It’s hard to feel grateful these days. Between the Pandemic, the election and state of our government, our divided country, civil unrest, fear of the future, and parenting kids who have been locked down with virtual school and virtual life, gratitude is not top of mind. Until today. I received an email from a longtime client, thanking me for all I taught her about cultivating gratitude in her children way back when. She included a photo of the same “Gratitude Jar” she has pulled out every … [Read more...] about Gratitude in the Pandemic…and how to grow it all year long.
Behavior
Deciding on Schooling During a Pandemic
With school fast approaching, many parents are faced with having to make a big choice. My email box is overflowing with requests for help in deciding what to do about school this fall. And the fact that many private and charter schools in California are now applying for waivers in order to open, makes the decision even more difficult. Virtual or in person? For parents of younger children--preschoolers or rising kindergartners--it is just as difficult: Should my child start kindergarten? … [Read more...] about Deciding on Schooling During a Pandemic
So Many Disappointments; It’s Time for Lemonade
Raising triplets came with all kinds of challenges. It was 1978, and I had never known anyone who had triplets. So, we muddled through the best we could. That included making sure our three kids had three separate lives, including separate birthday parties each year, being in separate classes in school, separate sports teams, followed by attending three different high schools and, finally, three different colleges all over the country. You can imagine our parental horror to learn that two of … [Read more...] about So Many Disappointments; It’s Time for Lemonade
Turning Disappointments into Lemonade
Raising triplets came with all kinds of challenges. It was 1978, and I had never known anyone who had triplets. So, we muddled through the best we could. That included making sure our three kids had three separate lives, including separate birthday parties each year, being in separate classes in school, separate sports teams, followed by attending three different high schools and, finally, three different colleges all over the country. You can imagine our parental horror to learn that two of … [Read more...] about Turning Disappointments into Lemonade
Talking to Kids about the Coronavirus
I have been reluctant to write a piece about the Coronavirus for two reasons: 1) I don’t want to fuel the sense of worry or even panic that seems to be building, and 2) there are many articles on the same topic circulating in cyberspace. But after I received 5 different emails today asking the question “How do I talk to my kids about the virus?” I changed my mind. Talk of the coronavirus COVID-19 is everywhere. People are wearing face masks which is a new sight to many kids. … [Read more...] about Talking to Kids about the Coronavirus
“It’s the Palisades”…Not!
On Friday night after another great dinner at our local pizza place with two of my grandgirls, we went for our requisite fro yo. It’s what we do on sleepovers at “BeeBee and Big D’s” house: pizza and frozen yogurt. As we sat relishing each bite with a taste of topping, two girls came scooting by. They looked to be 9 years old-ish. Stopping right in front of us sitting on the bench, the first girl turned and said to her friend, “How much did your most expensive jacket cost?” … [Read more...] about “It’s the Palisades”…Not!