Posts by cjohnson
Guiding Your Teen Through Cognitive Changes
The teenage years are often characterized by a rollercoaster of emotions, rapid mood swings, and seemingly irrational behavior. While these experiences can be frustrating for parents and educators, it’s crucial to remember that the teenage brain is undergoing significant changes…Read More
Summer Reading: Cultivating Lifelong Readers
Many of us remember those hot, languid summer days spent reading the latest novel by our favorite author or immersing ourselves in a fascinating new obsession. Today, as we observe the students in our lives, we might feel lucky if…Read More
The Gift of Growth: How to Start a Growth Journal for Your Child
Parenting can feel like time stands still in the moment, but looking back, the time between infancy and high school graduation feels like a flash. So many tiny moments of epiphany and growth that feel unforgettable at the time, somehow…Read More
Encouraging Independence and Responsibility: Guiding Teens Through Life’s Milestones
We’ve all experienced “firsts”—milestones or significant events that mark a beginning or an introduction to something new. These experiences hold tremendous importance as they shape our understanding, skills, and perceptions, even laying the foundation for future growth and development.
Some…Read More
The Power of Gratitude in Family Life
Gratitude comes easily at the birthday party. Parents have filled the day with presents, special food, cake, balloons, and special attention. Birthday gift lists have been shared with family and friends. As presents are handed out, squeals of joy and…Read More
The Impact of Music and Arts on Emotional Well-being
“We read to know we are not alone.” ~ C.S. Lewis.
Reading may look like an isolating activity with one’s eyes riveted on the page and reality fading behind the words painted in the reader’s head, but reading is entirely communal. This is…Read More
Compassion, Care, and Recovery: Helping Your Family Navigate Depression
Having a loved one struggling with depression can be a profound challenge. Not only are depressed people often unwilling or unable to admit or discuss the depth of their struggle, but the symptoms themselves are incredibly painful to watch. According…Read More
The Unexpected Gift of Embarrassment: Lessons in Self-Compassion
“That was so embarrassing!”
Just say the word, “embarrassing,” and everyone has a memory of something that instantly comes to mind. It is a shared human experience. It could be a face-plant in front of a middle-school crush, a remnant…Read More
The Art of Boredom: Rediscovering Creativity and Connection in a Digital World
Good and bad most often come mixed together. An unruly child may have incredible drive and an insatiable curiosity. The student who talks out of turn also knows how to sustain conversation and keep others entertained. A good teacher trains…Read More
Teachers’ Transformative Work: Building a Supportive Community in the Classroom
On the night of July 12th, 2011, climber Dean Potter scaled Cathedral Peak in Yosemite National Park. Untethered, he then walked across a highline spanning two points at an elevation of 10,911 feet. Backlit by the rising full moon, Potter’s amazing…Read More
The Gravity of Love: Reflecting on What Drives Our Decisions
Have you ever stopped to consider how the things and people that you love influence the decision you make? Speaker and writer Myles Munroe once shared a profound insight, saying, “Our life is the sum total of all the decisions…Read More
The Power of Storytelling in Family Bonding
In our daily lives, stories are everywhere. They pop up on our phones, TVs, and in our conversations, filling our days with endless tales and adventures. But here’s the thing: even though we’re constantly surrounded by these stories, most of…Read More