by Susie Windle | Sep 14, 2016 | Parenting Playbook, Parenting Skills, The Importance of Emotions, The Power of Play
Tears can be an opportunity for connection between a parent and child. Your child gives you a sign that the tears are an effort to connect when he or she “peeks out” and looks for you. If you see your child peek out for you after a good cry, he or she may want and...
by Susie Windle | Aug 31, 2016 | Parenting Playbook, Parenting Skills, The Importance of Emotions, The Power of Play
Telling stories is one playful way to help children address important themes in their lives, particularly those that children might prefer not to talk about. Discharging powerful feelings connected to memories and experiences is important, though, so residual feelings...
by Susie Windle | Aug 10, 2016 | Parenting Playbook, Parenting Skills, The Importance of Emotions
Really listening is active. When you, the parent, really listen to what your child is trying to tell you, it’s important to let him or her know that you are willing to listen and want to understand. It is important to try to sum up what you think your child is saying...
by Susie Windle | Jun 29, 2016 | Parenting Playbook, Parenting Skills
One way parents support their children is through family activities. Children often feel nurtured and supported during times the family is interacting, such as when everyone is eating dinner together, taking a walk, watching a movie, or going to the park. But the...
by Susie Windle | May 25, 2016 | Parenting Playbook, The Power of Play
Play provides more than pleasure. Play energizes and enlivens us, opens us to new possibilities, and nudges our sense of optimism. Play is also a profound biological process that promotes survival, shapes the brain, makes us smarter, encourages adaptability, fosters...
by Susie Windle | May 11, 2016 | Discipline and Trying Times, Parenting Playbook, Parenting Skills
Parenting has its share of frustrations, and sometimes the appropriate thing to do in response is not apparent. Frustration, impatience, confusion, and anger are all expected emotions during the parenting process—yet they are not excuses for copping out, threatening,...
by Susie Windle | Apr 28, 2016 | Parenting Playbook, Parenting Skills
Parents are busy people! It can be hard to remember to make time for positive moments with your child. The great thing is that making time doesn’t necessarily mean taking extra time. You can create positive moments with your child within your daily routine. Here are...
by Susie Windle | Mar 23, 2016 | Parenting Playbook, Parenting Skills
Thoughts are constantly running through our minds—often unexamined. We need to take a look at our thoughts and reflect on them. If we don’t, we run the risk of creating a reality that colors the ideas and opinions we form about ourselves and others. If we let our...
by Susie Windle | Feb 24, 2016 | Parenting Playbook, Parenting Skills, Your Child's Brain
Talking to your baby is one of the keys to enhancing your child’s brain development. How nice that it is so easy to do and costs nothing! Even the youngest babies are learning language, and when you talk to them, you are teaching them communication skills. Whether you...
by Susie Windle | Feb 3, 2016 | Discipline and Trying Times, Parenting Playbook, Parenting Skills, The Importance of Emotions, Your Child's Brain
All parents experience times when their children exhibit challenging behaviors. Understanding the causes behind those challenging behaviors can help. If we make the mistake of looking only at children’s behavior rather than their level of distress and needs, we miss...
