Parenting Now Blog

Children love to explore and having a safe home environment allows them to do this to the fullest extent! The more opportunities kids have to safely explore, touch, taste, smell, and look at things, the more they develop and learn. Children are curious and love to experiment- that’s how they learn and master skills. We ...

Getting Along with Others Toddlers have a lot of big emotions - they’re learning how to exist in the world and how to navigate day-to-day experiences while managing their emotions and feelings. They often don’t have a filter or even know what is or isn’t appropriate to say or do, and at times this can ...

Child Abuse Prevention Month: Empowering Families, Protecting Children April is a significant month for child safety and well-being. As the flowers bloom and the days lengthen, we also raise awareness about preventing child abuse and neglect. In Oregon, this critical mission is championed by our staff at Parenting Now, who are dedicated to supporting families ...

Your kids learn from watching you, they want to grow up and be just like you- and that includes cleaning the house! Kids benefit from participating regularly in chores in many different ways. Chores teach childrenresponsibility, pride in their belongings and their home, routine, and other lifelong skills that willhelp kids become more successful and ...

High levels of stress can make it hard to be calm and consistent with our children. Stress is a natural response to a threat or a challenge. It's our mind's and body's way of preparing us to respond to something difficult or unexpected. When we experience stress, our bodies have a physical reaction, and our ...

Giving your children opportunities to express their natural creativity enhances their braindevelopment. When they have fun expressing themselves with activities like music, arts, andcrafts, they learn to actively solve problems and look at situations in new ways.Creative expression is an important part of life! The arts provide opportunities to explore cultureand develop thinking, communication, and ...

Many parents who had a childhood environment that brimmed with bountiful snow storms each year often marvel at the idea of providing the identical whimsical winter they experienced down to their children. We are excited about the prospect of seeing them fly down their first sledding hill, flop down on the ground to make snow ...

Toddlers are just beginning to learn about ownership and belongings, so sharing is a difficult skill to master. In their mind, your toddler is the center of the world (or at least your world!) so working with others and sharing toys is a big concept for them to understand. They may grab things, push other ...

The winter season brings the company of gray skies, dropping temperatures, and a departing sun. This transition can pose a precarious, difficult situation for parents. You may witness a drastic change of moods in your child. Fortunately, this is a common issue that many families experience each year: you are not alone. With preparation, routine, ...

  Bringing your young kids along for a shopping trip can be a rewarding experience for the entire family, but it can come with challenges. Young children are still in the process of learning how to manage their emotions and behaviors, especially in new and unfamiliar situations like shopping. Without your guidance, your preschooler might ...

  Developing Screen Time Routines These days it's to be expected that toddlers will have at least some screen time, and that's okay! Phones and tablets are a part of everyday family life and can be included in a healthy lifestyle for your child. Guidelines from The American Academy of Pediatrics include encouraging parents with ...

What to do when your child is acting out at school? School has been back in session for a little while now, and you think your child is doing great! But then you get a phone call from the teacher about some troubling behavior, and find out that they've been acting out at school - ...