Parenting Now Blog

It's a time honored tradition to set goals for yourself for the New year. For some, it's reducing sugar intake; for others, it is spending more time in nature. But what if this year you tried setting parenting goals for yourself? Your parenting goals could be a behavior you want to change in yourself, such ...

Ana Maria Dudley first came to the Family Resource Center in Cottage Grove in 1993. Since then, she has met countless families, enriching their lives with her warmth, grace, and spirit.  Ana Maria Dudley, left. She has helped families navigate complex medical systems, find local resources such as WIC, food banks, housing, as well as ...

Wow, what a time of year, right?! All the lights, activities, shopping, hustle and bustle - all while parenting, too! Parenting is a full-time job, and it requires a commitment to taking care of your child's physical and emotional needs. But what about your own needs? When's the last time you checked in on your ...

With many adults vaccinated and children ages 5 and up now eligible for their COVID-19 vaccination, families are looking forward to reuniting with family and friends this holiday season after a long stretch of social distancing. But while you may be excited to have Grandma over for a New Year's fest, your child may have ...

Mealtime with a toddler can be busy, messy, and chaotic while they are learning how to eat independently. As a toddler's tastes mature and their skills develop, so does their interest in trying a wider variety of foods that they can feed themselves. Toddlers can learn to eat what the rest of the family eats. ...

From refusing to share toys to making hurtful comments, it's important to teach children the importance of playing cooperatively and getting along with others. Teaching these skills early on in toddlerhood can help your child during a time when they are striving for independence and testing their limits. Toddlers can sometimes fight or become physical ...

According to the National Parenting Education Network, "Loving may be instinctual, but skills are developed. Even before becoming a parent and throughout your journey, you can continually learn skills and gain insights. These empower relationships, support growth and development, and create family well-being, even during difficult transitions." As parents, we can all benefit from parenting ...

Victoria's daughter, Olivia, has been able to stay dry overnight ever since she was successfully potty trained when she was two and a half. But, recently, since starting first grade at a new school, Olivia has wet the bed a few times per week. When children go through periods of transitions, change or stress-such as ...

As the rain settles in for the winter season, parents often start looking for indoor activities to keep their busy toddlers and preschoolers engaged. Singing and listening to music, specifically fingerplay songs, is a fun way to entertain your child, while also building connection. Fingerplays are short songs that are paired with finger movements or ...

 As a parent, it's never easy seeing your child fret over getting a shot or feel pain from it, but there are things you can do to help prepare your child for their COVID-19 vaccination or any other shots as part of a wellness checkup. "It's not uncommon for kids to be anxious about getting ...

Big transitions and new routines, like starting school, take a lot-physically and emotionally-out of kids. During this transitional stage of either starting school for the first time or returning from a long period away from the classroom, your child might feel extra tired and emotional-especially after school. This is sometimes known as the "after-school meltdown." ...

A close, nurturing, and responsive relationship is the single most important factor affecting our children's well-being. One of the most powerful ways we can strengthen our relationship with our children is through Positive Attention Through Play. Positive Attention Through Play is an important way to connect with our children and help them learn about themselves and ...