Transitions
Do you have trouble with getting your child to bed or getting ready in the morning? Difficulty finishing playtime to move to a meal, chore or homework? Transitions can be difficult especially as children age and have different needs along with your own. My goal is to help us understand and balance both while expressing the skills and goals appropriate for parents and kids as they grow.
Dependence/Independence
Babies are entirely dependent, and parents often develop processes and get support to manage all of this care. Yet after a year or two, when language starts to develop, personalities emerge, and toddler-level skills show up - so does independence. However not entirely, because they still need help. This transition arises at various points in development. And based on the parents’ temperament and desires, there can be complication in pushing independence or dependence. So my goal is to support sorting the unique context and developmental stage with you to strengthen your desired outcome and communication in the process.
Tantrums
Is your child kicking, throwing, screaming, biting or spitting? Wanting attention constantly? Not getting what they want? Not wanting to stop or change course? Completely overwhelmed when they cannot execute something just right? There is a lot lying underneath tantrums, and I am here to help you navigate and lessen them. Sometimes parents want one thing and children want another; or we simply don’t understand each other. Either way, the first step is to support emotional regulation and calming before any discussion, teaching or discipline take place. When calm, we can determine what’s happening to prompt the tantrum.
Competence
Many children have a difficult time in preschool or starting kindergarten when moving from open, exploratory play to learning with structure. They suddenly start understanding measurement of quality and competence. This can produce anxiety or resistance to try things so as not to appear wrong or doing it ‘badly’. I goal is to use play and art to teach how to experiment and practice messing up. This supports the learning of tolerance and trust in one’s competence as new skills are acquired.
Parent Identity
What are your strengths and passions as a parent? What brings you joy in parenting? What are the difficult parts and feelings connected to parenting? Understanding these things will support the mindful rituals and rhythms with your child to strengthen the relationship. Let’s get to know who you are as a parent. What is similar and different from how you were parented?