Parenting Now Blog

Parents are their child's first and most important teachers, and wonderful learning can take place as you play together. You don't need expensive toys to engage with your child. All you need are some household items, and a little imagination. Some of the best play comes in the form of "messy" play. Messy play involves ...

Playing a sport gives your school age child an opportunity to develop physically through exercise. It also helps your child make new friends, and learn about teamwork, responsibility, and hard work. Sports are a great way to have your child try something new! If your child is new to trying sports or has expressed interest ...

In our Make Parenting A Pleasure parenting groups, we use the analogy of "filling your cup with self-care." If your cup is empty, you will have little to give to others. But when your cup is full, you are more likely to parent in ways that fit with what you want for your child. The ...

From pumpkin patches to hayrides, local farms offer a variety of fun things to do with your kids. That's why it's a fun idea to visit different farms and see what your family enjoys the most-and each farm will have different experiences to share with your family!  During the month of October, many farms have ...

Have you noticed your toddler eyeing your plate at mealtimes or showing signs that they want to feed themselves? If so, they may be ready to eat what the rest of the family eats, as well as use a spoon, and sit at the table with others. Every child is different, but typically around 12-months ...

There is no rulebook when it comes to being the perfect parent. In fact, there is no such thing as a perfect parent. Every family has their own traditions, values, customs, and routines. There isn't one "right way" to raise your child. You get to decide the values, skills, and behaviors you want to encourage ...

As the weather begins to cool for the season, and the leaves put on a dazzling display of colors for us, here are some crafts to get you and your child into the spirit of the fall season.  Leaf Wreath  Materials: Leaves from your neighborhood Glue Paper plate Ribbon First, you will need to collect ...

There are so many articles and suggestions for parents on preparing children for their first day of school, but how do parents prepare for leaving their child behind on the first day of school?  Once you've taken your child's first-day photo, dropped them off at school, you may ask yourself: "What now? What is next ...

Taking care of your things and learning how to clean up after yourself is a skill that children typically can do themselves around the ages of 3 or 4. Here are some tips for supporting your child as they learn and practice this new skill. Getting started Throughout the day, toddlers love getting out all ...

    Fall is approaching and with that comes time for preschool. When looking for a preschool for your child, look for one that fits within your family structure. There are several aspects to consider when choosing a preschool. Here are some helpful hints for picking the perfect preschool for your child. Consider the cost. ...

As parents, we can sometimes feel pressured into keeping our children busy and entertained during the long summer days. But summer is the perfect time to slow down and  enjoy the natural beauty of our area. Nature crafts are a fun way to get outdoors, and spend time with your child. For all of these ...

There are all sorts of ways to encourage your child to express their creativity. Performance arts, such as dance, acting, or playing an instrument all begin with your baby moving to music or rhythm, or your toddler's first games of make-believe. Visual arts like coloring, painting, drawing, using markers or different types of paints start ...