September 2016

I gave a keynote address to over 100 people. I’m not bragging. It was an epic failure. And an epic personal triumph. I traveled alone, spoke in public, met new people and shared meal times with total strangers! I tackled social anxiety, figured out flights, luggage and directions. I went in elevators and walked halls alone, without pepper spray. I searched in closets and under beds for monsters and then was able to fall asleep, and stay asleep, without drinking. Twice. Huge. Enormous.

Earlier this summer Kim Ander shared insights about two programs geared towards parents with high ACE scores. They are Promoting First Relationships and Circle of Security. With her permission I've combined her comments in one post. If you want to weigh in on Circle of Security or Promoting First Relationships, please do. If you know of other parenting programs using ACEs or supporting parents parenting with ACEs, please share those too. At Parenting with ACEs, we're particularly interested...

I know as a parent I feel sick reading stories about sexting in seventh grade. I also feel more informed. How do I offer guidance when I don't feel informed or clear or totally on top of all that happens during screen time when it comes to online sharing and socializing and bullying and harassment. My daughter and I talked about this story on the way to school today. It's not easy or comfortable to talk about sexting, child pornography, peer pressure, cutting, consequences of choices that...

Unfortunately, regardless of training received and degrees earned, parenting educators can't serve families and get reimbursed by public and private insurers for their services. In an effort to bring light to this issue, I wrote the attached paper with two colleagues at NC State. Our (unpublished) paper outlines research supporting parenting education services and their efficacy to improve individual and family health and long term wellbeing and community prosperity. We highlight the fact...

Beautiful and honest essay by Heidi Aylward , the same one featured in this story, except this time - the entire essay is in her own words. There are times when I don’t think I can feel joy. There are times that I feel things I don’t want to or know how to deal with. There are moments when I am so crippled by a bad feeling, that it sweeps my emotional legs from beneath me, and I’m simply stuck in it. Emotionally. Sad, or mad, or hurt and stuck there. There are days that begin badly and ones...

Day to day ups and downs are a normal part of adolescence, making it difficult to distinguish between normal teenage moodiness and depression. Teens might not always be able to articulate what they’re going through, and they might not want to talk about it to you, but starting the conversation will help to protect their mental well-being. One of the best things you can do for your teen in your life is to let them him or her know that you’re available to talk on their terms . Here are some...

My daughter didn't sleep well one night this week. She was looking forward to seeing friends back at school. But there are so many new kids in her grade and she's heard there's lots more home work this year. One the way to school she said she was "exstressed" (excited plus stressed). Back to school time can be a busy and expensive time for many of us. Our kids may be sleeping less, struggling with homework demands and social pressures while trying to keep up with jobs, responsibilities or...

A brilliant idea by Kyle Schwartz , a grade school teacher, was used in class. She started a sentence students could finish. It was "I wish my teacher knew...." It became a Twitter campaign #iwishmyteacherknew and a book by the same name. I'm so glad. The experiences of children, in their own words, are being shared and it's powerful. Here's a snippet below from the New York Times article . The teacher's quote is important as is what the child wrote. As a writer and a mother and an advocate,...