Thrive Initiative Blog
Posts for Parents

Setting Boundaries and Expectations

As your child becomes an adolescent and then a teenager, your relationship with them will likely fluctuate. To help maintain consistency in your connections with your child, you can create age-appropriate boundaries and expectations for them by engaging in conversations. Having open conversations with your child in which they can share their opinions and viewpoints …

Parents Branch Out (10-18 years)

Listening to Your Baby

From the moment your baby is born, they are present and ready to communicate with you! Babies use the reflexes and cues they are born with to let you know what they need. This may look like turning their face towards a bottle when they are hungry or sound like crying when they are tired …

Parents Take Root (0-3 years)

United in Resolution: How Your Family Can Make the Most of the New Year

A new year is upon us, and it may bring with it promises of beginnings and opportunities for positive change. The start of the New Year is not just a marker of time, but it can also be a symbolic moment to reflect on the past and envision a brighter future. In addition, the New …

Parents

Re-Establishing Your Child’s Routine After Vacation

Many families take advantage of school and child-care center breaks and closures as opportunities to spend time bonding, relaxing, vacationing, and taking trips to visit extended family. During these times, family routines may change, house rules could ease, and unstructured activities may become the norm. After days or weeks of excitement (or complaints of boredom) …

Parents Professionals Branch Out (10-18 years) Grow (5-10 years) Sprout (3-5 years) Take Root (0-3 years)

Why Can’t We All Just Get Along? Helping your Child Understand and Navigate Complicated Relationships

Peer conflict is a normal part of human interaction, and children often begin to experience this type of conflict during childhood. These conflicts can occur for several reasons and may be verbal (i.e., spoken or written) or physical confrontations. As a parent, understanding some of the reasons for childhood peer conflict can help you better …

Parents Branch Out (10-18 years) Grow (5-10 years) Sprout (3-5 years) Take Root (0-3 years)

Actively Listening

As a parent, you may find that there are times when it is challenging to communicate with your child. However, your child’s everyday experiences offer them opportunities to develop their communication style. As your child grows, you can use strategies to support your child to help them feel connected and respected. By using positive communication …

Parents Grow (5-10 years)

Road Trips with Young Children

Family road trips can be a happy and memorable experience for children. They offer opportunities for families to spend quality time together, make memories, take in new and different sights, and have fun with each other. In addition, road trips may be preferred over traveling on planes, buses, and trains for a young child as …

Parents Sprout (3-5 years) Take Root (0-3 years)

Holidays with a Blended Family: 10 Tips for Parents and Stepparents

The holiday season has arrived! For blended families, this can be a time of additional stress as parents and stepparents attempt to maintain special traditions and create memories with their new or still-adjusting family members. Below are some tips that can help you create a positive holiday experience for everyone in your blended family. Plan …

Parents Professionals Branch Out (10-18 years) Grow (5-10 years) Sprout (3-5 years) Take Root (0-3 years) Stepfamilies