The Nightmare Nibbler Noshes Bad Dreams: Double Duty

Nightmares Happen!

Nightmares happen.  The Nightmare Nibbler can help!  Nightmares are common in preschoolers and can be an issue throughout early childhood.  Parents are often besides themselves, trying to figure out a way to make it all stop so the whole family can back to peaceful slumber.

Does Your Child Need a Sleep Makeover?

Do you have a child whose sleep habits could benefit from a little makeover?  Does he wake up during the night seeking support and solace because of another "bad dream"?  Sleep deprivation is a serious health issue that has far reaching effects.  In addition to health issues, lack of sufficient sleep can affect your child's mood, behavior, memory and growth. 

The Nibbler Knows

The Nightmare Nibbler knows just how to take care of bad dreams. He's happy to take the night-shift so that you and your pint-sized person can get all the shut-eye you need. 

More Than a Good Night's Sleep

When the Nightmare Nibbler sets off to work, and your child begins to master his nightmares, he'll get more than a good night's sleep.  You'd be grateful for that, I know, but there's yet another benefit.  When your child can get a handle on his nightmares, he'll be developing a sense of ability to deal with whatever problems come his way.  This sense of mastery is a huge boon to self-esteem!

Keeping Good Company

The Nibbler is a fabulous bedtime buddy, but he's a great daytime companion, as well.  Your child will be sure to make fast friends with the Nibbler.  Don't be surprised if he wants to carry the Nibbler with him everywhere he goes! 

Speaking of good company, the Nibbler has been with us for a year now.  It is his one year anniversary with the Preferred Products Award!  That's one more year of making bedtimes better and more sleep possible!   You can see the original winning post here.  We look forward to celebrating many more years together! 

Norbert Does Double-Duty

Norbert the Nightmare Nibbler has been doing a fine job of keeping nightmares at bay across the land. Now he has some back-up. Not that he needs it, mind you. He's been doing a great job on his own.  But now  he can call in for reinforcement with his very own book, "Norbert the Nightmare Nibbler".

In this whimsical book, Norbert is chosen for a special mission. He is selected to travel from the Nightmare Nibbler Nation down to Earth, where he will keep order in the house and peace throughout the night by gobbling up any nightmares in his path. From the moment he is shuttled to Earth, everyone is granted a tranquil night's slumber.

Norbert noshes nightmares like it's nobody's business.  But that's not all this book is about.  No, there's more to the story than meets the eye. There's a second message to be had.  You're never to small to make a difference!  This book delivers on a number of levels and is the perfect accompaniment to the plush Norbert, who has been winning his way into the hearts of kids and parents everywhere! 

To Norbert, Nightmares are delicious. Just like a full night's sleep would be for you!
Thanks for making a difference in the lives of children and families, Nightmare Nibbler.  Congratulations on your growth and having two products that bear the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award Seal for Social-Emotional Development. 

Every kids needs a Nibbler!

The plush and book are available separately, or together on the Nightmare Nibbler site. 

Little Girls Can Be Mean: Four Steps to Bully-proof Girls in the Early Grades

Bullying Happens

Bullying happens.  It's happening at younger ages than ever and it's time for us to not only take notice and "do something about it", but to do something that is meaningful and promotes change.  There are many anti-bullying programs on the market, but few address the issues of relational aggression.  Even fewer address these concepts as they relate to young children.

Girls Have Unique Social Struggles 

Thanks to Drs. Michelle Anthony and Reyna Lindert, parents and educators can now be armed with a compass of sorts, that will help them navigate some of these uncharted waters of the unique social struggles that face elementary-aged girls.  In their book, "Little Girls Can Be Mean: Four Steps to Bully-Proof Girls in the Elementary Grades", they lay out a 4-step process that offers meaningful support. 

Dr. Michelle Anthony and her children.

The authors make an important point: "All children are capable of cruel acts: often as part of a group experience, sometimes on their own initiative."  They further explain the natural developmental context in which our need to "fit in" exists, and help familiarize the reader with the underpinnings of relational aggression.  Drs. Anthony and Lindert provide special guidance in a chapter of its own, to help support and help girls when they are dishing out a dose of "mean". Special activities and ideas can help tip the scales towards more compassion and understanding.

Dr. Reyna Lindert and her children.

Relational Aggression Defined

By defintion, some of the unique relational issues that girls face are:

Cruel Words
The Silent Treatment
Exclusion
Backstabbing
Rumor Spreading

The Toll of Relational Aggression

These experiences can result in emotional reactions such as depression, anxiety and more, which can take a huge toll on self-esteem.  Physical manifestations such as headaches and stomachaches occur, and relational aggression even has an academic impact.  This can be true for both the victim and the perpetrator of the cruel acts.

This book struck several chords with me, but one that sent shivers down my spine was this: "It's one thing to prepare yourself against the backstreet bully, but what do you do when your bully is your best friend?" This point is so very cogent to me, as many of the young girls that seek support in my office are doing so because of this very thing! 

We provide kids with training on fire safety, personal safety and even have bulletins that come home from the school about trick-or-treating safety, yet what have we done to prepare kids for relational aggression?  Very little. 

The Shifting Tide

No longer can we sweep relational aggression aside and say, "Just ignore her.  You'll be friends again by next week."  Knowledge is power, and with "Little Girls Can Be Mean", real support and assistance can be offered to our young girls. 

The Earlier the Better

Much can be done to assist girls in having healthier relationships with each other, long before they embark upon the rocky road of middle school.  "Little Girls Can Be Mean" provides the tools.  This book is the missing puzzle piece in helping our girls deal with social skills issues before problems therein reach critical mass.
What I adore about this book, aside from all of the aforementioned, is that it also provides the reader with an "Activity Bank".  The activities are hands-on experiences that you can share with young girls to really help drive home what's important when it comes to treating others with civility, kindness and compassion. 

Welcome aboard to the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award family, Drs. Anthony and Lindert!  "Little Girls Can Be Mean" is a not to be missed book!