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This is a topic I want to get into because it’s something that happens a lot, and it’s also something that often makes parents uncomfortable.    I’m talking about when you’re out and about and your kid (often loudly… or at least it seems loud) points out someone who is different in someway.    “Why is my new classmate darker then me?”   “What happened to that man’s arm?”    “How come that kid gets to use that tablet in the classroom?”    Sometimes they notice these things and come home and ask but I want to focus more so on what we do when our children ask these questions in public.    Because these questions often bring out embarrassment or even some kind of shame in parents, especially when the person in question overhears the question.    And parents reaction is usually to quickly hush their child or dismiss the question altogether.    I propose an alternative solution.    In this episode I’ll be sharing three things:   - Why children feel the need to point out these differences (and why they’re not purposefully being rude)  - How you as a parent can respond to your child’s question  - And one very important thing to keep in mind when your child asks these types of questions and the person hears it   We can’t raise children who are aware, respectful, and inclusive of all the diversity around them by ignoring it- but these are still tricky conversations to navigate, but we’re going to give it a go anyway! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message

Tick Click Tick Click That was the sound a child was making over and over while sitting his his mothers lap and waiting to be called into the office. And with every tick and click you could see her patience slipping away. Eventually she put her hand over his and asked him to please stop making that noise. It seemed like he handn’t even realized he was making the noise, because he looked up surprised and stopped. You might also notice your child seems to just make random noises and sounds, or sometimes it’s just a looooooooong stream of continuous chatter that has no rhyme or reason besides just to make noise. I’m just gonna come right out and say it- sometimes it’s annoying as hell. But there’s a reason behind why children make these noises. In this episode, we’re going to revisit the topic of why kids make loud, repetitive, and annoying noises and what you can do if you feel like you’re losing your mind over it. You might even be surprised to learn that the reason why kids make these noises, is similar to the reason why adults to do certain things too. Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message

Let me just ask- have you started yet? You know, searching Pinterest for cute “I’m starting Kinder” picture ideas, buying all school supplies, and all the generally cute and fun stuff we parents get sucked into doing when Kindergarten is just around the corner. Chances are, if you have a 4/5 year old, you’re prepping for that transition either this upcoming August or in the upcoming year (feels far away but it’s not really). And while there’s usually a bunch of excitement for this huge milestone, you might have noticed something that a ton of parents go through around this time. Your child is…what’s the word…emotional to say the least. Everything is a dire situation for them it seems. It’s a meltdown over the smallest things. Big emotions over every inconvenience or change. You probably feel like you’re walking on eggshells wondering what’s going to set off the next outburst. This is a pretty common developmental stage that I like to call The Limbic Leap and the good news is that it’s completely normal. I have a whole episode that goes in depth about what’s happening in the brain during this stage but essentially, their brain’s “alarm system” is growing and recalibrating. And until it gets it shit together your child is hypersensitive to the unexpected and to change. Which brings us back to Kindergarten. No, in most cases parent’s don’t need to be concerned about their child entering Kindergarten as a menace. But this is a big change for children, even if they’ve been in daycare or preschool and they’re going to need some extra help and support navigating this new change. Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message

Summer is here! ☀️ Or at least nearly here for most of us. And while the kids may be free for shenanigans for a few weeks, parents often are not. Whether that’s because you’re working, have younger children who need attention, or you simply don’t want a kid at your heel all summer complaining about having nothing to do, it’s time to make a game plan. And I’ve got an easy one to share with you that’ll make summer break manageable (and dare I say fun?) for everyone. This is going to be particularly helpful if you have a child who’s prone to the “I’m booooored” woes and expect you to cure it. In this episode we’ll chat about: The role parents take on during summer that you should drop immediately Why a routine vs a schedule is a better option for summers The 3 things you definitely want to include in that routine Plus the boundary you want to set from the very start of summer break if you have any intention of getting anything done during the next few weeks. Feeling the summer vibes and excitement? Me too! Let’s kick it off with a great start by preparing for it now. Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message

Summer is in full swing which often brings about a whole lot of buzz about extra-curricular and enrichment classes. I’m talking swim, dance, acting, art, violin, soccer, all the things. I mean, let’s be honest. It’s freaking ADORABLE to see your kid in their little mini uniform wandering around the field while the coach/instructor tries to corral them all back in. Or celebrating their first score/performance/award? The pride parents feel is basically at the same level it would be if they had won the Olympics or something. That’s why I want to start off by saying I do not hate extracurricular activities. I know there are lots of parenting experts out there who are vehemently against these classes for kinder and younger but I don’t think signing your 4-year-old up for cheerleading is the most awful thing you could do to a child. But are the classes needed? No. They aren’t missing out on developmental skill-building if you decide to never sign them up for afterschool piano lessons. Should you force them to participate? Also no. “But children need their parents to push them to try new things! Sometimes you gotta force them so they learn.” I’ve heard that line and similar statements before and again: no, we shouldn’t force them. And I’m going to tell you why in this episode. I’m going to share the 3 reasons to sign up your kids for extra-curricular/enrichment classes and how we as parents may have gotten a little bit off track about its purpose. And, if you do sign them up for a class, an unorthodox tip to help them get the most out of their class. For my parents who have kids who just blank stare at their instructor during Karate or break out with their own choreography in tap dance, this tip can really help remove the battle of the wills between you and your child about participating and practice. Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message

So there are these cute videos on Reels and Tiktok where both parents stand on either side of the child and count to three- then they run in opposite directions and wait to see who the child follows. And it’s this cute little trend that everyone gets a little laugh from when the child hurries after the same parent every time. But… It stops being so funny when it keeps happening over and over again. It can sting a bit to see your child light up every evening when their other parent walks through the door after they spent the day screaming their head off. Why do they turn into this sweet little cherub for their other parent? Or watching them sweetly cuddle up on their lap during family movie night while slowly scooting you away with their foot? Like- what the heck? You might put on a brave face and smile but jeez does it suck sometimes to feel like the other parent is the favorite! But what if it’s flipped? Maybe you’re the favorite parent right now and you’re worried that your partner might be a bit hurt about it and you’re not sure what to do. It’s not like you can shun your child’s love (don’t do that lol). Don’t worry. The good news is that parental preference and love aren’t the same things. They might prefer the other parent more, but it’s not a competition of love. In this episode, I’m going to break down exactly what’s happening developmentally when your child seems to be picking favorites and how you can handle with (without trying to bribe your child to love you more). We’ve discussed this in the past and it’s always helped parents to know what’s going on in their child’s brain when this happens so they can stop overthinking about why the other parent is “better” and start focusing on what really matters. So let’s chat about your child seeming to like their other parent more (or why they seem to have latched on to you). Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message

This is important, okay? Not too long ago we discussed how to pick out a daycare program for your child and I love being able to support parents with such a huge milestone. Whether it’s their first time being cared for outside the home or if they're simply changing programs - it’s important to make sure that the program is a good fit for your child. But there’s a topic that really needs its own separate conversation. And that’s inclusion vs integration. Some schools will use the phrases like they’re an “inclusive school” as a buzzword but when it comes to the actual practice of inclusion- what they really mean is integration. And this seemingly minor difference in words matters. Even though some programs and people use the two phrases interchangeably, they’re two very different things and it has a huge impact on the quality of care your child receives. And really just their overall wellbeing. This is especially important if you have a child who is differently-abled, neurodiverse, or identifies with a minority and/or marginalized community. So in this episode conversation we will be discussing: Exactly what makes inclusion different from integration How this difference impacts our children And what that looks like in practice (and what to look for/ask about when you tour potential daycare and programs) Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message

If you’re reading this there’s a pretty good chance that you’re either looking for a preschool/daycare or that decision is looming in the near future. (And boy does the time fly by! You’ll blink and it’ll be time to choose.) There’s a lot to consider and it can be overwhelming. A lot of parents focus on the logistical things- which is completely reasonable! It’s important to consider if it’s on your way to work or if you want a center vs a more homelike environment. Those types of features are definitely something to think about. But it always breaks my heart when I hear parents say after all that research they’re still facing challenge after challenge after they enrolled their child/ren and it turns out to be the completely wrong environment for their kid. It stings a bit more too if you’ve shelled out some cash for a registration fee if we’re being honest… I want to remind you if that’s the situation you’re in now- it’s not become to some parental failure or lapse of judgment. There are lots of places that check all the general positive marks and then end up not working out. The factors that can make a real difference between a quality preschool and the ones that don’t work out aren’t always as obvious as a nice-looking classroom or big playgrounds. With over a decade in the early childhood field, I have an advantage of knowing what to look for and what questions to ask- things that parents might not necessarily think of, which is okay! That’s what I’m here for. In this MudRoom episode, I’ll be sharing what to look for when picking out a preschool and how that makes a difference in care. So next time you go on a tour you’ll have some clarity about what actually makes a great daycare/preschool and you can keep a sharp eye out for those green (and red) flags before enrolling. Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message

You might have heard the quote from the movie/book Juno: “A woman becomes a mother when she gets pregnant, a man becomes a father when he sees his baby.” And that sentiment seems to be reflected in a lot of the parents I work with. So, let’s just be completely honest here. When a woman becomes a mother- typically it’s an immediate shift into motherhood and we adopt that identity pretty early on. (Although I understand that not everyone experiences motherhood the same way- this is generally.) We understand the cues for hunger. We can hear the difference between a poopy diaper cry and a needs a nap cry. We can make a bottle with eyes half closed, sleep deprived, and groping around in the dark without needing step-by-step instructions. But for some reason…stepping into fatherhood seems to be a much more…extended transition. I’ve heard from plenty of couples where the mother explains how frusterated she’s become since she basically has to Kindergarten walk her partner through things like changing a toddlers pull up in the car. Again, in general, it just feels like mothers jump in the pool of parenting head first but fathers kind of poke their pinky toe into the water before eventually wading it and joining mom in the deep end. So, why is there such a stark difference between becoming a mother vs becoming a father? In this episode of the Mudroom we’re going to chat about being a dad vs being a mom and how the way we ease ourselves into these roles can impact our children. I’m also going to break down how we can help father’s take more ownership of the caretaking role in parenting (because they are absolutely capable and competent enough to do that!). I’m excited for this conversation! To be honest, it is mostly the mothers who join the parenting membership ParentAbility or are there for MudRoom conversations but it’s always exciting to see fathers participate and I want to keep encouraging that involvement. Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message

There are a lot of parents who watch their child bounce from one activity to another and wonder why their child can’t seem to Just Sit Still. Your kids seem easily distracted when they were supposed to be putting their jackets in the closet. Or they’re suddenly as your leg poking their nose into your conversation when you swore you sent them off to wash their hands for dinner. You thought they were picking up the blocks from the living room but when you come back they’ve disappeared to the playroom (again). So, is this lack of attention something you should be concerned about? Though it’s likey driving you nuts trying to keep track of your little busy bee, the good news is it’s completely typical behavior for kids 6 and under to have a limited attention span. And there’s a good reason for it too! In this Mudroom epiode, I’m going to explain why your child seems like they’re unable to focus and what you can do to help them. Because believe it or not, they’re not bouncing from one thing to another simply to keep you from relaxing. And before you panic, a slight spoiler alert- my advice is not to do more and bust out all the tricks and stunts to keep them entertained, nor is it to jam-pack their schedule with “enriching” activities. As a matter of fact- if you’ve fallen into the habit of trying to entertain your child to help curb some of their boredom I really encourage you to join this week’s conversation because it’s going to help. Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message

Everyone loves a little magic in their lives and for a lot of parents, there’s a lot of joy and fun in creating magic for their children.    Have you ever scrolled through Pinterest and seen how creative some of these ideas are?  Like “tooth fairy glitter” inside a special envelope.  Reindeer treats trailed around the backyard so Santa’s reindeer know where to park on Christmas Eve.   Or pieces of colorful eggshells around the Easter basket that the bunny left behind.  Among the endless work of filling juice cups and potty training, these magical moments when kids are looking at you bright-eyed and giggling at the tooth fairies antics are priceless.    But here’s the tricky part.    Are we lying to them?   Or, I guess a better question is are we misleading them?   I’ve had a few people in my free Facebook community for parents ask what they should do when their child does start asking questions like “is the tooth fairy real?” or wondering if they’re doing a disservice by talking about Santa.   After all, many of us are big on being honest with our children (as we should be!).    In this Mudroom episode, we’re going to chat about the difference between magic vs being misleading.    And as always, you are the expert on your child so the decision about what traditions to participate in and which ones to skip are always yours, but I think this conversation will give you a great perspective that also won’t force you to ditch drawing Reindeer hooves on the sidewalk if you don’t want to. Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message

Most of us are aware of what bribing is. Afterall, it’s not a secret that children can sometimes be really difficult. It reminds me of the iconic scene in the movie Lord Of The Rings where Gandalf the Wizard shouts “YOU SHALL NOT PASS!”- That’s what it feels like when you’re running late and you need to them to just accept that the red cup is missing and you don’t have anymore time to run around the house searching for it. They have their little feet firmly planted in front of the door with a pouty lip and arms crossed with the “you shall not pass…until the red sippy cup is found.” look. It’s probably tempting to break out the M&M’s and tell them “if you just get in the car this once without the red sippy cup then you can have some candy.” And I’ve talked about why bribing isn’t the greatest long-term response before. Instead, you want to establish boundaries. However, the difference between boundaries and bribery actually isn’t quite as obvious as parents tend to think. While you’re probably not offering candy and treats in exchange for compliance, but those aren’t the only forms of bribery. I see it often in my free parenting group The Parenting Posse– well-meaning parents offer advice to someone not realizing that they’re actually suggesting a “bribe in disguise”. So, what’s the difference and how can you tell if you’re bribing your child or setting a boundry? Int this episode we will be sharing: Why you want to avoid bribery if you want to see long-term changes in their behavior How to tell the difference between bribery and setting boundaries Tips on how to set effective boundaries that work If you’ve found yourself overthinking how to get your child to listen or maybe even using bribery more often than you’d care to admit pop in for this week’s Mudroom. Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message

Picture this: you’re having a playdate at your friend's house.    The kids request a popsicle so your mom's friend hands each one a nice, fun summer treat.  Everyone is happy and smiling and it’s just a wonderful, wholesome moment.   Then your child accidentally spills a drop of purple popsicle on their shirt- they look down and…  Bombs away!   They drop the F-bomb.  😮   Now everyone is staring in disbelief and you can’t decide if this is one of those moments where you laugh (afterall, it was timed perfectly) OR if you sternly correct them for using a bad word.  Which one do you choose?    This is actually a common question and occurrence with children.    They hear a word and repeat it. And sometimes those words are more…colorful than others.    How do you handle your child cursing?     This isn’t going to be a shame-y, “OMG children should never say that!”, kinda thing either.    Whether you decide to let them use the language or not is up to you– afterall you are their parent. But I will give some insight on:  If my family decided to allow cursing or not and why we made that decision  Reacting to your child's cursing and establishing rules about them   If you use curse words, does that automatically mean your child will have a sailor mouth too?  So if your kid has been known to throw out a $*#&$ or a !($*@& or you’re worried about them picking it up. Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message

Picture this: you’re having a playdate at your friend's house.    The kids request a popsicle so your mom's friend hands each one a nice, fun summer treat.  Everyone is happy and smiling and it’s just a wonderful, wholesome moment.   Then your child accidentally spills a drop of purple popsicle on their shirt- they look down and…  Bombs away!   They drop the F-bomb.  😮   Now everyone is staring in disbelief and you can’t decide if this is one of those moments where you laugh (afterall, it was timed perfectly) OR if you sternly correct them for using a bad word.  Which one do you choose?    This is actually a common question and occurrence with children.    They hear a word and repeat it. And sometimes those words are more…colorful than others.    How do you handle your child cursing?     This isn’t going to be a shame-y, “OMG children should never say that!”, kinda thing either.    Whether you decide to let them use the language or not is up to you– afterall you are their parent. But I will give some insight on:  If my family decided to allow cursing or not and why we made that decision  Reacting to your child's cursing and establishing rules about them   If you use curse words, does that automatically mean your child will have a sailor mouth too?  So if your kid has been known to throw out a $*#&$ or a !($*@& or you’re worried about them picking it up. Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message

Recently in the free community for parents Parenting Posse a parent asked a question about their child being unintentionally aggressive, but no matter what the parents did (taking away screen time, discussing the incident, etc) the behaviour continued.    And this isn’t the only time a parent has asked a question with a similar scenario: - The child keeps doing a certain perceived misbehaviour.  - Parents gives a punishment  - Child stops for a day or two, maybe, but then does it again.    Rinse and repeat.    It’s enough to drive any parent bonkers.   Why do they keep crashing into furniture after you’ve explained how dangerous it is?    Or why do they keep antagonizing their sibling before bedtime even though you’ve made them apologize a million times?  How many more times are you going to have to explain that dumping the hand soap and rubbing it all over their arms is not okay? Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message

When we think about emotional, angsty, moody children we often think about teenagers, right?  We’re picturing a 16 year old with their hoodie pulled over their head, earphones blaring Paramore to block out the world, and a permanent scowl.   So WHY the heck is your 3 year old already bursting out in tears and yelling you’re a mean momma?    Isn’t it a bit too early for your kid to be huffing and rolling their eyes?   Why are kids so emotional?!    A lot of parents seem to already know this is common behavior (plenty of threenager horror stories and memes floating around the internet to confirm we’ve all experienced it), but what parents don’t seem to know is that it’s also normal.   There’s a bunch of things happening in your child’s brain at this stage that’s making them especially sensitive and it’s an important part of their development- but it doesn’t mean it’s always fun or easy. Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message

Before we start I want to give a warning that I'm going to discuss some potentially sensitive topics.    I want to talk to you about when our kids say scary sh*t.   Like when they say something violent, or really freaking dark.    I want to approach this with compassion and sensitivity because I know it’s unsettling and uncomfortable. Sometimes parents are even too embarrassed to admit what it was their child said but…  It’s a reality for a lot of parents.    Sometimes children say the most off-putting things.  It can be targeted at their sibling, or even you. Sometimes about themselves or a peer. Heck, it might be about someone random or just a fictional character, but when you hear it it’s shocking either way!    Are they just repeating something they saw from a TV show they shouldn’t have been watching or from an older friend who wasn’t paying attention to their words?    Or is this an indication of a bigger problem?   I’ll avoid listing specific examples of this in the email because I have an inkling that if you're even remotely thinking “this is something that I can relate to” then you likely can.    And I promise you’re not alone with this challenge.   That’s why this week’s topic is going to be how we as parents can respond to our children when they say scary or dark things while also not shaming them or scaring them. Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message

Maybe it’s because April is around the corner and it’s Autism Awareness Month?    Or maybe it’s just more parents becoming aware of neurodiversity in children and having more thoughts about it...  But I've been getting more and more questions and concerns from parents worried that maybe their child might be autistic.    The important thing to know about autism is that the signs can overlap with so many other things.  And early indicators of autism can also be completely developmentally appropriate behavior at certain stages- it’s when those signs remain present past a certain age/stage that they become red flags.  But let me tell you early intervention can make a world of difference!    I know because my expertise and background is also in early intervention!  So in this week’s MudRoom, I’ll be discussing what are those possible signs and early indicators of autism and what to do next if you suspect your child may be autistic.    This conversation isn’t meant to be a diagnosis, but rather a resource to help you navigate the process of finding answers and help you identify what behaviours you may want to keep a more observant eye out for. Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message

These conversations aren’t easy.    But they also must be had.   We’ve got to be honest and talk to our children about what’s happening in the Ukraine.    Sometimes we forget that children absorb information at an astonishing rate.    And I know you’re thinking “but we don’t watch the news in front of them” or you ask grandparents and friends to change the subject when it comes up at dinner but think about just how many times your kiddo has surprised you by asking a question about something you didn’t even know they had heard about?    These types of discussions can be challenging, delicate, and emotionally sensitive topics that feel far too heavy to be talking to our littlest children about but the fact of the matter is If they’re not hearing it from you, there is a big chance they’ll hear it from someone else.   It might be from a school friend who picked up something, a radio commercial, watching a TV program while waiting in the doctor’s office…  And the last thing we want to do is stick our heads in the sand and leave them confused and without someone to help them process what they’re hearing in a healthy, safe, and respectful environment.    So, exactly how do we have this conversation?    In this episode we´ll discuss:  - How to talk to your kids about Ukraine without making them fearful or stressed.  - Why it´s important to have these type of conversations Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message

We talk often about the importance of play for children and chat about this false expectation that children automatically know how to share (they have to learn that skill).    Especially when it comes to siblings and breaking up arguments over that week’s favorite toy.    But have we talked about the developmental stages of play?    If you’re thinking “what the heck is that?” allow me to explain.  As your child grows, the way they play changes and evolves.  And this has a huge impact on not only their behavior and how they interact with their peers and siblings, but also our expectations of them.   You see, you can’t expect an 18-month-old to play the same way your 3-year-old plays- and I’ve found that once parents begin to understand the difference in play stages, it significantly reduces stress.   When you have a more realistic view about what to expect from your children at certain ages, discipline stops becoming a power struggle and shallow compliance and becomes more of a skill-building opportunity.    In this episode we´ll discuss:  - What each play stage is  - At which age you would typically see these different stages  - Some examples of what play looks like during each stage  - How to help siblings who are indifferent play stages play together Grab the Scripts to Manage the Top 10 Crazy-Making Behaviours: prnt.link/scripts Watch the video recording here: Join the Parenting Posse: prnt.link/group the Mudroom is recorded live every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET/ 12:30pm CT/ 10:30am PT on Facebook: facebook.com/arfamilyservices --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mudroom/message