Imagine two little 3-year-olds building a creation out of blocks. Just as she wants to take the last red block, another child snatches it away. Maddy’s reaction is to grab the block, shout “No!”, and start to cry loudly when the other child does not return the block. Escalating into anger and frustration, she throws
Of all Five Protective Factors (aka Five Strengths), Social Connections is the strongest predictor of well-being. When we have positive, accessible connections with supportive others in our lives, we can ask them for help, find emotional support, and share parenting experiences and information. These positive experiences also build resilience and help support children’s social and
It’s been a long day, and you’re running on empty. Everyone is hungry, and you’re trying to get dinner ready. Suddenly, your preschoolers get into a fight about a toy they both want to play with, and your baby starts to cry. What happens next? Parenting is both rewarding and challenging. The 2023 Stress
You just got into your car, after finally getting your 3-year-old buckled into her car seat, and… the car won’t start. For some reason, the battery died, and now you fear being late for work, after dropping your child off at preschool. What would you do next? Everyone needs help sometimes! In this example, maybe
Parenting is a journey! Before a baby is born, parents-to-be often feel excitement that can oscillate between happy anticipation and anxiety about the unknown future. After the baby is born, a process of adaptation follows. In a way, parenting is a process of constant adaptation and readjustment. Especially in the early years, children develop so
Like a tree in a storm, families can be shaken by the many challenges that life brings. A storm can sometimes swoop in unexpectedly, causing the tree branches and leaves to wildly move back and forth. If the roots aren’t strong, the tree can be uprooted. If the trunk is dry, the tree can break.
It’s a new day. In the early morning hours, your phone alarm goes off with a pleasant ping. With sleep hanging heavy over your head, you unlock it without a second thought and check to see who texted you since you fell asleep. As you read and respond to the messages over a bowl of
A recent survey of parents in the United States shows that while 82% of parents were expected to do chores in their childhood homes, only 28% are continuing to expect that from their children. This is an unfortunate statistic because there are a myriad of benefits that come to both the family unit and the
Consistency and routine are important aspects of a child’s life. (We even wrote a previous blog post about it!) In early childhood, a regular list and schedule of activities is helpful in teaching children basic skills and patterns they will follow for most of their lives. There’s definitely something comforting about consistency. Think about it:
I don’t know about you, but I love fall. It is hands-down my favorite season of the year with the trees changing colors, crunching leaves under my feet, embracing sweater weather, and enjoying all things cozy. During the “ber” months of the year (September, October, November, and December), my thoughts turn to connection. I look
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