Circle of Security, a training program for mental health professionals and parent educators, produced this brief, informative video on the theory of attachment and its benefits for parenting. If you’re interested in how to apply attachment research to your work with children at home or in the office, check it out!
Family Storytelling and Baby Wordplay
During this holiday week, we hope you enjoy lots of family storytelling and lively discussions with your little ones. Research shows that telling family stories has tremendous emotional and educational benefits for children, so if you need a little inspiration, check out these links for family storytelling activities: Continue reading
#HellNoBarbie Campaign
We’ve been following the debate about Hello Barbie since we first wrote about the doll’s debut. Last week, the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood launched a petition and #HellNoBarbie social media campaign to voice concerns about the threat to children’s privacy. For more information about how children’s conversations with the doll will be stored and analyzed, check out this article from NBC News. If you’d like to read more about CCFC’s campaign and petition, click here.
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Gun Violence in Schools
Dr. Corinne Masur
This week Philadelphia got the double whammy. On Sunday, an e-mail alert went around to staff of local colleges and universities. A message had been posted on social media threatening an act of violence on an undisclosed college campus in the Philadelphia area on Monday morning. Tuesday, a gunman was reported to be on the campus of Philadelphia Community College and the campus was put into lockdown. Masterman, a public magnet school for junior high and high school students across the street and Friends Select School, a Quaker k-12 school in the neighborhood also went into lockdown.
My son attends Friends Select. As I was leaving for work that morning, I received a recorded message on my cell phone saying that due to the presence of a gunman at the Community College, Friends Select faculty, staff, and students were locked in the school until further notice.
I was shocked. I was frightened. But more than anything, I was angry. Continue reading
Support Group for Philly-Area Parents of Picky Eaters
Know a family struggling with their picky eater?
Milestones Psychology and Wellness is offering an 8 week support group for parents who have picky or restrictive eaters. The group will be run by a feeding specialist and will be a place for families to share ideas and explore emotions around meal times and feeding.
The first group session begins on Wednesday October 14th from 7-8:15 PM. Contact Dr. Margot Burke for more information: drmargotburke@gmail.com
Hello, Barbie!
Dr. Corinne Masur
Have you heard? In November (just in time for the holidays), Mattel is introducing a new Barbie that doesn’t just talk, but talks intelligently! She asks questions and, even more remarkably, responds to your child’s answer! The breakthrough offered by this Barbie is that she can actively listen. Even more amazing, however, is the fact that she can remember your child’s responses for future conversations.
Is this the end of pretend play? Or the fulfillment of children’s dreams? Or both? Continue reading
Shopping with Children
Dr. Corinne Masur
It’s almost fall and you know what that means: time for summer sales and back to school shopping. But how do you shop with children in tow? It can be tough to entertain kids while running errands, particularly when it involves multiple stops and hunting for deals. Here are some helpful hints: Continue reading
Is Video Killing the Family Vacation?
Dr. Corinne Masur
Yes it is, says Nick Confalone, the man who became famous for making funny Vine videos of his infant son. In a New York Times article on the topic, Mr. Confalone said of his constant videotaping: “I’m pulling (my family) out of the moment to try to create a version of that moment.” Rather than enjoying the time with his son, Mr. Confalone realized that he had been taken over by the desire to create something for others to watch and enjoy. And rather than actually being with his son, he was trying to create a visual document about his son for his family to watch later. “Video,” he said, “is such an exact record of a moment that it threatens to replace the memories you have of that moment.”
And then there are the risks involved. Continue reading
Summer Celebrations
We hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July celebration! We’re right in the middle of summer, and we’d love to hear how your family makes the most of these long, warm days. Running through playground sprinklers? Taking trips to the library? Gathering together for family BBQs? Let us know in the comments!
Climb Out Of The Darkness 2015
In 2014, Warrior Moms raised more than $165,000 for Climb Out of the Darkness®. Held on or near the longest day of the year, women around the world climb, hike or walk to signify climbing out of the darkness of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and into the light. Climb Out is now the world’s largest event raising awareness of maternal mental illness.
Tomorrow, join thousands of others who are climbing into the light. To find a local climb, click here
Thoughtful Parenting 
