Trauma-Informed Parenting

By Caitlin Gibson, Photo: iStock, The Washington Post, January 29, 2022 Andria Hayes-Birchler had barely begun to comprehend her new reality as a single parent before the pandemic hit. In March 2020, she had an 8-month-old infant and a 4-year-old, and her soon-to-be-ex-husband had recently moved from their home in Washington, D.C., to California. What followed was a year and a half of unrelenting crisis as she struggled to balance her career as a research consultant with caring for her two...

Please read below to learn more about this change from Raising the Future: We are so excited to unveil our new brand: Raising the Future ! Friends, colleagues, parents, and youth, For over 50 years, Parents Anonymous has strengthened families through our evidence-based programs, services, and advocacy work. Our new name, Raising the Future, represents our core belief that the future depends on parents. Supporting parents has never been more urgent, as the last two years of this pandemic have...

By Melinda Wenner Moyer, Photo: robbie jack/Corbis/Getty, The Atlantic, January 20, 2022 Last Thursday, a group of 20 mothers in Boston met up outside a local high school. Their goal wasn’t to socialize, drink wine, or even share COVID-related tips. They were there for one reason and one reason only: to stand in a circle—socially distanced, of course—and scream. “I knew that we all needed to come together and support each other in our rage, resistance and disappointment,” Sarah Harmon, the...

By Vanessa LoBue, PhD, Psychology Today, January 10, 2022 Between the global COVID-19 pandemic, the associated economic downturn, and widespread protests over racism , the last few years have been difficult for everyone. Many people are struggling, consumed with anxiety and stress , and finding themselves unable to sleep or focus. As a developmental psychologist and researcher on anxiety and fear in infants and young children, I have been particularly concerned about the impact of the...

By Jill Suttie, Greater Good Magazine, January 18, 2022 Living through the COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on people’s mental health and well-being. Restricted movement, loss, and isolation have led to increases in depression, anxiety disorders, stress, sleep disorders, and more. The effects have been even harsher for teens. How can we help protect our well-being during this particularly difficult time? Though a public health response is definitely called for, one way we might try...

Noticing Positive Behavior Research shows that giving attention to any behavior - positive or negative - increases the likelihood that you’ll see more of it. In the exam room, you can use the power of praise to notice and comment on positive behaviors and model this technique for parents. Try something like, “Great job taking in a deep breath. That really helps me to listen to your lungs.” Or, “Thank you for holding still for the exam, you listened so well to all of my instructions.” By...

As I sat down to write my annual Happy New Year newsletter to my email list, I paused. Something didn't feel right. Every time I see an email headline with "Happy New Year!" from the newsletters I subscribe to it falls flat. Who is truly happy after what has transpired over the last year? "Happy New Year" seems like a tall order right now, and I think it's beneficial to accept and acknowledge that reality rather than live in denial. As a mom I am tired of putting on the charade that life is...

Does your child refuse to leave the playground or other locations without a meltdown? Transitions between activities are tough for toddlers and preschoolers, but especially for those children who have experienced trauma and loss. Children who have experienced traumatic changes in their life like divorce or removal from parents will see ending enjoyable activities as yet another loss. At the same time, they are constantly assessing their level of security, and boundary-pushing is a quick way...

By Claudia M. Gold, MD, December 20, 2021 Three-year-old Bella’s frequent tantrums since the birth of her baby sister Julia brought the family to my behavioral pediatrics practice. Her father Jose began our visit with an explanation. “She’s jealous and is trying to get attention.” He even had a solution. “Maria (their mother) just needs to spend more special time with Bella” and “She needs to set more firm limits.” I felt as if he had read the book; reciting the lessons I’d learned years ago...

Young children receive many messages about what boys and girls should look like and how they should act--from their families and the bigger world in which they live. What can parents do to help children develop a positive and confident sense of who they are? Here are some ideas from ZERO TO THREE to guide your action. Click here to access this parenting resource.

By Juli Fraga, Psy.D., Parents, September 1, 2021 With the stress of the pandemic, some parents are struggling with compassion fatigue. Here are some symptoms, causes, and expert-backed advice on how to handle it. After a grueling year of pandemic parenting, many parents are depleted from the never-ending roller coaster of anxiety. And now with the new school year, parents are also helping their kids readjust to in-person learning and trying to ease their fears about the Delta variant . On...

Storytelling Storytelling serves many purposes. It can help to build memory, imagination, attention and focus. It can connect children to generations past and present, raise cultural awareness and build a positive sense of identity. Here are a few ways to incorporate storytelling into your next visit: Ask patients over 3 to tell you about a holiday they celebrate Model storytelling by narrating during the visit Encourage parents to think about storytelling when they are reading, going beyond...