Course
Tired Mom? A Better Way to Manage Our Time & Lower Our Stress
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.
Blog post
Slipping Through My Fingers
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 […]
Blog post
Raising Empowered Children
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 […]
Blog post
Want a Happy Child? Here are 10 Scientifically Proven Ways to Raise Kids Who Love Life
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 […]
Blog post
Child Talking Back? Here Are 3 Easy Ways to Curb the Behavior & Build Respect
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 […]
Blog post
Best Christmas Gifts for Kids 2021
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" […]
Blog post
Birds and the Bees: How to Make This Awkward Conversation Easier for Everyone
"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 […]
Interview
Video Interview with Tessa Stuckey, MA, LPC
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.
Blog post
After-School Restraint Collapse: 6 Ways to Help Your Child Manage BIG Feelings
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 […]
Blog post
We Can Do Hard Things
I did a hard thing today. While my family was on a long nature hike, I spotted one of those free-standing climbing ropes meant for athletes who are doing intensive training. It had no footholds or knots; just solid rope from top to bottom, suspended from a tall metal structure. I casually mentioned […]