"THIS is how I'm feeling right now," said an 8-year-old child who's not my own, as she pointed to a picture in a book of a very frightened owl. This is a child who'd just been evacuated from her home due to the incredible Marshall Fire wildfires in Colorado.   The winds were still blowing […]

In this 20-minute mini-course, I discuss a new way to manage our time better, which can result in more connection and more joy. *Also for Dads and other caregivers.

Trigger warning.I'm not equipped for this. My daughter and I were at the playground last Monday. We'd been on the swings together, then running around chasing dreams, or fairies, or whatever it was she said we were pursuing. We climbed a hill that had a giant concrete sundial at the top and were feeling the […]

I had an opportunity to re-think something important today.   My daughter and I were at the playground. She was spinning alone, at her own happy pace, on a merry-go-round.   After only 30 seconds or so of being on it, a bigger boy ran up to her spinning contraption and said, "Hey, can you […]

We've all seen the happy child who leans into life, smiling all the way, seemingly without a care in the world. How does this happen? Are they born this way, or can we teach kids ways to optimize their emotional well being? Indeed, some children are born happier. Temperament, driven partially by genetic makeup, can […]

Talking back, or "back talk," is when a child pushes back on what an adult (often their parent) is saying, demonstrating what adults perceive as a lack of respect. It may include verbal components, up to and including the child having a shouting match with their parents, as well as nonverbal components, such as eye […]

If you're looking for the best Christmas gifts for kids 2021, here's your list! I've keep it simple and practical, and organized the ideas by type. Note that not all of these gifts were just released this year. In fact, by design, I've chosen gifts that have stood the test of time. I'm not "into" […]

"The birds and the bees" is the mother of all euphemisms. It's how people used to refer to the so-called sex talk that parents have dreaded since...actually, not that long ago. Up until fairly recently, farm life was children's natural foray into sex education. Want to learn about how reproduction works? Look no farther than […]

Trigger warning: in this interview, Tessa Stuckey discusses how we can help protect our children from suicide and self-harm. She addresses not only the root causes (which are different from what many people may think), but also what we can do to proactively support our children's mental health. Note that this video is public on YouTube and will remain free for all viewers given its critical importance.

After-school restraint collapse is a fancy way to say after-school meltdowns. And I want you to know this: they're normal. In fact, they're downright common and can happen to all kids. More on that in a moment. Here's what the reality feels like, though: it's messy. You may be eagerly and happily awaiting the arrival […]