Allison Davis Maxon, LMFT

05/14/2026

May is , a time to acknowledge the contributions of foster, adoptive, and kinship caregivers and the needs of children in foster care. To learn more about how family members, foster parents, kinship caregivers, child welfare professionals, and providers can support children and youth in , visit: https://bit.ly/3GIXWdJ

05/14/2026

When we own our stories, we avoid being trapped as a character in stories someone else is telling

“If we’re going to put ourselves out there and love with our whole hearts, we’re going to experience heartbreak.

If we’re gong to try new, innovative things, we’re gong to fail.

If we’re going to risk caring and engaging, we’re going to experience disappointment.

It doesn’t matter if our hurt is caused by a painful breakup or we’re struggling with something smaller, like an offhand comment by a colleague or an argument with an in-law.

If we can learn how to feel our way through these experiences and own our stories of struggle, we can write our own brave endings.

When we own our stories, we avoid being trapped as a character in stories someone else is telling.”
~Brene Brown~

05/14/2026

A short, gentle hug can do more than comfort a child; it can reshape the way their brain responds to stress. Even five seconds of warm contact triggers powerful chemical changes that help regulate the nervous system and promote emotional stability.

When a caregiver embraces a child, oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” is released. This hormone reduces stress, lowers cortisol levels, and supports healthy brain function. These brief moments teach the child that they are safe, loved, and supported.

Hugs also strengthen the neural pathways responsible for emotional regulation. Over time, repeated comforting contact builds resilience, helping children cope better with challenges, frustration, or fear. These small moments contribute to long-term mental and emotional wellbeing.

The effect is not limited to emotional benefits. Physiological changes, such as a slowed heart rate and calmer breathing, reinforce the brain’s ability to return to balance quickly after stress.

Caregivers can use these brief, intentional hugs throughout the day. Each embrace is more than affection—it is a neurochemical reset that supports learning, focus, and emotional growth. Simple daily touch becomes a powerful tool for nurturing a child’s brain and overall development.

05/13/2026

Toddlers are learning to navigate their emotions, but their brains are still under construction. At ages two and three, the regions responsible for impulse control are not fully developed, making intense emotional outbursts normal.

When a child screams, hits, or drops to the floor, it is not bad behavior. It is a developmental collision between growing self-awareness and an immature brain that cannot yet regulate strong emotions. These meltdowns are a natural part of early growth.

Self-awareness emerges before the ability to manage impulses. Children are learning what they feel, how to express it, and how to respond to their environment. Their nervous system reacts first, and reasoning comes later. Parents witnessing these moments are seeing the brain’s early learning in action.

Responding with patience, calm, and understanding helps toddlers navigate their feelings safely. Supportive adults guide them through intense emotions, which strengthens emotional regulation pathways in the brain over time.

Recognizing meltdowns as a developmental stage, not misbehavior, helps caregivers respond effectively. Every moment of calm guidance teaches children that emotions are manageable, creating a foundation for resilience, self-control, and healthy brain development.

05/13/2026

November is National Adoption Month, and we’re taking some time to amplify the voices of young people. Visit our website to learn more about Tristan and adoption from foster care: https://tinyurl.com/yufvt2m5

05/13/2026

This National Foster Care Month, 50,000 children in the foster care and juvenile justice systems across California are still waiting for someone who cares. Someone who will listen when they are having a bad day and stay in their corner no matter what.

Mr. Rogers said, "Look for the helpers." That is the role of a CASA volunteer. Our volunteers get to know these children and advocate for them in the courtroom and beyond, making sure they have a voice and the services they need to thrive. 💙

Here at California CASA, we work alongside the 44 local CASA programs across the state that help youth and their advocates each day. Be part of our community of helpers by making a gift today: californiacasa.org

05/11/2026

Touch is one of the earliest and most powerful inputs for the developing nervous system. Skin contact helps regulate heart rate, breathing, and body temperature while reducing stress hormones. These signals teach the brain that the environment is safe, predictable, and supportive.

When babies sleep near their parents, their brains receive far more than comfort. Research suggests that by age three, children who sleep close gain an estimated 13,000 extra hours of gentle touch, movement, and sensory regulation that directly supports brain development.

Touch is one of the earliest and most powerful inputs for the developing nervous system. Skin contact helps regulate heart rate, breathing, and body temperature while reducing stress hormones. These signals teach the brain that the environment is safe, predictable, and supportive.

Repeated nighttime closeness strengthens neural connections involved in emotional regulation and attachment. Babies learn how to move between alertness and calm more smoothly. Over time, this supports better stress handling, emotional balance, and social connection as they grow.

This does not mean every family must sleep the same way. What matters most is responsiveness. Whether through room sharing, soothing touch, or quick comfort, consistent nighttime connection helps the brain wire itself around safety instead of vigilance.

Early sleep experiences quietly shape long term well being. Thousands of hours of gentle reassurance build a foundation for resilience, trust, and emotional health that lasts far beyond infancy.

05/08/2026

This National Foster Care Month, 50,000 children in the foster care and juvenile justice systems across California are still waiting for someone who cares. Someone who will listen when they are having a bad day and stay in their corner no matter what.

Mr. Rogers said, "Look for the helpers." That is the role of a CASA volunteer. Our volunteers get to know these children and advocate for them in the courtroom and beyond, making sure they have a voice and the services they need to thrive. 💙

Here at California CASA, we work alongside the 44 local CASA programs across the state that help youth and their advocates each day. Be part of our community of helpers by making a gift today: californiacasa.org

05/08/2026

Sad Fact in the state of California -
Did know that 44% of children in foster care experience three or more placements?
For a child this means changing parents, changing rules, changing schools, changing neighborhoods, losing friends, changing routines ...
The lack of stability, predictability and safety in attachment creates more grief, loss, pain, hurt and anger for children.

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month, and today we recognize National Foster Care Day. The need is real and close to home. There are approximately 12,000 youth in Los Angeles County alone who are currently in foster care, many of whom are desperately waiting for a safe, loving, and stable home.

Our division, provides an extensive offering of free informational workshops for individuals and couples considering the life-changing role of fostering a youth in need.

Follow for the latest trainings and offerings. You can also reach out directly at (310) 836-1223 Ext.409