(this post comes with a content warning for mention of physical abuse, as well as disordered eating, eating aversion, internalized fatphobia, sensory difficulties with eating…basically if there’s anything that feels triggery to you about food, there’s a high chance I’ll talk about it in this post. Please skip if you should, or do whatever helps … Read more
[Image description: A dark blue square field with white text on it that reads, “I’m Bored! Could actually mean… My anxiety is high and I need something to block it out. I’m too overwhelmed to focus on a task. I’m in need of some sensory input in order to function. I’m too low on energy/dopamine … Read more
Here’s a tiny little “this is working for our family right now so maybe it will for someone else too”: Our only form of screen time for our kids right now is TV shows and movies. We usually stick to preschool shows, Pixar/Disney movies, and YouTube videos about how things work or “behind the scenes” … Read more
My coworker and friend walked into my office and said, “I just went to use the microwave and someone had just left it on one second!” My other coworker/friend agreed “Ugh, I hate that!” I sat there, knowing for certain that I was the one who had left it on one second. For a fraction … Read more
I had an epiphany recently while checking out at the store. I think sometimes parents are to their children, what self checkout machines at stores are to adults. 😂 “PLACE YOUR ITEM IN THE BAG.” “PLEASE SCAN YOUR ITEM.” “PLEASE WAIT. HELP IS ON THE WAY.” “AWAYS REMEMBER TO SCAN YOUR ITEM BEFORE PLACING IT … Read more
This post needs a content warning. I am talking about violence against children—not in the present tense, thankfully, but in the past tense. I am also talking about defusing anger responses against children instead of giving in to them. I understand that this is a really fraught topic. I have times in my life where … Read more
Recently, my family and I visited a sandy playground, and it reminded me of this story about myself and sensory processing. My son was maybe 18 months old, and he was playing on a playground where the ground was hard rubber. Excellent. All was well. Then he realized that across a little strip of grass … Read more
This post has an audio and video recorded version for those who prefer to learn by hearing rather than by reading. Scroll to the bottom for the video of me reading it. Recently, a parent asked this question in the comments of one of my posts: “Do you have any hints on how to get … Read more
This quote sums up everything I’ve ever tried to say about “behavior” and does it so perfectly succinctly in four sentences. What’s the best-case scenario? That instead of wanting to get revenge on children for the ways they act that inconvenience, bother, or annoy us, we start to soften. We start to see them empathetically. … Read more
This post has an audio and video recorded version for those who prefer to learn by hearing rather than by reading. Scroll to the bottom for the video of me reading it. A mom was asking me recently for any advice on convincing her husband to allow their children to feel their emotions without feeling … Read more