Parenting Now Blog

  Toddlers are in a word “busy.” They have busy minds and busy bodies. Keeping them engaged and entertained all day—especially when preschools, libraries, and your other go-to places are closed—can be exhausting for parents and caregivers.  By now, you probably feel like you’ve exhausted all the resources in your toolbox for keeping your little ...

  As a parent, you were likely not prepared for your kiddos to be out of school a week earlier than expected-not to mention the entire month of April. With playdates out of the question, libraries closed, rainy days, and other activities canceled, your family is likely spending A LOT of time at home together. ...

Many of us are parenting through uncharted territory right now. We have been told to keep our children out of school for 1 ½ months, to stay home, away from playgrounds, other children, extended family members, and the public spaces we love to frequent during the rainy season. And while we try to stay hopeful ...

If you have young children, this is likely the first time you've had to parent through a pandemic. COVID-19 has completely upturned our daily lives, our routines-everything. And we have concerns about our health, our children's health, how to talk to our kids about Coronavirus, and where to get financial support during a time of ...

It’s the middle of the school year—there are more hours of daylight; the weather is starting to warm up (ever so slightly); and the weekends and after-school hours are starting to fill up with spring sports on the horizon. Your child’s homework might be the last thing on your mind. If you and your child ...

Babies are born with a unique desire to play. It’s how they learn about the world, problem-solve, and work through their emotions, not to mention build muscles and resilience. To quote Fred Rogers: “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really ...

Count yourself among the rare and lucky if you are a parent of a toddler who willingly—maybe even eagerly—hops right into bed for a peaceful night’s sleep, because most families with toddlers experience bedtime challenges. In fact, it’s part of the delightful package called toddlerhood! It’s so common, that it’s estimated that one in three ...

Since 2002, Parenting Now has recognized the efforts of special individuals in Oregon who have made a significant difference in the lives of children. This year, the Minalee Saks Champion of Children Award is awarded to Dr. Lauren Herbert for her tireless efforts for social justice for her patients, the underserved in our community, as ...

Successfully getting your toddler out of diapers and using a toilet all the time is a huge accomplishment (go ahead, give yourself a celebratory pat on the back). It takes a good amount of sweat, tears (mostly from you), vigilance, and determination to help your toddler meet this milestone. So much so, in fact, that ...

The data is in! Research shows that children of present, engaged fathers are less likely to drop out of school, go to jail, and avoid high risk behaviors later in their lives, such as smoking, underage drinking, or teen pregnancy. This is great news, especially as cultural roles are shifting and many families are choosing ...

Albert Einstein once said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”   We live in a world filled with miracles. We can see them every day—if we know where to look. A miracle occurred the day ...

When working with parents, I am often asked: “Is my toddler ‘ready’ for a preschool?” The next question that follows is: “Will it help or hurt my child in any way?” Every child is different, but research into early childhood shows that even a few hours a week in an intentionally prepared environment with age-based ...