With the exception of losing my dad when I was ten years old, I’ve really always felt like I had a charmed childhood. And while I know that it probably sounds odd to say, in spite of such a big loss, it’s actually the truth. Ironically, the way I feel about my childhood isn’t even […]
The Blessing of Grandparents Read More »
After a hot and hectic summer, it’s time for students to head back to school. If thoughts of the previous school year have you breaking out in a sweat, you’re not alone. Parents and students all over the country are dealing with the challenge of returning to school amid inconsistent masking requirements, blended learning, and
6 Simple Back-to-School Tips to Protect Your Mental Health Read More »
In 2001, Dr. Marshall Duke and Dr. Robyn Fivush from Emery University had a hypothesis that children who know more about their families are more resilient and can handle challenges better than children who have limited knowledge about their families. This led them to create a “Do You Know?” list of questions to ask children
One Thing You Can Do to Give Your Child Resilience and Grit! Read More »
Many schools have done a great job raising awareness about bullying. Bullying is never okay and needs to be addressed immediately. However, with this heightened awareness, kids may have a hard time differentiating between bullying and mean behavior. Understanding the difference is important as it helps kids know how to respond. Let’s start with some
Is it Mean or Bullying Behavior? Read More »
Friendships can be challenging, especially during adolescence. When you ask women to recall their preteen and teen social lives, a consistent pattern emerges. There are stories of enduring friendships but also uncomfortable social memories. Women share stories of exclusion, drama, loneliness, fitting in, and friendships lost. And this rings true for girls today. A UCLA
Why Girls’ Social Struggles Intensify During Adolescence Read More »
I can’t help it. I’m an Olympics junkie. Every stroke, every flip, every serve, every stride—there’s not a sport I won’t devour. But when I really think about it, I realize the reason this event appeals to me so much is because of the athletes’ storied journeys. Beyond their exceptional athleticism, I marvel at their
Culture of Intention: Setting Goals Read More »
Friendship Truths to Guide Kids as They Head Back to Classrooms Making and maintaining friendships can be challenging, especially during the preteen and teen years. Given the wide range of social-emotional skills in a single classroom, it’s no wonder that friendship struggles unfold. Throw in a pandemic, social distancing, and school closures and it’s no
Back-to-School, Back-to-Friendship Read More »
Author C. Hope Flinchbaugh shares what inspired her to write the Baby Babbles series and her newest book Baby Babbles C/K. Inspired by Baby Before I wrote and published books, I enjoyed teaching my classroom of first and second graders how to read. What a joy to watch the face of a child light up
Behind The Series: Baby Babbles Read More »
It’s totally cliché, I know, but I’m saying it anyway . . . laughter really is the best medicine, especially when you’re raising kids. That’s because, as just about every parent knows, parenthood is the most perfectly imperfect job out there. Where everything that can go wrong usually will go wrong. But when life goes sideways, there’s no
The Value of Laughing Together Read More »
Adolescence is a time of tremendous change and growth. Preteens and teens begin to rely more on their peers than their families for support and identity, hence the increased need to “fit in.” They begin to shape their own identity through what they wear, who they hang out with, and what they do. And all
How to Support Your Kids Through Friendship Struggles Read More »
