Open Book Parenting

12/19/2025

As someone who made a lot of unconventional decisions around parenting I feel this. It helps having a village who gets your values and will support you but it also helps having a village who doesn't get your values but will support you anyway. The reason I was so grateful to find La Leche League early in my parenting journey was less about breastfeeding (I got to them later when our feeding relationship was already established) and more about finding other parents who also wanted to be with their kids the way I wanted to be with my kid. I needed that validation and reassurance.

12/18/2025

If you find that the anxious kids in your school are missing out, consider bringing my program to your PTA, PTO or parent program. It's a great fundraising option -- 50% of the proceeds from parents enrolling in my courses will go right back to the school -- and it can make a real difference for those families who are struggling.

12/17/2025

12/16/2025

12/16/2025

For those kids, figure out where the demands are non-negotiable and where there's room to wriggle (like you have to wear pants on the bus but maybe you don't have to wear "hard" pants). How that looks for your child and your family is very very very personal. If you need help figuring that out, make sure your supports understand that it's NEVER one size fits all.

12/14/2025

Social skills groups that teach kids to mask are harmful and ineffective. Social skills that teach the WHY behind expectations and help kids figure out how to manage those expectations in ways that best serve them, (which will look different to different kids) help them come into their own and be strong self advocates. If your child has social anxieties and is struggling to understand how the world works, help them find opportunities where they can be themselves, learn what they want to do when confronted with various social situations, and gain the skills that will allow them to do that.

12/13/2025

Some of us have a higher pain tolerance than others. Some of us can go on Hot Wings and eat The Bomb no problem while some of us tap out three wings in. And some of us feel anxiety more intensely. It's not fair, it just is. But children with anxiety are also BRAVER than those without because they have to be. 🧡

12/12/2025

Oh Mr. Rogers, you are after this therapist's heart. I so so so agree with this. All the parenting guru promises in the world, all the guarantees of "better behavior in 30 days" and "no more tantrums with ten easy tricks" are nonsense if you aren't paying attention to the relationship. I always say, I am an expert on child development and child anxiety but YOU, dear one, are the absolute expert on your child. Never forget that and never listen to anyone who doesn't acknowledge that from the start.

12/11/2025

When I partner with schools and family organizations, educators and administrators can access to my programs for free. That's to help shape the culture so that everyone benefits from learning more about the most effective way to support anxious kids and teens. 50% of all proceeds will go back to your program! Learn more by reaching out to me and letting me know you're interested in exploring my fundraising programs!

12/09/2025

When it comes to anxiety it's ok -- even necessary -- to keep it slow but steady. That means baby steps are fine as long as you just keep stepping.