Parenting

Hindsight 2021 - Reading the mind of teenage me

Hindsight 2021 - Reading the mind of teenage me

To celebrate the beginning of the process to write a comprehensive guide to journaling for “non-journalers”, I have started a new series on Instagram celebrating entries from my very first journal, beginning back in 1987. You can watch the series unfold here while I try not to cringe.

5 Ways to Relax with your Partner in 15 Minutes or Less

5 Ways to Relax with your Partner in 15 Minutes or Less

How can stressed out couples unwind together? What are some ways busy parents in particular can relax with their partner? Since many parents are on the clock what are some things that they can do? Here are 5 quick ways to connect, even if kids are in the mix!

How to stop being hard on yourself as a parent

How to stop being hard on yourself as a parent

When you hear that inner mom-guilt voice whisper, "you're not good enough," here's what to say to yourself instead

Parenting is hard enough without a pandemic to navigate. We should be congratulating ourselves for just getting through the day, instead of us beating ourselves up for not measuring up to the Pinterest post next door.

We all want our child to internalize the best of us and leave the rest. That's why modeling self-love and kindness for yourself is a gift you give your child. Lead by example and you will end up raising a compassionate adult, with healthy boundaries and lots of love to give.

Family's Here...to Stay: When Extended Family Moves In

Family's Here...to Stay: When Extended Family Moves In

There are a lot of advantages to having extended family close at hand (it takes a village!), but it would be helpful to understand that it will also bring some challenges. Here are some tips for mindfully navigating a smooth transition.

1. Self-Compassion…

2. Nuclear Family Meeting…

3. Establish Ground Rules…

Parenting Toolkit: The Three Strikes Method

Parenting Toolkit: The Three Strikes Method

In my practice, I often coach parents about how to move from the punishment model, into creating reasonable consequences that positively shape their child’s behavior. One crucial tool in this toolkit is the three strikes method. Giving your child three strikes before enacting the consequence, provides your child the opportunity to reflect, reshape their behavior and redeem themselves.

Black Lives Matter: Unpack and Use White Privilege for Good

Black Lives Matter: Unpack and Use White Privilege for Good

Our great nation is also a nation built on great injustice. From the near total annihilation of hundreds of nations of indigenous peoples, to the brutal enslavement of 12 generations of Africans who build the foundations of our prosperity. Our nation has a responsibility to educate our selves and perform consistent actions to address and redress these wrongs. Unfortunately, it has taken the ugly pressure cooker of COVID-19, racist presidential policies and the murder of innocents like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, our nation is reigniting a movement which hopefully can create powerful and lasting change.

Mother's Day Tribute and COVID Poetry

Mother's Day Tribute and COVID Poetry

My mother’s expansive heart fueled my compassion, her amazing stories inspired my creativity, her advocacy lit the fire of my activism, and her parental powess provided the base from which all my best mothering instincts are born.

Keeping Kids Connected During COVID-19

Keeping Kids Connected During COVID-19

Keeping Kids Connected During COVID-19: 8 Tips to keeping your child engaged with their friends and family while social distancing.

Keeping Cool for the Kids: Parenting through a Crisis

Keeping Cool for the Kids: Parenting through a Crisis

Keeping Cool for the Kids: Parenting through a Crisis. Six tips for managing the days of COVID-19 and managing your mental health while under quarantine.

How to Prevent (or at least better manage) Holiday Stress

How to Prevent (or at least better manage) Holiday Stress

The holidays are supposed to be happy happy, joy joy. But, realistically, they’re more something like stress, fun, fun, stress. Read on for some helpful hints for making your holiday season more It's A Wonderful Life and less National Lampoon Christmas Vacation.

Sibs of Kids with Special Needs: How to Offer Understanding and Support

Sibs of Kids with Special Needs: How to Offer Understanding and Support

Parenting one child is hard enough and parenting multiple children increases the stress level – even more so when one child has a developmental disability.