Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath was an important books in my life. I read it and took the assessment at an uncertain time in my career — would I return to teaching or choose a different path? (You can read more about my discoveries and journey here.) Strengths Based Parenting Developing Your Children’s Innate Talents From Gallup by Mary […]
Continue Readingparenting
Our Gratitude Practice: Book of Awesome
This month we’re building gratitude habit with a family activity: the “BOOK OF AWESOME“. It’s SO important to me that my children spend time in gratitude each day. Since gratitude is truly a daily practice much more than it is an attitude, I wanted to build in a new family way to find the good in every day. (Because […]
Continue ReadingEverything You Ought to Know About Self-Esteem (And Why You Shouldn’t Try To Improve It)
If you only read one book this year, read Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff, Ph.D. Not only did it nourish my own self-growth on so many levels, it helped me as a parent, particularly when thinking about self-esteem with my children. After reading this book, I’m no longer pondering how to improve my kids’ self-esteem. In fact, I […]
Continue ReadingTalking to Kids About Marijuana
I live in Colorado where marijuana is legal for adults 21 and over. (It’s also legal in Washington but Washington has only a few stores where as Colorado has hundreds.) It’s a heck of a lot easier to get pot here than most places. And that worries me — not because my kids might use pot […]
Continue ReadingClassroom Strategies for Sensory Processing Disorder
Despite the DSM 5’s (poor) decision not to recognize Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) as a disorder, it exists. And it affects many of our children. (One of mine included!) Fortunately, in the classroom, more teachers are becoming aware of SPD and the unique needs of children who have it. So what are helpful classroom strategies teachers are […]
Continue ReadingWhen White Kids Call Each Other the “N” Word
After reading a post on a (black) friend’s Facebook page about his kids sharing that their white classmates call each other the “N” word, I asked my friend Karen DeGroot Carter to share her thoughts since her (biracial) kids go to that same school. Read what she thinks. Then, please comment to share your own […]
Continue ReadingEmotional Intelligence Activity for Kids: Pooh Sticks
As you know, we’re talking a lot about emotional intelligence and mindfulness this summer. Emotional awareness is the first step to being mindful, in order to develop emotional intelligence, or EQ. To begin, you must observe your emotions without judgement. I’ve found an emotional intelligence activity for kids that will give them a visual representation of how the emotions flow in […]
Continue ReadingHow Does a Picture Book Artist Balance Working and Being a Mom?
Ever wonder how a picture book artist balances working and being a mom? (In a small house?) (With small people?) Want to see? Hannah E. Harrison, picture book author and artist, shows us a day in the life. Watch. WOW, right? Can you relate to Hannah’s dance of working and parenting? Hannah’s new book, Bernice Gets Carried Away, tells the story […]
Continue Reading