News from The RADish Ranch
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Greetings!

Do you find it hard to know how to connect effectively with your child?

Do you struggle to find ways to fit connection time into your busy, chaotic day?

The Daily Connection Plan was developed for parents just like you ♥

We understand how hard it is to parent therapeutically -- and how hard it is to find resources that truly help our children with Reactive Attachment Disorder.

This plan was designed with you and your child in mind, providing you with a resource that fits therapeutic parenting, busy schedules, chaotic behaviours, and the need for healing and attachment.

Stay safe and enjoy!
Karen Poitras
President & Founder of The RADish Ranch
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When to use Daily Connection Time:
  • When you/your child get stuck in unhealth connection patterns or you find yourself at a loss as to how to connect with your child.

  • Use for 7 – 14 consecutive days.

Prepare for the program:
  • Prepare yourself both mentally and physically. Make a list, gather supplies, and take some time to rest.

  • Set 3 daily alarms for when you want to complete each part of the plan. (This helps to separate the need for connection and fun with a parent from whatever negative or push-away behaviour is currently going on.)

  • Download a playlist for dancing or find a couple of good YouTube channels.

  • Gather your favourite silly story books or a couple of chapter books (depending o your child's emotional and chronological age).

  • Set up a building toy box with a small amount of toys (don't overwhelm your child with too much).

  • Put together a "relax basket" for yourself. Include earplugs, candles, essential oils, snacks, chocolate, a good book, a handcraft project, etc.

How to use the program:
  • Positive, loving touch is a cornerstone of this connection plan. Be sure to use it during all of the activities for the entire duration of the dance, stories, and playtime.

  • When your pre-set alarm goes off, gather your child (no matter what they're doing) and do one of the activities.

  • Decide how long you are going to do the activity before you start. This helps to minimize manipulation and focuses more on the connection than on the child's behaviour.

  • When the time is up, return your child to whatever they were doing previously.

  • Tailor the times and lengths according to what will work for you as the parent and your daily schedule (this can change daily/weekend-weekday, whatever works best!).

  • There is no specific order to the activities - mix them up as you see fit!

As always, remember to add love:
  • Positive, loving touch at all times
  • Soft, loving eye contact
  • Smiles from your heart
  • NO control battles - focus on action-lead, parent-lead connection
Dancing

Length of time: 3 or 4 songs, or about 10 minutes.
What to do:
  • Put on music and hold your child's hands while dancing around the house. Keep that positive touch!
  • No dancing skills necessary, just have fun.
Here's a great song to dance to (or to use for snuggle time!):
Snuggle Storytime

Length of time: about 10 - 15 minutes.
What to do:
  • Snuggle up on the couch or rocking chair with a blanket. Hold your child on your lap or have them right next to you (shoulders/body touching). Keep the positive, loving touch!
  • Read short, silly stories or a chapter or two in a silly chapter book*.
Robert Munsch books are just the right amount of silliness and fun:
* Reading silly stories and books helps fulfil your child's need for chaos in a positive, parent-lead way. It also allows for greater connection through shared enjoyment and giggles. Get silly!
Penguin Playtime

Length of time: about 10 - 15 minutes.
What to do:
  • Parent: sit and relax (use your "relax basket").
  • Child: sits penguin-style (legs crossed, back against parents shins) and plays with a building toy, such as Lego, blocks, Lincoln logs, etc.
"The best inheritance a parent can give his child is a few minutes of his time each day." -O.A. Battista
Questions about any of our content? Contact Karen at info@theradishranch.org
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“Behold, I will bring health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.”
Jeremiah 33:6
Box 58, Mariapolis, MB. R0K 1K0