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.
Chores: Holy moly begoly, kids can do a lot around the house. They would probably do a lot more if we just chilled out. As in, stop criticizing, micro-managing, doing things over, demanding they care as much as we do. If we thank them for the effort, provide lots of freedom on how to do the new responsibility and just basically all around ZIP OUR LIPS we might be surprised. Now, I’m not saying if you don’t criticize,... read more>>
Editor’s Note: This blog post is not an endorsement of a particular video game or genre of video games; rather, it is shared here to promote a thoughtful discussion. As children grow and individuate they begin to challenge our values and our ideas, which is a natural part of their development. When it comes to technology, that growth seems to be happening at an earlier age all the time. As PEP teaches in its screen time workshops,... read more>>
Why are some couples so quick to respond to their partner with anger or defensiveness? How can we break the cycle of extreme arousal, pain and more wounding that some couples experience with nearly every interaction? “We can’t stop fighting,” I hear. “Everything turns into a major blow-up!” According to Emotion-Focused Therapy’s theory, high reactivity comes from avoiding pain. Attachment Theory To give some background, EFT and Imago Therapy are based on Attachment theory. ... read more>>
If I had one piece of advice I would give my 32-year-old self when my first child came into this world it would be to begin with the end in mind. Today is the official last day of school – secondary school, that is – for my youngest. It’s also a celebration for me as I celebrate the end of my esteemed career as a mom turned consultant to my youngest.... read more>>
It won’t be long now . . . . What? Wait, Paige, it’s May 9th, “whatchyoutalkinbout Willis?” It’s coming sooner then we think. If we have kids at home we know, remember, can anticipate the joys and sorrows of summer. Luck favors the prepared. Devices: Think, where do they live (tip: in public spaces, not in bedrooms, this goes for us too!). Think time boundaries (off by 9, devices live in our bedrooms at night,... read more>>
The transition from home to college (or another learning experience) is a very big change. This will quite likely be the biggest change your teen has ever faced in his or her whole life. Life changes, even wonderful ones, are invariably stressful and each person handles stressful changes differently. For some kids, the stress of finishing high school may mean sleeping more and even crying more. For other kids, their stress can be expressed as impatience and bad temper.... read more>>
Ahhh, spring and summer. Those wonderful seasons of renewal, color, and sunshine. It’s also the time of year when hundreds of marathon runners head out on their weekly training runs. Long-distance endurance events have exploded in popularity in recent years, with millions of people participating in marathons and other long-distance runs annually. The image of hundreds of marathon runners-in- training struck me as I watched my husband set out on a training run recently. The training of a marathon runner is the perfect metaphor for those of us on a parenting journey.... read more>>
En-cour-age-ment, definition: the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope Superfoods are a big trend these days–those elite foods that seem to do everything: provide antioxidants, promote healthier skin, lower blood pressure, improve brain function, etc. Remarkably, there’s a “superfood” in the parenting world too, and it’s called “encouragement.” It’s the kale-blueberry-salmon-chia seed of parenting techniques rolled into one! Encouragement builds confidence.... read more>>
The Washington cherry blossoms are now expected to reach peak bloom from April 8 – 12. For many DC-area families, it is an annual tradition to travel to the Tidal Basin and view the blossoms. Some families have photographs of their children taken yearly in front of the pink and white trees. There’s something irresistible about the cotton-candy-like flowers blooming on a spring day. Tourists and locals alike brave the crowds for a long walk and a short glimpse of natural beauty with a backdrop of the Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument.... read more>>
Your son doesn’t want to go to basketball practice. Your daughter does not feel comfortable staying at home alone. Your stepdaughter cries in the morning and tries to avoid going to school. What do all of these children have in common? They are all experiencing anxiety. Children who are anxious may feel that there is a worry sound track in their minds. They don’t know that there are alternative ways to think or they may not know how to think differently.... read more>>
