Family Manual

We prioritize whole, natural foods from animal sources. We're flexible when eating out or when ideal food isn't available.

• Always eat at a table - no walking around with food, no eating on the couch
• Be relaxed and neutral about food. Don't force, don't pressure, don't make a big deal
• They don't have to finish their plate. If they stop eating, that's fine - take it away calmly
• It takes 20 minutes for the brain to feel full - don't rush meals

These are our standard recipes. Simple but must be done right.

Cut fresh fruit into small, age-appropriate pieces. Refer to the Fruit & Produce Washing section for which fruits need a baking soda wash.

We minimize sunscreen. Instead we reduce exposure through clothing and timing.

• Avoid peak sun: 11am - 2pm
• Liv: long-sleeve swimwear + wide-brim hat when in the sun
• Seek shade for extended outdoor time

• Best: mineral water (bottled)
• If mineral water isn't available: filtered water
• No sugary drinks, no juice boxes, no soda

• Call Sean or spouse immediately
• Medical emergency: call 1669, then call parents
• Stay calm, stay with the child, describe what happened

• If the child seems sick, has a fever, or you're unsure about anything - call the parents immediately
• Don't give any medicine without asking us first

• She goes to sleep or wakes up
• You move to a new location (park, mall, friend's house, etc.)
• Anything changes from the normal routine
• She seems unwell, got hurt, or something feels off

• No posting photos of the children on social media
• No sending photos to friends or family without asking us
• Taking photos to send to us (updates, cute moments) is welcome

We prefer peelable fruits - the peel protects from pesticides.

• Cold water + 1 tsp baking soda per 2 cups water
• Soak 10-15 minutes, rinse well, pat dry

No harsh chemicals on surfaces that touch food.

Area	What to use
Kitchen / food areas	Spray bottle: water + vinegar. Optionally add a few drops of tea tree oil for smell
Bathroom & floors	Standard cleaning products are fine

• Use the "Cottons" program - it takes about 2 hours
• Fill both detergent AND softener in their own compartments - don't skip either
• Hang clothes to dry in the shade - not in direct sunlight

• Daily bath or shower
• Hair wash with soap: every 2 days (not daily). We use one soap for both hair and body
• Exception: if she was in the pool, hair must be washed with soap that evening

• Twice a day: morning + evening
• Evening: once, after both dinner and the yogurt bottle (so right before bed)
• Give her the choice: "Do you want to brush your own teeth, or should I help you?"

• Liv can sit on the toilet by herself and does her business
• She needs reminders and gentle encouragement to go sit and try
• When she says she needs to go - take her immediately, don't rush her or pressure her

Your job is not to entertain the child. You are a guide - you create a safe environment, remove obstacles, and step in when needed. Within that safe space, Liv is free to explore, play, and discover on her own terms. Let her lead. Follow her curiosity. Intervene for safety, not for control.

Liv cooperates best when things are playful. Make it fun, not a command. Use animal sounds, act things out, be silly, give her choices. "Do you want to walk like a frog or a penguin to the bathroom?" works better than "go to the bathroom now."

Children under 6 absorb language effortlessly - they don't learn it, they absorb it. If your English isn't strong, speak your native language with her. She will understand over time, and it's much better for her to hear rich, natural speech in any language than broken English.

Describe the specific action instead of generic praise. This builds genuine confidence.

• After giving an instruction, count to 10 in your head before repeating. Toddlers need time to process - they'll often start responding by the time you reach 8
• When showing how to do something, don't talk at the same time. Either show silently OR explain with words - not both. They can't watch your hands and listen to your voice at once
• Don't finish their sentences. Let them take as long as they need to get the words out

Children don't need adults to make them play. They need space, time, and freedom. When a child plays alone, they are building concentration, creativity, and independence. Every time we interrupt - even with good intentions - we break that process.

• When drawing with her, make squiggles and loose lines - not perfect pictures. If she sees a perfect flower and can only scribble, she might not try at all
• Always take your own paper. Never draw on the child's paper

A child's emotions are just as real to them as yours are to you - even if the reason seems small. The best way to help them "get over it" is to help them go through it.

• Acknowledge the feeling first: "I can see you're frustrated" or "That made you really sad." This alone often defuses a meltdown
• Never say "stop crying," "you're fine," or "it's not a big deal"
• Give them feeling words: "You're angry because the tower fell down." Over time they learn to say it instead of hitting or screaming
• All feelings are okay. Some actions are not. "You can be angry. You can't hit."
• Connect first, logic later. When they're flooded with emotion, explanations won't get through. Comfort first, talk after they've calmed down
• If they're tired or moody, they may only hear your words and miss your tone - be extra gentle and clear
• Children open up more while doing something together (drawing, building, walking) than when you sit them down face to face

We don't reward Liv for doing things, and we don't condition food or other benefits on her behavior. No "if you do X, you get Y" or "no dessert unless you finish your plate." She eats because she's hungry, she behaves because she understands - not because of a deal.

• Liv (2.5y): Understands simple instructions, loves helping, wants to do things herself. Give choices between two options.
• Newborn (June 2026): Gentle handling, consistent routines, calm environment.

• Only people we've specifically told you about can pick up or be alone with Liv
• If someone you don't recognize comes to the door or claims to pick her up - do not let them. Call us

• Sharp objects, cleaning products, small items out of reach
• Extra care with newborn - Liv is curious and still learning to be gentle

The only exception is travel - car, train, airplane. During travel she's allowed a phone or tablet.