Hello November
Refreshing Mocktail You Need To Try!
Winter Wonderland Mocktail for Moms-to-Be
A creamy, peppermint-kissed drink that captures the cozy magic of a Canadian winter. Completely alcohol-free and simple to make, it’s a festive choice for families, community events, and anyone looking for a safe, inclusive holiday treat. With its snowy garnish and soft vanilla sweetness, it brings wintry charm to any gathering.
Ingredients (1 serving)
- 1/2 cup white hot chocolate (cooled) or white chocolate milk
- 1/4 cup vanilla almond milk (or any milk)
- 1–2 drops peppermint extract (a little goes a long way!)
- 1 tbsp simple syrup or maple syrup (optional)
- Sparkling water (to top, optional for a “frosty” effect)
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Crushed candy cane for garnish
- White sugar crystals or shredded coconut (for “snow”)
Instructions
- In a glass with ice, add:
- white chocolate milk
- vanilla milk
- peppermint extract
- syrup if desired
Stir gently.
- Top with a splash of sparkling water for a light, fizzy snow-like texture (optional).
- Add whipped cream on top.
- Sprinkle crushed candy cane and/or coconut flakes for a snowy winter look.
- Serve chilled — it tastes like a peppermint hot chocolate but cold and refreshing.
Optional Variations
- Warm version: Heat all ingredients except sparkling water and serve like a peppermint white hot chocolate.
- Mocha version: Add 1 tbsp cooled hot cocoa or chocolate syrup.
- “Blizzard” version: Blend with ice for a frosty mocktail slush.
Making the Holidays More Inclusive for Kids With FASD
The holiday season brings bright lights, busy gatherings, changes in routine, sugary treats, and a lot of excitement can feel overwhelming for many kids with FASD. What’s meant to be joyful can quickly become stressful when noise, crowds, and unpredictability stack up.
The good news? A few thoughtful adjustments can make winter celebrations calmer, safer, and more enjoyable for everyone — without adding a lot of extra work.
🎄 Practical Tips for a More FASD-Friendly Holiday Season
🕯 Keep events short, predictable, and optional.
Kids with FASD often do better when they know what to expect. Short visits, small gatherings, or celebrating at home can feel more manageable than long or crowded events.
🧦 Choose comfort over formality.
Holiday outfits do not need to be fancy. Soft fabrics, layers, and familiar clothing can help kids feel safer and more relaxed, especially during sensory-heavy seasonal activities.
🎁 Prep kids ahead of time.
Walk through the plan: who will be there, what activities might happen, and where quiet spaces are located. Predictability helps reduce anxiety and emotional overload.
☃️ Build in breaks.
Create a clear calm spot, such as a bedroom, a quiet corner, the car, or a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Let kids know it is completely okay to step away when things feel too intense.
🍪 Keep treats and meals predictable.
Holiday foods can be exciting but also dysregulating. Offer familiar snacks, set expectations around treats, and bring alternatives for dietary needs or sensory preferences.
🎶 Reduce sensory overload where possible.
Lower music volume, dim bright lights, and avoid flashing decorations. Soft lighting and gentle background music create a warm, soothing holiday atmosphere.
🫶 Give friends and family a heads-up.
A simple message such as “Crowds can be challenging, so we may step out early” helps others be more patient, flexible, and supportive.
🔄 Have a flexible exit plan.
Not every event needs to be completed. Leaving early or adjusting plans is always okay. Kids do best when the adults around them stay calm and adaptable.
❄️ A Holiday Season That Works for Your Family
The holidays do not have to be perfect to be meaningful. With understanding, flexibility, and small accommodations, families impacted by FASD can create safe, joyful traditions that truly fit their needs. When communities and loved ones approach the season with patience and compassion, it makes an enormous difference.
FASD and School: Every Child Deserves to Be Understood
When a child is living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), school can be both a place of opportunity and a source of daily struggle. FASD is a lifelong brain-based disability, and while it isn’t always visible, it deeply impacts how a child learns, processes information, and responds to their environment.
For many students with FASD, the school day is full of hidden challenges. They may:
- Know something one day and not recall it the next — not because they weren’t paying attention, but because their brain processes information differently.
- Struggle with multi-step directions or abstract concepts like time and money.
- Speak well but have trouble understanding what’s being asked of them.
- Feel overwhelmed by busy classrooms, transitions, or sudden changes in routine.
- Want to succeed, but get mislabeled as “defiant” or “distracted” when their brains simply need a different approach.
These children are not trying to be difficult — they are trying to navigate a world that often isn’t designed with their brains in mind. When educators, parents, and support teams understand FASD, everything changes.
What Makes the Difference
Support for students with FASD doesn’t come from doing more of the same. It comes from doing things differently:
- Breaking things down into smaller, clearer steps so instructions feel doable.
- Creating structure and predictability, which builds safety and reduces anxiety.
- Using visual cues and hands-on learning, instead of relying only on verbal explanations.
- Building in extra processing time, so students aren’t rushed to “keep up.”
- Celebrating strengths, like creativity, kindness, or unique problem-solving abilities, rather than focusing only on what’s hard.
When adults adjust their expectations and strategies, students with FASD can flourish. They may not learn in a “typical” way — but they absolutely can learn, grow, and contribute in powerful ways when given the right support.
Why Awareness Matters
FASD often goes unrecognized in schools, which can lead to frustration for both students and educators. By shifting the lens from “won’t” to “can’t yet and here’s how we can help”, we create learning spaces where students with FASD are seen, understood, and supported to reach their potential.
This kind of awareness doesn’t just change a child’s school experience — it can change their entire life trajectory.
