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hi,I’m Avital.(pronounced Ah-Vee-Tal)
I’m a mindful parenting coach, childhood designer, and mother. My work is dedicated to empower intentional, imperfect parents (like you and me!) to love parenting and parent from love…
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FREE RECLAIM PLAY CHALLENGE
Get your child to play independently for 3 hours a day, in just 3 weeks!
My work is dedicated to inspiring intentional parents, like you and me, to Love and enjoy parenting. Hint: there’s no such thing as perfect parenting. You’re doing great.
Latest Podcast
The Parenting
Junkie Show
Find the episodes on the exact issue that’s troubling you – From how to teach your baby to sleep to whether or not you should use consequences, there are hundreds of episodes that will inspire, validate and encourage you on this parenting journey.
Free Childhood Design Guide
Discover how you CAN transform your home into a Play Inducing Haven. In this guide of 10 Easy Steps you’ll learn how to lay the foundation to presence, play and peace in your own home.
DOWNLOAD NOW
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Courses & Memberships
Don’t let your anxieties, your past or your cultural norms hold you back from being the parent you’re meant to be. From learning how to set limits without yelling, punishing, bribing or counting to three – to learning how to design a home environment that induces deep, independent, therapeutic play in your child. From solving sibling conflicts without tension to reestablishing a deep connection with your partner and coparent – The Parenting Junkie courses are designed for busy parents who don’t want to look back and wonder where the time went.
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“The moment I watched the first video (and video after video thereafter) I felt connected to everything she was saying. They changed my life and I am forever grateful.”
Bekah
“Her voice is a collection of countless experts, sprinkled with her own understanding and experiences as a mother.”
Eevi
“I felt like I stumbled upon a gold mine when I discovered your channel! I have been able to learn so much from listening to your videos, and I definitely wanted to buy your course when it first came out.”
Emily
“With your help I have learned (and still practicing) empathy toward my son and compassion for myself. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Jennifer
“I watch your videos almost every day. They help me stay focused on my goal of loving parenting.”
Beth
“I absolutely love Avital’s approach and outlook on life and parenting. She always knows exactly what to say, without casting judgement upon any of the parents’ opinions and parenting decisions. I love her metaphors and explanations she uses throughout her videos.”
Eevi
“Your videos have completely rewired my approach to parenting.”
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Beth
When you support your kids, you support kids in need.
The Parenting Junkie pledges to support important change in the world
by donating a percentage of profits to children in need.
Dr. Shefali Tsabary
Author of The Conscious Parent and Out of Control
“A WONDERFUL concept. So many parents need this kind of instruction! Avital’s work opens up an emotionally intelligent dialogue for parents to focus on approaching parenting consciously.”
Dr. Laura Markham
Author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids and Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings
“Watch The Parenting Junkie to keep peaceful parenting top of mind for you. Avital offers sound, smart advice that will shift the parenting paradigm to a deeper, more mindful approach.”
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We're kicking off Week 3 "Inspire" with a set of #StrewPro challenges!
So, what is a strew? It's simply leaving out toys, books, activities, or objects in a new and inviting way. Silently waiting for your kid to "discover" them and maybe - just maybe - to bite into independent play.
Did you know there are a myriad of "toys" in your home, strews waiting to be formed right under your nose?
Today, I want you to head to your KITCHEN and find things that your kid might take interest in...
Nesting bowls
Measuring cups
Spatulas
Wooden spoons
Pots
Pans
There's literally so many options and combinations to explore!
Try putting them out on a tray or somewhere that is not the kitchen. If you're feeling brave you can get really fancy and add in some water, slime, or dry beans (only do this if you're happy to clean it all up later).
There's really only ONE rule to becoming a Strew Pro:
Don't tell your child to play with it, don't tell them how to, in fact - you might kinda ignore it all together and just watch what happens.
Go! Grab a few items and arrange your first strew... take a 📸 picture of it and share with me @parentingjunkie in your instagram stories!
Welcome to the wonderful world of strewing, my friend!
#reclaimplay #strewpro #strewing #strewingforthewin #kitchenstrew #presentplay #playinvitation #playinvitations #playinvite #invitationtoplay #independentplay #playisimportant #playisenough #playistheworkofchildhood #playisfun
Can your child play independently for 30 minutes in a day?
This week you have done a lot of designing - you created a "pop-up" (a quick and scrappy) Imagination, Messy, Movement, Quiet, and Focus Zone. If you have a little one - you made a YES space for them.
Phew! 😅 Time to give yourself a pat on the back!
☕️Grab your hot drink, 📚your book, and a fluffy pillow because I'll bet my Lego collection you're going to be able to catch 30 minutes of play.
Remember everything you learned in week one:
🌈 Observe without interrupting!
🌈 Practice the "BRB" technique
🌈 Set up little "pop-up zones"
...and I believe you'll be able to catch your child playing for 30 minutes today and 10x the independent play in your home by the end of this week from when you started this challenge.
Now, I know you might be feeling like you're totally not "done" designing your zones - of course not!
Rome wasn't built in a day (or a week!)
In Present Play, we're going to dedicate the entire month of May to perfecting your zones. But this should set you on your way and whet your appetite for more design solutions.
When you catch those 30 mins (or more!) make sure to share it with us! Tag me in your stories @parentingjunkie
★ SIGN UP for the Challenge - link in bio!
#reclaimplay #playzone #playmatters #playspacedesign #independentplay #playistheworkofchildhood #playislearning #independentplaytime #mombreak #reclaimplaychallenge #playspace #intentionalparenting #simplicityparenting #childhooddesign #childdesign #presentplay #presentplaymovement
Attention is in short supply these days. Many parents have difficulty helping their kids to focus on anything for any length of time - whilst there are so many reasons this might be the case, one thing that can help is creating a little "work" environment that makes focusing easier...
Cue, the Focus Zone! 🙇♂️🙇♀️
The Focus Zone is where kids go to do their "work" (like schoolwork) and also where they do any activity that requires following instructions properly.
Think about things that have a "right" and a "wrong" way of doing them - like puzzles or science experiments. Of course, you're not necessarily going to be able to set up a whole Focus Zone right now - but can you gather your materials - things that need to be treated with respect and extra care.
CHALLENGE #13 - Create a Pop-Up Focus Zone!
Find that third cleared area that you prepped last week - preferably a quiet area away from the hustle and bustle of the home. Try placing the materials in a box, bin, tray, or basket right there, and see what happens.
Show me by tagging @parentingjunkie 🤗
#reclaimplay #focustime #focuszone #homework #puzzles #kidspuzzle #kidspuzzles #kidsfocus #preschoolactivities #preschoolathome #preschoolplay #montessori #montessoriactivities #montessoriathome #playmatters #playspacedesign #independentplay #playistheworkofchildhood #playislearning #playislearningplayisenough #playismywork #montessorihomeschool
"Shhhh!" 🤫 You're challenge for today is to create a pop-up Quiet Zone. Here's what I mean...
Kids often love snuggling up, curling themselves into a ball, hiding away in a secret nook, or folding themselves into a little cranny.
We adults sometimes forget that kids are actively growing up and learning about the world - which can be very overwhelming. Having tantrums and making a fuss are all normal parts of growing up. But it can help when kids have a little cozy spot to call their own and escape from the center of attention.
Enter: The Quiet Zone
This is the place for reading, resting, and regulating emotions. It's a perfect zone to go in a kids' bedroom as it's not very activating or energizing - it's more about winding down.
The Quiet Zone is the place to go when you're feeling low, when you're tired, when you're having a meltdown, or when you need some time to yourself.
It could be a tent in the living room or perhaps a fort that you build together. Add in a flashlight and a pile of books, some stuffed animals, a "lovie" blanket... and you're golden!
Design a little calm, and let me know how it goes! 🧸
#reclaimplay #presentplay #toddlerlife #independentplay #independentplaytime #mombreak #playspace #playspacedesign #quietzone #emotionalregulation #emotionalregulationforkids #quietcorner #design #parentinghacks #intentionalparenting #mindfulparentingcoach #mindfulparenting #readingnook #readingbookstogether #readingtokids
