High profile acts of violence, especially school shootings, can be frightening and confusing to children. Even well-intentioned safety measures like ‘active shooter drills’ at schools can also amplify intense worries in children who fear their friends or loved ones’ safety. Step 1: Reassure your child that they are safe. Emphasize that schools are very safe. […]
In my last blog post, I talked about food allergies and anxiety in parents. Along with what healthy vs unhealthy anxiety looks like. In this post, I’m going to talk about my top three ways to manage anxiety as the parent of a kiddo with a food allergy. These three takeaways are to have a […]
As a food allergy parent, there are many valid reasons to have anxiety. Food allergies and anxiety seem to go hand in hand. However, there is a difference between healthy anxiety and unhealthy anxiety. In this first part of my Parent and Food Allergy Anxiety blog series, we will discuss two topics. First, we’re going […]
Encanto has truly taken the country by storm. Kids and adults are singing the songs. In many households, the movie has been on repeat for weeks. The film has inspired many conversations among friends, family, and community members, both online and otherwise. Discussions often center around the tragedy of Abuela’s life experience and the abuse […]
Are you a self-proclaimed “perfectionist”? Or do others often put you on a high pedestal to achieve and always be on top of things? Perfectionism, while not a diagnosable mental illness, can wreak havoc on those who wrestle with the nagging thought of “Am I good enough?” What is Perfectionism? Merriam Webster defines perfectionism as […]
Going back to school in normal times is already stressful for kids. But, going back to school amid a global pandemic is even more challenging. COVID-related restrictions have lessened in the state of New Jersey. Yet, the Delta variant presents new fears. What will life look like as people venture out and the schools re-open […]
One of the most wonderful parts of horseback riding is being able to enjoy your time out on the trails and being in nature with your horse. However, riding out on trails can be anxiety-inducing for some riders. It could have been a previous experience that triggered this for you. Or, a simple distrust in […]
It’s been over a year of the Covid-19 Pandemic and for most of us there have been a lot of unexpected changes to our daily routines. Our “normal” has shifted considerably. We have come a long way. From the inundation of information (and misinformation) to having a grasp of recommendations are for safety and wellbeing. […]
In my previous blog, we discussed what trauma is and how it impacts our minds and bodies after a riding accident. Next our focus is on healing the trauma you experienced while riding. As equestrians, we’re trained to be brave and strong-willed. There’s no space for us to be afraid or second guessing ourselves. You […]
One, two, three, one, two, three, one… His approach was too long to make the jump. The distance wasn’t right and you were unable to correct it. You didn’t see it coming and you’re unbalanced. In a split second, you find yourself tumbling over his shoulder, hitting the ground, and seeing his front legs two […]