Is it a BIG, Medium, or little deal? I frequently use an excellent social-emotional curriculum for kids called Unstuck & On Target (Lynn Cannon, Lauren Kenworthy, et al). It’s particularly useful with children and tweens who struggle with emotional regulation and cognitive flexibility, but its concepts can be useful to all parents when their kids–or they themselves–have a … Read more
A Few Thoughts on Self-Care The new year brings fresh starts and new goals, and I feel like it is a great time to think of our own self-care plans and what helps each of us recharge. We all have different definitions of what self-care might mean for us as individuals. Activities such as exercise, … Read more
Finding and Keeping Connection Some years ago, around this time of year, I got a call from someone very dear to me. She told me she was making a New Year’s resolution that we would get together at least once a month. This is one of the few New Year’s resolutions that had true staying … Read more
Setting Healthy Boundaries during the Holiday Season The holidays are upon us! While this time of year can bring joy, it also can leave us feeling frustrated, exhausted, and pulled in too many directions at once. This makes it a perfect time to pause and consider the topic of healthy boundaries for ourselves. Although the … Read more
Are Working Memory Problems Disrupting Your Child’s Learning? Working Memory is like a “mental sticky note” that keeps track of information momentarily in mind (NOT in long-term memory) in order to complete a task. Basically, it helps kids hold on to information long enough to use it. Working memory is one of many executive functions … Read more
On Parenting Teens with Intense Emotions One of my favorite books, as both a professional and a parent of teenagers, is “Parenting a Teen Who Has Intense Emotions” by Pat Harvey and Britt Rathbone. In their book, Harvey and Rathbone present dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) strategies that parents can use to help teens navigate challenges … Read more
Being Mindful: Using What and How Skills Mindfulness is the quality or state of being aware or conscious of something. We often think of mindfulness in terms of meditation and breathing exercises—skills that can decrease distress and promote emotional regulation. While these skills are certainly useful, the core purpose of practicing mindfulness is to increase … Read more
Now Offering Autism Spectrum Testing at FamilyFirst If you suspect that your child or you may be Autistic, a diagnostic evaluation can assist with accessing needed early interventions, establishing or maintaining accommodations, and/or accessing other support services. You or your child may benefit from an autism evaluation if you notice the following: For infants and … Read more
In our previous blog, we discussed parents being on the receiving end of our kids’ big, hard-to-have feelings and the importance of listening…truly listening….as a way to respond in these moments. Today, we’re discussing some more traps parents fall into from time to time with some empathic and supportive alternatives. TRAPS ALTERNATIVES We judge the … Read more
What To Do When Our Kids Have Big Feelings (Part 1) As parents, we are often on the receiving end of our kids’ big, hard-to-have feelings. Anger. Sadness. Tantrums. Frustration. Worries. It can feel like a lot for a parent to handle. Sometimes our children’s feelings seem out of proportion to the situation. Sometimes their … Read more
