The Innovative Dad
A psychologist’s blog about raising and educating children through the lens innovation.
Grounding: It’s Not What You Think
Grounding usually evokes images of kids sent to their rooms having lost a long list of privileges from screens to socializing for some challenging behavior. Generally, it's something our kids strive to avoid and it's a punishment that we reserve for significant...
No Time to Cook: Quick and Easy Dinners
Some nights, it's tough to put dinner on the table. Between after-school activities for the kids, evening meetings, and other commitments, it feels like there is barely time to eat, let alone cook dinner. I used to get really stressed out about these meals,...
More than Taco Tuesday: Mexican Meal Ideas
Growing up, I didn't have a lot of exposure to Mexican food. Sure, we occasionally had tacos, but it wasn't a cuisine that we went out to eat. In fact, my idea of a Mexican meal was to microwave a platter of tortilla chips with salsa and cheese on them which is...
Alexa, Help Me with My Executive Functioning
I didn't think that we were going to be one of those houses that was going to get an Alexa. I was wrong. We now have one in almost every room of the house. The voice-controlled speaker provides more than just a place to stream music or ask ridiculous questions. Over...
Eating in Reverse: Let’s Have Breakfast for Dinner
Breakfast for dinner?! Can you really do that? The answer to that is a resounding yes! Maybe it's my Jersey upbringing and my fascination with diners where you can get breakfast food at any time of day. Or maybe it's just that it's a meal that I can guarantee that my...
Skip the Takeout: Chinese-Themed Entrees and Side Dishes
Chinese New Year is right around the corner, so what better time to share some yummy Asian-themed foods? Personally, I love Chinese food and simply cannot get enough Chinese takeout. The mix of delicious sauces, vegetables, and proteins delights my taste buds. While...
Book Review: 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do
Amy Morin likes to count to thirteen. I'm not sure why, but she's now counted to thirteen four times, once for each of her popular books. Morin's books are based upon her experience as a psychotherapist and as a foster parent. Her parenting advice is gathered in 13...
Comfort Foods You Can Make: Diner Food Edition
I love diner food. Growing up in South Jersey, the diner was a ubiquitous part of my childhood. Every community had at least one diner, often two. Naturally, you developed a favorite diner or at least one that you would never walk into. As a teenager, almost every...
Meatless Monday: Vegetarian Main Dishes
When we think about meal planning, one recent trend has been the idea of meatless Mondays. Essentially, this means skipping a meat-based main course in favor of a vegetarian entree. Thankfully vegetarian food no longer means bland veggie burgers or the ubiquitous...