You’ll hear Parenting Educators focus again and again the importance of taking care of yourself as a parent—and it’s with good reason. You can’t be on top of your parenting game when your own needs aren’t being met. But even under the best conditions—let alone a pandemic—it can be hard to put your needs above [...]
During challenging times or periods of uncertainty in our lives, children—even as young as infants—can pick up on our stress levels. They worry along with us as we hear unsettling reports on the news or overhear conversations about being able to pay rent this month or worry about a relative who is ill. [...]
The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything we have ever experienced. As parents, you may be feeling a range of uncomfortable emotions (including anxiety, anger, sadness); as well as uncertainty about what to do and how to cope. This week, we offer three more tips for parenting through these uncertain times. Help your child work [...]
At some point in our lives, we all experience uncertainty. Right now, we are collectively experiencing the uncertainty that comes with the COVID-19 virus. But it can come in other forms as well—including the loss of a job, divorce, housing issues, food scarcity, illness—and they all affect how we parent. This week’s tips for [...]
Have you ever stopped to wonder why we make New Year’s resolutions? It turns out that the tradition dates back all the way to the Babylonians, some 4,000 years ago. Of course, they weren’t making resolutions to eat healthier, hit the gym more, or spend less on frivolous coffee drinks. Instead, they were making [...]
Sometimes it seems like the demands and stresses of parenting just keep building up! For some parents, it just seems like there is too much to do each day—especially during the holidays! The good news is there are ways you can handle the very real stresses of parenting through the holiday season. Set realistic expectations [...]
As parents, our focus tends to be on teaching our children healthy ways to manage (or regulate) their “big” feelings. We teach them ways to calm their breathing, slow down their thoughts, and release explosive feelings in positive outlets, such as drawing or talking a walk. But when’s the last time you checked in [...]
The rainy mornings and changing leaves aren’t the only things reminding us that fall has arrived. Oregon is a little more on the orange side this season, as pumpkins pop up everywhere from grocery stores to road-side stands to neighborhood front porches. Although you can find great pumpkins outside of your nearest supermarket, the [...]
Parents are at a crossroads when it comes to screen time. On the one hand, letting our children watch Daniel Tiger while we wait in line at the DMV is a huge lifesaver. But on the other, we are becoming more aware of how digital technology (smart phones, tablets, Internet-enabled electronic devices, even television) [...]
With the kids home for summer and lots of housework that needs tending to, you may be wondering what chores you can give to your older children. Studies have shown that there are benefits to children having chores, including learning mastery of a task and feeling a sense of accomplishment. Having your child wash windows [...]
