How to keep your child busy (and learning!) while you work

By Jen Lumanlan | April 3, 2020

Tired of activities that don’t hold your child’s attention? The secret isn’t more ideas. It’s matching activities to your child’s current schema. When you understand these patterns of play, you’ll find activities that actually keep kids engaged while you work.

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Why The Whole-Brain Child is only half of the story

By Jen Lumanlan | March 2, 2020

The Whole-Brain Child teaches us to “name it to tame it”. But what if emotions don’t actually need taming? What if there’s wisdom in our children’s big emotions that we’re missing when we rush to apply logic?

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The 4 best resilience-building strategies for children and adults

By Jen Lumanlan | February 17, 2020

Some people seem to bounce back from hard times effortlessly, while others struggle for years. What makes the difference? Research reveals four key factors that build resilience and they work for both children and adults.

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How to break the cycle of trauma

By Jen Lumanlan | February 2, 2020

Many of us carry invisible scars from childhood that show up in our parenting. The good news? Understanding trauma’s grip on our reactions and relationships is the first step toward breaking cycles and healing our families.

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Why children ask ‘why?’ – and how to stop it from driving you crazy

By Jen Lumanlan | January 19, 2020

That endless stream of “why?” from your preschooler isn’t just driving you crazy. It’s the spark that could fuel lifelong learning. Understanding what’s behind those questions changes everything about how you respond.

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The six skills children REALLY need to succeed as adults

By Jen Lumanlan | January 5, 2020

Forget the flashcards and expensive programs. The skills your child really needs for future success can be learned through something as simple as folding laundry together – if you know what to look for.

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When a crying child is a sign of good parenting

By Jen Lumanlan | December 13, 2019
A father in a yellow t-shirt gently embraces and comforts a small child with curly hair who is wearing a light green shirt.

When my daughter melted down over a broken toy in the preschool parking lot, other parents might have thought I was failing. But sometimes a crying child means you’re doing something exactly right.

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The ultimate holiday gift giving guide

By Jen Lumanlan | December 5, 2019

Last year my daughter campaigned for Hungry Hippos, insisting it accompany her new bike. She played it maybe ten times and it’s been untouched in her closet ever since. Here’s what really matters when choosing gifts.

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The respectful parent’s guide to surviving the holidays

By Jen Lumanlan | December 5, 2019

Holiday gatherings with family can quickly turn from magical to meltdown-inducing. But with some thoughtful preparation and smart boundary-setting, you can actually survive them with your sanity intact.

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4 Ways to celebrate Thanksgiving with children – Respectfully

By Jen Lumanlan | November 15, 2019

Do you remember dressing up like Pilgrims and Indians for the annual school Thanksgiving play? Many of us now realize this beloved story has little basis in fact and that’s uncomfortable to face.

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