At Present Not Perfect Play Co., we're always on a mission to empower families with resources that foster growth, connection, and joy.
We're thrilled to share a sneak peek into something special that's been in the works—a brand-new offering that provides the most in-depth social emotional learning resources we’ve created thus far.
🌈 Introducing Our Social-Emotional Learning Play Guides! ☀️
Launching in just two weeks, on Monday 4/8, these comprehensive guides are packed full of content to help foster creativity and connection. They will be available for digital download and will be printable.
The Play Guides are designed to enhance your family's emotional well-being through art therapy-supported techniques, engaging sensory play activities, thought-provoking discussion questions, in-depth picture book reviews, and fun extension games that accompany each kit and dive deeper into the accompanying emotional skill topic.
To start, we are going to be releasing just two Play Guides on the topics of Unicorns: Self-Worth 🦄 and Dinos: Anger 💥
Stay tuned for exclusive previews, behind-the-scenes content, and exciting promotions leading up to the big day.
We're passionate about supporting your family's well-being. Thank you for letting us be a part of your journey. Get ready for a new chapter of learning, laughter, and love.
Warm regards,
Abbie & Emily 💗
]]>Do you have an upcoming birthday or event to celebrate? Are you searching for a unique and interactive experience that would create lasting memories?
Look no further! We are here to help!
If you are looking to plan an unforgettable birthday party for your little one, here is all the info you need to know about booking a party in our space at 123 ½ N Main St. in beautiful downtown historic Lake Mills, WI. 🎂 🎈🥳
Additionally, our space has been thoughtfully designed to be a calming and relaxing atmosphere that can be made to host any number of events…not just birthday parties. 😌
If you have an upcoming graduation, bridal or baby shower, or simply a gathering of friends…we offer basic space rental too without the “make-your-own” sensory kit element.
Creating this offering and physical space has been a labor of love, and now we just can’t wait to share it with you all.
We are booking out NOW for the rest of 2024! We can’t wait to host you soon!
Thanks for the support,
Abbie & Emily 💗
]]>Back by popular demand, our cutie little Mini kits are ready for new springtime creature creations! These will be your go-to companions for on-the-go play while traveling, dining out, or gifting this spring:
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting our small biz now and always! We are so grateful for you.
Have a great weekend,
Abbie & Emily 💗
]]>Happy Monday! 🙂
My “2020 baby” turns 4 this week, and I am not okay! 😭
Being in birthday mode at our home this week has me thinking of all the birthday parties we hope to host in our new space. 🎂 🎈🥳
We are booking for 2024 parties NOW at our new building location downtown Lake Mills, WI. Party availability on Saturdays and Sundays!
If you have a kid who loves messy play as much as our kids, and loves being creative, let us plan the most playful and magical party for them.
Plus, we handle clean up. 🫧🧽 🧹😉
Click here to learn all about Birthday Party FAQs and see our price sheet.
We hope to welcome you in and party with you soon!
Have a great week,
Abbie & Emily 💗
]]>Authenticity can sometimes feel like a more challenging topic to teach our kids. 🌟
How to tune in to their authentic selves, stand by their values, speak their minds, and have self-confidence…even when it feels like it is different than their friends or those around them? Gosh, we feel like we are still working on this skill as adults, sometimes!
I’ll give you a small story example of how the topic of authenticity popped up in my home life recently, that brought back so many memories of my own childhood. 🙋🏻♀️
My 6 year old daughter recently came home from school asking me why she had such “dark hairy arms” and I could tell she was feeling a bit sad about it while she was asking me this. She said no one else in her class had arms like hers. She said that another girl in her class jokingly marveled at her arms and how long the arm hair was. This made her feel like she wished she didn’t have “dark hairy arms” she said.
It reminded me of a time I got made fun of as a child for my long dark hair on my arms. I’ll never forget it…something I never once even noticed about myself all of a sudden became something I was very concerned with because one kid in my class said I “looked like a hairy monkey”. 😞 I was probably around 8 years old and it stuck with me all these years later.
I shared this story with my daughter and she was so relieved that a similar experience had happened to me, too, and that she wasn’t alone.💗 We talked a lot about things she loves about herself and worked to build that self-confidence and practiced some phrases she could say if that interaction occurred again.
Teaching kids about differences is so critical. And not just differences of the way we look, but also differences in things we like or dislike, different neurotypes, different family traditions or cultures, different ways of living or doing things, etc.
When we normalize differences as something to be noticed and celebrated, it becomes so much easier to teach kids about authenticity. 👍
Here are just a few things we like to say to our kids, as a teacher and a therapist, to avoid raising people pleasers and instead raise kids to be confident in their authentic selves! 😍
How are you showing up as your authentic self for the kids in your life to see? Because we think you’re pretty amazing…just the way you are! ✨
Sending love,
Abbie & Emily
]]>A closer look at our 🛒 Grocery Store Sensory Kit 🍌…all about the topic of Authenticity and being true to yourself!
Let me know if this situation ever sounds familiar in your life…
*at an ice cream shop*
Mom: “Okay, what flavor do we want to order?”
Lil Sis: “I want chocolate, I love chocolate!”
Big Sis: “Ooooh they have Superman, I’m getting Superman!”
Lil Sis: “Oh yeah actually I want Superman! I don’t like chocolate…”
Teaching our kids to be authentically themselves can be no easy task, especially when it extends beyond just your favorite ice cream flavors. 🍦
Learning about who we are at our core, and accepting and loving all parts of ourselves is the inspiration behind this Kit’s SEL theme.
Let’s explore Authenticity in the aisles of a grocery store through hands-on sensory play! Have you grabbed one for yourself yet? It’s so much fun & we think it's such an important lesson.
🍎 Grocery Store Authenticity Kit 🛒
This kit encourages creativity and curiosity…it allows kiddos to tune in to what makes them feel like themselves, what their unique interests are, and how to respect and hold space for others’ interests as well!
We cannot wait for you to check this kit out and let us know what your mini sensory explorers think!
Thanks for always supporting our small business,
Abbie & Emily 💗
]]>Hello friends!
Something I’ve been thinking about lately is the debate we often see on social media and between friends on what “counts” as self-care? 🤔
Is it considered self-care if you go to the grocery store alone or get to take a shower without your kid in the bathroom with you? 🚿
Or should self-care be more of a luxurious experience like trips to a spa, a day of reading at a coffee shop, dinner out with a friend? 🍽️ 💅
In our opinion, if it’s intentional…it’s self-care.
If it’s something that is feeding uniquely YOU and your well-being, it’s self-care.
Bottom line is it looks different for everyone and everyone’s life, support system, financial situation, schedules, etc, is different. Their definition of self-care will therefore look different, too.
In case you have been needing a small dose of prioritizing you lately…here are some quick ideas that you can take action on right now. 👏
Have you explored our new themes? We’ve got something for everyone, including a kit all about the topic of Self-Care, too!
Thanks for being here, and we hope you feel supported this week. 💖
Hugs,
Abbie & Emily 😍
]]>Happy Monday!
The idea for our Sloths kit came from a combination of my daughters (ages 3 and 6) being obsessed with all things 🕯️“spa” 🫧🌸🥒 lately and of course the Zootopia sloth character being charming as ever. 🙃
Not to mention our own lessons in slowing down and prioritizing self-care and rest as busy moms and business owners. Yes, we are still working on this big time! 🫥
Let’s take a closer look at this fan favorite kit! Have you grabbed one for yourself yet? It’s so much fun & we think such an important lesson.
🌿 Sloth-themed Self-Care Kit 🦥
Let’s slow down and savor the moment with our adorable Sloth-themed play dough or hypoallergenic sand sensory kit. This spring, we're putting a spotlight on self-care, inspiring little ones (and their grown-ups) to embrace relaxation and mindfulness in the most delightful way.
This kit encourages creativity and curiosity…it allows kiddos to tune in to what gives them comfort, what helps them feel safe, where their happy place is and what it looks like, feels like, sounds like, and more.
We cannot wait for you to check this kit out and let us know what your mini sensory explorers think!
Thanks for always supporting our small business,
Abbie & Emily 💗
]]>Hey Present Not Perfect fam!
If you’re anything like us, you might often find yourself reflecting on how we can empower our children to embrace their unique qualities and foster a strong sense of self-worth.
Today, we wanted to share some simple yet powerful self-love tips that both you and your little ones can incorporate into your daily lives.
🌈 Verbalize Your Strengths: Encourage open conversations about strengths and unique qualities. Celebrate the wonderful attributes that make each family member exceptional.
🥦 Fuel Your Body 🍕: It was after I had my second baby in the middle of a global pandemic that I learned I had a tendency to forget to eat, drink water, go to the bathroom…you know, all basic and essential human tasks. That’s when I learned the strategy of setting timers on my phone reminding me to fuel my body whenever I would forget and remembering that I was modeling these habits to my then 2.5 year old, too.
🛑 Prioritize Your Needs: We know this one is easier said than done, depending on what your support system looks like. But I think we can all agree that showing our kids that taking time for oneself is an essential aspect of overall well-being.
🌸 Practice Affirmations: Introduce the power of positive affirmations. Create a routine of uplifting statements that inspire confidence and self-love…and if you aren’t sure which affirmations to try, join our Sub Box Club where you get 4 affirmation and meditation cards written by a therapist and a mom delivered to your doorstep 4 times a year.
🌟 Acknowledge Your Progress: Perhaps our favorite tip…emphasize progress over perfection. Let’s teach our kids that every step forward is an achievement, no matter how small.
🤫 Allow Yourself Alone Time: Okay, I lied. Maybe this is my favorite one. While so hard to come by as a mom, we have to model alone time to our kids as an opportunity to recharge and connect with our inner thoughts and develop a positive relationship with ourselves.
😌 Feel Your Feelings: I might end up getting this tattooed on me because I always need this reminder! Reminding our children that all feelings are valid, and it's okay to experience a range of emotions, is so critical to their emotional development.
🙏 Practice Gratitude: Do you write down things you are thankful for? Or share about them at the family dinner table or while driving your kids around? We’ve been trying to incorporate daily practices of acknowledging and appreciating the positive aspects of life as a way to cultivate self-love.
🚫 Allow Yourself to Say No: We’re so passionate about teaching our kids the importance of setting boundaries. Saying no when needed is a powerful act of self-respect…one us recovering people pleasers probably really wish we had more practice in when we were younger.
At Present Not Perfect Play Co., we understand the significance of emotional learning in the developmental journey of your children. 🧠 ✨ 💪
Our products are crafted with the intention to support your family in nurturing these essential skills. Whether it's through our play dough and sensory kits, parent support and community, or educational resources, we're here for you every step of the way.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of your family's emotional learning journey.
XOXO,
Abbie & Emily 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏼♀️
]]>
Happy Thursday, Friends! 👋
In this beautiful (and oftentimes chaotic) journey of parenting, fostering emotional connection and support with our kids is some of the most important work we can do.
Today, we're excited to share some of our absolute favorite ways to co-regulate with your kids—simple, fun activities that strengthen the bond between you and your littles.
But first, what is co-regulation? 🤔
Think of it as a dance—a beautiful, synchronized dance where you and your child move together to navigate emotions. Co-regulation is the art of supporting your child's emotional well-being by being a steady presence, guiding them through their feelings, and helping them learn to regulate themselves. And here’s the tricky part: it can look different for every kid, and every family. What’s regulating for one fam could be the total opposite for another.
Here are some of our fave co-regulation strategies that can turn basic moments into strengthened connections:
Remember, we're here to support you on your family’s emotional learning journey. Our products are crafted with love and intention to enhance these special moments of connection. With our intentional play dough and sand kits as sensory tools, each item we create is designed to bring joy and foster growth.
Here's to creating magical moments of co-regulation with your little ones…thanks for being here. 💗
Love,
Abbie & Emily🙋🏻♀️🙋🏼♀️
]]>A recent study titled, “Parental playfulness as a mediator of the association between parents’ emotional difficulties and children’s psychosocial adjustment” was published in August 2023 in the journal of Early Child Development and Care.
👉It found that playful parenting is directly correlated with many benefits in children including:
✨fewer negative behaviors,
✨a decrease in anxiety and depression,
✨and more kind behaviors.
The researchers found the connection between parental playfulness and children’s emotional development to be critically important.
We can’t be more excited about more and more research coming out emphasizing a fact that our entire business is based upon: Play is SO powerful! 💗💪🧠
If you are looking for more ways to be playful in your parenting, ways to connect, be creative, or co-regulate emotions through play…you have come to the right place.
At Present Not Perfect Play Co., we are here for you on your family’s emotional wellness journey in whatever way you need.
Thanks for being here!
Abbie & Emily 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏼♀️
While it does not quite feel like spring here in chilly Wisconsin, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of our new spring themes that are bound to add a touch of joy to your playtime adventures! You’ll be able to snag these cuties in just two weeks.
I know, I know, I say it EVERY time…but this one really might be my favorite kit we’ve ever created 🥲 Introducing our Sloth themed kit focusing on the emotional skill of Self-Care & slowing down.
Lexi: add sneak peek pic here of sloth kit
Next up, we’ll be releasing a *constantly requested* Grocery Store themed kit centered around the essential emotional skill of Authenticity and learning about our own preferences and respecting those of others...can’t wait for you and your littles to dig into this one!
Lexi: add sneak peek pic here of grocery store kit
And that's not all! We are excited to introduce two new Mini play dough kits that will be your go-to companions for on-the-go play while traveling, dining out, or gifting this spring:
Lexi: add sneak peek pic here of bunny kit
Hop into the season with our Build-a-Bunny mini kit! Perfect for little hands, this kit encourages creativity and imagination as children craft their own adorable bunny friends.
Lexi: add sneak peek pic here of chick kit
Celebrate the joy of new beginnings with our Build-a-Chick mini kit. Let the little ones hatch their creative ideas and explore the magic of crafting their very own playful chicks.
Mark your calendars because the spring launch is just around the corner! Spring Kits & these two new minis will go live on Thursday, February 15th at 6am CT.
Stay tuned for more sneak peeks and updates as we countdown to the launch. We can't wait to share more with you, thanks for supporting our small biz now and always!
Have a great weekend,
Abbie & Emily 💗
]]>I think we wrote this reminder today mainly for ourselves to read, as we are in the midst of taking on our biggest project yet here at Present Not Perfect Play Co. and our new year has felt anything but slow or steady thus far. 🙃
January can often feel a mixture of exciting and overwhelming, full of new beginnings and often crushing with expectations that may feel unrealistic or out of reach.
Here’s your reminder that two things can be true.💗
You can feel multiple emotions (sometimes conflicting emotions) about the same experience.
For example, we are feeling equal parts pumped AND terrified about this huge leap we decided to take this year in our small business…and still, our passion and goals of supporting family mental and emotional wellness and building community around the ideas of powerful play continue to fuel us. 🔥
We want to share the affirmation that often grounds us when we feel uncertainty or anxiety bubbling up: you are enough, just the way you are.
We see you! And you’re doing a great job. 💫
So happy you are here and a part of our community.
Have a wonderful week,
Abbie & Emily 😍
]]>Dear Friends,
In the whirlwind of demands and expectations, parents often find themselves juggling an array of roles and responsibilities…especially this time of the year.
As we step into a new year, let's collectively acknowledge the importance of nurturing our mental health and embracing self-compassion as a fundamental pillar of our well-being. Even if you choose not to set intentions around this time of year, I think we can all agree prioritizing our mental health could always use a boost.
Self-compassion isn't just about weathering the storms—it's about tenderly holding ourselves through them. ⛈️ 🌈
It's acknowledging our imperfections without judgment and allowing ourselves the grace to learn, stumble, and grow. 🌱
We won’t get it right every time this year. Nope, not even close. But I think knowing we aren’t alone in this journey of imperfect parenting helps a bit.
What would your word of the year be? Do you make resolutions? (Or, as my 3 year old lovingly told me earlier this week… “Mama, my ‘revolution’ is to have no bad dreams” 🥲)
So here’s to a year of nurturing ourselves with the same love and care we so willingly give to others.
Remember, you are worthy of your own compassion. 😍
With warmth and support,
Abbie & Emily
]]>Good morning Present Not Perfect fam,
As the holiday spirit envelops us in its warmth and joy, we find ourselves reflecting on the absolutely incredible journey we've had this year—and it's all thanks to you, our community. 💫
We just wanted to take a minute to express our deepest appreciation for the love and support you've shown our small business this year. 😍
Your unwavering support has been the driving force behind every step we've taken, every step forward, and we feel immensely grateful to have you by our side. 💗
Your belief in our mission of supporting family mental health through hands-on playful resources and tools is why Present Not Perfect continues to grow each year. Each purchase made has not only supported a small business, and our families, but has contributed to nurturing creativity, fostering growth, and spreading the joy of learning through play for thousands of families around the country.
Your trust in us fuels our passion to continue curating kits, resources, and playful offerings to support you and the kiddos in your life. 😀
As we navigate this season of gratitude and giving, we want to extend our sincerest thanks for being an integral part of our journey. Your support doesn’t just sustain us; it inspires us to be creative and continue serving this incredible community. 👏
From the depths of our hearts, thank you for choosing Present Not Perfect. We are so glad you are a part of our community.
With warmest wishes and endless gratitude,
Abbie & Emily 💖🙋🏻♀️🙋🏼♀️
]]>If you’re anything like us, this time of year can feel especially draining emotionally and mentally, trying to be the “magic maker” and “do all the things” in such a short amount of time. 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏼♀️
You may feel the pressure to buy the perfect present or fulfill all the things on your child’s wish list, or accomplish all the things on your holiday bucket list.
Please know that the most powerful gift you can give to your child is simply time spent together…they really just need you. Presence over presents every single time. 🫶🏼
Here’s your friendly reminder that you are doing a good job, even when you don’t feel like it, and to your kids, you are enough. 🥰
Time spent playing, reading, eating, laughing, or just laying around together is some of the most powerful and important intervention we can give them.
Practice this affirmation when you need it during the hustle bustle of this season:
✨“My kids don’t need perfect. They just need me.”✨
You’re doing a great job!
Lots of love,
Abbie & Emily 💖
]]>Let us help you find a unique and meaningful gift for every kid in your life. Whatever their interests or whichever skill they are looking to build, we’ve got you covered. 🙂
Gifts for every kiddo in your life:
The Creative Child: Holiday Sweater Kit
The Adventurer: Woodland Kit
The Anxious Child: Bugs Kit
The Child with Big Feelings: Dino Kit
The Sensitive Child: Unicorn Kit
The Determined Child: Construction Kit
Shop by Social Emotional Learning Skill:
Understanding Resilience: Icy Fun Kit
Managing Anger: Dino Kit
Practicing Mindfulness: Safari Kit
Exploring Emotions: Ocean Kit
Having a Growth Mindset: Gardening Kit
Encouraging Routines: Farming Kit
Happy shopping,
Abbie & Emily
]]>Well, we blinked, and it’s almost the last month of 2023.
This time of year can feel tricky as we ourselves navigate wearing multiple hats of both moms, wives, daughters, sisters, friends, professionals, and small business owners. 🫨
The holiday season is often described as the most wonderful time of the year. It's a time for celebration, togetherness, and creating memories with loved ones. ❄️🎄🫶🏼
However, for many of us, this time of year can bring not only joy but also a heavy mental load and a sense of overwhelm. 😓
From planning and organizing to balancing various responsibilities, we often find ourselves juggling SO much this time of year.
Kids can feel this overwhelm, too. We know research shows us that our kids pick up on the mirror neurons we put out there, and when we are stressed…our kids are likely stressed.
During this hectic season, it's crucial for us to prioritize ✨self-compassion.✨ Taking breaks, practicing mindfulness, and finding small moments to slow down can be so rejuvenating.
Here are a few ideas of some sensory regulation strategies we like to use in our home especially when we need a quick reset (for BOTH grown-ups & kids):
Remember, you are not alone in your feelings of overwhelm during the holidays. We are right here with you. 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏼♀️
Hoping you find some strategies that resonate with you, and that this holiday season is filled with more present, not perfect, moments with your families and friends.
Until next time,
Abbie & Emily 💗
]]>Hi friends,
After a whirlwind of a holiday weekend full of family time, so much food, and festive shopping events…it’s really important to us to acknowledge and slow down this Giving Tuesday. 🤍
As a teacher and a therapist, we are painfully aware of the hardships that the holidays can often bring so many children and families.
For each purchase made today, we will ✨match it✨with a product donation to a child in our community experiencing homelessness.
We will be donating kits that act as tools and resources to local schools for counselors, social workers, and teachers to give to families in need.
Our sensory kits do provide lots of fun and regulating playtime, yes! AND they also have been created with so much intention and care with the included mini resource booklet aimed at supporting kids through some of the toughest feelings we all experience. Just a few examples…
🐞🕷️Our Bugs Kit: Supports children experiencing anxiety, uncertainty, and extra worries.
🌊🐬Our Ocean Kit: Helps kids process big waves of emotions and normalize the rise and fall of being human.
🌲🪵Our Woodland Kit: Teaches kids mindful grounding skills and therapeutic benefits of being outside in nature.
💥🦕Our Dino Kit: Comforts kids feeling angry and allows them space to practice coping skills through play.
🌈🦄Our Unicorn Kit: Reminds kids that they are worthy and loved no matter what.
Thank you for supporting our small business with a big heart, and we can’t wait to share these resources with children in our community. 🫶🏼
With love,
Abbie & Emily💖
]]>Happy Thursday, friends!
It’s no surprise that we are HUGE fans of anything that can foster creativity and self-expression for both kids and their grown-ups, too. 👩🏼🎨🧑🏽🎨🎨
And that’s what our Holiday Sweater Kit is alllllll about!🧶
Let your kids' imaginations run wild as they design their very own holiday sweaters with different colors, textures, patterns, and more. It's a perfect blend of fun and fashion, allowing them to express their unique creative spirit this holiday season. ✨
With the hustle bustle that this season can so often bring, we feel that it’s even more important to block out time for open-ended play and opportunities for creative expression. 🧘🏻♀️
The therapeutic benefits of art and sensory play are a perk that you won’t regret making time for this winter season. 💖
Thanks for being here and supporting our small biz,
Emily & Abbie
]]>Hello, Present Not Perfect Community!
Resilience is a buzzword right now…but what does it really mean to empower resilient kids?
Today, we’re going to talk about why building resilience in kids is not just important, but essential for their future. 🌟
🧠 The Power of Bouncing Back: Resilience is the ability to adapt and bounce back from adversity. It's like a shield that helps your child navigate life's challenges with skills and strength. 🛡️💪🏽
😊 Facing Life's Curveballs: We know firsthand that life is full of ups and downs, and resilience equips your child to face these curveballs with tools in their toolkit. We know we cannot protect them from all that life may throw them, but we can empower them with the skills to handle the challenges. 🎢
🤝 Social and Emotional Skills: Resilience is all about the capacity to express, understand, and manage emotions effectively. These skills help in forming healthy relationships and making sound decisions and research shows the earlier we can teach these skills, the better. 🧘🏻♀️💖
📚 Our Role as Guides: As parents and caregivers, our role is to provide the tools, environment, and guidance that help our children develop resilience. It's a journey full of imperfect moments and growth mindset opportunities, that we still work on ourselves in our parenting, too!
One such tool on this journey is our Icy Fun Winter Sensory Kit all about this topic! If any of us have attempted ice skating, sledding, or any winter sport, we know what it’s like to slip and fall on the ice (especially when just learning). Resilience is not about preventing a spill…but rather about how do we build the skills in order to get back up again and keep trying? 🧊❄️
We promise that your kiddos (and you) will love our Icy Fun Kit!
Happy Thursday,
Emily & Abbi
]]>Well friends, it’s officially November 1st!
And we simply could not be more excited to introduce two brand-new kits that will make this season extra special for you and your family on your emotional learning journey! 🌟
🧊Introducing the Icy Fun Kit: Unleash Resilience! ❄️
Winter can be chilly, but it's also a time for growth and resilience. Our Icy Fun Kit is designed to help your kids develop the skills they need to face life's challenges with confidence. From problem-solving to emotional strength, this kit is your secret weapon for nurturing your small superheroes. 💪
🎄Say Hello to the Holiday Sweater Kit: Let’s Explore Creativity 🧶
Get ready for some cozy creativity this winter with our Holiday Sweater Kit. Let your kids' imaginations run wild as they design their very own holiday sweaters with different colors, textures, patterns, and more. It's a perfect blend of fun and fashion, allowing them to express their unique creative spirit. 🌈✨
And don’t forget to check out our Exclusive “Build-a-Snowman” Mini Kit, too for an awesome stocking stuffer! ☃️
The most cost-effective way to grab these two themes plus extra resources, interactive play dough mats, accompanying book lists, and a FREE “build-a-snowman” mini kit is to join our ⭐️Calm Kit Club⭐️ subscription box service. A subscription would make a great gift as well, and we have extended the deadline to join the club to 12/10, 10am CT for your first box to be the Winter Box.
Thank you for being a part of our Present Not Perfect family. We can't wait to embark on this winter adventure with you and your little ones.
Warmest wishes,
Abbie & Emily💖
]]>As the spooktacular season is in full swing, it's time for a friendly reminder:
There’s no such thing as a perfect parent or a “perfect” holiday. We encourage you to let go of any external pressure and hold a bit more space for self-compassion this season.
We can celebrate magical moments with our kids and create memories in so many different ways! 🧙♀️🕸️
🧚♀️Remember, Halloween can be overwhelming, even for the tiniest witches and werewolves. Be patient and validate their feelings. It's all part of the adventure. 🧙♂️💫
When the candy quest gets intense, meltdowns might happen. Have a plan for a quiet corner or a cozy spot to recharge those ghostly batteries. 🍫🧟
🦄 Lastly, try to keep sensory needs in mind. Some costumes might feel so uncomfy to little adventurers.
Honoring their needs, practicing trying on their costume, accessories, or face paint, and reading books about the entire trick-or-treat experience WELL ahead of time have been really helpful strategies I’ve tried in the past to support my own sensory seeker.🎃
This Halloween, let's embrace the moments of messy creativity, the laughter amidst the chaos, and the joy of being together. ✨
Happy spooky season!🌙
Abbie & Emily👻
]]>Hey there friends,
The magic of Halloween is upon us, and we want everyone to experience the joy of this season, including those with sensory sensitivities and needs. 🍁👻
Itchy costumes. Sticky candy…possibly stuck in your back teeth. Sore feet from shoes you don’t usually wear. Cold noses and toes from the chilly late October air. So many loud noises. Flickering strobe lights at the neighbor’s haunted house decorations. Friends running and shouting your name to catch up! 🎃
Halloween can be just plain overwhelming for pretty much all of our sensory systems. So if you or your child feel overwhelmed by this holiday, you are not alone! Dysregulation makes sense, considering all that’s involved.
🤗Here’s what we’ll be doing in my family this season to set my own sensory seeker up with front-loaded supports that feel meaningful for her. 🎃✨
1️⃣ Practice wearing costumes, face paint, make-up, hats, gloves, specific shoes, etc many times before you’ll actually plan to wear it
2️⃣ Have tools on hand for when I need them including noise canceling headphones, gum, chew necklaces, ice, something to squish
3️⃣ Try a social story. My best tips would be to keep it simple, use as many real life photos as you can, stick to the facts, and read it more than once it you can
4️⃣ Prepare an exit plan! If all else fails and you and/or your kid needs “an out” during whatever festivities you may be participating in, it’s important to discuss this plan ahead of time with other grown-ups and even with your kids so they know it’s okay to take a break if we need one.
Let's make Halloween a time of joy, inclusion, and sensory-friendly fun! 🧙♀️🦇
PS: I’m sharing with you the social story we’ll be using this weekend as a freebie and thank you for being part of our community! You can download it here. Don’t forget to add as many real life pictures that you are able to before printing it out and reading it with your child!
Wishing you a safe holiday weekend,
Abbie & Emily💖
]]>One benefit of our Calm Kits is how portable they are, as we truly did design our one-of-a-kind double sided jar with your busy life in mind! 🌪️🌈
Here are just a few reasons customers report LOVING our kits…
🎒 On-the-Go Playtime: Whether you're in the car, at the doctor's office, or attempting to eat at a restaurant, our Calm Kits are your trusty sidekicks for play on the move. 🚗🌍
🧘♀️ Instant Serenity: Stressful day? Our kits are here to save the day! Dive into a world of calm with sensory activities that soothe the soul and ignite creativity. 🌊✨
🤗 Support When You Need It Most: Life can throw many curveballs (we know!), but with our Calm Kits, you're always prepared. They're like a warm hug for your heart! ❤️🤗
🌟 Exciting surprises and new kits are just on the horizon (remember, Winter Kits will be here 11/1!!) , all designed to be your playful superheroes when you need them the most.
Thank you for being a part of our Present Not Perfect family. We can't wait to continue this journey of playful learning and connection-building moments with you.
Stay playful,
Emily & Abbie💖
]]>Let's dive into something exciting today - the MESH Movement in the toy industry.🌟
🤷♀️ So, what's MESH, you ask?
MESH stands for Mental, Emotional, Social Health. Think of it as the superpowers your kids need to thrive in today's world. 💪
Something as a therapist and a teacher that we’ve been passionate about supporting since we founded Present Not Perfect back in 2021.
ThinkFun, the genius behind awesome brain games, is on a mission to amp up kids' MESH skills while they play and recently published a study in 2022 all about how we can build kids’ resiliency through play (speaking our language!) 📚 In the study, research showed that 71% of parents were reporting the pandemic had taken a toll on their child’s mental health.
In the report, Abigail Schlesinger (MD Clinical Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Integrated Care Western Psychiatric Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh) said that “play is one of the best ways to promote safety in kids’ mental health when it’s used to teach the skills they need to recognize, respond to and learn from their emotions.”
💡 Why is it important?
In a nutshell, MESH skills help your kiddos handle life's inevitable curveballs like champs! They learn to:
🧠 Problem-solve
😊Manage their emotions
🤝 Navigate social situations
🗣️ Express themselves
So how do we do this?!
It's all about play, play, play! Playtime becomes a magical arena where kids develop these awesome skills without even realizing it! 🪄🤫 The power of playful metaphor is paramount to our mission here at Present Not Perfect.
🧚♀️ And guess what?
Experts in the education, psychology, and parenting fields like Jen Hartstein and Tina Payne Bryson are all in for this movement. 🩺📚 They say toys and games (just like our Calm Kits here at Present Not Perfect) can be your go-to tools for shaping resilient, emotionally intelligent mini-humans. 🌈
You can read more about this movement and more at MESHhelps.org
Thanks for being part of this movement with us and being the most supportive community we could have asked for!
]]>Hey there, friends!
We've got some super exciting news we just had to share with you. Guess what? Present Not Perfect will be at the upcoming Fall Festival of Color in Lake Mills on October 1st. It’s the only in-person shopping event we will be doing for the fall season, and we want you to be a part of the fun!
When you shop in person at the market, there’s no shipping charges for you, plus market specials you can only find at the festival. So, why not take advantage of this special offer and find the perfect sensory play kit for your kiddos or even as a gift for someone special?
As always, we’ve got some awesome market specials lined up exclusively for our valued customers that you likely won’t find online. It's the perfect opportunity to grab some incredible deals and make your sensory play experience even more memorable.
We would absolutely love to see you and your family at the Fall Festival of Color in Lake Mills. Look for our booth in Commons Park, and we'll be there with smiles on our faces, ready to assist you, answer any questions, and ensure you have an amazing time exploring our sensory play kits.
If you have any questions or need more details beforehand, don't hesitate to reach out.
Thanks so much for your continued support, we genuinely appreciate it. We can't wait to connect with you at the event!
Emily & Abbie
]]>Here’s what we here at Present Not Perfect think it means to be brave…
If you are looking to explore the topic of Fear more, you’ll want to check out our brand new exclusive Spooky Sensory Kit launching in just a couple of weeks. This kit is all about the topic of Fear and how we can navigate that with our little ones this time of year.
If you’re hoping to grab one of these for you and your kiddos, here are all the details:
Calm Kit Club subscribers will get early access to the Spooky/Fear Kit on 10/1 at 10am CT at an exclusive discount of 20% off.
Then, the Spooky Kit will launch to everyone on 10/5 at 10am CT.
Fun bonus: the Spooky Kits will come with a freebie book list of our favorite Spooky picture books that help extend the learning about the topic of Fear & Bravery this time of year and make great read-alouds for kids!
Thanks,
Emily & Abbie
]]>In today's fast-paced world, parenting comes with many different challenges. As we attempt to navigate it all through the age of anxiety, we understand that raising resilient and emotionally well-balanced kids is a top priority for you. At Present Not Perfect, we're here to support you with resources and tools that empower both you and your child.
We believe in the transformative power of creativity and play to combat anxiety and build resilience in our kiddos. Let’s take a deeper look at how our sensory kits intentionally are created to ease anxiety and build resilience.
Unlocking Calm through Creativity: Anxiety can feel overwhelming. Our Calm Kits are intentionally designed to offer a haven of creativity and calm. Each kit is a gateway to imaginative exploration, providing a safe space for your child to express emotions, release tension, and build a strong foundation for emotional resilience when you explore each playful metaphor we’ve built into our different themes.
Playful Expression of Emotions: Creative play is an outlet for your child to channel their feelings. Through activities like molding, sculpting, and sensory exploration, they can externalize their inner world, making the abstract tangible. This process fosters a healthy understanding of emotions and eases the weight of anxiety.
Empowering Through Choice: Our kits are designed with various themes, from unique unicorns exploring self-worth to roaring dinosaurs exploring anger. At any given time, we have close to a dozen different themes and emotional skill topics to choose from. By giving your child the choice to explore the themes that resonate most with them, you're empowering them to take charge of their play and emotions, building a sense of control and agency.
Building Positive Associations: The act of play triggers the release of dopamine, a "feel-good" neurotransmitter. By engaging in creative play, your child associates positive emotions with exploration and discovery, countering anxiety's grip with moments of joy and happiness. With the tactile elements of our kits, kids can physically gain sensory input that can be regulating for their nervous systems all while having fun at the same time.
Join us in embracing the transformative journey of combatting anxiety through creativity and play. Explore our Calm Kits and resources that can nurture your child's emotional well-being while embracing the joy of exploration. Thanks for being a part of our community where we believe in creating a future where the power of play can truly change the world.
Warmly,
Abbie & Emily
]]>Happy September!
As the back-to-school season is upon us, we understand that the transition can be both exciting and challenging for you and your child. At Present Not Perfect, we're committed to supporting your family’s emotional health, and we're here to offer some valuable tips on how to navigate this transition smoothly and establish a strong routine that sets your child up for success.
Here are five tips on the topic of routine during this time of year:
Remember, the journey towards a routine that feels right for you is unique for every family. At Present Not Perfect, we're here to support you every step of the way. Our Calm Kits are designed to provide engaging and calming sensory play that complements your efforts in nurturing your child's emotional literacy and well-being. If you’re looking for a kit that specifically gives more resources on this topic, be sure to check out our Farming Kit all about Routine!
Wishing you a smooth and empowering back-to-school transition!
We’re right here with you,
Abbie & Emily
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