“What is addiction, really? It is a sign, a signal, a symptom of distress. It is a language that tells us about a plight that must be understood.” Alice Miller. I think it’s fair to say that, just like other illnesses, no one wakes up and decides to have a substance use disorder.
So much for lazy summer days! If your family is like mine, the hustle and bustle of summer is in full swing. There are activities to go to, yardwork to keep up with, and general maintenance tasks to get done.
My trip of a lifetime was in a small town on the coast of Croatia that was once a part of the Venetian trade route. It has a beautiful coast for summer visitors and ancient buildings for tourists.
The city of Split was where I spent my 50th birthday with a group of friends. We had a tour guide to take our group through Diocletian’s Palace. Tour guides in Europe often have to be trained and licensed. They must prove their knowledge, and they have to be certified.
Bouncing on an exercise ball, typing away in my cozy home office, and breaking to rub my growing belly was how I spent last July. 2021 was a busy year for the product development team at Great Kids. We were excited to announce the launch of our play-based preschool curriculum just this month, and I was honored to be a part of the group that worked to pull this product together.
“Can I play the drums again?” they asked. Without giving it a moment of thought, a “no” came out of my mouth. It wasn’t the most convincing ‘no’ ⸺ more of a feeble reaction to the extra effort this activity would require when my patience was already thin. To this child, that no from their warm-hearted aunt sounded negotiable, and the lure of the shiny drum kit won over.
As I settle in to write this evening, the blue sky is fading to dark, and the evidence of a busy day lies scattered amongst my home. Stacked dishes fill the kitchen sink, toys decorate the living room floor, and dirty laundry overflows from every hamper.
Why am I talking about trees, you might wonder? Well, yesterday’s incident got me thinking about how unexpected storms can also come up in life, and if we, our families, and our communities are healthy and resilient, we’re in a better place to withstand these pressures and thrive.
March is finally here! If you’re like me, you’re eager for this month to arrive. I’m happy to welcome longer days, warmer weather, and a brand-new season. One of the ways my family celebrates the budding trees and blooming flowers is by firing up the grill. You can often find us stacking shish kabobs with colorful peppers, slices of sweet onion, and juicy chunks of pineapple.
Almost a decade later, when I reflect on this memory, I can still feel this parent’s presence. At that moment, nothing else mattered in the entire world to this parent. It almost seemed as if time was standing still. Looking back on this memory, it’s obvious what was happening right before my eyes. This parent was fully present with their infant. A secure attachment relationship was forming.
I paused at the entrance to the trail, double-checking that I was prepared for the unknown. Water, check. Shoes tied, check. Trail map, check. I took a deep breath and my first steps into uncertain terrain. Equal parts eager and apprehensive.
In training a few weeks ago, a home visitor shared that her families often express that “they are not doing enough,” and this struck me because I realized I’ve been hearing this sentiment shared a lot lately. Maybe you’ve even had these thoughts yourself:
Have you ever pretended to know what someone’s talking about while making a mental note to look that term up later? Uh-huh. Well, I have to confess, I’ve been hearing the term infant mental health for a few years now, without really knowing what it meant. You know how...
Earlier this summer, I found myself sitting on my back porch clutching a book about mindful parenting. You’ve probably heard about this concept before. It’s becoming quite a popular topic. Mindfulness can be described as a person’s ability to embrace the present...
Growing Great Kids®
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Proven Success
Over 37,000 people have been trained to use the Great Kids curricula
Protective Factors – GGK Constructs
Research informed constructs embedded in the Protective Factors Framework
Alignment with Head Start
The Growing Great Kids Home Based Curricula Series exceeds all Head Start Curriculum requirements
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As evidenced by seven independent evaluations, the GGK Curriculum produces outstanding results
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Healthy Families America
The Growing Great Kids curriculum aligns with and builds upon the HFA model approach