Blog: Play. Fight. Repeat. by Suzita Cochran

03/28/2023

www.suzitacochran.com

Child/Parent Psychotherapy practice in Boulder, CO. Offer in-person play therapy and adult therapy, and telehealth appointments.

03/28/2023

Hi all!
Wanted to let you know that I am re-starting my psychology private practice in Boulder, CO. I'm seeing preschool- and elementary-aged children (and their parents), as well as adults transitioning to parenthood through adoption or childbirth. I also work with adults on parenting issues. Please help me pass the word around. My info is on my website. https://www.suzitacochran.com/

02/18/2022

I've been thinking a lot about helping kids understand the concept of social justice. Check out my new blog post about it. https://playfightrepeat.com/2022/02/social-justice/

When our son Stephen was about to begin kindergarten, he worried about not knowing anyone in his new class. No one from his preschool was attending his school, and he assumed it would be hard to make friends.

02/16/2022

A good article about the ups and downs of relationship satisfaction.

Our romantic happiness goes through normal ups and downs as we get older—and we're least happy around age 40, a new study finds.

01/11/2022

Great suggestions and reminders in this article.

Six Ways to Beat Coronavirus Depression

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_ways_to_beat_coronavirus_depression?utm_source=Greater+Good+Science+Center&utm_campaign=2eeb0a973c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_GG_Newsletter_February_16_2021&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5ae73e326e-2eeb0a973c-51792111

Knowing what depression looks like and how to manage it can help prevent you from slipping into dark moods.

12/12/2021

A recent study observed young children as they were actively engaged in a task with a parent nearby. The children of parents who offered a lot of instruction and correction while their child worked showed lower levels of executive function, and regulation of emotions and behavior. (Journal of Family Psychology)

Tip: Try to be less directive with children who are already appropriately focused on a project. This activity is increasing the child’s brain development, however distraction from a parent offering unrequested advice can derail this brain work.

This research-supported parenting tip is similar to many I included in Sweet Spots: Helping Your Kids Find ENOUGH in Their Lives.

Take a look. And feel free to get a copy for a parent or teacher in your life who could use some support.

“Cochran's timely and informative book comes from her professional and personal experiences. Her kind and wise reflections offer modern parents both practical help and long-term perspective as they navigate the challenging work and joy of raising children. I heartily recommend it."

—Mary Pipher, Ph.D., bestselling author of Reviving Ophelia and Women Rowing North

https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Spots-Helping-ENOUGH-Their/dp/173377680X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=sweet+spots+suzita+cochran&qid=1639349117&s=books&sr=1-1

Sweet Spots: Helping Your Kids Find ENOUGH in Their Lives

09/02/2021

A recent study of 7, 11, and 14 year-olds found that physical activity is linked to self-regulation. And self-regulation, in turn, increased academic achievement. Yay exercise!

Thought I'd re-post a favorite blog related to this. https://playfightrepeat.com/2012/01/exercise-benefits-kids/

Here’s my little secret: When my kids were young (maybe ages 2-7) I spent far too much time worrying about how tireless/active/hyper they were. In my own non-scientific playground research, I came to the unfortunate conclusion that my kids were on the extreme end of the spectrum for physical activ...

08/08/2021

Check out my new post! Thanks-https://playfightrepeat.com/2021/08/prepare-kids-for-school/

The prospect of a nearly back-to-normal school year is the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel for most parents. What a relief to (hopefully) put remote school behind us.

08/08/2021

My new blog post! https://playfightrepeat.com/2021/08/prepare-kids-for-school/

07/17/2021

From now through July 20th, I am giving my eBook away free. Get one for yourself or a friend!

Sweet Spots: Helping Your Kids Find ENOUGH in Their Lives

07/17/2021

Take a look at my new blog post! https://playfightrepeat.com/2021/07/more-choices/

My friend Sadie’s daughter Jade just finished 6th grade—her first year of middle school. Not great timing to start middle school during a pandemic, but such was life.

07/16/2021

If you haven't seen my book yet, now's the time. From July 16-20, you can get my eBook free! Take a look or give it to a friend.

Sweet Spots: Helping Your Kids Find ENOUGH in Their Lives

07/16/2021

My new post on my blog...Help Kids Move Past Pandemic Life by Offering More Choices https://playfightrepeat.com/2021/07/more-choices/

04/30/2021

With summer around the corner, this post has some good ideas...
https://playfightrepeat.com/2011/04/encouraging-innovation-ingenuity/

Recently our family’s dinner conversation centered on the anniversary of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the current disaster at the nuclear power plant in northern Japan. No, not all our dinner table topics are this sober.

04/30/2021

As we begin to think ahead to summer activities for kids, some ideas here. This is a blog that never made it into my book--not sure why as it was a favorite. https://playfightrepeat.com/2011/04/encouraging-innovation-ingenuity/

02/19/2021

I've been thinking more about emotional regulation during the pandemic. It's one of those skills we will work on throughout our lives. But giving our children a head start on this skill is a gift. https://thoughtfulparent.com/emotional-self-regulation-in-children.html

Fostering emotional self-regulation in children is one of our biggest parenting challenges. A few ideas about the role of values.

01/29/2021

This was a favorite blog when it came out. Thought it might be useful in these difficult times for those with young kids. Feel free to share it. https://playfightrepeat.com/2011/04/books-parents-young-children/

My neighbor Kim (see Boys Babysitting: Kim was Right) suggested starting a neighborhood babysitting co-op. In the end three families were able to participate. We arranged for one couple to care for all seven kids one evening, every three weeks. So, one Saturday evening of babysitting equals two Satu...

01/29/2021

For those of you with younger kids... This was a favorite when it came out, and during these challenging times, I bet it's still useful. Five Sanity-Saving Books for Parents of Young Children