We are knee-deep into summer break, and I'm sure that comes with plenty of memories, family time, pool days, lounging around... AND meltdowns, tiredness, and everyone getting on each other's nerves - the whole works! Which makes this the perfect time to create a family Crisis Kit. It's killing two birds with one stone: you're entertaining the kids while teaching them one of the most valuable life skills they can learn: how to calm themselves down effectively when their emotio

Many of us have a story about who our spouse is, and it often begins with labels like these: An emotionally unavailable partner. A drama queen. A control freak or a hothead. A people pleaser, slob, or know-it-all. An obsessive perfectionist or an irresponsible procrastinator. Though you may be nodding your head emphatically in recognition, these labels don’t tell the whole story. You live with a person: a complex, ever-changing human being with a tendency to act in certain w

Many people struggle to validate effectively because they believe it means agreeing with the other person. If a friend is upset over something that seems minor, if a partner interprets a situation differently than we do, or if a child is having a big reaction to a small disappointment, we may worry that validation reinforces irrational thinking or inappropriate behavior. In reality, validation and agreement are not the same thing. Validation is the act of communicating that a

As the school year is coming to an end, and the transition to summer is beginning, perhaps both feelings of excitement and nervousness are creeping in. When schedules change, feeling excitement about the possibility of rejuvenation, and nervous about the lack of routine, both make a lot of sense. While you are still in that transition phase, thinking about the reality of your summer, and places that you might get caught up in, is critical to a successful and relaxing vacation

As parents, we like to think that we love all our children fully and equally. But let’s be real, every parent has one child (and sometimes more than one!) that just seems to be more difficult. There are many reasons why one child may be more difficult to parent than another. Often, the child will exhibit behaviors that the parent finds difficult to manage (such as angry outbursts, physical aggression, or tantrums). And as is normal, we start to look for ways to change and man

Few things are harder than watching your child feel scared. Whether it’s fear of the dark, sleeping alone, or being away from you, your instinct is to help them feel better as quickly as possible. Many parents find themselves responding by letting their child sleep in their bed, staying with them until they fall asleep, or avoiding situations that trigger anxiety altogether. These responses come from a place of care and protection. In the moment, they often do help. The child

Every behavior serves a purpose or function. As human beings with free choice, we act purposefully and to fill a need whether or not we are fully aware of it. Understanding the function of a behavior will help us understand the reason behind the action and how we can handle unhelpful behaviors in ourselves and those around us. Most functions of behavior fall into four categories, with the acronym EATS: Function #1 - E scape Sometimes things feel so overwhelming that we just

If you ever scroll through social media reels or read a self-help book these days, odds are you’ve come across the word validation. Whether or not we can define the word off-the-cuff, most of us have felt its power at one point in our lives: the comfort and relief that comes from someone recognizing our internal experience and confirming that our thoughts or feelings are understandable and real. As relational beings, we knowingly or unknowingly crave this recognition from bir

It’s that time of year – school is heading out and sunscreen is coming on. Whether vacation just passed, is actively happening, or is rapidly approaching, this time of year brings its own kind of challenges. Rained out activities, kids fighting, and lack of structure may end up leaving you frustrated. The question becomes, how do we cope when expectations and realities don’t line up? 1. Clarify expectations in advance It is hard to not get caught up in the nitty gritty detai

Postpartum anxiety is extremely common, yet many new mothers struggle to recognize when their “maternal instincts” and natural protectiveness cross over into an unhelpful preoccupation with their baby’s safety. Part of the confusion stems from the crucial emphasis on child safety reinforced by hospital staff, pediatricians, well-meaning bubbies , and even distant relatives and acquaintances. Whether or not it’s appropriate for your great-aunt-twice removed to weigh in on your