Zul Estrada, LPC-S

02/16/2024

02/07/2022

Love Play Therapy! ABTS

12/24/2021

09/14/2021

the importance of Unstructured free play!

A new study shows play’s effects on vagal tone.

09/10/2021

08/08/2021

"How do I have more patience for my child at bedtime?"

"How do I parent with connection and compassion when I'm just DONE?"

This is just real life, right?? I'm not very good at night-time parenting either and I reach the end of my rope as easily as you do.

The best way to parent with connection and compassion more often is to give more connection and compassion to yourself.

No more judging yourself for being out of nice words at the end of the day ;)

Just compassion.

The days are long. You are done. This is hard.

Once the compassion sets in, you can start to brainstorm.

What do you need more of (or less of) during the day that might keep your window of stress tolerance a little bit wider a little bit longer?

Which of those things are actually possible to do?

But before you start strategizing you must be with yourself with connection and compassion.

08/07/2021

💕💕💕

Trust, safety and predictability are built for babies and little ones when they consistently experience having their needs understood and met by an attuned and responsive adult. ( it’s true for all relationships actually!❤️)
This is how secure attachment is formed. Secure attachment helps children to grow, develop, explore and fully experience their world.
Parents can be overwhelmed with lots of conflicting advice about letting babies and children ‘cry it out’. If we were in a little one’s place, what would it be like to be left alone, overwhelmed with big feelings to try to manage on our own?
We are hardwired for connection and to seek co-regulation from a trusted other in times of stress and distress.
Here is another, more compassionate and connection based way to look at it… 🥰

08/07/2021

Truth

06/15/2021

Discover the University of Reading, a global university that enjoys a world-class reputation for teaching, research and enterprise.

05/20/2021

Children’s experiences matter.....

Listen to .gabormate and discuss The Trauma of Relinquishment.
Link to their discussion in bio.