5 Tips for Improving Family Mealtime

5 Tips for Improving Family Mealtime
Children in today's hurried, high-tech world need structured, routine times when they can connect with their parents and siblings. One of the best ways to do that is family mealtimes. Many of us are so busy that we may feel if we are not multi-tasking all the time, we are not productive enough. We often multitask feeding our children by putting a meal down in front of them and then turning around to do dishes, move over a load of laundry, or take...
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Guest Post: The Power of Meditation for Mothers

Guest Post: The Power of Meditation for Mothers
  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...
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Animal Breathing to Calm Your Child

Animal Breathing to Calm Your Child
I love training in martial arts. There's something really fulfilling for me to be able to master a new technique while getting a really great workout in. One aspect of martial arts that I really connect with is the need to breathe. We all struggle with different challenges. We are all more capable of handling life's challenges a little bit easier if we can just breathe. Gentri, Help Me Grow's Call Center Manager, wrote an amazing article on Copin...
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Three Ways to Make Meaningful Moments with Your Child

Three Ways to Make Meaningful Moments with Your Child
Take a moment to think of someone you just love to pieces. Are you thinking of them? What is it about them that you love? Do they have to act a certain way to earn your love? I can think of two people that are very special to me. My parents. I love to joke around and have fun with them, I love to listen to their stories and talk with them, and I love to share experiences with them. Some of the most important attributes my parents have which make ...
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Kindergarten: Is Your Child Ready?

Kindergarten: Is Your Child Ready?
This week I went to Target and saw that all of the school items are out and school shopping has already begun! As a result to this sighting, I was laying in bed reminiscing on my kindergarten experience. My son is not nearly old enough for Kindergarten, but I wonder how his experience might be different from mine when that day does come. I remember a few things from Kindergarten very distinctly, like coloring a picture of an apple on my first day...
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Tantrums: A Good Thing?

Tantrums: A Good Thing?
As a Parent Support Specialist, one of the most common concerns that I hear about are tantrums. Often irrational, unpredictable, and unpacifiable, it comes as no surprise to me that tantrums can be so concerning to parents that are simply trying their best to keep their child happy and breathing. What is a parent to do when it appears that their child is the only one crying on the floor in the grocery store, or when they seem to still throw a tan...
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The Grieving Child

The Grieving Child
When we contemplate of the grieving process, we tend to think of the five stages of grief ( Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance) first proposed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her 1969 book On Death and Dying. Many people's general understanding of these stages is that you move from one to another at a steady pace. You are supposed to start with 'denial' and end with 'acceptance'. Right? When my father passed away a couple of years ...
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A Parent's Experience with Help Me Grow Utah

A Parent's Experience with Help Me Grow Utah
  Being with Help Me Grow has been one of the most rewarding experiences. I have worked with Help Me Grow for nearly 2.5 years, and I have learned so much from all of my coworkers and the parents I've talked to. As I reflect on all of the things I have done with regards to this job, I hope that I have helped make a difference in the lives of the parents and families that I've worked with. One of the mothers that I've worked with for over 2 y...
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The Princess Bride and Fear of Public Restrooms

The Princess Bride and Fear of Public Restrooms
You just spent the last several weeks inside the house (hopefully during winter) watching "The Princess Bride" over and over while potty training your toddler. It wasn't exactly like climbing the cliffs of insanity, but close. Now that it's Spring you want to get out of the house and go on an outing, but there's one problem: What do you do if she's gotta "go" while you're out? Inconceivable! Public bathrooms are scary, loud, and often less than s...
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Following Your Child's Ages and Stages

Following Your Child's Ages and Stages
There are many perks to being the oldest child; every little milestone is tracked, celebrated, and recognized. Everything from my first words, to walking, and even toilet training, it was an exciting time for my parents to watch me grow. There was a sense of anticipation with each milestone, and as I learned new skills, they looked forward to what I'd be learning next. I was able to experience a little bit of that excitement when my youngest sist...
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How to Foster Empathy and Gratitude During the Holiday Season

How to Foster Empathy and Gratitude During the Holiday Season
Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas! Ah, 'tis the season for oversized sweaters, hot cocoa, red wind swept cheeks and Hallmark movies. It's also that time of year when children young and old start wondering what Santa or their parents might put under the tree for them come Christmas morning. While the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping is real and exciting, how can we make sure we are also fostering an environment of empathy and gratitude with our chi...
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Encouraging Mindfulness in Childhood

Encouraging Mindfulness in Childhood
Close your eyes… focus on your breath… do not try to change it, just focus on it. Now, I want you to imagine yourself lying in the soft grass. As you rest, you notice a tree next to you; this tree has big, beautiful leaves. Also, notice that there is a stream nearby; you are resting near the bank. As any thought enters your mind, imagine it is a leaf on the tree. Notice the wind and allow the thought leaf to blow from the tree to the stream and f...
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Guest Post: Bedroom Design Ideas to Help Children on the Autism Spectrum Flourish

Guest Post: Bedroom Design Ideas to Help Children on the Autism Spectrum Flourish
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...
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The Ins and Outs of an Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis

The Ins and Outs of an Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis
As a parent support specialist with Help Me Grow Utah, I sometimes get asked questions regarding receiving an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis. Frequent questions often sound like: Does Help Me Grow screen for autism? My pediatrician administered the M-CHAT to my child and it said he is at high risk-- doesn't that count as a diagnosis? My child just received an autism diagnosis-- what does she need now? For any parent that has similar que...
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Hot Off the Presses: New Information in the World of Child Development

Hot Off the Presses: New Information in the World of Child Development
It seems like news and information about child development is always changing. It can be hard to keep up with the most current science, theories, and parenting techniques. ZERO TO THREE recently compiled a list of hot, new articles and we wanted to share them with you!  Touch to Baby's Lips Sets off Intense Brain R esponse New research reveals a special neural signature associated with touching a baby's lips. It's an indicator of h...
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10 Coping Techniques to Use with your Child

10 Coping Techniques to Use with your Child
Have you ever noticed how life has a tendency to throw all sorts of unexpected twists and turns, especially at the least convenient times? I've heard enough experiences to know that this doesn't just happen to me; everyone has their own story. It's often hard for me (but really, most adults as well) to deal with these types of challenges. Imagine what it's like for a child! Yet we often have huge expectations of our children at their first sign o...
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