Meet Carolyn Opps. She is the Co-Founder and Program/Volunteer Coordinator with Austin-based Partners in Parenting, an organization that coordinates neighborhood-based support groups for new parents. Carolyn is a master-degreed teacher who has lived and traveled all over the world. After settling down and starting a family with her husband in Austin, she and her mother’s […]
Mommy Posture and Other Signs of Martyrdom :: Monday Musing
“Did you know that bass means butt, Mom?” (insert Beavis-and-Butthead-style snickers) And that is how the latest “out of the mouths of babes” conversation began with my 6-year-old son a few weeks ago. He was referring to Meghan Trainor’s song, “All About That Bass”, the women’s empowerment anthem that is currently playing every hour, on […]
Alone with Baby – 3 Ways to Reduce Flying Solo Fear :: Tuesday Tip
My friend Val said the weirdest thing to my colicky infant daughter: “Sweet baby… I’m not afraid of you!” Once I was sure I’d heard her correctly, I realized that I was, in fact, afraid of my child. Not in a “Rosemary’s Baby” sort of way. I was afraid of my perceived lack of ability […]
6 Pointers for the Duke & Duchess – Or ANY Couple Expecting Their Second Child :: Tuesday Tip
Let me be clear. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have not asked for my parenting pointers. In fact, you’re probably thinking that the last thing they need is my advice, being that they have a personal nanny and plenty of family support on board. Nevertheless — I think that Kate and William wipe snotty […]
Mother’s Milk Bank :: Wednesday Wisdom
Meet Kim Updegrove. She is the Executive Director of the Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin, and the Immediate Past President of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America. She holds Master’s degrees in both Public Health and Nursing and is a Certified Nurse Midwife. She’s an impressive lady! We wanted to chat with Kim […]
Playing Favorites :: Monday Musing
My family was cruising along in our car the other day when my 6 year-old piped up, “Mom, are you going in to the office tonight or are you staying home with us?” “Staying home buddy,” I replied. “Yay!” he squealed with an enthusiasm that implied that I am never, ever home. Which is amusing […]
Cuz That’s the Way I Like It – Saying ‘Yes’ to Your Own Holiday Traditions :: Monday Musing
Kirsten’s recent tip on “just saying no” to holiday stress raised this question for me: why is it so hard to say no, especially to extended family, especially around the holidays? When J and I first married, we had to figure out how to share holidays with two families (we had it easy – some […]
Just Say No to Holiday Stress :: Tuesday Tip
I frequently get asked if my counseling practice slows down during the holidays. The answer is No. The holiday season is notorious for being a stressful time and my clients can attest to that. Expectations are sky-high, schedules are jam-packed and family members get testy as a result of all the togetherness. Even I can […]
On Raising Boys :: Wednesday Wisdom
Meet Dr. Max Wachtel. He is a trained forensic psychologist with a clinical practice in the Denver, Colorado area. One of his main focuses is helping parents improve their kids’ lives. He is also the 9News Psychologist for KUSA TV in Denver, where he regularly produces content highlighting new psychological research and parenting resources. He […]
Pregnancy and Parenthood – More Alike Than Different :: Monday Musing
Experiences in the baby and parenting world are often broken down into prenatal and postpartum. Before baby and after baby. With all of the emphasis on these two states of being, you would think that a new chronological era begins after the birth of your little one. This can feel daunting. The truth is that […]
My Children Come First :: Monday Musing
My memory holds a snapshot, rock-bottom moment from my daughter’s bout with colic. I was emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted. I’d isolated myself, even pushing her father, J away. I felt I was the only one who could comfort her, even though I often couldn’t, because, well, she had colic. I stood there holding her, […]
35 Sweet Parenting Side-Effects :: Tuesday Tip
If you’ve spent time on our website, you know that we frequently address the stressful aspects of parenthood. Why? Because parenting can be rough. Cheryl and I really want to be two supportive voices in your life that say, You’re normal to be struggling, we’ve got your back and we have ideas and resources to […]
The Best and Worst Ways To Support Parents of Screamers :: Tuesday Tip
We all mean well. Parents in the Wild (aka Target) tune into each other, and can keenly sense distress. The desire to help each other out is natural and good, but sometimes our ways of going about it miss the mark. Here are three ways I often received “support” that felt anything but supportive: “Enjoy […]
Can I Do This? Facing Parenting Inadequacy Anxiety :: Monday Musing
Kirsten’s awesome anxiety tip made a visual pop into my head: a big deck of gross cards, representing the multiple anxieties I had/have about motherhood. It took me a long time to connect with any sort of desire to have children, and when that drive finally became strong enough to push me through the intense […]
A Crack In My Armor :: Monday Musing
You’re a real trooper. I love receiving that compliment and I’m known to frequently dole it out myself. Other versions of it go something like this: You’re a hoss. You’re super tough. You roll with the punches and keep on rolling. When I hear these affirmations, I envision a thick-skinned warrior woman, covered in armor. […]