Please note: This article was submitted prior to the CDC guidelines regarding Covid-19. Please observe all safety measures as they are currently outlined, including social distancing.  Have you heard the term " nature-deficit disorder " and wondered what all the fuss is about? Don't worry - this isn't a disorder that can be diagnosed medically, but it is something we should all be aware of. That's because our health and well-being suffe...

Raising children is so much more than a full-time job for parents — it's a lifelong adventure aimed at raising those children into healthy, happy, and productive adults. So, what's the secret to accomplishing this feat? There's not really one secret; after all, if there was, we would all be putting it to good use to nurture and protect our little ones. But there are some helpful resources and tools that can make life as a parent a little easier. ...

Dixie Sevison has been working with students her whole career. Currently, her focus is on all female students at Brigham Young University as the director of Women's Services & Resources. I got a chance to sit down with her and talk about the resources available to young mothers, some of whom might still be in school. What are some common issues with student moms? The common theme is who is going to take care of my child while I'm at school? W...

  I never considered myself a particularly emotional person. Well, that is, until I had kids. Becoming a mother has a way of helping our emotions to "blossom." And of course by that I mean, all the wonderful emotions, like deep love, elation, pride, real joy. . . but let's be honest-- most of us have had other emotions blossom in motherhood as well, like guilt, frustration, anger, loneliness, anxiety, exhaustion. . . among many others. I fea...

Moms are the hardest working people on the planet and they never get the true recognition that they deserve for everything they do. The upshot of being everything from a parent to a doctor, counselor, taxi service, bank, a teacher to name but a few roles, is that it can be very tiring. Studies have highlighted that the average mom works a crazy 98 hours in a single week! What's more, mommas only get to enjoy a mere 17 minutes of free time pe...

Parents naturally want to provide the best possible environment for their children.When your child is on the autism spectrum, surroundings can make a big impact in helping her to prosper.Here are some suggestions to help you design the best possible bedroom for your child with autism. Create zones .  Creating zones in your child's bedroom can be a boon to helping her feel comfortable and thrive. Make a space dedicated to playing, another spa...

Want to get your child a phone, but don't want to give them a smartphone? You're not alone. More parents are finding alternatives beyond internet- connected devices filled with apps. As young children start school, there's lots of changes. Previously they may have been in your care all the time, but now they're doing things on their own. They may be in afterschool programs, or staying overnight at a friend's house or on a school trip. Ages 5-12 a...

As children grow up, besides their usual everyday activities, arts and crafts form an essential part of their formative years. In schools these days, keen importance is placed on helping children discover and explore their creativity through arts and crafts projects, primarily. Arts and crafts do not only bring out the creativity children; health-wise, there are other benefits that children can gain from arts and crafts to boost their physical an...

Your child's day is filled with noise, motion and lights. From TVs blaring, phones buzzing and more, their days can be filled with devices and distractions. These distractions make the brain work harder. A National Safety Council white paper said , "Human brains do not perform two tasks at the same time. Instead, the brain handles tasks sequentially, switching between one task and another." Over time, these distractions cause stress, decrease pro...

Infertility is unfortunately the reality of 1 in 8 couples. It's hard, lonely and painful. After being on our road to our baby for two years, I've learned a few things. Honestly, I'm still a rookie in the infertility department, but after learning these things, I've found so much more peace and happiness in our journey than before I started applying these things to my daily life. Number One: Accept it. It can be so hard to accept that infertility...

  We are excited to have Carrie Rogers-Whitehead from Digital Respons-Ability back for today's guest blog post. Have you recently bought a virtual assistant for your home? Another word for a virtual assistant is an artificial intelligence, or AI. These tools are convenient for remembering numbers, sending reminders, purchasing items and more. More and more of these devices are coming into homes. Consumer Intelligence Research Partners report...

  Nesting is the act of preparing one's home for the arrival of a new baby or child. Typically, nesting involves things such as painting a nursery, buying a crib, baby-proofing the house, and making sure everything is as clean as possible as the due date approaches. However, when you are a parent living with a disability, your nesting process is generally more intense. Beyond the normal nesting practices, parents with disabilities need to ma...

  We're so excited to welcome Laurie Bowen from Kids on the Move as our guest blogger today!  Kids on the Move offers all kinds of programs for parents and children, from preschool to parenting classes; and today Laurie is sharing some secrets that their Bridges program uses to assist parents in potty training their children. Most kids are ready to start potty training somewhere between the ages of two to shortly after their third birth...