Dear Parents, SPED, IDEA, IEP, BIP, FBA……. Sometimes all the acronyms run together and it can be difficult to know what is what! When we advocate for our kids, knowing some of the basics about IEPs and 504s can help navigate a complicated system and think about what kind of support is available. Truth be told – not every child with a disability qualifies for Special Education. But, for many, a 504 might be a Read more…
Dear Parents, It’s that time of year! You can feel the back to school buzz, whether you’ve been back for a few days, are preparing for that first day, or are soaking up those last few drops of summer. I spent 6 years as an educator, primarily as a school social worker, and worked with hundreds of students over the years. As much as parents anxiously prepare for those first days of school, know that Read more…
How do people learn to regulate their bodies, behaviors, and emotions? How can parents help children learn to self-regulate? The answer is through co-regulation! Regulation develops first through external regulation – all of our needs are met by an outside person. Over time, we then move into a period of time (newsflash: it’s a long period of time!) of co-regulation. Think about those moments when someone else was able to support you in getting back Read more…
Do you find yourself constantly managing meltdowns? Do you parent a child who is often battling you for control? Sometimes when we “chase the why” behind these behaviors, we find that our kids are having a hard time feeling safe with the level of unpredictability surrounding them. What seems to us like a fun Saturday or summer day stretched out before them like a glorious blank canvas can instead feel frightening and uncertain… Will they Read more…
*This piece was written in December 2017 as a compilation piece by the staff of Memphis Family Connection Center. As we look ahead to the holidays, many expectations may come to our minds. We could be expecting great family reunions filled with love and laughter. We might be dreaming of our favorite foods and have our hopes set on a picture perfect moment gathered around the table. Whether it is music, decorations, or traditions, most Read more…
A Crafting Series By: Jill Stockburger Crafting our Days A few weeks ago, I was talking via Zoom to a young client, her older sister, and their mother. Theirs is a multicultural family coupled with a delightful range of personality. I listened to discoveries they were making on their similarities, differences, and preferred ways of quality time, a few of their mishaps like we are all having, and finally the new habits turned rhythms they Read more…
A Crafting Series By: Jill Stockburger This week I had the privilege to speak with three photographers living in theKakuma Refugee camp in Kenya. These three photographers, two women and one man, from three different ethnic backgrounds were born in Kakuma and now have children of their own. When they were young children, at first they were not allowed to play with one another due to differing ethnic backgrounds. Over time however, their lives and Read more…
A Crafting Series By: Jill Stockburger A recent phenomenon began at our house, the youngest of our crewbegan a ritual of nervously proclaiming, “I love you, Dad! I love you, Mom!” and needing a hug whenever my husband or I would leave the room, repeating the words and actions several times. With the first few interactions, my heart swelled at this new seemingly form of endearment from of our normally precocious six-year old, but by Read more…
A Crafting Series By: Jill Stockburger As of late, a certain fatigue has set in, a fatigue that is a unique side effect to this pandemic and the requirements of social distancing. We miss touch, really miss it! Yes, there are amazing creative collaborations abounding around us. Yes, we are thankful for how technology is creating pathways to loved ones’ faces and voices. But, as Dr. Curt Thompson recently reminded us in his blog, “Human Read more…
A Crafting Series By: Jill Stockburger Recently a proud uncle shared a moment of sheer delight in his niece captured on video. This beaming and industrious two and a half year old little girl was hard at work or should I say hard at play, stretching her resilience muscles through care taking and problem solving. Neurogenesis was occurring in rapid fire succession as she donned her best “medical” attire from her dress up closet, first Read more…