Discipline Without Spanking: Why A Gentler Approach Works Best

by Jess VanderWier, MA, RP | Jan 31, 2022 | Toddler, Big Kid, Preschooler

Why did I want to punish her?Behaviour is Communication4 Reasons Why Punishment Isn’t As EffectiveWhat can we do instead?We saw a massive change quickly! When my second daughter was two weeks old, we had a long night of no sleep, and finally, she was asleep in...

How To Handle Your Child’s Holiday Gift Disappointment

by Jess VanderWier, MA, RP | Nov 9, 2021 | Toddler, Big Kid, Preschooler

I remember last year when my daughter opened her first gift for the holiday season. My husband and I could see the excitement for the gift crash into disappointment quickly as she caught a glimpse of what was in the package. It wasn’t the Frozen toy from Costco that...

4 Simple Bonding Activities To Do With Your Newborn

by Jess VanderWier, MA, RP | Sep 13, 2021 | Baby

After teaching families about gentle parenting for over ten years, the number one question I receive is: “When will our children be old enough for us to use these strategies with them?” Believe it or not, my answer to this question is always: “The day they are...

How “Blue Sky Thinking” Helps Your Baby (And You)

by Jess VanderWier, MA, RP | Sep 13, 2021 | Baby

Have you ever felt guilty about wanting to put your baby down?  When I had my first daughter, I felt this guilt. I loved my snuggle time with her, but I was noticing myself feeling “touched out.” All I wanted was to put her down for a quick minute so I could...

Understanding Your Child’s Tantrums: 4 Essential Truths to Remember

by Jess VanderWier, MA, RP | Sep 13, 2021 | Toddler, Preschooler

1. Your logic and reasoning during moments of tantrums will likely not be understood.2. Your child’s brain is still developing.3. It’s not about the milk being “too milky.”4. Co-regulation is the key to teaching your child new ways of coping. If you have ever had a...