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 [...]
Self-care is a buzzword we hear a lot in the media these days—especially in parenting articles and social media. As our world gets more hurried and chaotic, medical professionals and parenting educators are encouraging parents to take care of themselves just as much as they care for their children. But what is self-care and [...]
Bullying is all over in the news today. It’s an important topic and one that deserve our attention as it becomes increasingly hard for today’s teenagers to safely navigate their social world. There are warning signs to look for when you suspect that your child is being bullied. But what about when your child is [...]
We have explored why it is important for parents to read. Well, all those benefits that you can get from reading can also come to your older children and teens when they read to themselves. The trouble is that the rates of reading for pleasure drop as children get older. A recent study found that while about 53% [...]
The phrase “Helicopter Parent” gets thrown around a lot these days. It’s used to describe parents who overprotect their children from risk or failure, whether it’s physical or emotional. Most of us are not as extreme as “Helicopter Parents,” but we want to protect our children. Allowing our children to take risks can be challenging [...]
The digital age is upon us. As children move up in school, it becomes harder to control what our children have access to. At some point, as a parent, you’ll likely want to develop a plan for media usage. You might find that “no limits” work just fine for your kiddo. Other families may need [...]
Single parenting often comes with extra stressors. As the sole care provider, it’s hard to be available for your child’s physical and emotional needs 100% of the time. And when taking a break is rare to come by, stressors can compound one another. However, there are ways to reduce and manage stress, as well [...]
