Little House Calls

Sensory Processing Disorder

Why Sensory vs. Behavioral Is Not Actually a Thing

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on January 28, 2021

In a guest post, occupational therapist Becky Lewin explains how an understanding of sensory processing can help parents navigate everyday challenges with their children.

In a guest post, occupational therapist Becky Lewin explains how an understanding of sensory processing can help parents navigate everyday challenges with their children.

Parenting

5 Steps Toward a Healthier Parenting Dynamic

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on October 28, 2020

With families spending so much more time together, co-parenting has emerged as a challenge. Here are some suggestions for doing it in a healthy way.

With families spending so much more time together, co-parenting has emerged as a challenge. Here are some suggestions for doing it in a healthy way.

Parenting

There's More to Parenting Than Reinforcing Good Behavior

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on September 28, 2020

We often talk about the importance of not reinforcing our children's negative behaviors. Reality, though, is far more complicated.

We often talk about the importance of not reinforcing our children's negative behaviors. Reality, though, is far more complicated.

Anxiety

How to Talk to Kids When You Don't Have the Answers

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on September 3, 2020

Parents can help children feel calm and safe even when so much is uncertain. Here's how.

Parents can help children feel calm and safe even when so much is uncertain. Here's how.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Parenting During COVID-19: Fall Edition

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on August 27, 2020

Concrete pointers for surviving the strangest back-to-school season ever.

Concrete pointers for surviving the strangest back-to-school season ever.

Anger

All the Rage

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on July 9, 2020

Our hardships are here to stay, at least for now, which means our anger is, too. Here are some suggestions for how to cope with it—including acceptance.

Our hardships are here to stay, at least for now, which means our anger is, too. Here are some suggestions for how to cope with it—including acceptance.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The Summer of COVID-19

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on June 30, 2020

There's no formula for making parenting decisions this summer, but there are three signposts that can help us navigate the tricky terrain.

There's no formula for making parenting decisions this summer, but there are three signposts that can help us navigate the tricky terrain.

Parenting

Parenting From Unearned Privilege

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on June 1, 2020

When my 6-year-old stormed away in a moment of entitled impatience and anger, I didn’t fear that his expressing his feelings could one day cost him his life. That's privilege.

When my 6-year-old stormed away in a moment of entitled impatience and anger, I didn’t fear that his expressing his feelings could one day cost him his life. That's privilege.

Stress

Quarantining is Stressful—What Do We Tell the Kids?

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on May 15, 2020

As parents, when we are stressed out but pretend otherwise, we actively transmit that stress to our children. Don't pretend you're fine when you're not. No one wins.

As parents, when we are stressed out but pretend otherwise, we actively transmit that stress to our children. Don't pretend you're fine when you're not. No one wins.

Stress

How to Set Limits During Quarantine

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on May 2, 2020

How do we show our children that we can keep them safe during this stressful time? Here's a four-step guide.

How do we show our children that we can keep them safe during this stressful time? Here's a four-step guide.

Stress

Ideas for Staying Connected to Your Child

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on April 21, 2020

How do we make connecting with our kids a priority when we’ve got a zillion other priorities as well? Here are five suggestions.

How do we make connecting with our kids a priority when we’ve got a zillion other priorities as well? Here are five suggestions.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Ten Questions Young Children Have Right Now

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on April 14, 2020

Parents want to tell their children the truth in a way they understand but won’t find overwhelming. Here's how to try and achieve that balance.

Parents want to tell their children the truth in a way they understand but won’t find overwhelming. Here's how to try and achieve that balance.

Parenting

Parenting Right Now Is Really Hard

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on April 5, 2020

Despite different family constellations, dynamics, and challenges, everyone needs to hear the same — and often the most obvious — messages right now, over and over again.

Despite different family constellations, dynamics, and challenges, everyone needs to hear the same — and often the most obvious — messages right now, over and over again.

Parenting

5 Parenting Mistakes I've Made in the Past Week

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on March 28, 2020

We need to be open about our struggles right now. In vulnerability there is connection, and it's the connection that is going to get us through.

We need to be open about our struggles right now. In vulnerability there is connection, and it's the connection that is going to get us through.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Parenting During COVID-19: Part 2

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on March 18, 2020

Another set of pragmatic tips to help you get through the long days of quarantine.

Another set of pragmatic tips to help you get through the long days of quarantine.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Parenting During COVID-19

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on March 12, 2020

How do we parent during this difficult time? Here's a set of short and sweet pragmatic tips.

How do we parent during this difficult time? Here's a set of short and sweet pragmatic tips.

Relationships

Rewriting the Rules of Love

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on February 28, 2020

It's time we add some nuance to discussions about kindness and inclusivity. When we're overly simplistic, all children lose.

It's time we add some nuance to discussions about kindness and inclusivity. When we're overly simplistic, all children lose.

Family Dynamics

"Mommy, I Hate You!"

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on January 23, 2020

Has your child recently declared that you're the meanest parent in the whole, wide world? Here's how to make that moment better—not worse.

Has your child recently declared that you're the meanest parent in the whole, wide world? Here's how to make that moment better—not worse.

Parenting

Travel and Toddlers and Tantrums, Oh My!

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on December 17, 2019

Time away with little ones can be difficult, for them and for you. Here are some tips for making family travel more enjoyable for everyone.

Time away with little ones can be difficult, for them and for you. Here are some tips for making family travel more enjoyable for everyone.

Gratitude

Just Another Gratitude Post

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on November 27, 2019

'Tis the season . . . for parents everywhere to feel shame that their children are not grateful enough. Here are some things to keep in mind.

'Tis the season . . . for parents everywhere to feel shame that their children are not grateful enough. Here are some things to keep in mind.