So, I made a project out of “noticing,” noticing what made me smile and delighted me. It became a summer project. As it turned out, many of the things I noticed were elements and experiences in nature.

Adoptees are passionate because we live in a world that continues to prefer and promote a narrative that nurturance, love and comfort matter more than who they are received from. 

The warmer weather in many parts of the northern hemisphere mixed with a break from schooling can offer some additional options for fun, connection and emotional wellness. Here are a few ideas to help you make the most of the summer ahead!

Trying to understand the death of a loved one can be confusing for a child. Perhaps your child has just had to say goodbye to a beloved grandparent, aunt, or uncle.

We are so quick to offer reassurance, encouragement and comfort to our loved ones. Applying that same care and compassion to ourselves can be a more difficult shift to make.

Growth mindset can help buffer children from the effects of hardships and failures. It is a wonderful perspective to have for anyone!

Helping young children adjust to a new caregiver, child care or school setting takes time and attention under the best of circumstances. After nearly a year of pandemic living, it will likely require even more.

This year it feels like a swirl of anxiety and dread is heaped on top of the high expectations our children are holding for the coming weeks. And maybe their expectations are extra big this year too…

So what is the best way to bring light to the darkest days of the year, during an especially dark year?

And yet, just like my spider plant, we are incredibly RESOURCEFUL. Our patterns are rooted in safety and survival. When our roots were severed as babies or young children and we were replanted in a new family, we were lost and in shock.

It is for those reasons and more that I am excited to announce my partnership with the Open Path Collective. Open Path is a non-profit membership organization that allows individuals who are without health coverage or who have inadequate mental health coverage to access affordable, in-person care from their choice of vetted therapists.

Not only is PLAY the language of children but it is also a necessary ingredient for promoting healing, regulation, attachment, creativity, learning, health, problem-solving, persistence, processing big ideas or experiences and optimal development of the body and brain.

I saw this question in a local online group the other day: “Anyone have any luck with online therapy?” This question in the midst of our current circumstances got me thinking of my own journey with technology and virtual work.

I have been thinking a lot about the children who have already had the experience of losing what feels familiar to them, maybe through divorce, family separation, death, and/or trauma.

So how do we create more calm and safety at home for our young children and ourselves? For me personally, I have been revisiting and leaning on some of my favorite strategies for helping children cope with big emotions and behavioral challenges

Over the recent winter break my daughter and I were home more than usual and out of our now “regular” routine. Add in sweets, treats, bright lights, late nights and more excitement…. It is a recipe for something but not usually for ease and connection. Then this happened:

Among the many lessons I learned (or relearned) as a new parent were:

This is a soul stretching journey for which we need layers of support! And yet we live in a culture that often leaves new parents, whether by birth or adoption, isolated.

How do we show regard or make a shift from a mindset of expecting or demanding respect from our children to shifting towards showing regard and what the value is in doing that.

So for those of you preparing for gatherings big and small with a bit of apprehension or anxiety about how your children or your parenting will be received, I offer these thoughts and strategies: 

But what about when those moments come all too often? How can you prevent the meltdowns over time? For children who seem highly sensitive, anxious, or who have experienced early stress and

This experience reminds me of one my core beliefs: "All behavior has meaning." We had had a bumpy morning which left me feeling frustrated and like I was totally off track in my parenting.

It is October and there are cooler temps, sweaters, changing leaves and pumpkin-y goodness all around.  It is also the month we bring awareness to the needs and experiences of those who have suffered pregnancy and infant losses.