by smaclaughlin | Apr 15, 2023 | parenting
It’s spring—finally! Which brings with it a fresh wave of energy from your—let’s face it—already energetic kids. While many of us also feel a renewed sense of energy once spring arrives, young children, and even many older kids, can be a little “extra” once the...
by smaclaughlin | Mar 15, 2023 | emotional intelligence, hope for the future, parenting
Do you remember the fairies from Sleeping Beauty? Those cute little ladies with the pointed hats that flitted around the baby welcoming party? In they flew on slight wings to offer the tiny baby princess their gifts. With the wave of their magic wands they stated...
by smaclaughlin | Nov 18, 2020 | books, communication, parenting, what to say
My first book is short and sweet and didn’t make such a splashy entrance 10 years ago. But she sure has staying power. Still in print, selling like hotcakes, and making “best of” lists. I was delighted to recive an email the other day alerting me to...
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 | 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...