Making time for exercise can make all the difference in how you show up as a parent, partner and professional. It is virtually impossible to be a calm, empathetic and loving parent when you’re depleted. Self-care can also be a win-win; not only do we feel better, we are modeling behavior for our children and creating opportunities for connection.
Even with all the joy and celebration, the holidays can be a stressful time due to the energy and time we invest in shopping, preparing meals, traveling and finding the right gifts for the special people in our lives. There is so much to enjoy during the holidays, but if parents don’t practice mindfulness and keep a healthy perspective on what really matters, our precious holidays can turn into a serious disaster.
An election year is a wonderful time to teach children about the electoral process and issues being debated, such as immigration, terrorism, and healthcare. The election process presents parents with a plethora of unique opportunities to teach core social-emotional skills, such as empathy, emotion management, and social problem-solving while addressing topics such as accepting differences, dealing with gossip, bullying, and name-calling.
