It’s not uncommon to hear a caregiver say, “they’re just shy,” as an explanation of a child’s hesitant behavior. The reality is that being cautious in unfamiliar situations, environments or with people they don’t know, should be totally acceptable and normal behavior from our children. So why do we often think of “shy” as a negative?

The cooler weather makes for ideal conditions to get outside and explore! There is much to gain by taking a break from all the inside toys, entertainment, and devices. Outside play puts kids in touch with the magical parts of childhood; improvisation, creativity, and imagination.

“Rupture and repair” is an important concept in parenting that you may have never heard of. Ruptures are moments of disconnection between a caregiver and child – when the relationship is misaligned, or when the needs of someone or something else gets prioritized over the needs of your child.

The truth is that no childhood can be perfect. experiencing zero pain or struggle is not what we want for our children. They need to know how to get through tough times, it is essential for resilience. By simply being intentional about making things better for our kids – by acknowledging that we are working on breaking the cycle – we are already doing so much for our little ones.