Beauty & Wellness

Pampered Mother

Key Biscayne mommies looking for a day off this Mother’s Day can head over to The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne to experience some signature spa packages that will leave them with a newfound appreciation for motherhood. Below are some of our favorite options for every type of mom — even those who are still expecting!

“Mom-to-Be”
What you get:
Mellow Mama Maternity
Complete Body Massage
Classic Manicure & Pedicure
Spa Gift
Length: 2.5 hours
Price: $230

 

“On-the-Go Mom”
What you get:
25-minute Key Biscayne
Signature Swedish Massage
Aromatherapy Oils
Refresher Ocean Breeze Facial
Length: 1 hour
Price: $160

 

“Glam Mom”
What you get:
50-minute Massage
Ocean Essence Body Buff
Sea & C Facial
Hydra Quenching Manicure
Length: 3.5 hours
Price: $430

To book your Mother’s Day package of choice from the options above, call 305.365.4197.

Daddy Blues
Q:I’m a father of 3 kids who doesn’t spend enough time with my kids. My wife is a stay-at-home mom so I support the family financially while she tends to the children. We have a daughter, 11, and two sons, 8 and 6. None of the kids gravitate toward me, even though I’m home by 7 p.m. every day and work from home on the weekends. Is there anything I can do to make them love me more and want to spend time with me? My wife definitely has the upper-hand since she gets them ready for school, drops them off, picks them up and is home with them right after school until I get home. She also prepares all their meals and takes them to soccer practice on the weekends. What steps can I take to make sure they love us both equally?
A: You’re so lucky to have such an excellent wife. It sounds like you have a strong marriage and the working dad who has always been the provider is ready to take the next step. Your children may just be used to the structured routine and don’t think you can take some time to spend with them. Surprise them, show up early, drop them off or pick them up at school. When you’re at home, try hard to disconnect from work so you can play games, watch a movie, listen to their cool music or simply be available. Talk to your wife and tell her how you feel; she may have some good ideas. Children gravitate to mom or dad depending on their age and developmental needs. They usually lean toward the parent they feel will listen to them versus hear them out. Start by listening, have more conversations, and find things you have in common. Tell them you want to spend more time with them, ask them what they would like to do on weekends. Your children will have learned through your time and dedication that they are loved indefinitely, unconditionally and equally by both mom and dad. By the way, your wife is very lucky to have found you, too!

› Lisette N. Beraja of Beraja Counseling Center is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Parent Coordinator with more than 10 years of experience working with families. If you have a question you’d like answered in a future edition, email it to [email protected] or [email protected]. Due to high volume, we will not be able to respond to all submissions. All names are withheld to ensure the privacy of our readers.

“Mama, I just want you to know loving you is like food to my soul.”
— Boyz II Men

Pretty Name
Emily is the most popular baby name for girls this decade, according to the Social Security Administration. So far, an estimated 200,000 babies have this name on their birth certificate since
Jan. 1, 2000.

 

 

 

Presidential Baby
Baby name experts predict that President Obama’s first name will show the highest percentage growth in 2009 among American parents naming their baby boys. The jury is still out on his middle name.

 

 

 

3-D Mom
Television and motion picture executives have increasingly been portraying the modern mother as a three-dimensional heroine seamlessly balancing family, work and self.