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When Adults Forget Who’s Watching: Parents, Coaches, and the Life Lessons in Sports
Softball was never just about softball. And really, no sport is. Sports are classrooms. The dirt on the field and the squeak of gym floors are chalkboards where lessons about resilience, humility, teamwork, and respect get written every day. But here’s the thing: the kids aren’t the only ones doing the writing. The adults, parents in the stands, and coaches on the sidelines are drafting some of the most important lines.
Jolene Phillips
Jan 303 min read


Holding Them Closer in a World That Feels Heavy
Our babies deserve a world where kindness and respect matter, and it starts with the way we raise them today.
Jolene Phillips
Jan 264 min read


What Is Dramatic Play (and Why It Matters More Than You Think)
Dramatic play (also called pretend or imaginative play) is one of the most natural and powerful ways children make sense of their world. And while it might look like “just playing,” there is so much meaningful work happening beneath the surface. Learn more in this post.
Jolene Phillips
Jan 64 min read


Nurturing Self-Esteem and Identity in Our Kids (and Ourselves)
Our kids are constantly shaping their self-esteem and identity, often by watching how we talk to ourselves. The words we say (and don’t say) become their inner voice. Add in the comparison trap of social media and the dopamine rollercoaster it creates, and today’s kids face unique challenges. The good news? We can help them build confidence, resilience, and a kinder self-story, starting with us.
Jolene Phillips
Sep 8, 20256 min read


When Your Toddler Wrestles Like WWE but Also Cries at a Bear Hug: Understanding Sensory Seeking and Sensory Avoidance
Life with a toddler is unpredictable, but add sensory needs, both seeking and avoidance, and suddenly your house feels like a mix between a wrestling ring, a therapy clinic, and a zoo with an exceptionally patient dog.
Jolene Phillips
Sep 6, 20255 min read


The Comedy (and Chaos) of Feeding Kids: Adventures with Toddlers and Picky Eaters
Whether your kid is a cautious eater like my step-son or a culinary daredevil like my toddler, the goal is the same: to raise kids who can have a healthy, flexible, and positive relationship with food. That means less pressure, more patience, and a whole lot of humor. Because if parenthood has taught me anything, it’s that food is rarely just food when kids are involved. It’s comedy, it’s chaos. So, pull up a chair, grab a napkin, and enjoy the show.
Jolene Phillips
Aug 22, 20258 min read


Blowing Wishes, Catching Calm: Our Dandelion Magic Read
Teaching kids deep breaths can go two ways: peaceful calm…or a spit-covered coffee table. Guess which one we got?
This month’s Imagination Library book delivery brought us Dandelion Magic by Darren Farrell, a whimsical, laugh-out-loud story that turned our “calming breath practice” into speed puffs, giggles, and yes…a little spit on the coffee table.
But behind the silliness is something powerful: a playful way to help kids manage big feelings, slow down, and discover calm
Jolene Phillips
Aug 16, 20254 min read


Making a Splash… and Then the Meltdown: Why Leaving Fun Is So Hard for Kids (and Their Parents)
Pool day=fun, cousins, Goldfish, and a tractor toy meltdown. Play builds skills, but leaving is the hardest splash of all.
Jolene Phillips
Aug 12, 20256 min read


Back-to-School Anxiety: Tips for Kids AND Moms
As both a mom and a counselor, I’ve seen the back-to-school season from all angles. I have worked with dozens of kids and families as the school year approaches, worked within schools at the start of the school year, and have walked my own bonus son through the weeks leading up to a new school year. So, let me walk you through some practical (and slightly sarcastic) ways to handle the back-to-school jitters, for your kids and yourself.
Jolene Phillips
Aug 6, 20258 min read


How to Handle Public Meltdowns With Confidence and Compassion
There’s nothing quite like the rush of panic that hits when your child starts to unravel in the middle of a grocery store, playground, or family gathering. Maybe it's loud. Maybe it's messy. Maybe all eyes seem to turn to you. Public meltdowns are a universal parenting challenge, and if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or embarrassed during one, you’re not alone.
Jolene Phillips
Jul 30, 20254 min read


Unlocking Social Emotional Learning (SEL) at Home: A Simple Guide for Parents
As parents, we want the best for our kids, not just academically, but emotionally too. We want them to be kind, confident, and resilient. We want them to understand and manage their feelings and to form healthy, positive relationships with others. But how do we go about teaching them these important skills? Enter Social Emotional Learning, or SEL.
Jolene Phillips
Jul 29, 202510 min read
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