Guidance for families

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?

It takes practice to learn how to be a good friend who is kind, supportive, trustworthy, and a good listener. These are skills kids can begin to learn at an early age.

On the way home from preschool one day, my five-year-old began to tell me a fascinating story. A boy at school had hit him, he shared. “But you can’t tell the teachers about it, Mom!” Alarmed, I asked him for more…

Compassion means we care about others, treat them with kindness, and feel a strong desire to help people in need. Compassion is empathy in action. For an eight-year-old, compassion might look like giving a hug, making a…

Everywhere we look we see ads showcasing the bodies of our cultural ideal—ultrathin women with bright smiles who radiate happiness, and powerful men with just the right amount of muscle who exude self-confidence. Kids…