Anxiety can be super valuable by helping you to think of a worst-case scenario. While this can be scary, you can then make plans to prevent the scary thing from actually happening, or put a plan in place for managing the inevitable. Kids and adults with Executive Function difficulties often have anxiety challenges, too. Too...Read More
What are you doing for self-help during this crazy time? Maybe it’s eating healthier, finding regular sleep rhythms or getting outside more. Brene Brown challenges us to “Dare greatly.” Elizabeth Gilbert entreats us to: “Be the weirdo who dares to enjoy.” But it doesn’t have to be weird or dangerous to have fun, and it...Read More
When my kids were in 5th and 2nd grade, we made a big move. My new job was over an hour away from home. Every day was the Groundhog Day of commuting, program development, teaching, and “additional responsibilities as assigned”, even on weekends. Like many moms, I was proudly sharing my own oxygen mask and...Read More
When I was twelve years old my parents told me that I needed to get a job and start paying my own way. This was their response to my wishes for nicer clothes, a newer bike and a family vacation involving boats. You’ll get those things, they told me, by working for them. They even...Read More
When I was growing up, dinner was my least favorite time of day. First, there were the five very explicit rules. You will be in your seat, quiet and ready to eat at 5 pm. You will not complain or ask for something else. No dessert if you are not done when the adults are....Read More
When our son was in first grade, he wanted to take guitar lessons. We asked around and found a professional musician-teacher who was highly recommended by his school and by other parents. We bought a beginner’s guitar for a child’s small hands. We found a time that worked for the teacher and for us. We...Read More
What is self-advocacy, and why don’t kids like to do it? First, a story… I had planned ahead and had an hour to spare, plus time for ten minutes of meditation and a final run-through. The checklist was all set: Login and password, lighting, sound, my presentation slides, clothes, hair, makeup, simple background, even fresh...Read More
learn Imagine that you are the boss. Yes, you! Do you give yourself lots of time off? A big salary hike? A posh office space? If so, you give your emotional self a pleasure boost, though it will be short-lived. One of my favorite teachers told us to imagine that our emotional self is like...Read More
learn How would you answer two seemingly simple questions: What do you love about your community? What would you change? Most people agree that their community (which could be your whole city or a part of it, like a team or group) should be at least some of these things: vibrant and culturally rich; safe,...Read More
learn It can be hard to work against your strengths. They are automatic and feel right. So honest people may find it hard to tell a white lie, and forgiving people may let others hurt them over and over. These are examples of overdoing it with a strength. The reverse, underusing a strength, can also...Read More
