Supporting families through science-based parenting
Amber Valentino 
I am going to break from my typical educational content on this blog and (hopefully) provide a useful tool for expecting parents. When you find out you’re having a baby, you likely go into “list generation mode,” thinking of all the things you need to do and the things you need to buy. This reaction … Read More
Before becoming a new mom, I was a creature of habit. I love a good schedule, thrive on a routine, and have a deep appreciation for predictability in my day. When my son was born, I naturally thought I would take my love of predictability and apply it to our lives. We’d have nap time, … Read More
The mere mention of self-care for mothers in our society likely immediately garners visions of facials, pedicures, and bubble baths. When I became a mom, immediately after bringing my son home from the hospital, people started talking about self-care like it was everything I needed and should be doing at the time. I received giftboxes, … Read More
“I just don’t have the time!” How many times have you said (or heard) that phrase in response to a discussion about fitness and physical activity? I’ve heard and said it all too often over the years. Even though we all know that physical activity, of any kind is good for us, we still struggle … Read More
Given the sensitivity of the topic of this blog (substance abuse and dependence), and my primary desire to provide resources and support to readers, this blog does not contain any affiliate marketing links. The links that are included are to products, books, and websites that I found useful in my journey to sobriety. There is … Read More
If you’re the parent of a child between about 2 and 4 years old, it’s more than likely that you’re thinking about toilet training. In fact, you’re probably not just thinking about it, you may be doing it, considering doing it or even obsessing over it. Once a few years of seemingly endless diaper changes … Read More
Toddlers aren’t much for sitting down and having long conversations about their day. In fact, it may seem difficult to learn even the most basic information about what your child does, likes and thinks. This type of reciprocal conversation requires some pretty complex skills that most toddlers have yet to master. The type of language … Read More
As we come out of multi-year pandemic, most people find themselves a little less healthy than they were a few years ago. While many people entered the pandemic optimistically (a chance to eat out less, to make better choices at home), that optimism was likely quickly tempered for most of us by the reality of … Read More
“I just don’t have the time!” How many times have you said (or heard) that phrase in response to a discussion about fitness and physical activity? I’ve heard and said it all too often over the years. Even though we all know that physical activity, of any kind is good for us, we still struggle … Read More
If you’re anything like me, you’ve read dozens of books and blogs on time management. All in attempt to find out: How do you squeeze it all in? Being a mom or dad, a dedicated employee, and juggling the responsibilities of a household . . . add to this list anything related to self-care, and … Read More