Books, Websites & Articles
Currently Under Construction. Check back soon!
See below for a selected list of the resources many of the families I have worked with have found helpful. This list is sorted by general categories. May you find new resources and knowledge to help your family thrive.
Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting by Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn (1997)
Lots of ideas for approaching your parenting from a place of balance and inner calm.
Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation. By Sharon Salzberg (2011)
Great book for learning about the practice of meditation. Very easy to read and follow. Provides a 30 day guide to bringing meditation into your life.
Temperament
Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, Energetic by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka (1998)
This is a classic, yet still very applicable, book for parents who are raising children that are more challenging than the average child. Very affirming and helpful in understanding how temperament plays a role in your child’s behavior. Includes ideas for bringing out the best in your child!
This website provides a tool for taking a “temperament” test your child. Interesting way to get some insight into who your child is.
Aggression
Wondering how you can help your children learn self-control? This site has research-based ideas on supporting your child in building self-control.
http://www.parentingscience.com/teaching-self-control.html
This site, handinhandparenting.org, has a list of articles, podcasts and other resources for parents. It’s very easy to navigate and has lots of practical ideas for parents. Check out the link below if you are struggling with a child who has aggressive behaviors.
http://www.handinhandparenting.org/article_category/biting-hitting-aggression/
Social Relationships
Best Friends, Worst Enemies: Understanding the Social Lives of Children. by Michael Thompson & Catherine O’Neill (2001).
Great research-based book with plenty of anecdotes for learning about why friendship is so important for children, the role of gender issues, and how parents can support their children develop strong friendships.
Playground Politics: Understanding the Emotional Life of Your School-Age Child by Stanley Greenspan (1994).
Social Skills of Preschoolers:
Click this link for information on how parents can support their children developing social skills.
http://www.parentingscience.com/preschool-social-skills.html
www.sensory-processing-disorder.com
The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder, Revised Edition by Carol Stock Kranowitz and Lucy Jane Miller (Paperback – April 4, 2006)
Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Integration Issues by Lindsey Biel and Nancy Peske (Paperback – Mar 1, 2005)
Other Counseling Resources
The mental health resources listed below are not endorsements nor is this list meant to be an exhaustive list of providers. Please contact your insurance company as providers may or may not be covered by your insurance plan. I suggest interviewing several therapists to find someone you feel comfortable and safe working with. I recommend you ask the therapist about their background and experience working with the issue(s) you are concerned with. When entering into a therapeutic relationship, feeling safe and trusting the individual is critical.
General Counseling Resources:
Oregon Psychological Association 503-253-9172 www.opa.org
Oregon Psychiatric Association 503- 406-2526 www.orpsych.org
Sexual Assault Resource Center 503-626-9100; 503-640-5311
Children’s Program (SW Portland) 503-452-8002
For Low-Cost and Free Counseling, try:
Lewis and Clark Psychology Clinic
http://graduate.lclark.edu/clinics/community_counseling/
Portland State University
http://www.pdx.edu/coun/clinic
Pacific University
http://www.pacificu.edu/our-resources/clinics/psychology-clinics/counseling-therapy-services
For Postpartum Depression issues:
www.babybluesconnection.org
Preschool/Early Childhood
Locating a preschool for your child can be a challenging and scary process. See below for some resources for helping you make that decision!
Parent Child Preschools Organization (PCPO) supports developmentally appropriate parent child cooperative preschools in Oregon and Washington. PCPO is not a preschool, but a membership organization for cooperative preschools. There are over 60 affiliated preschools in Oregon and Washington. Each school is its own entity and they have varying characteristics based on their philosophy, size and location. Cooperative preschools are structured to welcome parent/caregiver presence in the classroom and can be a wonderful way to build community with other families and grow with your child through the preschool experience.
You can find a listing of PCPO affiliated schools under the Schools button at the following website:
http://www.parentchildpreschools.org
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Metro Parent is a family resource guide for parents in the Portland and Vancouver area. Click on “Resources” at their site to find listings of preschools, classes and lots more information in the area.
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