Kids reading in a children's section of a library- Navigating LGBTQ inclusivity, gender, and sexuality is difficult. Therapist and MSCP, Laurel Wasson discusses how to talk to your kids about this topic.

LGBTQ Inclusivity: Books on Gender and Sexuality

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LGBTQ Inclusivity: utilizing books to help navigate gender and sexuality.

While visiting family for the holidays, I had attended a storytime event at a library with my own children.  I love seeing the children’s sections at different libraries. Each has a different way of creating a safe space for engaging children in reading.  This specific library we were visiting had built a giant cardboard pumpkin. This pumpkin was filled with tunnels for the kids to crawl through.  It was enclosed enough to make the space private for the little explorers. But also had occasional windows for the adults to peer in. The pumpkin also had a ton of little cozy nooks filled with pillows, blankets, twinkle lights, and small cardboard shelves that proudly displayed books relevant to pumpkins and the holidays.  If I was smaller, I would have gladly crawled through and snuggled up with a book in one of the pumpkin nooks.

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Child learning on tablet - If you’re a parent today, then you know school is an incredibly different place than it was a decade ago. Is cyber school what your child needs to succeed?

Alternative Learning: The Case for Cyber School

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The world today is a difficult place to navigate at times. There is a strong pull of tradition and the way things “used to be”, while at the same time a shift in “thinking differently” with the aid of technology. If you’re a parent today, then you know school is an incredibly different place than it was a decade ago. From cyberbullying and the rise of social media to a literal change in learning (common core for example), students today face challenges no generation before them has had to encounter. This is why we want to talk about alternative learning, especially with regard to cyber schooling. These tools can help your child get the education and learning styles they need to succeed.

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More and more fathers are getting more involved in homemaking than ever before - here are some ways you can help break the stay-at-home dad stigma.

Breaking the Stay-at-Home Dad Stigma

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How often (and most likely tired) are you of hearing that women should be the primary caregiver in the family? We’re approaching a new decade, and you would think that as times continue to change, so would our view on stay-at-home dads. But it seems as though evolving gender roles are continually being met with friction. Corporate culture can put pressure on fathers to miss big parts of their kid’s lives for the sake of their careers. Plus, stay-at-home dads often get scoffed at for not being the breadwinner in the family. As many of these men would tell you they have felt disapproval from others. But the good news is that more fathers are getting more involved in homemaking than ever before. Here are some ways you can help facilitate the breaking of the stay-at-home dad stigma.

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High levels of over-achieving are leading to even higher levels of school stress, not just among high school students but grade-schoolers as well.

Helping Your Child Cope with School Stress

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If you’re a parent, you full well know that the school system has changed since you last had to go to homeroom. What once was a place of peer socialization and inquisitive curiosity, has now morphed into priorities of test scores, GPA’s, and college acceptance letters. High levels of perfectionism and over-achieving are leading to even higher levels of anxiety and depression among high school and college students. But it isn’t just older teens that are feeling the pressure of academic success. Due to standardized tests, increasing amounts of homework, and a complete rework of curriculum, kids as young as first grade are showing symptoms of school stress. With the framework of No Child Left Behind, we want to help you help your kids cope with school stress.

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With more influencers and chat applications emerging daily, we want to take the time to discuss the impacts of your kids and social media.

Kids and Social Media: What is the Impact?

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Social media. You may hate it, you may love it, or you may be one of the few who’s indifferent to it. No matter how you feel about it though, it’s now a part of our culture. As it continues to change and evolve, it is becoming easier and easier for the youth to become entrapped in the “game” of social media status. With more YouTubers, Instagram influencers, and communicative tools that emerge daily, we want to take the time to discuss the positive and negative impacts social media can have on your kids and what you can do to be aware of their online time.

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Bullies and mean kids exist at every age and grade level. Here are some ways you can help your child cope with school bullying.

How to Help Your Child Cope with School Bullying

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While we know you wish you could protect your kids from everything, there are some things in life they are going to have to experience. Unfortunately, bullying is one of those things that most kids deal with in today’s world. Bullies and mean kids exist at every age and grade level. And they can make normally mundane tasks, like standing at the bus stop or playing at recess, a nightmare. Not to forget, bullying can leave deep, emotionally traumatizing scars. In worse case scenarios, it can involve in threats, damage, or someone getting hurt! Here are some ways you can help your child cope with school bullying.

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How often do you think about your child's mental and emotional needs? Mental health support is an essential part of your child’s development.

Mental Health Support: Setting Your Child Up for Success

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As a parent, you have a number of things to worry about in regard to your child. You have to cater to their needs, like providing food, proper clothing, and putting them to bed at a reasonable hour. But how often do you think about their mental and emotional needs? Mental health support is an essential part of your child’s development. And mental health is part of an interactive relationship with their physical health and a number of other things. While these needs aren’t as obvious, mental health allows kids to develop socially, learn new things, and think clearly. Both physical and mental health affects how we think, feel, and act – not just on the outside but on the inside as well. As a new school year begins, it’s important to make sure your child has mental health support, so they are set up for success.

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Keeping healthy summer habits can be extra difficult for families with kids. Keep everyone healthy this summer with these healthy tips!

Healthy Summer Habits for Kids & Families

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For many, summer is a time to relax and ditch daily routines for spontaneous adventures. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to completely veg out and veer off of healthy habits. Keeping healthy habits can be extra difficult for kids. Keep your kids busy this summer with these healthy summer habits to help them live well throughout the year!

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From heatstroke, bee and wasp stings, and other health woes that occur during summer, we put together a guide on summer safety tips.

Summer Safety Part 2

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Summer safety is important whether your kids are home for summer, on the road with you or away at camp. If you want to make sure your summer days aren’t filled with trips to the emergency room, you’ll want to keep an eye out for warning signs of common summer bummers. From heatstroke, bee and wasp stings, and other health woes that occur during summer, we put together a guide on summer safety tips.

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While raising kids can be rewarding and wonderful, it can also start to consume your life - try self-care, it can make you a better parent!

PSA: Self-Care Makes You a Better Parent (Seriously!)

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Summer is the time of year many of us look forward to. From summer camps and sports tournaments to long bike rides and playdates, kids seem to be busier than ever. But what about you? What are YOU doing this summer (and coordinating calendars doesn’t count!!)? While raising kids can be rewarding and wonderful, it can also start to consume your life. Consider this blog your parental PSA on self-care and how it can make you a better parent.

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