Chores. It’s a broad term for the many responsibilities in life and they aren’t always fun. Studies have shown that allowing children to help with chores early in life is not only beneficial developmentally, but often they really enjoy it!

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.

All children have reasons for getting mad, from someone stealing their swing on the playground to having to leave a play date when they are having fun; anger is a natural reaction to a frustrating experience. Teaching them how to stay relaxed and calm in stressful situations at a young age can better prepare them for emotional success later in life.

Children’s love for comfort objects is part of the normal developmental process. This ‘lovie’ or comfort toy often becomes a companion: somebody to talk to, to go to sleep with, to eat with, etc.

Transitioning a toddler away from the use of the pacifier for comfort can feel daunting and bring up feelings of anxiety for many caregivers.

There is no doubt that setting boundaries is an important part of parenting. However, these boundaries we set can sometimes set off epic tantrums and power struggles with our little ones.

The holidays are here and choosing toys for toddlers seems like it should be easy, but shopping for the perfect gift can often leave you feeling overwhelmed.