by Conni Navarre, Founder of Mother Soulstice The transformation into motherhood is a time of tremendous joy and love that can be coupled with the distress of one’s own personal need to heal both physically and emotionally post birth. Many women don’t receive adequate education and support during this time, which can leave them feeling isolated in their recovery. In…
Life is full of firsts, and when your children are young, it seems like every time you turn around they’re at the next milestone. While savoring all of these special moments, it’s also important to be planning ahead – especially when it comes to saving for college. Every little bit that you’re able to put away today substantially reduces the…
Parents talk to their kids about everything – Why is the sky blue? Why do we wash our hands before we eat? Why should I be nice to my sister? Every day kids ask, and parents respond. And often it’s the parents job to talk about topics proactively – everything from learning letters and math concepts to safety to getting…
Counting on Community was the theme of this year’s PEPS Benefit Luncheon. Copies decorated the tables and everyone who attended came home with this colorful board book that counts up fun neighborhood activities and relationships. When PEPS contacted the author, Innosanto Nagara, to ask if we could share his book at the Luncheon, he said simply that community belongs to…
When she was pregnant, Jen had researched PEPS and signed up. When Jen finally had her baby, however, she called PEPS to cancel. While postpartum mood and anxiety disorder are very common, affecting 1 in 5 new moms, many women without a mental health history are completely unprepared for this postpartum complication. Jen said there were signs leading up to what…
by Debbie LeeKeenan We all know the benefit of reading to our children from the earliest ages—reading helps babies develop language, hearing words helps brain development by building a rich network of synapses, and reading creates a caring bond between the child and reader. But did you know another important reason to read to children is that books provide…
This post was originally published on local author Tracy Cutchlow’s Zero to Five website. My 5-year-old came over to my bedroom door with a paper heart she had colored in and cut out … and then cut in half. She taped the broken heart to my door. We had been wrestling over bedtime. I had tucked her in and she sang, “I’m going to follow yooou.” She…
“I’ve always either sought out community, been a part of a community, created community. But as a parent? That was an area where I didn’t have a community.” Watch this video of PEPS parents talk about the importance of community.
by Heather Cooper, Seattle Children’s Hospital Active kids enjoy improved mental wellness and reduce their risk of heart disease. When the days are short, the weather is cold or dreary, or you’re unable to head outside, kids still need to be getting physical activity each and every day. Emily Carter, athletic trainer, and Dr. Monique Burton, director of the Sports Medicine Program at Seattle Children’s Hospital, recently shared ideas for indoor activities that put a smile on a…
