The Innovative Dad
A psychologist’s blog about raising and educating children through the lens innovation.
Finding Work-Life Balance: 5 Practical Tips for Busy Lives
Finding work-life balance can feel like chasing a myth. It’s shining somewhere in the distance and, if I just followed the right path, I would arrive there and never have to worry about finding that balance again. The only problem is that, as the Spanish conquistadors...
Jedi Debates & Dinner Plates: My Weekly Meal Plan Returns!
At the risk of getting a little bit too geeky, I recently found myself sucked into an online vortex – a debate about which Jedi was truly returning in "Return of the Jedi." Growing up, like most kids glued to our screens, we all assumed it was about Luke Skywalker...
Level Up Your Life: Use Gamification to Lead to Success (and Support Therapeutic Goals!)
Practice. Whether it's piano, soccer, coding, managing anxiety, or improving social skills, it's the key to getting better at anything. But let's be honest, sometimes practice can feel like a chore. Dragging your feet, staring at the clock, wishing you were doing...
Enhancing Student Success: The Power of a Weekly Portal Audit
In today's fast-paced educational environment, students often juggle multiple responsibilities, from academics to extracurricular activities. For some, particularly those with executive functioning challenges, keeping track of assignments and deadlines can become...
Taming Tantrums and Triumphing Over Troubles: The Marble Jar System
Parenting can be challenging, especially when dealing with a spirited child who struggles with emotional regulation, focus, and physical boundaries. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Many parents face similar struggles, and thankfully, there are effective...
Level Up Your Parenting: The “Do-Over” Power-Up
Imagine playing a challenging video game. You encounter a tricky obstacle, maybe a particularly fierce enemy or a complex puzzle. Do you give up? Of course not! You try again, maybe with a different strategy, or perhaps you even consult a walkthrough. In other words,...
Pad Thai
This has quickly become a staple in our house. It reheats easily and the leftovers can make a great lunch! Ingredients for the Noodles 16 ounces whole wheat spaghetti or other thin pasta 4 tablespoons oil 6 cloves of garlic, minced or 3 teaspoons of chopped garlic 2...
Understanding Choice vs. No-Choice: Nurturing Independence and Structure
In the intricate dance of parenting, one of the subtle yet significant factors is understanding when to offer choices and when to set clear boundaries. Choice and no-choice activities play pivotal roles in shaping a child's development, fostering independence, and...
The Family Dinner: How Spending More Time at the Dinner Table Can Encourage Kids to Eat Healthier
As parents, we often struggle to ensure that our children eat healthily. In today's fast-paced world, it is common for children to be busy with extracurricular activities or to eat on-the-go. However, research has shown that spending more time at the dinner table can...