Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative Blog
Being a parent is one of the hardest things some of us will do in our lifetime! Especially when it comes to how we are disciplining our children when each of them has their own personality! To help clarify what discipline is, it is when as parents we take what we learned growing up and […]
Discussing mental health has become more popular lately. Folks may have suffered in silence in past decades, but awareness and education are shifting the conversation. Researchers have studied what makes us struggle and how to alter our state of mind. We can use this month to learn about resources and work toward a stronger sense […]
April is an opportunity to learn more about and celebrate the over 40,000 Arab Oregonians and an estimated 1.5 million Arab Americans. Arab Americans often have to navigate bias and hate directed toward them. Although our government’s census and many official documents determine that Arab Americans are white racially, many people move through the world […]
As an early childhood education student, the more I learned, the more I decided that best practices for young kids were best for us all. We can all benefit from slowing down, making time for wonder, delighting in simple joys, playing, snuggling, moving outdoors, giggling, and maybe even napping. How can we invite these practices […]
As my sister prepared to adopt her daughter, our family excitedly gathered clothes, books, and toys for her. My sister shared photos and advice that she received from her case workers. She read about how best to transition a child to a new home and planned as much as she could for a new addition […]
When I volunteer, I step outside of my world and away from my worries. I focus on who is before me and how I can help. I gain perspective of the world around me and of my existence. I feel grateful for the privileges I have. But I don’t sign up to volunteer because it […]
During our quarantine time, I realized how meaningful our social connections were to our mental health. I desperately missed my therapeutic conversations with close friends and chit-chat with acquaintances I ran into around town. Connecting with others gives us opportunities to feel happier and reduces feelings of depression and anxiety. How can we cultivate our […]
As an educator, I had the chance to work with families as they became foster parents. I watched excitement build as families anticipated meeting their new children. I watched families field comments from well-meaning friends and was struck by one conversation in particular. When one parent shared they were getting ready to bring a new […]
We have been deeply saddened and horrified to watch the continued conflicts across the world that are causing suffering and death to countless children, youth, adults, and families. Recent news has been flooded with stories and images from war and genocide, which are having profound and tragic impacts on children and families living in the […]
Ugh, the dreaded phone call from school. Your kid’s teacher calls again to inform you that your child was disruptive during the school day. Not only is their behavior frustrating at home, but it is at school, too. No matter what you try, your kid is still acting up. What is going on? How can […]