Search Results for: What is

Covid-19 has encouraged even those of us who are reluctant housekeepers to kick it up a notch. I am committed to cleaning hard surfaces, door knobs, and face-masks. I have been hustling to keep the household respectable and scrubbing my hands like a surgeon.

There are only a few things in the living room that appear to have gotten grubbier as of late; those things are my kiddos. In reverse correlation to the alcohol-wiped kitchen, the kids are greasier than ever.

PJ day every day. No need to shower for virtual school. No grandma visits that would require putting on a collared shirt. There is little urgency for real clothes, combed hair, or fresh socks.

The children lack ambition to take care of their personal hygiene and I can’t say they are alone. These are weird times. Their dad’s beard can only be described as big. I’ve been wearing fewer outfits than a Frenchwoman, with none of the signature style. Collectively, we are not at our best.

I can see from my front window that many families are finding themselves in a similar situation. The pre-K kids in the neighborhood seem to be syrup stained and dusty. The teenage boys are most definitely not changing their hoodies. The newborns are still adorable, but the doting stroller pushers look extra disheveled.

This window-gazing research has highlighted the fact that most families are exhibiting physical clues that they may be struggling with the lack of routine.

We are in this together, people!

Let’s get back on track. Time to find some simple solutions for consistent personal care habits. [Read more…]

I felt like I was failing. It sounded so simple, but it wasn’t easy.

I read the books and it all made sense.

I knew positive parenting was the right path for me. This was the parent I wanted to be.

But in reality, it was hard.

It was hard to always stay calm and non-reactive.

It was hard to always connect with empathy.

It was hard to always hold space when my kids had a meltdown.

If you’ve ever felt like giving up on positive parenting, you are not alone! Keep reading to learn how we can navigate the journey of positive parenting, even when it is hard! [Read more…]

Do you remember the joy and pride of holding your newborn? Your squishy baby, those loud cries and your arms aching to cuddle him and give him comfort?

As I held my own fresh newborn, I remember feeling such a mix of emotions: happy, joyous, proud–but overwhelmed, too. I remember thinking to myself: how do I care for him?

In hardly any time, my little man grew into a toddler. I embraced the playful moments along with the meltdowns and emotionally challenging moments. The researcher inside me often thought: what is going on in his little brain? How can we help him grow into a fine boy? How can we nurture his brain development?

Neurological development or brain growth begins very early in life, just a few weeks after conception. The foundation for sensory, visual and cognitive functioning is laid and developed in the first years of your child’s life. Encouraging and providing our children with proper stimulation and good experiences helps the brain cells to mature, proliferate, and form connections.

While brain growth begins prior to birth, this growth continues into the teenage years and eventually into early adulthood. As parents, we can help  support the physical, emotional, social, and language development of our children.

Here are 10 remarkable neuroscience findings and ways in which we can support the neurological growth of our children: [Read more…]

Over the last few years I have been blessed to witness my son do some amazing things that I admittedly would not have been able to do at the same age.

For example, his school held an evening lecture, and my son was asked to introduce the guest speaker in an auditorium filled with fellow students and parents. He calmly walked up to the podium and clearly read a lengthy introduction. Then he greeted the speaker with a firm handshake and took his seat in the audience.

If he was nervous, it didn’t show! I was wowed by his ability to rise to the challenge placed before him with such ease and grace.

It got me thinking — since I am not always confident — how is that I (and my husband) raised such a strong, confident child?

I reflected back to all the areas where we have specifically focused our attention over the years and concluded that a multi-disciplinary approach has been key to helping our son succeed in building self-confidence, inner strength and self-reliance. Our approach has focused on three primary areas: physical, mental and emotional.

As the saying goes, “A three-legged stool will not wobble!”

[Read more…]

Lawnmower parenting.

Isn’t it a cool term? Wait till you know what it means.

Lawnmower parenting is when parents turn into ninjas for their children and mow down every obstacle or challenge that could possibly occur in their lives so that their precious little ones don’t have to face even a tiny bit of discomfort.

Of course, it is only natural for parents to be protective of their children and to shield them from problems. But this instinct itself turns into a problem that could rob the children of their resilience. You and I have done it, albeit unknowingly, in our earnestness to give our children the best possible upbringing. [Read more…]