by Cecilia Hilkey | parenting, tools
One time when our kids were younger they got into a fight about something, I was so maxed out that I locked myself in the bathroom to take a few breaths. I had to escape because I didn’t have a reliable plan for how to soothe myself in high-stress moments. When you’re...read more
by Cecilia Hilkey | parenting
Real quick. I’ve been realizing that it’s a trap to think, “I’ll be happy when my child does X” or “I’ll stop worrying if my child stops doing Y” or “I’ll feel accomplished as a parent when my child accomplishes Z”. Yet, we have these kinds of thoughts about our kids...read more
by Cecilia Hilkey | parenting, research
This morning I watched a little bird from my bedroom window. The bird was all by itself, sitting in the hundred-year-old oak tree in our backyard. As I watched it, it taught me something really important about being a parent–and being a human–that is backed by...read more
by Cecilia Hilkey | parenting, tools
Have you ever lost it with your child, but then afterward thought, “Wow, where did THAT come from?” This has certainly happened to me… I’m trucking along in my day and then (wham!) something happens with a family member and a sleeping dragon gets woken up from inside...read more
by Cecilia Hilkey | compassion, parenting, resilience
I’m having one of those days.You’ve probably had them too…When you have too much to do, and too little time to do it. It started with a fitful night of sleepA morning argument with a family member that I blamed myself forThings took longer than anticipatedAnd are not...read more
by Cecilia Hilkey | compassion, parenting, tantrums
When my child struggles, misbehaves or acts out, I can sometimes get into the trap of blaming myself. I’m guessing that you can relate to this too. I know I’m not alone in this because in my work with parents, self-judgment and blame are a pretty common pattern....read more
