Welcome to the Nudge and Cradle journal, we’re so glad you’re here!
And that’s not just a tagline, I really am so happy that you’ve come to learn and hang out.
I’ll be using this space to share some of what I’ve learned while helping children and families of all backgrounds.
My intent is never to tell you what to do. I believe that everyone has their own unique background that shapes how you interact, not only with your children, but with everyone around you. I want to empower you to use what you already know and help you do better.
But first, why “Nudge and Cradle”? Where does the name come from?
Did I just like the sound of those words? A little bit.
The words nudge and cradle together have some serious thought and meaning put into them. I believe that when working with any child, regardless of abilities, background, behaviors, or anything you can think of, we need to be focusing on building strong, loving relationships. And I’ve learned from some very wise women that we do this by finding a balance between warmth and demand. I truly believe it is the backbone of how young children learn.
Think back to being in elementary school… Was there a class that you had that was just so, so easy for everyone, that it was maybe a tiny bit boring? And eventually the kids started acting wild? The fact of the matter is, when kids get bored, they start pushing limits. They will find ways to entertain themselves, and those ways may not be particularly fruitful.
But you probably remember another class, one where the teacher made challenging subjects interesting and fun.. One where you were excited to go, because you wanted to learn. That’s the sweet spot. That’s where children (and honestly, adults too!) learn and thrive.
Sounds easy, right? Wrong. So wrong. It can be very hard to find that balance between warmth and demand not only with children, but with any relationship we are in.
Well, I couldn’t just call this new endeavor warmth and demand!
But I did want to make sure everyone understood how important this balance is. So nudge and cradle it is, and I love it. I am here to help you nudge your little one (and maybe yourself) along, while cradling and enveloping them (and definitely yourself) with love and care.
I invite you to take a few minutes to reflect on how you are living warmth and demand in your life and with the kids in your life. How do you start building that relationship? Feel free to journal about this, talk about it with your partner or a friend, or comment below!
I really am glad you’re here.