by Susie Windle | Apr 19, 2017 | Parenting Playbook, Parents: Practice Self Care
As a parent, it takes some awareness to recognize when you feel emotionally low and need to refuel with the company of other adults. Because children count on grown-ups to provide emotional regulation for them as they learn to manage their feelings, this regulation is...
by Susie Windle | Feb 1, 2017 | Parenting Playbook, Parents: Practice Self Care, The Importance of Emotions
Implicit memories—our memories that are not on a conscious level—cause us to form expectations about how the world works. These expectations are based on our previous experiences, and it is important for parents to examine how subconscious memories of past experiences...
by Susie Windle | Jan 11, 2017 | Parenting Playbook, Parenting Skills, Parents: Practice Self Care
Decades of research reveal that ten essential parenting skills are important for bringing up healthy and happy kids. The skill that tops the list is the skill most parents already know, believe, and try to practice every day. The most important skill and gift is...
by Susie Windle | Dec 7, 2016 | Parenting Playbook, Parents: Practice Self Care, The Importance of Emotions
One of the most important skills you can develop as a parent is recognizing when you are frazzled. When you realize that you are at the end of your rope, it is time to be with some emotionally replenishing people. Adult company is very important for maintaining...
by Susie Windle | Nov 16, 2016 | Parenting Playbook, Parenting Skills, Parents: Practice Self Care
Last week, Parenting Playbook talked about how parents can teach kids the meaning behind feeling thankful. This week, let’s look at the positives for parents in the practice of gratitude. As we mentioned last week, not only does a sense of gratitude feel good but...
by Susie Windle | Jun 8, 2016 | Parenting Playbook, Parents: Practice Self Care
Eating a nutritious diet is important for parents because certain foods produce key chemicals that influence emotions. Developing a habit of eating regularly and healthfully will help you control your mood and your sense of well-being, making it easier to do the hard...
by Susie Windle | Dec 23, 2015 | Discipline and Trying Times, Parenting Playbook, Parenting Skills, Parents: Practice Self Care
When parents discipline with a light heart and a sense of humor, three important things happen: first, our feelings as parents can be managed in a positive and constructive way; second, we model for our children how to handle their emotions in an effective and...
by Susie Windle | Nov 18, 2015 | Parenting Playbook, Parenting Skills, Parents: Practice Self Care
Just a reminder . . . When your stress level is rising, take a few minutes for a stress-reduction break! When you have one minute: Breathe in slowly and pause for a count of three. Exhale. Pause for a count of three. Repeat for one minute, pausing for a count of three...
by Susie Windle | Sep 9, 2015 | Parenting Playbook, Parents: Practice Self Care
Parenting is a stressful job. To be a calm, loving, empathetic parent, you need to make time to take good care of yourself. Recharging your emotional battery is required when your job includes broken sleep patterns and tests of patience. If you keep going without a...
by Susie Windle | Apr 22, 2015 | Parenting Playbook, Parenting Skills, Parents: Practice Self Care
Imagine our ancestors moving to the rhythm of the seasons and the sunrise and sunset of each day. Though life for them was tough in some ways, they did have more downtime. Our bodies and minds evolved accustomed to taking some breaks. Now we are in the twenty-first...
