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Anti-Racist Parenting: Why We Shouldn't Want to Return to "Normal" in 2021
By Dr. Amanda Zelechoski and Dr. Lindsay Malloy
Parenting is especially challenging right now on many levels. Not only are we still in the midst of a global pandemic, we’re also trying to raise socially-conscious kids during a time of significant racial and political turbulence. Some have called this the “dual pandemic” of COVID-19 and racial violence, and it is disproportionally impacting communities of color.
Long-Distance Pandemic Grandparenting: 25 Ways to Stay Connected
By Dr. Amanda Zelechoski
The experiences of grandparents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic have varied widely, from abruptly moving in with family members to being unable to see and hug your littlest loved ones for what has felt like an eternity. Long-distance grandparenting feels especially challenging during the developmental stage of our lives most focused on generativity, nurturing, and passing on important wisdom and lived experiences to subsequent generations.
Managing Kids’ Screen Time During Covid-19
By Dr. Lindsay Malloy
A few years ago, I was waiting for my sick toddler to be seen at our pediatrician’s office. After three hours of waiting and attempting to entertain my toddler in every way possible, the doctor family came in. She took one look at my daughter, who was sitting on my lap watching videos on my phone, and snapped, “Don’t you know that’s the worst possible thing for her brain?”
The Pandemic Parenting Dance: Why Parents Are So Exhausted
By Dr. Amanda Zelechoski
Recently, I had a chance to catch up with a group of long-time friends over Zoom. It had been about four months since the last time we were able to connect. We are working moms and stay-at-home moms, married moms and single moms, and we have kids spanning in age from toddlers to teens. Our pandemic parenting highs and lows have varied considerably, but one theme was consistent: We. Are. Exhausted.
Parenting During the Pandemic: 2020 is the Year of “Good Enough”
By Dr. Amanda Zelechoski
December is always an emotional month for me. Two of my kids were born in December so, around this time each year, I find myself reflecting back on those intense first moments together. Amidst the backdrop of the holiday decorations in the hospital, I remember gazing into my firstborn’s eyes and asking him, “Will I be good enough?” Even though he was only a few hours old, the waves of mom guilt seemed to instantly wash over me like a tsunami. Welcome to motherhood.
Best Ways to Cope With Family Conflict During the Holiday Season 2020
By Dr. Lindsay Malloy
I only recently learned that the first working Monday in January is referred to as “Divorce Day” by family lawyers who say that they see a surge in calls from couples who are splitting up for good after the holidays. Whether these couples have already made the decision and are putting on a brave face for the holidays or spending time together during the holidays pushes them over the line to divorce, we can’t be sure. But we do know that increased stress is common during the holiday season, especially for women, and that there is an uptick in family conflict at the holidays for many reasons.
5 Ways Parents Can Build Resilience & Stamina for Our Pandemic Winter
By Dr. Amanda Zelechoski
In one of our recent Pandemic Parenting Exchange webinars, world-renowned child psychiatrist and trauma expert, Dr. Bruce Perry, said that what we’re currently experiencing while pandemic parenting is not a sprint or even a marathon. It’s a thru-hike. I’m sorry, what? He explained that a thru-hike is when people walk thousands of miles, from Mexico to Canada, for example. Apparently, this is something people do. On purpose.
Re-imagined Holidays: Making Positive Memories During a Pandemic (Parents’ Guide)
By Dr. Lindsay Malloy
On Halloween night, I watched Pikachu and a baby duckie (aka, my 5-year-old and 3-year-old) run around gathering miniature candy bars that were falling from the sky. It was raining chocolate (hallelujah) because my neighbor was shooting tiny candy bars into the sky with a leaf blower in a dazzling display of social distancing meets trick-or-treating brilliance. I am a 40-year-old woman, and I was pretty giddy about this, so you can imagine how my kids reacted.
A Guide to Making Your Own Gratitude Journal for A Positive Mind
By Dr. Lindsay Malloy
It would be difficult to guess how many interventions that psychologists have tested over the years to try to improve people’s well-being. If you never slept, worked, or did anything else for the next decade (or longer!) you probably couldn’t read every self-help book on the market. Not to mention you could spend a lot of money trying to increase your happiness…especially while pandemic parenting.
The Importance of Play for Kids During COVID-19
By Dr. Amanda Zelechoski
The late renowned psychologist, Jean Piaget, and beloved TV host, Mr. Fred Rogers, were big proponents of the idea that “play is the work of childhood.” Sometimes, as parents, we forget that play is not just an activity kids do to pass the time. Play is actually a critical component of a child’s development and is linked to specific aspects of development, including problem-solving, creativity, cognitive skills, socialization, and language.
Pregnancy & Postpartum During a Pandemic: 4 Things to Know About Depression & Anxiety
By Dr. Lindsay Malloy
I’ve been thinking a lot about the moms-to-be and new moms, bringing babies home and dealing with COVID postpartum. I know all too well what it’s like to cope with a mysterious virus and so many unknowns while expecting.
Almost 4 years ago to the day, my OB called me with startling news: I had just tested positive for the Zika virus. I was 7 weeks pregnant with my second child.
Self-Care for Parents in 2020 – A Complete COVID 19 Parenting Guide
By Dr. Lindsay Malloy
I’ll be honest – I hate the term “self-care.” If anyone suggests to me that I just need more self-care in my life, I can feel myself bristle. I scream internally…and I’m a psychologist.
I also am a mother to two young kids holding down a full-time job during a global pandemic. Like many of you, I am struggling to hold it all together day to day. When in survival mode, self-care is not at the top of my list.
Trying to Expect During A Pandemic: 3 Ways to Cope with Pregnancy Loss, Fertility Challenges, and Adoption Delays
By Dr. Amanda Zelechoski
When it comes to pandemic parenting, much of the discussion has centered around remote learning struggles, working from home while trying to manage kids, and the constant decisions parents are making to keep their families safe.
I have noticed that the unique challenges for those who are trying to become parents have been largely missing from those conversations.
Pregnancy During COVID-19: 3 Ways to Stay Connected with Your Village
By Dr. Amanda Zelechoski
One of the best parts of becoming a new parent is “joining the club” – entering a community of fellow parents and being surrounded by generations of wisdom and experience to support you. You’ve likely heard the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
But, what happens when you are pregnant during COVID and are isolated from your village for any number of reasons?
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