Tales of the Sleep Doula

All that moms can do in a day

2011-02-28T07:58:00.004-05:00

Although many people that I work with complain about not finding hours in a day did get everything done, I quietly chuckle knowing this is just preparing them for their future. Soon they will have one child to be dropped off at dance, another at karate, homework, tutoring, and of course the opportunity to actually shove some good food in to both your children's and your mouths. I of course jumped at the opportunity to try Swiss Chalet on line ordering when given the opportunity through www.everythingmom.com . My experience was great it was easy to order on line, and the most amazing part was how quick the service was. (Please take note pizza man). We ordered of course the family pack which even left us with left overs to enjoy. It was great that although it is is a family pak each family member was able to choose their side. Kudo's to Swiss Chalet for also making sure that all the condiments we needed were sent along as well. You can learn and talk more about family meals and family time at EverythingMom and their online chat at
http://www.everythingmom.com/Mom-Chat-Tell-us-Everything/Story.html?id=43
As part of the Mom Influencer program from EverythingMom I was offered a $50 ecard from Swiss Chalet in order for me to experience their online order system and share my dining experience with you.

Tomorrow...courtsey of the Candian Bloggers

2010-09-15T13:15:00.002-04:00

When you are a new parent or a sleep deprived parent, a parent of a sick child, or even a parent with a handful of kids who are driving you crazy, sometimes all you need to know is that it will get better....

My difficulties Blogging

2010-09-13T16:04:00.005-04:00

As you are probably aware of I don't blog often. I can give you many excuses why I have difficulties blogging.

Here's my top Six

I would rather sleep, with a job like mine sleep is always a priority.

What the heck will I blog about, as a Sleep Doula does it always have to be about sleep?

I don't want people to think that I am passing judgement, or even make them feel bad

I don't think I am very good at this writing thing and I am sure my Gr 12 English teacher would agree.

I like keeping my personal life private, and don't think readers would be interested in hearing my sailing adventures.

To date the only thing I have written about are high tech toilets and dad's with their pants down.

I recently attended Blogher 2010 in NYC hoping to get some inspiration that would encourage me to blog, having people like Maureen from @weewelcome and @impressionspr on my case still didn't get this blog moving I knew I needed dramatic inspiration . This conference had 2400 bloggers from all over North America and beyond. They blogged about anything and everything. I was honoured to have @bweike of Parent Central as my room-mate. I was her mini assistant during her coverage of the Tutus for Tanner, it was a great to see a real journalist at work, and how dedicated of a writer she is. It was great to connect with bloggers some of whom I had connected with and others who I knew nothing of, it was the Voices of the Year nominees and listening to them read their posts that provided me with the inspiration that I needed. The weekend was a blast with great parties, dinners, amazing swag, it was like being at summer camp for moms. So, with some helpful tips from @juliecole of Mabels Labels that I learned at a recent event I attended and I am going to give blogging my best try. No promises but I promise to try my best.

BTW I was trying to add more pictures but me and the computer just arent getting along today.

Any non-sleeping babies in Cayo Coco ?

2009-02-16T13:43:00.006-05:00

Keeping up with my new years resolution, my family and I are heading to Cayo Coco, Cuba to have some fun in the sun. It will be one of the few times of the year that my blackberry gets surgically removed from my body and I actually get to "sleep through the night". As our holidays continue my husband will have to use the same shhing I use to get babies to sleep, but instead he will encouraging me to go back to sleep and not start the day with the birds. I think I am like a sleep camel, stocking up on sleep for the many sleepless nights I will return. I guess sleep deprivation for parents wouldn't be that bad if they got some decent sleep periodically, re-energizing them to keep up with these sleepless stallions. Time to pack, if you are looking for sleep, fun and sun you are always welcome to join us. Maybe Club Med should hire me to keep their visitors of young children well rested, I am sure I can handle the job at hand. Do you think there will be any customers?

The Sleep Doulas Top Ten

2009-01-30T14:57:00.002-05:00

So in dedication to all the sleep deprived families I have come up with The Sleep Doula's Top Ten signs it time to make a change.

You know its time to make the change when...

1.Your child is not the only one sleeping at a stop sign. (and your behind the wheel)

2.You can repeat more than 3 of the late night informercials word for word.

3.Your partner no longer knows who he sleeps with at night.

4.You haven't changed out of your PJ's because you have lost track of time.

5.You are sending more emails between midnight and 6am then the whole rest of the day.

6.When you are fighting over the smallest things including who's idea it was to have this kid anyways.

7.You've turned into a sleep accountant and have hired a hitman to take out the next mom who says her child is sleeping through the night.

8.You think your kid is a hired terrorist trying to break you down by keeping you up nights on end.

9.If you are sleeping in your kids crib and actually are getting use to it. .....and yes many people do.

10.You saw the cute Sleep Doula on Breakfast TV and you have built her a nest on your childs floor. Please remember the Coca Cola if you did.

Please Dads, Keep your pants On

2009-01-19T19:09:00.003-05:00

When I made the transition from being a postpartum doula to a sleep doula, I at that point felt that I no longer would have to deal with this issue. You see as a postpartum night doula, dads would get so comfortable with us being in their homes they sometimes would forget we were there, or worse feel so comfy that they feel there was no need to put pants on. One day I was doing some 24/hr care for a client and went downstairs to tidy up, only to come back upstairs and see dad sitting with mom in his bikini bottoms..yikes! I also think that some dad do this on purpose just to see my reaction, like a time I was sitting with mom and dad came out with a magazine in front of his parts to say "thanks".....No Thank you. In these dads' defence I usually worked within their homes for weeks or even months, but for my sleep clients I am only there for 2 days. What's up with that? Please moms keep a eye on these dads and buy them some pants. I am just revising my contracts and think I am going to charge a "trauma fee" for these such incidents. Any suggestions on what I should charge?

First Class Accomodations

2009-01-14T20:46:00.004-05:00

One of the most interesting parts of my job is the vast variety of families that I get to visit in their homes. It shows me that sleep deprivation comes at all income levels, and that everyone will try anything to get a few zzz's. The funny thing is that my accomodations pretty much stay the same no matter where I go. Dont get me wrong my clients always try to make sure I am as comfortable as possible. The reality is that I spend night after night laying on the floor hiding from these sleepless stallions. Although the rumour is that I sleep under babie's cribs one of my more common places to lay when a child can stand is in the bathroom, especially if it is adjoining. Recently I was in a very beautiful home, a home that even the rich dream about and I was in my normal bathroom spot, but I wasnt alone. I was in the company of the Toto S300. A robot you are wondering , even better, its a hightech toilet. As you approach this wonderous object the lid lifts and immediately as you sit the seat warms. After you do your business its time to recieve the royal treatment, first its gives your front part a wash, and then your rear, and so you dont have to break a sweat wiping, it blow drys you dry. With this royal treatment I can assure you I was a repeat customer. In Japan more homes have these toilets than home computers. I wonder if babies are better sleepers in Japan, if not I am sure my bottom and I would be happy to assist.

New Year, New Resolutions for 2009

2009-01-04T17:49:00.000-05:00

Well like every other Dick & Harry on the planet, I too have resolutions for 2009. Now of course I am sure I wont be able to keep all of them but I will try my best to keep you up to date as to my breaking and making of them.

Here they are :

Increase the awareness of the Sleep Doula in the media. With my new PR person Allison I am sure this will be a easy one.
Launch availability of the Sleep Doula in NYC. Not only will we be offering consults , and doing appearances but I also hope to spend a week a month there doing in home support. So if you know any non-sleepers in New York City tell them I am on my way.
Stop drinking Coca-Cola. Are you kidding ? How do you think I do this work. I will try to slow my consumption though.
Train more Sleep Doulas to help more families get more sleep.
Get more rest for the Sleep Doula herself , allowing me to get more done and have more time with my family.
Keep up with this blog and other writing commitments I have been offered. Any encouragement in this area would be greatly appreciated.
To take more time to enjoy family and my life. Already have plans for a warm vacation this spring and ready to set sail this summer on the "Shusher".

Wish me luck I will try to keep you all posted on how my resolutions go.

Wishing you all extra zzz's in 2009 ...............................Tracey