Sleep Tips Saturday and GIVEAWAY - Dinosnores

This GIVEAWAY has ended! Congratulations MichVee! Please check your email. For everyone else there's still some opportunity in the remainder of the Christmas extravaganza! Thanks for entering!

Now you all know I have a baby who sleeps through the night and is easily relaxed.

.....THE ABOVE SENTENCE IS A COMPLETE LIE!

In fact, it's the complete opposite. Tom's paediatrician described him as 'hyper-alert' and he is definitely that. While he is now sleeping better thanks to our osteopath visits, he can still take hours and hours to wind down  so that he can get to sleep. Everything is too exciting. What's that on the wall? I wonder if I can reach for that thing over there? And did you hear the dog bark? I'm pretty sure these are all the things going through his head as he looks around in a million directions and moves around at the speed of light when he is supposed to be sleeping.

Dinosnores offers a possible solution to a child like this. Relaxtion and meditation for kids.

These CDs are designed by child and language experts and contain stories and soundscapes to encourage relaxation and visualisation. The sounds in the background are calming and the narrator talks in a soothing, soft way.

I really like that the background sounds blend in with the story and drown out household noise at the same time. It helps for a distracted child such as mine.

I also like that the CD runs for 30 minutes and the story starts to wash away as the soundscape takes over - leading (hopefully) into a blissful sleep.

The teacher in me really likes the fact that the stories contain bite sizes bits of fact that the child is more than likely going to learn when hearing it night after night and the instructions are simple and specific.

So you might want to know...is my little guy falling asleep listening to this? No. But he is 12 months old and for me that just isn't going to happen. I do put it on to help him wind down in his cot though, before I come in and feed him etc. He gets enchanted by the voices.

I think for all ages this is helpful, especially when used early on. I'd be keen on trying out the range for school-aged kids! It could be fantastic for ALL children but especially those with special needs. I think learning to 'stop', 'breathe' and lay still, really is a learned skill. Not even I am good at it. Meditation can reduce stress, anxiety and lead to a more peaceful existence. Who doesn't want that?

You can buy Dinosnores CDs here
And you can listen to some samples here

GIVEAWAY - Do you want to WIN the Kitten Sleepy Story and Forest Night sleep soundscapes by Dinosnores? You can! Just follow the steps...

LIKE School of Mum and Dinosnores

SHARE this post on Facebook or Twitter using the buttons below. Tagging helps!
COMMENT: In 25 words or less share what you do to relax to sleep

Make SURE YOU LEAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS so we can contact you if you win.

The person who has completed all of the above and has the most creative answer will win!

Here’s the fine print:
* Entry is open to Australian folk only (sorry!)
* Winner will be posted on the Blog ONLY.
* One entry per person
* A valid email must be provided in the comment so we can contact you if you are a winner.
* Entries close 9pm 17th November, 2012
* Winner has 3 days to respond before another is chosen.

Oh My Giddy Aunt - Engraved Puzzle Link (GIVEAWAY)

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED! THE WINNER IS SHANNONANDANNE. Congratulations! And thanks to those who entered. Please check your email Shannonandanne!

Sometimes you come across a business that you just know is very special. All the products are gorgeous, the items are well priced and the customer service is excellent.

I can honestly tell you that this has been my experience of Oh My Giddy Aunt. I recently wrote a business profile about the lovely lady who started it all, Chief Aunt Nikki here.

When Nikki told me she would like to give away a puzzle piece to a lucky School of Mum reader I thought this was going to fit me PERFECTLY! I've been hinting at my husband for ages that I would love to have a wearable item that represents us, as a family. I was originally thinking a pendant like this...

But when I saw the puzzle piece I thought that was so pretty and I already have a necklace I wear all the time that means a lot to me. Within a couple of emails Nikki had organised to have a bracelet with two puzzle pieces, engraved and attached sent out to me.

The delivery was fast. Express in fact. I had expected to wait a while considering it was being engraved. But within 3 days it was here!

The wrapping and packaging was stunning. It made me all the more excited to see the quality of the product inside.

And it did not disappoint. Beautiful, shiny, sterling silver and perfect engraving. I can't wait to add symbols to it that mean something to myself and my family.

Oh My Giddy Aunt specialises in commemorative pieces. Here's a few of my favourites!

Want to win an engraved puzzle piece? It's easy but the Giveaway is only open until 9pm tomorrow so get in quick!

LIKE School of Mum and Oh My Giddy Aunt
SHARE this post on Facebook or Twitter using the buttons below. Tagging helps!
COMMENT: In approximately 25 words tell us what puzzle pieces would make up your story? MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS so we can contact you if you win.

The person who has completed all of the above and has the most creative answer will win!

Stay tuned for tomorrow night's giveaway as part of the 12 Days of Christmas Extravaganza - Katrina Zaslavsky's Book - A Modern Woman's Guide to A Natural and Empowering Birth. Have you subscribed to have the Blog sent to your inbox? It's the safest way to ensure you don't miss out! Sign up on the sidebar to your right.

Here’s the fine print:
* Entry is open to Australian folk only (sorry!)
* Winner will be posted on the Blog ONLY.
* One entry per person
* A valid email must be provided in the comment so we can contact you if you are a winner.
* Entries close 9pm 12th November, 2012
* Winner has 3 days to respond before another is chosen.