Times – oh, how they change. Back when my boys were babies, I absolutely hated the “fall back” time change. I would hear everyone say how great the fall time change is because we gain an extra hour over our lazy, leisurely, glorious Sunday. In fact, way-way back before I had kids, I too embraced […]
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Mindfully Thankful
Yes, it’s November! The costumes have been tucked away, the Halloween candy is slowly disappearing, and all of a sudden, you realize that the holidays are coming… FAST. Thoughts of presents, turkeys, cards, relatives, parties, and shopping begin to dizzyingly swirl in our heads. Pages of to-do lists fill our planners and cell phones. And […]

Ask Dr. Gramma Karen: My Father-In-Law’s Gun Hobbies Are Distressing
My father-in-law is a serious hunter; he is even listed in the NRA (National Rifle Association) record books. Many of the animals he has shot are mounted around his home. In fact, I find it quite disturbing that one of the animals he hunted, a bear, is located right next to where he sets up […]
Tips to Help Children Navigate Emotions and Worry at the Holidays
As the holiday season approaches, there will be many changes to your family’s normal routine. Perhaps you have family members staying at your home, traveling from one location to another or even traveling a great distance during a very short period of time. For children, these changes to their normal routine can add some extra […]

How to Help Your Kids Develop Healthy Eating Habits
As adults, we know how important it is to ensure that our children develop healthy behaviors as they grow. We set up play-dates so they can learn to interact with others and practice politeness and we implement a night-time routine that they associate with sleep, but do we ever focus on teaching them how to […]

Tips to Promote Healthy Play Patterns to Enhance Infant and Toddler Language
Follow your child’s lead in play. Letting the child lead the way in play is a nurturing way to foster concept formation and language learning. Observe what kinds of play activities your child shows an interest in. A young child’s play is a window to her imagination and her ability to make sense of the […]

Real Parenting Confessions and Concessions
Ever wonder if you’re the only parent who breaks from conventional thinking on a common parenting issue… or speculate just how common today’s parenting practices really are? UrbanSitter, an online parenting resource for finding childcare, surveyed more than 350 of its families from across the United States to get the inside scoop on controversial parenting […]

But I’m NOT Sorry! What To Do When A Child Has Done Wrong
For years, as a Teacher, Parent Coach, and Passer Byer (I know. Passer Byer is not really a word but, eh, now it is.) I have heard very well-meaning, parents, teachers, and the like tell children to say, “I’m sorry” when they have made a less than desirable choice. I get it, really I do. Grown ups want […]