Family comes in many shapes and sizes, yet each type of family holds immense value. Kinship caregivers—grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, or even close family friends who step up to raise a child when biological parents cannot—offer stability and love in times of need. Though these families may not fit the traditional mold, their impact is Read More…
Category: Uncategorized
The Importance of Parental Connection for Youth Development
In today’s fast-paced world, the connection between parents often takes a backseat to the many demands of daily life. However, the bond between parents is not just vital for their own well-being; it plays a crucial role in shaping the emotional and social development of their children. A strong partnership between parents creates a stable Read More…
Using AI to support Mental Health
In our fast-paced world, where productivity is the goal, we often leave the producers of all that work behind and underestimate the importance of our mental health. While AI can in no way replace the connection with and work of professional mental health care providers, AI can help support and enhance our mental wellness. Because Read More…
Making Sense of AI
Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has become a big topic. You may have used a Chatbot to help you brainstorm planning someone’s birthday party, write an invitation, make a meal plan, or for something else altogether. For many, AI feels intimidating, and while there is a lot to learn about AI, here is a brief background Read More…
Navigating the Transition from High School to College and Beyond: Supporting Autistic and Neurodivergent Individuals
As a parent or caregiver, witnessing your child’s transition from high school to college is a momentous occasion, brimming with pride, excitement, and perhaps a hint of apprehension. This pivotal juncture marks the commencement of a new chapter in your child’s life—boundless opportunities for personal growth and autonomy. However, for students who are neurodivergent or Read More…
10 Creative Ways to Engage Youth Outside this Spring and Summer
In a world where screens often dominate attention, finding creative ways to engage youth outside is more important than ever. Fortunately, the great outdoors offers a variety of opportunities for adventure, exploration, and imagination. From high-tech treasure hunts to low-tech water balloon battles, there’s something for every young adventurer to enjoy under the open sky. Read More…
Building Financial Resilience: A Family’s Path Forward
In the challenging terrain of managing family finances, there are many of us who find ourselves struggling to make ends meet. Yet, amidst the hardships, there’s an opportunity to build resilience and foster hope for a brighter future. As parents facing these struggles, we bear the weight of providing for our families while instilling in Read More…
Fostering Healthy Relationships
When it comes to discussing relationships with young people, the conventional focus tends to revolve around what to avoid. The emphasis is often on steering clear of negative behaviors and red flags. However, what if we shifted our perspective to lean more into what we do want, highlighting the positive and nurturing aspects of relationships? Read More…
Nurturing Wholeness: A Guide to Cultivate Wellness in All Areas of Your Life
In our programs about building resilience, we strive to provide practical ways we all can adapt in our lives to support our well-being. As parents and caregivers, our daily lives are a delicate juggling act, balancing work, family, and personal well-being. It’s crucial to recognize that true well-being or wellness extends beyond physical health—it encompasses Read More…
Am I ready for my child to have a smart phone?
Parenting comes with pressure and it takes a lot to be the salmon swimming upstream and do things differently. Yet, it is ok to be that salmon. I remember the pressures I felt, some self-induced and some from other parents. If I am honest, I would say that I let the pressures of others get Read More…
School Year Preparation
The angst and uncertainty of what a new school year brings is upon us. As a parent with two teenage boys in high school, my oldest entering his senior year, and my youngest, a neuro-divergent person in tenth grade, our heads are already spinning. But it’s all good, we got this! To help us transition, Read More…
Noticing our negative self-talk and treating it with self care
“I’ll never be as good a parent as my friend XXX”, “I should play more with my kids.” “My kids like their mom better.” “Nice job, idiot.” Parents and caregivers can really be hard on themselves and often compare themselves too much to others on social media, in movies and others in the park. The Read More…