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 […]
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 […]
Groups Help Form Foundations For Parents
Groups Help Form Foundations For Parents I became a father for the first time in July 2008, just five months after losing my own father. The joy of becoming a father, the daunting responsibility of raising a child, and the grief of losing my own father had me on quite the emotional rollercoaster. I […]
Dads Get Postnatal Depression Too
Dads Get Postnatal Depression Too We know that 1 in 5 Moms can have feelings of sadness or depression after the birth of their baby, and that two thirds of Moms feel emotionally fragile or numb within the first 10 days after giving birth. But Moms aren’t the only ones who can experience a shift […]
How Are You Coping With the Challenges of Parenting?
How Are You Coping With the Challenges of Parenting? Being a parent and managing a family can be stressful at times. Sleepless nights with a newborn, toddler upsets, or a bout of illness can all test a parent’s ability to handle challenging moments with grace and ease. While these moments are generally fleeting—children eventually sleep […]
Step 4 of Positive Parenting: Have Realistic Expectations
Step 4 of Positive Parenting: Have Realistic Expectations One of the primary goals of the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program is show that parenting education is for every family. Whether you’re currently experiencing high levels of stress or have found a good balance in your life, we can all benefit from learning the basic principles of positive parenting. Over […]
Better Together: Parenting As a Team
Better Together: Parenting As a Team While rocking your newborn to sleep and gazing lovingly into her eyes, you’re likely not thinking about what you’ll do when she is 3-years old and throwing peas at you during mealtime. Even less likely is that you are considering how your partner would handle the situation. But as […]
The Power of Groups
(This article appeared in the April 9, 2018 edition of the Register-Guard) When you are an expecting parent, your friends, family and co-workers may gush over cute baby clothes and name choices, provide their lists of top 10 “must-have” baby gear, and share stories of explosive diapers and gas smiles. Even when baby first arrives, […]
Working Parent Stress: Tips For Juggling Work and Family
Before you had children, how did you unwind after a long day at work? Maybe you met up with friends, hit the gym, went for a hike. . .maybe you did nothing at all—how amazing was that?! In that era, laundry could wait until the weekend; groceries could be put off until there was nothing […]