Behold the bungling father.  Ever noticed how dads have been portrayed in the media? They tend to be cast in the role of loveable goofball, an inept stand-in for Mother.

A persistent myth about parenting is the blissfulness of it all. In reality, parenting is a mixed bag that includes intense, fleeting surges of joy mixed with lots of worry and fatigue. Sadness and disappointment rear their heads occasionally too.

Play is serious business for babies and children. Far from frivolous, play is how babies come to understand that they are separate individuals that can act upon people and things in their world and get a response! If their environment is safe and nurturing, play will jump-start all of their systems including cognitive, motor, language, social, and emotional skills. In fact, some sensory systems such as vision are dependent upon environmental stimulation to develop.

Being present to your child increases the joy of parenting.

Learn the basics of helping your child succeed with this important milestone.

Tremendous variability exists among children reflecting their strengths, challenges, and environment. While kids do not need wealth or perfection in their world to develop to their fullest potential, some elements are necessary for optimal development…

Keys to teaching healthy emotion regulation are:

A comfort corner is a refuge or safe space for children to go to calm down, reflect, or practice mindfulness. This space should not be confused with time out and should never be used for punishment! It is a proactive measure that will help children deescalate when their distress is elevating.