Quick and Easy Breathing Exercises to Calm Anxiety

Quick and Easy Breathing Exercises to Calm Anxiety Many of us experience anxiety in our daily lives, whether situational or chronic. However, there are breathing practices we can use in the moment of heightened distress or as a regular daily self-care practice to reduce stress, relax us, and promote both psychological and physical well-being. Below … Read more

Understanding and Managing Social Anxiety: Tips for Parents

Understanding and Managing Social Anxiety: Tips for Parents I have seen an increasing number of children and teens with social anxiety over the last few years. Although it is a common issue, it can be challenging to manage. Let’s talk about what social anxiety is and what you as parents can do to help. Social … Read more

Coping with Relocation

Coping with Relocation Moving to a new place is one of the most stressful life events a person can go through. Research suggests that is the third most stressful event behind the death of a loved one and divorce. Surprisingly, even when it is a desired move and what you feel will be an exciting … Read more

What’s Behind the Anger?

A girl hiding her face

Anger, though it may feel intense and hard to handle in the moment, is a normal human emotion.  It signals to us that something is not right, and we need to pay attention to it.

Parental Self-Regulation Helps Kids with Big Feelings

Woman showing happy and sad face cards to a girl, who points to the happy face.

As parents, we have no doubt observed our children (of all ages) experiencing big feelings. Big feelings are bound to happen, and big feelings are tough! I have been thinking about parent mindfulness a lot these days. The act of being mindful of ourselves as caregivers and being aware of what is going on in our bodies helps us be the calm, secure presence our kids need when big feelings come up for them. It is important to know what is going on in our own bodies and care for ourselves to meet the needs of our kids.

It’s Almost Bathing Suit Season! Achieving Body Acceptance

Body Acceptance

For many years, the “body positivity” movement has been in our public discourse, as an argument against diet culture and its impact on our emotions and economy. Body positivity centers on the message that all bodies are beautiful – inclusive of all sizes, genders, ethnicities, ages, and abilities.

Practicing Radical Acceptance in Parenting

Radical Acceptance

Practicing Radical Acceptance in Parenting No matter how old your child is, there are likely times when you feel a high level of distress, frustration, and/or anger at their choices and behaviors. In those moments, you may find yourself thinking things like: “why can’t he/she just do X?!” or “I did not raise him/her to … Read more

The Diagnosis Debate

A person sitting near a doctor

Most visits to a medical doctor involve a similar sequence of events; the patient presents their
symptoms and the provider goes through a mental checklist and/or administers a series of tests
until they eventually deduce the reason for the patient’s ailment – a broken bone, an ear
infection, a ruptured appendix, etc.

Spring has Sprung: Time to Help our Kids Re-connect with Nature

Family spending time together, symbolizing unity and support services

Spring has Sprung: Time to Help our Kids Re-connect with Nature During the winter season, we all find ourselves confined to indoor activities which often place limitations on movement and options for play. As parents we likely all have been waiting for spring and warmer weather so that we can do more family activities outside … Read more