Welcome to PEPTalk! This blog is all about parenting – including tips, great articles and updates on our class offerings. The conversation is for parents and others who want to raise healthy, cooperative, thriving children. Raising children to thrive isn’t easy, especially when those children regularly mess up our plans for their success. We learn the art of parenting from each other, and our PEPTalk blog is here to help—with tips, tools, talk and encouragement—as well as updates about PEP’s many educational programs.
Our bloggers are like our class leaders (many of them are class leaders)—parents who have found at PEP support, inspiration and a sensible road map for the journey. They’ll share their unique perspectives and experiences, connected by their deep commitment to helping you be the parent you want to be. We invite you to join the conversation.
A teacher has discovered at least some in his class have worked collaboratively on an exam; in this scenario, group work on a test is considered academic cheating. The instructor emails the class letting the students know he is aware of the dishonesty. He offers a choice: a student may admit to cheating and take a 0 on the test with no further consequences or the student may take his or her chances,... read more>>
Distance learning has created many situations we could scarcely imagine in a time before the pandemic. These problems range from uneven access to technology and the internet, to kids missing friends, routines and mile marker events. Parents are left struggling to balance work and family without relief. One thing parents didn’t necessarily expect from distance learning is the surge in peer normalization of academic dishonesty and the temptation of teens to participate.... read more>>
“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” (Jon Kabat-Zinn) When our parents told us to “take a deep breath and count to 10” before responding in the heat of the moment, they may have been onto something. Research shows that deep breathing and other “mindful” strategies can diffuse anger, frustration and stress and help calm our minds – and our kids’ minds! Being more mindful of our feelings before taking action is an approach based on the philosophy of Buddhism (although mindfulness does not necessarily have to be religious or have spiritual overtones).... read more>>
January 7, 2021 Given the events of yesterday, we wanted to share with you some of PEP’s timeless ideas and wisdom for parenting our children through challenging times. The article below, adapted from one written last spring by PEP Parent Educator and therapist Emory Luce Baldwin, reminds us that the approach we can take to support our children remains the same regardless of the circumstances.... read more>>
On an early day in March 2020, the PEP staff came to the office as usual, forged ahead with a robust schedule of webinars on new topics, recruited several volunteer families to film new role plays ... read more>>
We are in the last month of the most challenging, unprecedented and trying year that most of us have ever experienced. We have cycled through confusion, despair, overwhelm and gratefulness, while looking hard for silver linings. Parents have had to run their own home schools and make tough decisions about where their kids can go or not go. Some of us have asked ourselves, “Why am I angry all the time?” and “Do I have an anxiety disorder,... read more>>
This week I listened to my new favorite podcast, Kelly Corrigan Wonders. She was joined by Wanda Holland Greene to talk about agency, the thoughts and actions we take that express our personal power. The circumstances of these past 8 months may have left many of us feeling as if we have less control, less agency. As Wanda Holland Greene points out, “there’s a lot we can’t control;... read more>>
These days, given the pandemic, chaos in the news and the impending presidential election, it can feel like stress is never-ending. Add onto it the increased responsibilities of working and schooling from home, it can feel like you never get a moment for yourself to calm down. So, we asked our PEP Parent Educators how they de-stress in times like these in the hopes that some of their wisdom can help you cope with everything that’s going on.... read more>>
Five-year-old Miriam watches the ice skaters twirling on the television screen during an international competition. “I want ice skates for my birthday! I’m going to be an ice skater like that, too!” Ten-year-old Marcus grumbles about doing his homework and complains that school isn’t teaching him anything useful. “I’m going to be a race car driver when I grow up, so I don’t need to know anything about this dumb American Revolution stuff.” Fifteen-year-old Soraya lives,... read more>>
When we published The Family Gap Plan blog post back in April, I’m not sure we realized that six months later the pandemic would still be with us. That post was based on an idea shared on the Brené Brown podcast, Unlocking Us. Sadly, the main elements of that post are still accurate: We Have Collectively Hit Weary It’s Not a Sprint,... read more>>
