Mental Health

This is a tough time in history and crossing into 2021 hasn’t magically changed that. Heartwarming videos and posts encourage us that we’ll get through this together, but if you’re working from home and trying to manage distance learning with your kids, it can feel pretty lonely. It may be helpful to know that what…

From Break to Meltdown in 30 seconds – How Did that Happen? At mile 20 of a 21-mile bike ride, my husband and I stopped to take a little break.  It had gotten warm and we wanted to remove a few layers.  When we started riding again, my legs let me know that “enough is…

I wanted to share an article with you that my husband David wrote to his business consulting clients at Thanksgiving.  It refers to business, but it’s relevant to us all, whether were building a business or building confident kids. Here it is.  Enjoy! A POWERFUL Exercise from Mr. Rogers Have you seen it yet? “A…

Did you know that when you use the facial muscles to create a SMILE it stimulates a feel good party in your brain?  Smiling distracts momentarily and allows positive energy to recharge.  “Feel good neurotransmitters” are released when you smile!   Dopamine (attention modulator), endorphins (pain reliever), and Seratonin (mood lifter) join the party when you…

We were working on reading in phrases and she was going along well, when her face started to crumple, her eyes filled with tears, and she began breathing very quick, shallow breaths. The stress reaction was becoming full-blown very quickly. Just as quickly, when distracted from the task, 10-year-old Serena recovered and became her friendly,…

From Struggle to Flight Dragon’s Teeth in Maui is one of my favorite places in the world.  Here in the coves created by lava flow, you can see sea turtles battling the currents and undertow as the waves pound in and out.  They are incredibly resilient and just keep going no matter how much they…

PARENTS:  Here’s Someone You Need to Know Dr. Raimel Perez-Pasiliano When we meet an amazing professional who works with kids, we want you to know about it! Dr. Rai has been a favorite pediatrician of our families for many years.  She … Puts children at ease Listens to parents Goes out of her way to…

Whenever I stand on the edge of a lake or river, I find myself picking up small, flat rocks to skip across the water.  I have a very special memory of my dad teaching me to skip rocks at Yellowstone Lake when I was probably 7 or 8 years old. Father’s Day is coming up,…

Last week I attended a media training event and was interviewed by Mike Koenigs.  He asked me about the root of my passion for correcting learning and attention challenges.  And I remembered a student, a 12-year-old boy… Meeting Frankie Thirty-five years ago, I was teaching special education in a public school when Frankie slouched through…

I was at the ice rink to watch a hockey game, but a 4-year-old girl and her 2-year-old brother totally upstaged the game as they exuberantly raced up and down in front of the bleachers! Aren’t little kids great!  They embrace life with gusto and pull everyone around them into their adventure. As kids grow,…