Parenting - Marblehead Current

17 Dec

‘BUT I’M BORED!’: Local parenting coach pens new book on embracing ‘simpler approach’

Bella TravagliniColumns, Life Style, Opinion, Parenting, Top Stories

Parenting coach Lizzie Assa says that the tide is turning on how parents want to raise their children — which is embracing the simpler approach of days gone by. “Parents are exhausted from treating childhood like a resume-building project, and the results — anxious, overwhelmed children — are impossible to ignore,” said Assa. A Marblehead Current columnist and former nursery school teacher, Assa has written her first book, “But I’m Bored!,” which will be published in January, where she guides parents on how to foster…

18 Sep

ASK LIZZIE: Maybe a ‘good day’ at school isn’t what you think

LIzzie AssaColumns, Parenting

From preschool pickup to college drop-off, this part hasn’t changed. I remember holding my breath all morning after preschool drop-off.Was she crying?Did he pee his pants again?Would she talk during snack time or just sit there frozen? Everyone told me I’d feel relieved once they started school. That I’d get to use those few hours to run errands, fold laundry or grab coffee with a friend. But once I finally dropped them off, the physical chaos of kids underfoot was replaced by a constant loop…

03 Sep

We didn’t homeschool, but we did this instead

LIzzie AssaColumns, Local News, Parenting

We didn’t homeschool our kids. We didn’t move to a farm, sell our stuff, rent an RV and travel the world. We didn’t grow our own sourdough starter, raise chickens or even a vegetable garden. My husband and I both work (I was very part-time when they were small), and homeschooling wasn’t a fit logistically or financially. We did make one decision early on that shaped everything else: We chose to protect play and prioritize rest. I wanted my kids to have a childhood that…

14 Aug

Ask Lizzie: Getting your little ones ready for school

Lizzie Assa, parenting strategistColumns, Parenting

School readiness isn’t reciting the alphabet. It’s being able to handle a “no” at the bakery. Yesterday at the beach, I watched a 6 year old with messy blond braids sprint across the sand toward the ice cream truck, damp dollars clenched in her fist. She was sandy, sweaty and ready for a popsicle. Lizzie Assa is a parenting and play expert. COURTESY PHOTO Quietly but confidently, she told the driver, “One Spider-Man pop,” and she pointed to the picture on the side of the…

09 Oct

When your child says ‘I’m stupid’

Lizzie Assa, parenting strategistColumns, Parenting

"I'm stupid! I can't do this!"⁣ My heart sank to the bottom of my belly when those words tumbled out of his mouth. We were all sitting around the kitchen counter: my third grader was working through some math problems, while my first grader and preschooler played "store" using playdough and small animals. I had already noticed him looking longingly at the playdough balls his sisters were kneading into shape for their pretend game — the one he usually leads with confidence. Instead, there was…

30 Mar

ASK LIZZIE: Tackling check-out lines

Lizzie Assa, parenting strategist0 CommentsColumns, Parenting

Dear Lizzie: How can I help my 4-year-old stay patient while we’re in checkout lines at places like Target or the grocery store? She isn't in school full-time yet, so she often comes with me on errands, but it's becoming stressful. We sometimes let her use our phones, but I’d like to find a better way to manage these situations. Any tips? Dear reader: Waiting in line can be hard for kids — heck, it’s hard for most adults! By the time you get to…

13 Mar

Ask Lizzie: Ideas for spring playtime

Lizzie Assa, parenting strategist0 CommentsColumns, Parenting

Dear Lizzie, As a full-time working parent, I love the weekends for outdoor adventures with my toddler and preschooler. They enjoy the playground and the beach, but weekdays are a challenge. Can you suggest some simple, engaging outdoor activities we can enjoy together in the limited time we have after work and before bedtime? Dear reader, Getting outside is not only a fantastic way to release their pent-up energy but also an excellent opportunity for your kids to soak up the much-needed vitamin D after…

15 Feb

ASK LIZZIE: Steps to unplug your child after too much screen time

Lizzie Assa, parenting strategist0 CommentsParenting

How can I get my toddler back into playing after an extended period of too much screen time? New baby, sicknesses and lack of childcare have led to too much TV, and now starting over seems impossible. She used to be so good at playing and now she just whines for TV. Hi reader, Please give yourself full permission to drop any lingering guilt about using screens as a parenting tool when you needed them. Parenting a sick toddler with a new baby and no…

31 Jan

Ask Lizzie: A sudsy suggestion for good, clean fun

Lizzie Assa, parenting strategist0 CommentsColumns, Parenting

Dear Lizzie, My child loves messy, sensory play and it keeps him busy on these long winter days, but I hate the mess! Can you recommend a messy/not-so-messy activity to keep us both happy? Dear reader, Your child is on to something! Sensory play is particularly appealing in the winter, as we miss the natural sensory experiences often found outdoors in the summer. It makes a whole lot of sense that tactile play would be keeping your little one engaged. Lizzie Assa As a parent…

17 Jan

ASK LIZZIE: Your kids have lots of new toys. Now what?

Lizzie Assa, parenting strategist0 CommentsColumns, Parenting

Dear Lizzie, This year, my child's eyes lit up with each gift they unwrapped at Christmas, but now those same toys seem forgotten, gathering dust in the corner. It's frustrating to see, and I'm not sure how to encourage them to play with their new toys. Do you have any advice? Dear reader, Ah, the post-holiday toy dilemma! One minute, your living room looks like a toy store, and the next, it's as if the toys have become invisible to your little one. I have…