LOSING GRACEFULLY
Emma started the discussion in my parenting class with the following story: My daughter and I were playing an exciting game of CandyLand. Her entire four-year-old face was intently focused on the board as she skipped her card across two red spaces. She was very...
The Psychological Quick-Fix Fending off the Blues
“I feel like I’m just in a slump,” says Miriam. “Nothing exciting happened recently. Nothing exciting is going to happen. After the holiday break, we went straight back into school, and it’s like every teacher couldn’t wait to pounce on us with tons of work. It’s just...
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
Sandra seethed as she drove home from her sister-in-law’s house. “I know what I should have said to her,” she muttered, as she looked for a parking space. “It’s too bad I’m not the kind of person who says what she really thinks!” She stomped up the stairs to her...
Psychology Today Articles
- Maybe You're Not a Gentle Parent—Maybe It's a Trauma ResponseMany parents think they’re practicing gentle parenting, but they’re actually avoiding conflict. Is it a parenting choice—or a trauma response? Here's how to tell.
- The 5-Letter Word Every Parent Needs to UseThis simple word soothes kids, teaches self-control, and builds patience—but many posttraumatic parents avoid it. Here’s how to use it skillfully.
- Maybe It's Not "Mom Rage." Maybe it's a Trauma ResponseIf you're a parent who experienced trauma and now struggles with "mom rage," you’re not broken or bad. Here's how you can start to heal, break the cycle, and parent with more calm.
- The Secret Parenting Cheat Code You NeedStruggling with parenting? Playfulness might be the missing piece.