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By: Taylor Packard, PLPC
Sometimes parents don’t always feel a flood of bonding emotions toward their baby right away. It is normal for the attachment to take time to develop and grow. It can be difficult to feel connected with your growing baby during pregnancy.Read More
By Taylor Packard, MA, PLPC Counselor
Finding intentional time for each other with the business of life and if you’re in the parenting season can be difficult. Date nights don’t have to be expensive or extravagant to make memories and build a stronger connection. It is important to fill your relationship up, so you can pour out to kids or other people in your life that you care about.Read More
Music is a language anyone can understand: It speaks to our brains in powerful, beautiful ways. It jump-starts our emotions, creativity, memory, and quality of life. With mental health awareness on the rise and teens wanting to take care of their well-being, what can music do to affect the human brain positively?
It takes a lot of work for teenagers to juggle high school with extracurriculars, work, social life, and home responsibilities. These tasks add up, and they can prove to be very daunting, especially to someone struggling with anxiety, ADHD, depression, or family issues. While music may not be a permanent fix for these challenges, it can help get the ball rolling on tackling the mountains of work that teenagers face.Read More
By: Elise Newman
I’ve been pretty stressed out lately. I usually have a good handle on balancing things and practicing what I preach, but the truth is that I’m human and have limits.
The important thing is that when we reach these limits and become overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, we need to have a good support system. Surrounding yourself with people who love and support you and want to build you up is important. That doesn’t mean it has to be a ton of people; even one or two will do, as long as they support you the same way you support them.
The overwhelming support and love I’ve received from my friends these past few weeks have been insane. However, support is a two-way street. To grow your support system, you must also reach out and support those surrounding you. This can be as simple as shooting a text or asking a friend how their day is going. These simple acts of kindness we do for each other go a long way.
Having a good support system can make or break someone. You need people who cheer you on while pushing and encouraging you to meet your goals. Having supportive friends and family is one of the most important aspects of balancing what life throws at you. It’s okay to ask for help, and your friends should be there for you when you do.
If there’s one piece of advice you may take away from this post, it should be: “Who you choose to surround yourself with matters.” It’s important to recognize who is there to support you and who will bring you down. Those who genuinely care will go the extra mile. You’ll find out that those who want to be there for you will be, which makes all the difference. Life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but things will seem much brighter with the right people by your side.
If you’re facing a pregnancy or think you may be and feel you need more support, Birthright St. Charles has caring, compassionate licensed counselors available to sit down and hear you, help you and care. Give us a call or text to set up a time just for you – we’ll bring some sunshine!
By: Tavana Darris
Dear friend,
This may be hard to imagine, but sometimes you do need time off from parenting. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad about this time. Your feelings are valid. Yes, parenting is essential, honorable, and rewarding, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a break to help you reset. Mental and physical health is so important, especially in today’s world where both parents work and provide for the family. Read More
By: Jennifer Burch, M.Ed, PLPC
With the power of social media, the word has spread that many Americans have sought help for various mental illnesses. Celebrities have spoken out, and the month of May is dedicated to the awareness; TikTok has its own #TherapyTok, all with the message that therapy can be so helpful. People want to share their stories of surviving and thriving despite personal struggles and the heaviness that the world can sometimes bring.Read More
Author
: Jami McDermott
Movies provide all types of entertainment for all personalities. Like most, my interests have evolved throughout the years. I have enjoyed all genres, but soon you begin to recognize the storyline and look for movies to do more than startle your senses.Read More
By: Jami McDermott
All fathers are important and influence a child’s life. There are varying reasons why men either become active participants in their children’s life or do not. When the choice is to embrace the parenting role, either alone or with the mother, the dynamics of the relationship between father and child become integral to the child’s sense of well-being and development.Read More
By Jami McDermott
Budgeting for parenthood in today’s economy can be challenging. Still, with a bit of resourcefulness and preparation, you and your family will be able to thrive.Read More
