by Chris Jones | Dec 29, 2020 | COVID-19, Grandparenting, Parenting Skills, Parenting Tips
During this time of COVID-19, many grandparents have stepped in and expanded our roles as caregivers to help support our families. This has brought with it many joys. The happiness of being able to see our children and grandchildren regularly, being part of their...
by Chris Jones | Dec 16, 2020 | Parenting Tips, Preteens & Teens, Technology
Over a decade ago, I needed a drastic change. Within days, my father died and my daughter was born. These life-altering events made me think about the brevity of our time here, and question how I was spending it. I didn’t like where we seemed to be headed, with...
by Chris Jones | Dec 15, 2020 | COVID-19, Parenting Skills, Parenting Tips, Preteens & Teens, Technology
Many of us know about the downside of social media. The recent documentary The Social Dilemma made some of us even more aware of the way that social media is designed to be addictive to its users. While many of us would like to have our children spend less time on...
by Chris Jones | Nov 30, 2020 | Leisure & Vacation, Parenting Skills, Parenting Tips
The beginning of the New Year is a good time to reflect upon your goals and desires for yourself as a parent and for your family as a group. In today’s 24/7 world we are often moving so fast and trying to accomplish so much at once that we forget to really be...
by Chris Jones | Nov 20, 2020 | Leisure & Vacation, Mental Health, Parenting Skills, Parenting Tips
This year’s holiday season will likely be different than in years past. Yet, with a bit of reflection, planning, creative problem-solving, and open communication, it is possible to still make it wonderful. Try these seven tips: 1. Acknowledge your feelings You may be...
by Chris Jones | Nov 20, 2020 | Mental Health, Parenting Skills, Parenting Tips
Today’s youth are experiencing higher stress levels and increased isolation brought on by the COVID crisis, including challenges with distance learning. We want our kids to be resilient, but how do we, as parents and caregivers, help them build this important skill?...
by Chris Jones | Oct 19, 2020 | Parenting Skills
Recent years have brought a global pandemic, political upheaval, and other tragedies of violence and stress to our communities and the world. With frightening current events filling the constant news loops and real-time images on social media, many families—adults and...
by Chris Jones | Oct 19, 2020 | Discipline & Behavior, Parenting Skills, Parenting Tips, Preschool, Toddlers
During these challenging and uncertain times, children are socializing in very small groups, if at all. Although a small “social pod” is certainly better than having no opportunity to get together with friends, it can be challenging for children to get along well when...
by Chris Jones | Aug 27, 2020 | COVID-19, Mental Health, Parenting Skills
Back-to-school time is anxiety-inducing even without the backdrop of a global crisis. Many families have had to forego rituals like shopping for school supplies or school clothes, instead focusing on computer and internet access, figuring out distance learning...
by Chris Jones | Aug 14, 2020 | Books, COVID-19, Parenting Skills, Parenting Tips, Temperaments
As a parent of a very shy child, I’ve worried that my daughter’s introverted personality will affect the way people see her, and might make them less likely to try to befriend her or engage with her. I worry others won’t see how amazing my kid is. This is especially...
