Guidance for families

There’s a saying that the two gifts we give our children are roots and wings — a sense of connectedness to family, culture, and community and the confidence to move beyond what they know so they become their own person…

Expressing emotions and having them accepted and validated is important for both children and grown-ups. And there’s a whole spectrum of emotions to feel! While many grown-ups view emotions as good or bad, the truth is…

Emotional self-awareness involves identifying and understanding one’s emotions – including “big feelings” that can sometimes overwhelm us.

It’s so hard to watch our children struggle, fall, and even fail. However, for learning to take place, struggling and failing are part of the process. As parents, we want to protect our children from hardships, so we…

Responsibility means being dependable, making good choices, and taking accountability for your actions. A responsible citizen looks out for the well-being of others and understands we all have a part to play in making…

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned so much of our daily in-person work into a more virtual environment for many families. As a business owner, pediatric psychologist, and parent coach, I currently see 100% of my clients…

One of the hardest things about being a parent is always having to be the grown-up in the relationship. On our best days, we’re able to be the calm in the middle of our child’s storm. But it’s not always easy — like the…

Self-care isn’t selfish — it’s a basic need of being human! By teaching your child simple acts of self-care and including nurturing routines into your family life, you can show that taking care of ourselves, and each…

Courage involves making good choices in the face of fear or obstacles. It’s another term for bravery. Remember: Bravery doesn’t mean fearlessness. It means we do not let fear hold us back from exploring new…

Honesty means we are truthful in what we say and do. It means people can rely on us and it’s the basis of a trusting relationship. For eight-year-olds, honesty looks like consistently telling the truth, accepting…

Much as we love the winter holidays, by the time Thanksgiving has come and gone, many of us are feeling a little anxious as well. We want so much to create memorable celebrations for our families, that it can be hard to…

Does this scenario sound familiar?

Last week, I took my kids to their first concert. The auditorium was exploding with dance music, squeals of delight, and small bodies wiggling in the aisles. With each new song, my son became more energized. By the end…

It might sound odd, but one of the best times to encourage learning with your kids is on vacation. The reading battles of home are far behind them, and your relaxed mindset puts you in the perfect state of mind to have…

Has your child ever flown a unicorn right out of the house? Forged a peace treaty with thimble-sized aliens? Or become the first person to open a fast casual fondue restaurant on the moon?