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Child(ish) Reads: Raising A Socially Successful Child, Pt. II

| Patti Webb

When we say “socially successful”, we mean making friends. Yes, how our child conducts themselves in public spaces in a way that is socially acceptable is one thing. Manners and etiquette are explicitly taught.

However, making friends is not exactly easy for most. Confidence, self-esteem, temperament; these all factor into the process personally. But then there is the reciprocation, the two-way street. Does this person like me back?

In Raising a Socially Successful Child, Dr. Stephen Nowicki explains the Friendship process; the different stages of how we start and maintain relationships.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Things Patti Would Love

| Patti Webb

Yesterday, one of the bloggers I follow shared her “delusional wishlist”. TBH, this absolutely hits. I feel like everything off the top of my head that I would love as a Christmas present fall into two categories: things that just go in my bathroom and things that are way bigger and don’t necessarily fit into a present box.

To close out our gift guides and the month of November, here are the things Patti (would) love for the holidays:

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Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Middle Grades 8+

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

This category is new for us but TBH, the toys and games in this age range have upped their game in the last couple of years.

Around ages 8-12, kids make big strides in many areas of development. Their skill refinement allows for:

  • Improved attention, problem solving, and critical thinking
  • The ability to strengthen friendships and resolve conflicts more efficiently
  • Participation in skill-based activities requiring refined motor movements
  • The ability to express themselves more clearly
  • Increased independence and thought

Here are our recommendations for kids 8+:

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Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Preschool and Early Elementary

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

This has got to be the largest list we’ve put together to date, but not just because we love toys.

Kids at this age are achieving key developmental milestones and improving their executive functions, allowing for better focus and memory. As they continue to refine their skills, they enjoy social play, seek friendly competition, pursue independence by testing limits, try new things, and make new friends.

Not only did we pick a ton of toys and games geared towards these age-range skills, but we also chose practical items to encourage independence, and bigger, family-friendly gifts that include your littlest.

Here are our gift picks for kids 3-7:

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I Choose Violence, Bruh…

| Patti Webb
Photo Credit: Mean Girls (2004)

Last year around the holidays, a ton of people went to TikTok to complain about one thing: teen girls at Sephora.

Either they were being super rude to other customers, or were snatching products that were not appropriate for their age group, or were messing up displays and complaining to staff; it was total judgement day.

While I definitely believe bad behavior should be called out, I don’t like that this narrative somehow morphed into “Millennials need to be better parents to these feral, disrespectful mean girls.”

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