The Parent Child Practice

I work with awesome families to help them achieve happiness and stability in their homes. I also help parents and children pinpoint struggles in learning.

When School Shootings Happen, Who Supports the Teachers? — The Parent Child Practice

09/12/2024

In the wake of tragedy, our teachers need our support more than ever. Let's come together to uplift those who shape our future. 💪❤️

When School Shootings Happen, Who Supports the Teachers? — The Parent Child Practice The recent tragedy at Apalachee High Schoo l has left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of students, parents, and educators alike. As a former school psychologist who continues to contract in schools, I am acutely aware of the heightened stress and emotional toll that such traumatic event

How to Maintain Strong Family Bonds During the School Year — The Parent Child Practice

08/15/2024

Summer may be ending, but family bonding doesn't have to!

As the school year kicks off with its busy schedules, it's crucial to carve out time for meaningful family activities. From craft making and cooking together to outdoor adventures and family game nights, there are countless ways to stay connected.

Check out our latest blog post for tips and ideas to keep your family bond strong all year long!

How to Maintain Strong Family Bonds During the School Year — The Parent Child Practice Welp. The summer has come (or is coming) to an end. The leisurely summer schedule is over and now “the race” begins. Alarm clocks. Packed lunches. Homework. Teacher conferences. Sports. School clubs. It can begin to make the days feel like a blur. Before you know it your family can be on autopil...

Engaging the Heart: How to Encourage Your Child to Open Up and Communicate — The Parent Child Practice

04/30/2024

Want to start the journey towards better communication with your child(ren)? Then read this blog post to find out how to accomplish this goal.

Engaging the Heart: How to Encourage Your Child to Open Up and Communicate — The Parent Child Practice A parent’s journey isn’t just about guiding a child through life's complexities, it's also about building a bond that encourages open dialogue and genuine understanding. Sometimes, though, sparking a conversation with our kids can seem as daunting as decoding an ancient language. It's a delicate...

Effective Test Accommodations for Students with Dyslexia: A Parent's Guide to Collaborating with Schools — The Parent Child Practice

03/12/2024

Struggling to find ways to help your dyslexic child succeed during test time? Learn about effective strategies and accommodations that can assist your child to perform at their best. Discover how you can team up with your child’s school to create an empowering testing environment that caters to their unique learning needs. Read my latest blog post for actionable tips and support for parents of students with dyslexia. 📘✏️ Let's work together to turn testing challenges into opportunities for triumph!

Effective Test Accommodations for Students with Dyslexia: A Parent's Guide to Collaborating with Schools — The Parent Child Practice As parents, we’re dedicated to giving our children every possible advantage in their education. For those with dyslexia, this mission can sometimes feel especially challenging during test times. However, there are specific steps we can take to help level the playing field. Let’s discuss some of ...

The Freedom to Flourish: Homeschooling My Gifted, ADHD Child — The Parent Child Practice

02/21/2024

https://www.parentchildpractice.com/blog/2024/2/19/homeschooling-our-gifted-child-a-vibrant-tapestry-of-learning

The Freedom to Flourish: Homeschooling My Gifted, ADHD Child — The Parent Child Practice Life in our home is anything but monochrome—each day is a lively splash of discovery, understanding, and joy. As a child psychologist and parent to a uniquely gifted child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), my journey has been one of both professional curiosity and profound pe

Listening to your child so they feel heard — The Parent Child Practice

01/30/2023

www.parentchildpractice.com/blog/2023/1/24/how-to-listen-to-your-children-so-they-feel-heard

One major way that parents can help their children to feel seen and heard is through the way they communicate. Here are some tips for helping your children feel valued in their communication with you.

Listening to your child so they feel heard — The Parent Child Practice I was upset. I was seething on the inside. My husband and I just had a disagreement. I passionately began to express why I disagreed with his stance. My words began to tumble out and I barely took a breath. My eyes were blurry with tears as I began to release the disappointment behind my anger. Ev

11/03/2022

We all want to help our children become better learners because that is a skill they can use throughout adulthood. The gift of being a life long learner.

So how do we cultivate that gift?

When our children are frustrated during a difficult learning process we DON’T rush in to help them figure it out or move them along through that learning phase.

Yes, it can be frustrating or anxiety provoking to watch your kid struggle or become overwhelmed while facing a challenging learning task. But moving them along during that phase so you can feel more regulated is not the answer.

So instead we encourage our child when they are in that learning moment and embrace being in a phase of “not knowing.” We have to let them stay in that difficult space because it helps them become curious, persist, and cultivate the spirit of effort.

As bystanders we can take exaggerated and calming deep breaths to show them we are calming ourselves. We can also share mantras that we used (or even wish we used!) as children for ourselves when things were hard for us like, “When I used to get frustrated, I would say this feels tough. This IS tough but I am doing the right thing by trying and staying with it!” You can also cheer for them by reminding them that their brain is learning and growing during this frustrating feeling because it is a new experience.

Growth mindset in parenting takes time, patience, and commitment. But guess what parents? You can do hard things too and this is a good thing.

10/09/2022

This quote is true for all individuals but it is especially true for parenting or working with exceptional children or adults with disabilities.

“If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it will
live its whole life believing it’s stupid.

If you spend all your time trying to get a fish to be able to climb a tree you will never see how far it can actually swim.”

Everyone has their unique strengths. Recognize them. Acknowlege them. Nurture them. Allow them to soar.

In my journey as a parent, I am learning everyday that I can do my best work if I operate as a river and not a reservoir. That means I need to adjust, pivot, be flexible, and have a willing heart to re-examine my soil (strategy as a parent) and change it as necessary. This is critical. Not easy or convenient but critical.

So for all of us that are parents or even those that are not parents. Don’t have a fixed mindset and keep interacting with people from only your perspective. Make space for “differences,” celebrate uniqueness, and respect that success takes on many forms and has many paths.

Happy Sunday.

03/20/2022

Remember your first responsibility in parenting is being mindful of your own inner state. Being mindful as a parent doesn’t mean you won’t feel
anger. It means you pay attention to that feeling, but you don’t act on it. Acting on your negative emotions mindlessly is what compromises our parenting and relationship with our child. This change won’t happen overnight and you likely won’t master this skill perfectly but the goal is to be intentional and make a commitment towards mindful parenting.

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