by Sarah MacLaughlin | Jun 20, 2014 | family, gratitude, my life, perspective, power
I am an optimist. I will admit it right now. The glass is half full. I can make lemonade out of lemons. I look for the best in people. I lean toward the upbeat. I have been outright accused of being a Pollyanna (a movie, which by the way, scarred me for life when I...
by Sarah MacLaughlin | Jun 6, 2014 | brain development, connection parenting, cooperation, developmental expectations, family, mindful parenting, parenting style
This. This sums up a lot of what I do. I help parents navigate this irony: We are on our worst behavior at home. Our kids act their worst, and we act our worst. We are more likely to hurt the ones we love. We tend to be more honest, more vulnerable, and more...
by Sarah MacLaughlin | May 31, 2014 | books, cooperation, developmental expectations, discipline, emotional intelligence
I had the recent pleasure of reading Heather Shumaker’s fabulous book, It’s OK Not to Share and Other Renegade Rules for Raising Competent and Compassionate Kids. This book is SO GOOD. Do yourself a favor and get yourself a copy ASAP. It is full of useful advice,...
by Sarah MacLaughlin | May 27, 2014 | Uncategorized
We don’t often associate stress with childhood, but chronic stress in children is a very real problem that is on the rise in America and other parts of the world. Let’s take a look at chronic stress in kids and what we can do as adults to reduce it. Chronic Stress and...
by Sarah MacLaughlin | Apr 28, 2014 | advocacy for children
This title is from the often-played hit song from One Republic, “Counting Stars.” I think it is my song of the month for this lyric alone. I like to crank it up and yell that part. Because, right? Right? Do YOU want to be told what to do? No, of course you...
by Sarah MacLaughlin | Apr 24, 2014 | Uncategorized
Or maybe a LOT of patience. I thought I HAD a lot of patience when I became a parent. I had spent fifteen years working with young children and I rarely lost my cool. (Though I have written before about how much easier it is taking care of other people’s kids.)...