by smaclaughlin | Feb 10, 2022 | family, play, tweens & teens
I’m guessing it is not just me who’s feeling like the cold and dark came especially, um, early (fast? hard? brutally?) this year. It’s almost as if the ongoing pandemic has stripped away our bandwidth or dramatically shortened our fuses. Things we used to be able to...
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 | Jan 3, 2016 | balance, family, food, play
“A place for kids and their grown-ups.” The above statement couldn’t be more true. If you have a child under the age of 6 or so and you haven’t been to Greenlight recently–GO! I’ve written before about the benefits of play for...
by smaclaughlin | Sep 1, 2015 | attachment parenting, developmental expectations, perspective, play, problem-solving
Baby behavior drive you crazy? Most parents say, YES! Why is that? What makes us so nuts about a little person acting littler? Is it the whiny voice? The “goo-goo, ga-ga?” The pretending they can’t do something they’re totally capable of? Check...
by smaclaughlin | Nov 9, 2014 | balance, connection parenting, developmental expectations, discipline, emotional intelligence, modeling, play
Play is the first language your child speaks. It’s one that can be sustained and enjoyed for life if it is nurtured. When we tune in and play with children—really connect and play—we offer them a mirror of worthiness. Babies and kids receive that loving attention and...