As a fresh school year approaches, many families are gearing up for busy days ahead. With hectic mornings and long days at school and work—coupled with homework, afternoon activities, and social engagements—it’s no wonder that many families struggle to find time to simply connect and focus on one another. Knowing that you can count on […]
In The Moment: Being a More Present Parent
Our children are connected and attached to us! Sometimes that attachment is overwhelming and it seems like they just want our attention all the time. Whether it’s an infant’s cry, your older son endlessly talking about Minecraft, or your toddler needing extra snuggles at the end of a long day, it’s built into their DNA—and […]
The Lazy—and Learning—Days of Summer
August has always been my favorite part of summer—first as child and then as a teacher. For many of us, the school-year calendar dictates our schedules and time available to relax and play in the summer sun. My family moved to Eugene 21 years ago from a small town on coastal Maine. Our first summer […]
5 Benefits to “Unplugging”
Parents are at a crossroads when it comes to screen time. On the one hand, letting our children watch Daniel Tiger while we wait in line at the DMV is a huge lifesaver. But on the other, we are becoming more aware of how digital technology (smart phones, tablets, Internet-enabled electronic devices, even television) is impacting our […]
Friends And Foes: Navigating Sibling Relationships
Friends And Foes: Navigating Sibling Relationships When baby number 2 was still in the womb, you may have daydreamed about what your children’s relationship would look like: “Will my oldest help get diapers for his baby brother?” Or “Will my youngest daughter dance like her older sister? Maybe they will perform in recitals together!” Flash […]
The Importance of Toddler Routines
The Importance of Toddler Routines School’s out and summer is here! Many parents want to soak up as much of the summer sun as possible and fill their days with trips to the swimming pool, impromptu stops at the playground, or a late picnic dinner in the park. All these activities are enjoyable ways for […]
Baby Bonding Tips For Dads
Baby Bonding Tips For Dads In last week’s Triple P blog post, we discussed Parental Postnatal Depression (PPND), a mood disorder that affects anywhere between 4 and 25 percent of Dads after the birth of their baby. In some cases, PPND is caused from feeling excluded from the mother/baby relationship and bond. The good news is that […]
Create The Relationship You Want With Your Grandchild
Being a grandparent is an opportunity to create a fulfilling relationship for both grandparent and grandchild. The connection will be different with each grandchild and will depend on things such as personality and temperament, physical distance and understanding what appeals to each grandchild. To help in developing that connection, a great question to ask is: […]
Are You Feeling Time-Poor? Time management tips for busy families
Parenting presents challenges at all stages of the game. If you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed with the challenges that come with parenting your school-aged children, you’re not alone. You might think to yourself that because your kids are at an age where they are now fully feeding, dressing, and—GASP—using the bathroom by themselves, that you […]
Creating New Holiday Traditions As A Military Family
My family moves every 3 years. Sound exhausting? It is. As a military family, we have had to remake our home, both literally and figuratively, in such far-reaching places as Hawaii and Japan. We usually do so with little-to-no friends and family near by to help us. “Your holidays must be so glum and lonely,” […]