Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative Blog
Going through a separation or a divorce can be traumatic for both children and parents. You may be navigating feelings of grief, anger, disappointment, or maybe even ease, freedom, and joy. Children and adults have many different feelings and that is okay. When I was teaching, I often supported families as they navigated a transition […]
My family teases me about my vast collection of picture books. They say I can open a library out of our home. I give picture books as gifts to recipients of all ages. They are works of art! Literally! I am constantly amazed at the artistic skill of the illustrators. The authors magically make the […]
Thanks to Tiffany Smith, English Language Learner Specialist, for sharing resources. Many towns are seeing a rise in refugee or asylum-seeking families. We view this as an opportunity for our communities to welcome new voices with generosity and compassion. Local organizations often rely on volunteers to ensure new families obtain the support needed. Consider how […]
Creating a strong bond with your baby during the early months of parenthood can be a wonderful but challenging journey as you adjust to new routines and responsibilities. You probably do many things already that help build a strong relationship! This connection you are building plays an important role in supporting their social, emotional, and […]
We live in a digital world. Kids see their grown-ups on devices of all kinds for work, entertainment, navigation…just about everything. Many parenting struggles revolve around screen time – choosing when young children use a tablet, how to get them to stop using the device once they’re on, when to allow our children access to […]
Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash I got to know a grandmother as she took over care for her grandchild. She struggled to shift into her new role as caretaker while setting new boundaries and establishing routines. She had pictured herself being the fun-loving grandparent who got to say “Yes!” to her grandchild’s whims, but […]
While babysitting recently, the 15-month-old was a little wary at my arrival. Once I started reciting “This Little Piggy” on her toes, she broke into a giant smile, and we were good friends. Play helps build social skills, emotional well-being, physical development, and literacy. When I’m around small children, I love the opportunity to be […]
Special thanks to school counselor, Amber Paterson for sharing resources. Grief is part of the human experience. It feels cruel, especially so when we witness our children grieving. Supporting children through their grief may be extra challenging if we are struggling ourselves. There is no correct way to navigate all of the feelings your family […]
You may have read the recent report from the Surgeon General about the alarming rates of rising parental stress. To most of us who are parents or who work with caregivers, this report was unsurprising but validating. Many of the issues parents face are systemic. We can work toward a society that cares better for […]
America’s incredibly long election season means we have many opportunities for our children to hear about politics. Listening to speeches, debates, the news, or grown-ups talking may raise questions for children about how our democracy works, who is running for office, and how to make sense of it all. When my kids were younger, they […]