When I was a kid, I spent a lot of time sitting at the table after dinner, after everyone else had been excused, staring at a glass of milk I didn’t want to drink. That’s probably when my interest in picky eating started. I now realize that I wasn’t [...]
The more I learn about Self-Reg and the brain/body science of stress, the more I have been struck by the same thought over and over. Self-Reg explains things I’ve sort of known for years, but couldn’t articulate very well. So often I’ve watched children, including my own, act in ways [...]
By John Hoffman In a past blog I suggested that the most important single factor in good parenting was not sensitivity, not parenting skills, but support—feeling well supported in your role as parent. Parents who feel well supported tend to parent better. That’s very Self-Reg isn’t it? Social support is [...]
This was originally an article in the Self-Reg Parenting Magazine Vol 1 Issue 2. Take a look at this picture and tell me whether there’s something in the duck’s bill: Now take a look at this picture and tell me whether there is something in the rabbit’s mouth: This phenomenon [...]
Psychiatrist Jean Clinton has been an internationally renowned expert and advocate for children’s mental health for over 30 years. We were thrilled to have Dr. Clinton at our summer symposium once again last summer. In her keynote address, Dr. Clinton drew from her wealth of experience and knowledge to address [...]
This was originally an article in the Self-Reg Parenting Magazine Vol 1 Issue 2 Children have such different ways of responding to being over-stressed. Some get physically ill. Some get nervous and anxious. Some become manic and hyperactive. Some have trouble going to sleep and others don’t want to do [...]
How many times have you really needed and wanted to support a stressed out person, only to find that your supportive words just didn’t do the trick? (Pick me!) I’m sure we’ve all had this experience. It’s not always easy to find the right words to say to someone in [...]
“Can you cut my pancakes for me mom?” “No Siena, you need to cut your own pancakes.” Then came the 9-year-old version of a protest: that slumped over, big sigh drama moment about the unfairness of my response. In a perfectly non-Self-Reg parenting moment I responded, “You are more than [...]
I recognized the tone of voice right away. My friend Mara* was on the line. (*names changed at family’s request) “How are you doing?” I asked. “I’ve been better,” she replied. Mara’s voice caught a bit on the word better, the clear sign of someone trying to hold it together. [...]
When people ask me for advice about how to deal with a challenging behavioural issue from a child, I always start with my personal “Rule #1.” Whatever else you do, try not to make it worse. Why? Because if we don't make it worse, a lot of child behaviours, traits, [...]