Early parent-child play can be a key predictor in how successfully children interact with peers, according to a new study from the University of Georgia. Most of the time, parents take the lead role, but play can flip the script, allowing a parent to respond to a child’s lead, according to the study, summarized in […]
PUMPKIN: Tips for helping a neurodivergent child enjoy Halloween
Halloween can be one of the most overwhelming holidays for a neurodivergent child –scary costumes, loud noises, doorbells, barking dogs, bright lights at night, startlingdecorations, lots of strangers.You know your child best, as well as what your child can handle, so trust your instincts.But our PUMPKIN acronym can help you think through options to make […]
Parenting hack: Try the Wheel of Choice
A frequent question we get here at Pariva: How do we effectively discipline our kids? We’re proponents of positive discipline (basically, teaching appropriate behavior in a kind but firm way). We understand that personalities and circumstances differ across families, and one-size-fits-all approaches don’t work. But the Wheel of Choice is a very adaptable tool that […]
World Mental Health Day: The wellness spillover effect
Today is World Mental Health Day, and this year’s theme is, “It is time to prioritize mental health in the workplace.” As firm believers in proactive mental health support, we wholeheartedly agree. There’s one very important way businesses can boost employees’ mental health effectively and beneficially. In a nutshell: Businesses seeking to thrive should adopt […]
8 tips to help working parents manage mental health
The oft-used phrase “work-life balance” sounds good, but the reality can leave working parents mired in guilt. Perhaps a more apt description would be “work-life management.” There will be times when work will demand more of your time, and others when family will. And that’s OK. With that in mind, here are 8 tips to […]
Routines: The unsung weapon against decision fatigue and stress
Think of the sheer number of decisions you make — for you and your loved ones — before rushing out the door in the morning. It’s what you eat for breakfast, what you wear, whether you’ll allow screen time, if you’ll remind everyone for the 10th time to brush their teeth, whether you need to get […]
The business case for mental health, at work AND at home
Perhaps you’ve heard the stats: in a given year, 1 in 5 adults will experience a diagnosable mental illness. More than half will go untreated. Prevalence in adolescents and young adults is even higher. These struggles take a documented toll on businesses in the form of increased absenteeism, higher medical and disability costs, and lower […]
Stop ‘should-ing’ yourself to death and just play (it’s good for you)
The masses of parenting advice out there leave modern parents slugging along under the weight of a million “shoulds” — and their close companion, guilt. But let go of that for a minute. You love your child(ren) desperately. Now take that minute of letting go and spend it just enjoying your child(ren). We advocate playful […]
Big change: Tips for guiding neurodivergent children through major school transitions
Every year means adjusting from school to breaks and back again — but some years bring BIG CHANGE. You know those milestones: switching from home or daycare to preschool, from preschool to kindergarten, from elementary to middle school, and so on. It could even be transitions brought on by a move or transfer. While change […]
Kids fighting this summer? 6 strategies to help
By this point in the summer, you’ve probably got a sixth sense for it: the poking, bickering or screeching that means another sibling spat is erupting. Summer, with more together time and a routine that often gets tossed out the window, brings sweet memories as well as plenty of opportunities for conflict. Before you start […]
Should I seek an ADHD evaluation for my child? 5 questions to help
One million more U.S. children had received an ADHD diagnosis in 2022 compared with 2016, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 1 in 9 children between the ages of 3 and 17 have received the diagnosis, prompting the report to label ADHD as “an ongoing and expanding […]
Let’s get serious about play
We typically keep things pretty light and breezy here. But give us a moment on our soapbox to discuss something near and dear to our hearts: play. June 11 marked the first-ever International Day of Play, an annual event established by the United Nations. We celebrated all of June with daily #monthofplay ideas on Instagram […]
A treasure trove of #monthofplay ideas
We spent the month of June sharing play ideas on social media in celebration of the International Day of Play, but we wanted to gather some of those ideas in one place as a tool for families. Each family is different; scan through these and see which activities might work for yours. These ideas typically […]
5 Life-Changing Habits To Transform Your Mental Health
As the saying goes, “If you keep a habit, sooner or later it can feel like a part of you.” For parents — especially those supporting their children through distinct challenges — self-care is vital to maintaining the health of the family. Fortunately, you can transform your mental health with 5 surprisingly simple habits. Start small, […]
14 Unexpected Ways to Boost Your Mental Health Now
Practicing good mental health doesn’t always mean a lengthy list of “shoulds” and “should nots.” You can boost your mental health right now through activities you want to do. Here are 14 research-backed ways to boost mental health (for adults or kids) that may surprise you: Have fun playfully boosting your spirits! We wish you […]
Xboxes and PlayStations: The World Through The Lens Of Neurodivergence
“Think of it like comparing an Xbox and a PlayStation,” neurodiversity advocate Ethan Lisi says in a TED Talk. “They’re both highly capable consoles with different programming. But if you put your Xbox game in a PlayStation, it won’t work, because the PlayStation communicates differently.” Sometimes, the world can feel like that to a neurodivergent […]
An Open Letter to Parents of Children with Autism
Dear Parents, Raising any child today means so many battle fronts — with external risks, internal worries, and often a heavy side of guilt. And when a child is on the autism spectrum, unique challenges, myths and misunderstandings can make the load heavier. But we want to reassure you: You are a great parent. All […]
The Power of Play
5 reasons play therapy helps neurodivergent children thrive For neurodivergent children, verbal communication and social cues may feel unnatural — and that can make traditional therapies difficult or uncomfortable. Enter play. This intuitive language of childhood — a language of exploration, expression, and making sense of the world — becomes an accessible connection point. By […]
Telehealth: A Powerful Ally To Diagnose, Treat Child Neurological Conditions
About 1 in 36 children has autism spectrum disorder, according to the latest CDC estimates. And the prevalence of a broad range of other neurological conditions in children continues to climb, other research shows. That makes today’s delays in diagnoses and treatment particularly troubling. Not only is the need increasing amidst a health care labor […]
Stuck Inside
9 ideas to turn cabin fever into cabin fun Together time can hit its limits when the weather, sickness, or some other circumstance means you’re stuck inside. We are huge fans of playfulness here at Pariva — we believe it’s the pixie dust that transforms relationships and learning from ordinary into magical. Below are nine […]