Category: Profession Mother

Guest Post: Back-to-School: Establishing and Maintaining Healthy Routines That Will Stick

9/13/2016

Back-to-school means early morning wake-up calls and a mad rush to get everyone ready and out the door in time. Too often, this means a quick but less-than-healthy breakfast, or worse, no breakfast at all. From getting enough rest to waking up in time to have a healthy breakfast, making good dietary choices at breakfast and lunch, and taking care of personal health and hygiene, there are many factors that don’t directly relate to school that have a tremendous impact on how well your children function during the day.

While healthy behaviors have a big impact on focus, attitude, and more, kids don’t often decide to do these things on their own. It’s up to parents to help their children establish healthy routines that stick all year long. Here are a few important healthy routines to cultivate now for year-long success.

Adequate Sleep is a Must
Making sure your kids get to bed at a reasonable time is one of the most important things you can do to boost their chances for success.

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Daddy left: How to talk to your kids about your separation

3/12/2015

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Probably the most painful experience for a woman and a mother is to separate from the love of her life and the father of her children. Regardless of the reason for the separation, it is painful enough to no longer be a couple, let alone be a single parent with a broken heart. On top of your own pain, now you have children to consider and it may be quite daunting to broach the subject with them. Maybe they are not old enough to ask questions just yet or they have already asked you but you don't know how to answer them...

Don't worry, you are not alone! By the end of this post, I hope that you will feel supported, encouraged and confident in your ability to address the issue with your kids in an informed and psychologically-minded way.

Tip #1. Remember, children are very sensitive.
Children are very sensitive to their parents' emotional state and will detect that something is wrong, especially if one day dad was there and the next day, he isn't. Usually, they don't know how to verbalize what they may be feeling but you may notice it through their behavior - maybe they appear sad, refuse to eat, struggle to sleep or seem to be acting angry and throw more tantrums than usual. Any unusual or different behavior may be an indication and/or a communication to you that they feel something is not quite right with their mommy or daddy.

Tip #2. Tell the truth about the separation even if it hurts.

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How to create healthy eating habits for your kids and family

1/18/2015

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Healthy eating habits are about so much more than simply a fit figure or a healthy body. Food is often a metaphor for mother's love, attention and care - a representation of our first and most fundamental human relationship. It relates to self-esteem, body image and feelings of worth and contentment.

It is not uncommon in psychotherapy to meet people, for whom "the food" was never "good enough;" who are always "hungry" for love, validation, care and appreciation, the (perceived) lack of which then becomes a concrete longing for food, alcohol, sex or a substance of some sort. The result - a distorted self image, feeling of insecurity and worthlessness, unhealthy eating (drinking) habits (too much or too little food), attempting to fill a void impossible to fill or deny a need never expressed. People may struggle with addiction, fluctuation in weight, feelings of self-deprecation and lack of confidence or positive self-esteem.
There are many factors that contribute to these difficulties, of course, but I am simply illustrating the importance of that foundation between mother and children, represented by food. Here are a few simple things you can do to help your kids develop proper eating habits and healthy relationships:

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How to host a holiday party like a pro and be the best mom ever

12/15/2014

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As we are coming closer to the peak of the holiday season, spending time with family and hosting the perfect holiday party is on the mind of many moms out there, including myself. For me, spending time with my family, as well as cooking or baking in the kitchen is as much fun as it is a coping mechanism to unwind after a busy day of counseling and psychotherapy. I love being available and present for my clients, which requires me to lead by example and take care of my own mental health. So, being the best mom I can be and hosting holiday celebrations with family and friends is my way of taking care of myself and my family at the same.
I make it sound easy, but many of you know that it is not quite as simple as that. To help you celebrate the holidays like a pro and be the best mom ever, here are a few simple steps to keep in mind:
1. Plan and manage your time wisely - stressing yourself about decorating, cooking, cleaning and taking care of the kids all at the same time would ruin the fun of having your friends and family over.

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Guest Post: Back-to-School: Establishing and Maintaining Healthy Routines That Will Stick

Daddy left: How to talk to your kids about your separation

How to create healthy eating habits for your kids and family

How to host a holiday party like a pro and be the best mom ever

Hi, I'm Misha!

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