Our Blog
From everyday tips and expertise to upcoming events, our blog is a trusted resource for parents, caregivers, and educators, offering practical tools, expert insights, and support throughout the parenting journey.
The Dad in the Back of the Room
In celebration of Father’s Day, we are sharing this thoughtful reflection from Mike Whitaker -“Whit” – on what it means to stay engaged with our children through the challenges and uncertainties of a rapidly changing world. Parenting does not require us to be experts in every new technology or trend our children encounter, but it does ask us to stay present, curious, and connected. In this piece, Whit explores how difficult conversations about AI and technology can become opportunities for trust, understanding, and growth within families. His perspective is a meaningful reminder that showing up – even when we feel unsure or uncomfortable – is one of the most important things parents, and especially fathers and father figures, can do for the children they love.
A Breath of Spring
No matter how passionate or committed we may be to something, the fresh breath of Spring makes things feel even more worthwhile. I look forward to the days of puttering around my garden, thinking about my new plans and - just dreaming. Having dreams is a great way to...
This Summer Has New Opportunities
How is your summer going? What has changed? Are you worried about or challenged by the existing environment? This summer has presented a different scenario for parents. Many parents are trying to work while their children have increased free time. Some worry their...
Parenting: As You Go, They Go
Did you know that the language you use to describe your emotions can actually have an impact on how you feel? This is based on psychological theories that show that when information from your body is made meaningful through language, you begin to feel the related...
Maintaining Your Physical & Mental Health During the Holidays
For many, the holidays bring special times being together with family, working a little less, and celebrating life. For others, the holidays bring hard times. Remembering lost loved ones, worrying about finances, and balancing day-to-day activities and healthy habits...
Strategies to Relieve Parental Worry
Are you a worrier? To worry is to give way to anxiety or unease; to allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles. This can be true for actual or potential issues. I will be the first to admit that I have worried plenty. Sometimes my worries were grounded in...
Building Resilience in Your Child
Parenting is an emotional experience, and one that pushes us to be a better person. Over the years your child changes, and so do you! That means that you have to be observant, flexible, creative and open to change so that you can move through all the...
The Power of Parents in Reducing Stress & Anxiety
Parenting is not about perfection; it is about consistency and patience. One of your roles as a parent is to love and protect your children, while also giving them the room they need to grow, discover themselves, and learn how to navigate the world. When they are...
Understanding Your Kids Perspective: Truly a Sixth Sense
Spring! Birds chirping, flowers blooming, rain pouring, and sun shining. The change of seasons brings fresh feelings, excitement, and new perspectives. Gaining new perspectives is an incredibly important part of life, but not just for enjoying the seasons. It is...
Instagram: Tips & Tools for Keeping it Fun & Safe
We are all aware of the popularity of the social platform, Instagram. Since 2010, Instagram has grown to have more than 50 million active users and is second in popularity to Facebook. Instagram’s popularity among young people surpasses Facebook. The majority of...
Understanding the Teenage Brain
Picture this scenario:Jennie and Abby have been best friends since middle school. This year they moved into 9th grade and Abby noticed that all Jennie cared about was fitting in with older kids. Lately Jennie has been sneaking out of her house to go to parties and...
Having Conversation About Vaping, JUULs and other Electronic Nicotine Devices with Young People
JUULs, ghosting, cloud chasing, e-juice, pods, mods …. Let’s face it; it can be a little difficult to keep up with all the lingo and devices available to our youth when it comes to vaping. Did you know that in 2014, there were 460 brands of electronic devices and...
Closing out 2018 and Starting 2019 with a Rockin’ Plan
There are a lot of different ways to say goodbye to 2018 and welcome the new year. We are all familiar with the long-standing tradition to set new year’s resolutions that dates back to ancient Babylonian and Roman customs. We are also probably all familiar with...
Understanding Emotions & Finding Closure
Part of being human is experiencing a myriad of emotions. Kindness, anger, joy, disgust, surprise, trust, shame, envy, fear, calmness, and love are just a few. Usually we like the “positive” feelings and try to avoid the “negative” ones. We also associate negative...
When and How to Introduce Technology to Children
Guest Blogger: Lucy Wyndam Twenty-seven percent of screen time for children between the ages of 5 - 8 is spent with digital media. As parents, you might be wondering whether this is good or bad, and how will it impact their adulthood. In the fast-paced age of...
5 Ways to Build a Strong Relationship with Your Child
Recently, I had an opportunity to spend a few days mountain biking in Moab. While I was there, I met a young family with a 6, 8 and 10-year-old. Having older children myself, I shared a few laughs about the old days when I would drag them with me on mountain bike...