is day went. He told me it was fine, but I caught his teacher’s eye in passing. She gave me the look, that it was a rough day.

We didn’t have a chance to talk then, but she told me she would call me later. Lucky for me, she just so happened to be at our pool that evening as our kids were at swim team practice. She was able to tell me what happened.

Joey and his friend were working on an engineering project together. The kids were given supplies in a box to use to build their design. My little perfectionist didn’t have enough tools and asked another student if he could use some if hers and she said no. He didn’t like that answer so he kicked her in the nose. It was so bad she started bleeding and had to go to the nurse’s office.

As she is telling me this, all I could think was, what the fuck. He kicked someone in the face!!! Who is this kid if mine?? I could not believe what I was hearing. I asked if he apologized and she said he did.

What set him off

Because I know my son, I needed to know the details of what led him to his actions. If I know the full details, we can back track so that we can correct this behavior so it doesn’t happen again.

Here is what his therapist told me happened:

On Wednesday afternoon, Joey and his partner were given their most recent project in a zip-lock bag after the class was given a lesson and instructions. Joey went to the table with his partner, pulled out his old project and began to reconstruct it according to the picture of the item he had drawn from the last lesson. Joey appeared frustrated by his vocalizations and yelling that there were not enough pieces in his bag to complete the project and peers “stole them” out of his bag.

He ran over to another team’s mat and took the piece he wanted. I redirected him to return it to his classmate and prompted that he could ask to use the connector piece he needed. I also promoted Joey asked that if this friend said no, we could ask another friend. The peer said “no” and Joey vocalized that this was not the answer he wanted, but returned the piece. I was behind Joey and prompted him “It’s a little deal. Let’s ask another friend.” Joey turned and asked another friend and this friend handed him the piece he needed. Joey returned to his work using the piece given to him, but vocalized it was still not enough.

He ran over to a different team picked up the piece and asked to borrow it. The team said “no” and Joey returned the piece. Again, I prompted that it was a little deal, if a friend says no we can always ask someone else.

Joey approached the peer (whom he kicked) and asked for a connector piece. The peer responded “no” and covered the pieces with her hands. Joey attempted to punch her. As I to placed myself between Joey and the peer to separate them, Joey swung his leg and kicked.

Joey appeared very escalated during this entire work time. From Joey’s vocalizations was focused on obtaining the pieces he wanted and was frustrated that he didn’t have them. He also vocalized that they were “stolen” from his bag. He was running back and forth from his work area to his classmates’ work areas. I remained as closely behind him as I was able, prompted him through his conversations with peers (i.e. friends saying no were a little deal; we can ask a different classmate if our friend says no) and modeling deep breathing.

After the incident, I removed Joey to a chair near the door of the classroom. I did a zone check with Joey using a feelings chart and he said he was “furious.” Then I asked him how the classmate he kicked was feeling, Joey responded “hurt.” As his classmate left, I explained that she was going to the nurse to get back to “green” (the green zone). I asked Joey what would get him back to green. He said a break with the Guidance Counselor and appropriately asked the substitute teacher to visit the Guidance Counselor.

The Guidance Counselor’s room was not available so we took a break in the hallway. The Guidance Counselor gave us some books to read. Joey and I talked about how we could have handled the situation differently (using our words and not our hands) and what Joey could do to help our classmate get back to the green zone (apologize). I gave Joey examples of different ways to apologize. When the break was over I escorted Joey to the hurt classmate to apologize. Joey refused and said “I’m not sorry.” I tried modeling the apology for Joey but he again said “I’m not sorry.” The class was getting ready for circle time before dismissal. He vocalized more frustrations, so I prompted him to take a break until his body was calm to join class. Joey sat in the red chair and engaged in vocalized frustrations/yelling and refused to complete the modeled breathing and calming strategies.

Discipline

We also need to figure out how to discipline him to wear it sinks in with him. Whatever we’ve tried hasn’t worked. I totally get the school’s position. They have to do something. What Joey did was unacceptable. They talked about sending him home, but his therapist at school, the teacher, and Guidance Counselor thought that Joey would see it as a reward, not a punishment, especially with his struggles with school. But, putting him at a desk away from the kids so he could do is work, I don’t think sends a clear message to him either.

I am meeting with Joey’s therapists to discuss what we can do for him. I’m scared for him. I’m sad for him. I so badly want to help him, I just don’t know how to help him best.

Being a parent is fucking hard. Being a parent to a child with Special Needs…. it’s a whole other ball game. Throw every parenting rule out the window and cross your fingers. You just hope for the best and learn as you go.

Signing Off for the Summer!!

May 30, 2018 by Maria Leave a Comment

I’m done. I’m done with the chaos. Done with the stress of it all. I hate that I’m tied to my phone. I feel like I am constantly checking social media as a way to connect with the outside world. Juggling my businesses, which I primarily use social media for is becoming a distraction from why I got into Direct Sales to begin with. To be there for my kids. I joined my two companies because I believed in the business models, and I can see the vision of where both are going.

But, for me, I need to take a break from social media. I need to not be tied to my phone so much. I have so many projects around my house I need to complete. We all know I want to move back to Idaho, and need to get my tail in gear. Focusing on my kids this Summer is my priority. Yes, I will still be doing my businesses, but I’m going to be focusing more on my customers, and building real relationships.

Joey has struggled all year at school. He has had some really great days, but there have been some pretty bad days too. For Joey, he doesn’t pick up on social cues. He blurts out words to people without thinking about what he is saying. He’s six first and foremost, but he is also a 6 year old that struggles socially. To Joey, everything is black and white and rules are meant to be followed. When a child in his class isn’t following the rules he gets anxious and upset. When another child picks on him and he can’t find the right words to tell the child to leave him alone, he resorts to spitting and hitting or saying hurtful things. He does this when things don’t go his way too. He wants things to be perfect. If he runs out of time to complete an assignment, it results in him spitting or hitting his teachers.

We work with him and tell him these are unexpected behaviors. His outside therapists that see him at school work with coping strategies so he doesn’t retaliate in these inappropriate ways. Joey see’s a private Occupational Therapist that works with him on appropriate play and ways to feel better when he is out of sorts. His teachers and Guidance Counselor have also been amazing at working with Joey.

I’m not making excuses for Joey. I hate that he does this. I know he is a sweet kid who loves to learn. But for him, he learns differently. So, this Summer I want to spend time with him and his sister. I want to work with them and spend time with them this Summer. Next Summer, who knows where we will be or what I will be doing. I need to be away from my phone so much. I need to limit my time that I look at my phone and I need to be in the present.

I am wanting to work on my blog too. I want to share recipes I’ve tried that my family (okay so my husband) approves of. I want to document how we get two picky eaters to eat. Wish me luck!! Share some of my favorite products and feature women who are really rocking it at life but don’t necessarily think they are. If you know of a woman you want me to feature – please let me know, I’d LOVE to give them a shout out!!

If you need to reach me, feel free to text or email me and I will get back to you when I can.

This is me, signing off. Enjoy your Summers and I will see ya in the Fall when the kids are back in school!!

Eye Bags. The Struggle Is Real.

November 13, 2017 by Maria Leave a Comment

What’s the first thing you notice when you meet someone for the first time? For most people it’s either their smile or their eyes. Are you one of those people that get told you look tired? I get asked that all the time, even when I’m not feeling tired. They see it in my eyes. The struggle is real!! Your eyes can say so much about what’s going on in your life. If you are stressed, dehydrated, drink too much, and tired people can see it in your eyes. Dark circles and puffy eyes can’t hide anything!

Your Eyes

The skin under your eyes in considerably thinner here than anywhere else on your body. It is also quite sensitive here and also wrinkles a lot faster than anywhere else on your face because it’s so thin. According to Dr Bailey of Skin Health and Wellness, “The blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients are smaller in thin skin, so if you are dehydrated or not well, the thinnest parts of your skin will start to show it first.”

Because the area under your eye is so thin, it will be the first place that shows the signs of aging. The skin here loses its elasticity much faster and the fat deposits underneath shrink making your eyes look sunken in.

Eye Creams

It’s so important that you properly take care of the skin under your eyes. Using face cream for under your eyes can irritate your eyes. You want to use a really good eye cream as they are take into consideration that sensitive area under your eyes. You also want to make sure you are using an eye cream for dark circles and puffiness. These products will show glycerin in the ingredients. Glycerin is not only non-toxic but aids in so many skin care remedies.

It draws moisture from the air and attracts it to your skin. Glycerin can balance out your oil levels helping to reduce acne and black heads from making their way to the surface. It treats dry skin, wrinkled skin, and has a natural lightener in it. All of this can help correct your eyes from looking dark and puffy. There are many other ways in which glycerin is amazing for you skin but I wanted to focus on under your eyes.

Go Bright Ahead

Just a few months ago, Rodan + Fields released their new Active Hydration Bright Eye Complex. They took their 3D3P Molecular Matrix that they use in their Active Hydration Serum (used for your face) and combined it with caffeine, phytonutrients, and illuminating brighteners. The Active Hydration Serum is a powerful combination of peptides and 30% glycerin. It glides on so nice and makes your skin feel so supple. This product can also be used with their Multi-Function Eye Cream. Apply the Bright Eye Complex first, let it dry, and then apply the eye cream.

You had me at Wine

November 7, 2017 by Maria Leave a Comment

It seems like you can get just about anything delivered to your door. Groceries, clothes, take out, electronics, books, skincare, makeup, cleaning supplies and my all time favorite – wine! We could all turn into introverts and never leave our homes. But, seriously, what’s the fun in that? It’s healthy to get out and be social, right? I found a wine club that encourages just that, to get out and be social.

What sets them apart…

How many times do we go to the wine store and just grab any ol’ wine that has a pretty label? Or ask someone who works there what’s good? What about when you go out to dinner, do you ask your waiter for a recommendation? I know I do all these things. Many wine clubs out there ship you exactly what you want, from a certain winery that you like, or wine based on your tastes.

I love this particular one because actual wine experts picked my wines. The wines I get are from wineries all over the world, and I could never get these wines at my local wine store. This company is more of a tasting club than an actual wine club. When you get your box, you get either 2 or 4 bottles and you choose if you want red, white, or a combination. For me, I get 4 bottles and my shipment comes with 2 different wines. One bottle is for me and the other one is for me to share with my friends. Every month it’s like Christmas, I have no idea what kind of wine I will get and I love it!

The wine also comes with all the information you would want to know about the grapes, the vineyard, the winery owners, and what to pair your wines with. The tasting notes come in real handy and make me look like I know what I’m talking about should I get asked.

The guarantee

One of the best parts about it being a tasting club, if you don’t like a wine they sent you, they will replace it for free. All it takes is a simple call to customer service and they will replace that wine at no cost to you. Can you take an open bottle of wine to your local store and return it? What about your wine club, do they replace wines you don’t like?

Customer program

I know that a lot of wine clubs offer a referral programs and that is usually a dollar amount off a future order, or a free bottle. What if you could get your wine tastings for free? The customer referral program of this club is three referrals to the wine tasting club, and your wine is free. If you get 4 bottles every month but your referrals only get 2 bottles each, your wine is still free. And think of it like this, if all three friends are on a monthly shipment, your wine is still free and free every month. Kind of amazing, right?

Let’s say you own your own business or you are in real estate. Do you give your clients a gift, a nice gift, like wine or even a gift card to a fancy restaurant for giving you business? What if you could gift your clients a free month or two of wine? You could set them up with their own account, pay for their wine, and if they wanted to keep receiving their wines, you simply put in their billing information. Kind of genius, right? Not only is it helping you out, but it’s keeping those clients around and that line of communication going. They are literally a client for life.

If you want to know more about the cool kids club shoot me a message and I can send ya the deets!

What If You Had the Power to Empower?

October 7, 2017 by Maria Leave a Comment

Rodan + Fields just ended their convention out in Las Vegas. What a time to be there, huh? Just this past weekend was the horrific event of the Route 91 Harvest Festival. Rodan + Fields kicked off the convention not only honoring the victims and their families, they encouraged everyone to donate blood, put care packages together, and anything else they could do while in town. So while beginning the week on a somber note, they knew how to end with a bang!!

Three New Innovative Products!

The doctors this year announced that they are planning to do two major product releases a year! This past year it was Lash Boost and Active Hydration Serum and then the three they launched this week. In the past, they only launched new products once a year at convention. To say the Doctor’s innovative pipeline is huge, is an understatement. The one thing they kept saying at convention, was “What If.” Their plans on where they want this company to go; to be #1 Skincare Brand and #1 Skincare Company in the world! So let’s talk about the new products.

Redefine Intensive Renewing Serum with RetinAl – MD Technology

This product will be replacing the current blue little capsules of Night Renewing Serum, and here’s why. This product is 20 times stronger than Retinol. It’s the closest thing to prescription Vitamin A you can get over the counter. It works faster and anyone, even those with sensitive skin can tolerate this new product. This product is exclusive to Rodan + Fields.

Why is Vitamin A so important for your skin? Its role in collagen production helps to keep your skin healthy. Vitamin C can also help fend off the signs of aging because of its vital role in the body’s natural collagen synthesis. It helps to heal damaged skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

AMP MD 2.0

The AMP MD 2.0 will be replacing the current roller we have. This roller has better control and accuracy. It’s easier to clean and has tiny lazer cut needles. You would use this like the old roller, after your toner roll all over your face. Next you would apply Active Hydration Serum if you are using that, and then apply the new Intensive Renewing Serum. Follow up with your night time moisturizer.

Active Hydration Bright Eye Complex

What the doctors discovered, 57% of our current Preferred Customers were not using an eye cream. Why is that? Our current eye cream was great for fine lines and wrinkles but didn’t do a whole lot for the dark circles and puffiness. This new product is like a booster or power player to our eye cream. It attacks dark circles and puffiness with instant results.

Power to Empower

What if you had the power to empower others in your life? What if you owned your own business and were in a position to help others do the same? I won’t lie to you, it won’t be easy, you will get a lot of rejection, but if you have something you really want in life and you focus on getting that, you will be rewarded on so many levels.

Here is what my kids see:

Mommy working hard and enjoying it
Mommy at every school function
Mommy is there when they have a day off from school and we can go do something fun
Mommy making others happy because they are happy with their results
Mommy excited when someone on her team reaches their goals
Mommy empowering other women

Are you ready to Empower others with me?

New Class, New School, and Autism

September 7, 2017 by Maria Leave a Comment

Whenever my son starts a new school year, the anxiety I feel seems to over take my emotional well being. Don’t get me wrong, I am not a mom who cries when their child goes to school. I am the mom that is excited for school to start!! But, when you have a kiddo that struggles socially there seems to be more planning involved. My son has a hard time making friends. He has a hard time reading people unless you are being obvious and straight up with him.

Last year we enrolled Joey into a private Montessori school. He was coming from a public school where he had an IEP, he had teachers wanting to push him into the Autism Support Classroom (he has a diagnosis and the more kids in the Autism Support Class, the more funds the school got).

For Joey we had 3 options for school.

Stay in the public school setting. He would continue with his IEP and receive services through the state. Public school setting is more structured. So, if Joey didn’t want to do a work that the rest of the class was doing, he could have an episode. This would look like a behavior issue and we would get more push to go into an Autism Support Class.
Go to our Pilot school. This is a very expensive private school geared towards kids who would be better in a smaller class setting, were on the spectrum but high functioning. This would actually be a perfect setting for Joey, but like I said, very expensive.
Have him go to a Private Montessori school. Put him in a place where he can thrive, have opportunities to be social and be able to bring in HIS team. Expensive but doable.

Lessons Learned

We decided that for his Pre-K year we would go with the Montessori setting. This would give us an idea what his school life would look like if he didn’t have his supports in place (meaning no IEP) but still be able to bring people in if he needed it. From here we would see a couple things. Will he be okay in a larger classroom setting like what he would get in public school? Or will be be better off in the smaller classroom setting, and would we need to send him to Pilot?

What we learned, the bigger classroom was a struggle for him when he didn’t have supports in place.

We tried Montessori last year with him and there was so much we loved about the classroom setting. Joey got to dictate what he did in his day. His teacher was amazing and worked with him on creating a to do list with him. She made sure to work in little breaks for him. In a regular school setting the kids sit down together and work on a subject. But, for Joey, if he didn’t want to do Math when the other kids were, it would become a behavior issue. At Montessori he gets to dictate his day.

A New School

For kindergarten, we transferred to a different Montessori. Our new school is a public Montessori school and Joey can receive his services here. In order to get the services he needed we had to do a school autism assessment. He is now good to go at his new school.

So here is what makes my heart race. Joey is this amazing, brilliant little guy who struggles to make friends. He made 3 friends last year who were AMAZING with Joey and Joey misses them very much this year. So to start a new school I have to introduce all the new team members (new teachers and new school therapists) to the tribe. I have to make sure everyone is on the same page and that everyone is talking. I need to make sure his new teachers know how to best work with Joey without stepping on their toes. I need his new teachers to be okay with Joey having outside help (ABA Therapists) coming into the classroom to help him in different situations.

Meet Your Teacher Day

The day we met his teacher was not on the official “meet your teacher” day. We went a couple days before with his ABA Therapist. I wanted her and the teachers to meet face to face before some random person showed up in class one day. I wanted the teachers to be comfortable with our ABA and for our ABA to talk to the teachers on what they can expect with her in the classroom. When we got there Joey did not want to go into his classroom. He said, “this is stupid, it smells in here, this is boring, I hate it here, this isn’t my classroom.” We tried to coax him in but when that failed we just ignored his behavior. This worked! He slowly made his way in and started familiarize himself with the class. Yay!! He’s now excited to go to school!!

Time To Go To School

We’ve done our assessments, we have a short term IEP signed, we’ve met the teachers, and Joey’s Tribe has been introduced to each other. On the first day of school he doesn’t want to get on the bus. After school he struggles to walk with the other students to the bus. When he’s in class he has a couple issues but overall he transitioned well. Every morning he fights me, he doesn’t want to go to school. School is stupid. School is boring. So and so is in my class. Ding ding ding!!! That’s it!!

I emailed his teacher and asked if there was a certain kid in Joey’s class. She confirmed that he was. Last year this child was in the room next to Joey’s but they would play together on the playground. Then one day, Joey was done. And when I say done, he wanted nothing to do with this kid. He would tell me, “he’s mean to me.” Because I know my kid, you can never know which way to go. I always trust my son first but I also know because of his social struggles I have to look deeper into the issue.

Yesterday when Joey got off the bus he told me he met a friend on the bus and that he had a great day at school. I pray every day that he has a good day overall. I will always worry about him, I’m his mom, it’s what we as mom’s do. We love our kids so fiercely we want to do everything we can to protect them.

Back to School and Bad Skin

August 17, 2017 by Maria Leave a Comment

Are you ready for your kids to go back to school like I am?? I know some mom’s are celebrating and some are not. But what about your kids? Did they start going through hormonal changes over the Summer? The last thing a teenager wants is a face full of pimples. You’re an adult, how do you feel when you get one? Think about your teenager. Kids are ass holes. Even when they themselves are going through the same thing, but maybe it’s not as bad as your teen. Maybe those kids are caking on their makeup. I can’t believe how much makeup teen girls are caking on their face!

Do you remember when Accutane? Who wasn’t on that when we were a teenager? I remember my skin being severely dry, my face burned, and I had to go get a pregnancy test….when I was 13. 13!! Boys are gross at 13. It was just awful. But today, kids have options. There are regimens your Dermatologist will recommend, there are tons of choices offered over the counter. And, a lot of them work, but a lot don’t work too. If you are looking for something that works, check this out!

Other ways you can help your teen get through their high school years and the pimples that comes with it:

Drop the sugary drinks. The best thing you can do for your skin is water. Encourage your kids to fill a water bottle and drink it throughout the day. All kids love the soda, it’s cheap, it’s social. They go hang out at the mall, they are thirsty, they go straight for the soda.
Help your kids to know the importance of eating healthy. What we put into our bodies can sometimes show in our skin. Instead of french fries, maybe a salad, some fruit, or raw veggies and dip. I remember when I was a teen we lived off pizza, A&W, and Taco Bell. Do you know what my face looked like then? Didn’t I mention Accutane earlier??
If your kids are active, get them to wash their face after practice or after a game or competition. Keeping the dirt and sweat on their face will only make their skin problems worse. Even if they use a facewash cloth, they can keep them in their sport bag. Takes 2 seconds.

4 quick and easy things your teen can do this school year to help them have clear skin. Good skin care regimen, more water, healthy foods, and clean the sweat off.

If you want your teen to try our acne line, reach out to me. I’d love to help your teen this school year!!