Sleep, toilet learning, and a prepared space - three things that are more closely related than you think.
Children are human and just like adults it takes them time, practice, and the right tools to excel at something. Sleep and toilet learning are two things, like it or not, that we adults cannot control. Instead, we can find ways to prepare the environment (including preparing ourselves!) so our children feel loved and supported as they embark on mastering these functional skills in their own unique way. A prepared space, that is specifically designed for our child to succeed in, consistently communicates what is to be expected and what comes next in the daily routine. This is especially helpful around sleep and learning to use the toilet - learned skills requiring patience and lots of practice.
Quality sleep is a necessity for a healthy life. It supports brain and body development, provides time to consolidate learned information and language, and helps the immune system repair itself and fight off illness. Young children are doing so much of this on a daily (almost hourly) basis and one of the greatest gifts you can give them is that of healthy sleep habits. Poor sleep can negatively impact the toilet learning process and cause certain behavioral challenges.
My goal at Gentle Start Studio is to work with caregivers to reduce the anxiety around sleep and the toilet learning process. I’ve been there too, fearing those middle-of-the-night wakings and not knowing if I’d be able to get back to sleep myself. One thing that helped was shifting my perspective to see those challenging moments as opportunities to learn from my son and observe his behavior to better serve us both in the future. We will work together to do this with your child too and to help you all have a gentle start to your day!
Services
-
Sleep
Building a foundation of positive sleep habits is a gift to your child and yourself. My services range from an hour long consultation to two weeks of full support.
-
Toilet Learning
Learning to use the toilet does not happen overnight. Let me help you prepare yourself, the space, and your child for this journey towards functional independence.
-
In-Home Organization
A prepared space allows the young child to adapt to their surroundings in a practical and purposeful way. Creating a “yes” space sets your child up for success!
What People Are Saying
Alissa, parent to 25 month old, Chloe
“Working with Marly was life changing for my family. I was challenged daily by power struggles, meltdowns, feeling disconnected from my toddler, and generally overwhelmed. Marly’s practical, patient, and non-judge mental approach to designing spaces in our home was invaluable. Her ideas helped empower my toddler to have more independence and there is more joy and connection now! Everything she suggested was affordable and doable, and she coached us each step of the way. If you are looking for a comprehensive and compassionate approach to improving your home life with a toddler that addresses their unique developmental needs, Marly is your person!”
Jim & Caitlin, parents to 19 month old, Ruth
“Marly was so helpful in guiding us gently towards setting consistent boundaries around sleep. She was supportive of our personal choices and gave us lots of options. We learned to approach sleep with less anxiety and trepidation. Her sleep plan for our daughter was detailed and full of helpful information, we are excited to continue practicing the skills she helped us all learn. Thank you, thank you, for all your patience with us!”
Melissa, parent to 22 month old, Lila
