Learning from “Building Powerful Learning Environments From Schools to Communities”

All parties – schools, families, and community members – share the responsibility for building trust. But those who hold the official power within schools and classrooms have to set the tone and lead by example. -Arina Bokas, Building Powerful Learning Environments From Schools to Communities In both roles – as a parent and as an …

Setting Goals for the New Year

The quiet of falling snow, the start of the year and the lull after the pile-up of holiday season events offers an ideal time for reflection. Whether or not you set new year’s resolutions, using the winter months for envisioning your best self and setting goals just makes sense. My partner handed me a deck …

The Best of 2016

2016 was a tremendous year of growth for Confident Parents, Confident Kids. With numerous organizational and individual expert collaborators, 30,000 views from 152 countries and 22,000+ followers, this community of people committed to children’s social and emotional development is vibrant and dynamic and continues to grow after four plus years of dialogue. The coming year …

On Thrive Global – “Morning Routine Redux – Adjusting to Winter Weather”

Arianna Huffington and numerous partners have launched a site called Thrive Global in which they focus articles on well-being, wisdom, wonder, giving, working smarter, and unplugging and recharging. I was honored to have my article published on this site today. “Morning Routine Redux – Adjusting to the Winter Weather” will help any parents frustrated with the …

Our Common Ground – Winter Solstice Traditions Celebrate Light

So the shortest day came, and the year died, And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world Came people singing, dancing, To drive the dark away. They lighted candles in the winter trees; They hung their homes with evergreen; They burned beseeching fires all night long To keep the year alive, And when the …

Deck the Halls with Mental Well-Being

My son burst into tears as his friends waited at our door to play. He had fallen up our stairs and gashed his shin on the metal rims of the hall steps. I plopped on the floor to comfort him and as he turned to me, he said, “Mom, you told me to hurry.” And …

Learning about Some of the World’s Major Holidays – Their Uniqueness and Commonalities

Because of the numerous holidays celebrated through the fall and winter months, it is an ideal time to discuss how people celebrate around the world – both the uniqueness of traditions and also the many commonalities. I was struck by the number of similar themes and symbols when I did the research for the following …

Seeing the Holidays from a Child’s Perspective: An Empathetic Holiday Planning Guide for Parents

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, there’s much to accomplish in a short amount of time. Adult’s goals may include gift shopping for family and friends, volunteering at school parties, baking cookies, decorating the house and preparing special foods. But children’s goals for the season are very different. They are looking for …

What Can Parents Do about School Violence?

Because a school shooting happened this morning five minutes away from my home and I can hear the roar of helicopters over my head, I am doing what I can do… publishing an article about what we – each of us – can do to prevent these very preventable tragedies from ever occurring again. My …

“How to Hear “Me, Me, Me” Less and Teach Young Children to Give” on NBC Parent Toolkit

How do you help young children learn about and experience the joy of giving? Check out how the article begins… “Look, Mama!” my five-year-old son E said peering proudly over his grocery bag teeming with – toys? “Oh!” I was confused by what I saw. It was the day of the school Christmas store in …