The Thrive Group

The Whole Self | The Whole Family

calming down

The Merry Go Round of Obsessions

Many of us tend to obsess about many things in our lives.  As parents we can easily obsess about our children.  Especially, if there is an area that we want to “fix” in our child.  Obsessing is a merry go round that’s hard to get off of.  It leaves us feeling doubting, anxious, fearful, or sad. Suppressing negative thoughts will not allow you to get rid of them and they will continue to return. You may have a vision that no one else sees or understands, or are starting on a road with your child that you are unsure of, or come to realize that you made a mistake in your child rearing.

Here are 10 ways that are helpful for stepping off the merry go round of obsessive thoughts and into a more positive productive mindset: [Read more…] about The Merry Go Round of Obsessions

Repairing The Parent-Child Bond (For HUMAN Parents Only)

ropey-e1425421220442Have you ever felt momentarily overwhelmed, annoyed, or angry and raised your voice at your child?

If the answer is no, you are some kind of web-crawling bot, not a real-live human parent, and therefore you do not have to read any further.

For the rest of us: Every relationship, including parent-child relationships, has its ups and downs, ins and outs, and even ruptures and repairs.

One of the lessons every mom (and dad) has to learn is that it’s okay if there are occasionally times you can’t give your child what you think is best for him. Learning to accept that you are human and that you can’t give 100 percent 100 percent of the time will, in the long run, strengthen your parent-child bond.

My Patience Predicament

Last week I got a bit angry at [Read more…] about Repairing The Parent-Child Bond (For HUMAN Parents Only)

Video: Can Demanding Children Become More Flexible?

Miriam Portrait 2

In this talk filmed at the Thrive OT sensory gym, occupational therapist Miriam Manela talks about helping children who have “fits” when things don’t go their way, learn to be more flexible. (Scroll down for video).

 

 

 

 

 

 

High Energy Kids Meet Low Energy Moms

Facial expression 300It’s a fact: Even a mom who has tons of energy can appear tortoise-like when compared to her child.

Imagine your nine-year old is kicking the furniture—hard.

Or your five year-old is riding his tricycle around the living room for the nineteenth time in a row (careening off the newly-painted walls).

Or your toddler is shrieking in glee as she flings her spaghetti everywhere.

These are the times you long to declare nap-time—but you know your child’s not going to agree without major resistance. That’s why it’s a life-saver to have on hand a repertoire of energy-busting techniques that help meet and satiate your child’s need to expend emotional and physical energy (while not depleting your own). [Read more…] about High Energy Kids Meet Low Energy Moms

Helpful Tips And Techniques For A Child That Can’t Sit Still

Playing with an umbrellaAfter parent-teacher meetings I usually get a flurry of phone calls from concerned parents. They’ve been told that their child just can’t sit still.

“My son’s teacher says he wriggles and twists constantly, and also swivels his chair around.  They say it is disrupting the class.”

“My daughter’s teacher says she gets up in the middle of the lesson and walks around the classroom, stopping by other kids’ desks and picking up their books, pencils or other possessions. Sometimes she even leaves the classroom, and walks out into the hallway without permission.”

Has your child’s teacher told you that your child can’t sit still?

Maybe you’ve observed some of your child’s can’t-sit-still-itis at home, too. Perhaps they tip their (non-rocking) chair back in a rocking motion, balancing it precariously [Read more…] about Helpful Tips And Techniques For A Child That Can’t Sit Still