When Having a Baby Hurts: My Truth About My Postpartum Depression

When Having a Baby Hurts: My Truth About My Postpartum Depression

It was summer and I sat on the floor leaning on the edge of my newborn daughter’s crib in tears.  From the outside I had everything a new mom could wish for, a loving husband, a cooperative extended family, and presents from near and far welcoming our daughter into our world.  On the floor of her bedroom none of that mattered, I was in pain

How to be Certain They Love You

How to be Certain They Love You

I have been thinking about the time I spend with couples as their therapist.  It is compelling to sit in a couple’s therapy session and witness how love can make a lot of us feel completely out of control.  I see couples fight furiously and notice how each partner is completely oblivious to the fact that it’s not the money or the child that’s the issue.  What they are really fighting about involves three very simple questions, Do you love me?  Will you stay with me?  How can I be sure that you won’t hurt me? When I witness this in a session I have the wonderful and sometimes energizing opportunity of letting them know that they are fighting for love.

Here's Why You Couldn't Keep That New Year's Resolution

Here's Why You Couldn't Keep That New Year's Resolution

The first two months of the year are always interesting to be a therapist.  It is the time when everyone is taking a look at themselves and attempting to see things in a new way and/or trying to change something about themselves, which is what I do with others on a year round basis.  My twitter feed was chock full of articles and messages about new this, resolve that, change now, and it fills me with both joy and frustration.  The joy comes from feeling that everyone is out trying to get closer to their authenticity, which is my goal as a therapist, to assist others in finding their truest self.  I also feel frustration because come February most of those hopeful souls will have already gotten back to old patterns and away from the stream of change and resolution.  In the spirit of lasting change, here are my three steps on how you can make sure to stick to keeping those resolutions.

How Many Gifts to Give Young Children During the Holidays?

How Many Gifts to Give Young Children During the Holidays?

Every December at my center parents ask me how to not spoil their children and how to manage the gift giving frenzy of the holidays.  The follow are the answers to the most popular parent questions during the holiday:

How many gifts should we give our kids?

The Importance of Young Children Having the Opportunity to Socialize

The Importance of Young Children Having the Opportunity to Socialize

Many parents have questions about how their kids can learn to socialize. The following questions come up frequently at our center:

Q: WHY DOES MY CHILD HIDE AND SHOW FEAR WHEN ADULTS ENTER HER CLASSROOM?

The Elf on the Shelf as a Parenting Tool: Yes or No?

The Elf on the Shelf as a Parenting Tool: Yes or No?

A parent member of our online parenting support asked:

We are doing the Elf on the Shelf this year for my daughter (4-years-old). I think that the elf watching for good behavior is a good incentive. Any thought or experiences?

Methods and Techniques for Disciplining Young Children

Methods and Techniques for Disciplining Young Children

What is the best method for disciplining our kids?

  • Always focus first on their goal/objective and their emotional state before establishing a boundary. It is best to lower yourself to the child’s level and in the most tranquil form possible describe what the child is feeling, what you expect of them and express that you are certain that next time, they will do it properly.