by smaclaughlin | Nov 1, 2020 | hope for the future, modeling, self-care
I have written before about the importance of parents taking good care of themselves so they can take good care of their young children. Never has this been so important. Winter—the cold, dark, and snowy kind—really is coming. The problem this year is we have the...
by smaclaughlin | Sep 1, 2020 | babies, brain development, temperament
Babies, as we know, do not come with instruction manuals. They arrive helpless and floppy, then grow at an astounding rate—their brains wiring a million neuronal connections per second! Caregivers, you help baby’s brain grow through back and forth exchanges from day...
by smaclaughlin | Jun 27, 2020 | Uncategorized
When I started this article about fun outdoor activities for kids, it was because many parents practice a screen-free week or month in May. Given the current situation we’re all in, I’m guessing no one is feeling too strict about screen time. However, outside play,...
by smaclaughlin | Jan 9, 2020 | play, problem-solving, tips and advice, Uncategorized
Once the holidays season is over, it’s difficult to sustain the cheer through the rest of the long, dark days of winter. All that anticipation and fun come crashing to a halt. You’d think the kids would be busy with their new toys and all, but that doesn’t seem to be...
by smaclaughlin | Nov 16, 2019 | emotional intelligence, parenting, perspective, resiliency
It’s the third week of school and my son has already had his first cold. Why can’t they stay healthy? I don’t have any specific ideas for the runny nose and cough. We all know that good nutrition, exercise, and sleep (and maybe extra hand-washing) are the likeliest...
by smaclaughlin | Nov 4, 2019 | communication, family, fatherhood, gender bias, marriage, motherhood, parenting
What is gatekeeping and what does it have to do with parenting? gate·keep·ingˈɡātˌkēpiNG/: 1. noun the activity of controlling, and usually limiting, general access to something. I first heard about gatekeeping from a mother for whom I worked as a nanny. She used the...
by smaclaughlin | Nov 1, 2019 | babies, brain development
Babies, especially freshly born ones, can throw you for a loop. They are otherworldly in their intensity. They stare deeply into your eyes one moment and scream bloody murder with theirs tightly squeezed shut the next. It can be a little confusing. Over the next few...
by smaclaughlin | Sep 28, 2019 | books, handling meltdowns, humor, modeling, parenting
Every once in a while, I stumble on a parenting book that’s just FUN. Weird Parenting Wins by Hillary Frank fits the bill. This book is a collection of advice from the listeners of the podcast The Longest Shortest Time and includes quirky, funny, and relatable...
by smaclaughlin | Aug 6, 2019 | balance, hope for the future, motherhood, patience
Meet educator, mom, and wise spiritual teacher, Rachel Horton White. I sure can relate to her description of how her patience gets tested! I love how she gives it a capital “P” and names it—along with Selflessness and Sacrifice—all Life Lessons...
by smaclaughlin | Jun 16, 2019 | advocacy for children, emotional intelligence, family, fatherhood, gender bias, holidays
And moms, too. Raising kids comes with plenty of conflicting information and no real map or guidebook (thought I’m currently working on changing that!). We know so much about how children’s brains grow and develop. The question is no longer the binary: “nurture...
by smaclaughlin | Mar 31, 2019 | books, developmental expectations, sexuality, tweens & teens
Let me start by saying I did NOT adequately consider the ramifications of having a tweenaged child while I was peri-menopausal. Did not consider it at all. Math is hard. In a few years my son will be 14 and I will be 50. Maybe things will be better, but hormones run...
by smaclaughlin | Mar 30, 2019 | books, mindful parenting, motherhood, positive parenting
I was delighted to receive an advance copy of Rebecca Eanes’ new book, The Gift of a Happy Mother. Rebecca has a way with words and cuts through all the noise to what matters most: your relationship with your child. There are no fancy techniques, but plenty of...