Summer Camps

Great resource for anyone looking for Kid's Summer activities! Please feel free to add any other camps or activities that aren't included.

Algorithm to Failure

My first interview sharing how teaching kids to “fail better” builds resilience & confidence!!! ✨✨✨

Thanks Zac Litwack for helping me “fail forward” towards an exponential future!

The World is Getting Better!

The world is getting better!!!

I love sharing this information. For a long time, I was under the delusion that "the world was getting worse." This just isn't true, and the data supports it.

The majority of people don't realize that the world is getting significantly better.

Why? Because evolution has "programmed" our brains to look for the negative. The news media and advertisers benefit from exploiting this knowledge. When our survival was being threatened daily, our focus being drawn towards threats was a very useful "program." Fortunately this baseline "program" is no longer as useful & we have the ability to reprogram our brains!

Updating your baseline "programing" is a little different than updating your smart phones...and here are the steps:

1st step- know the world is truly getting better.

2nd step- notice how your brain is drawn to negativity and choose to make small steps to actively shift your attention.

3rd step- do what you love while adding value to the world. "Fail forward" to get a little better each day at both.

"BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD."
-Gandhi

Hang in There!

As a pediatrician, I strive to improve children's long term health outcomes. As a mother, I try to prepare our children for life's challenges. Unfortunately, neither goal is always compatible with their short term happiness.

As parents, we are continuously making difficult choices that can leave us questioning ourselves. Keep taking deep breaths and remind yourself that PARENTING IS A PROCESS... hang in there!!!!

Break Things

My interest in entrepreneurs started at a young age as I observed my father grow his company and continues today as I enjoy studying the leaders shaping our world.

I've leaned that the people who are changing our world use a similar process to tackle problems. It is a different system than the linear process being taught to our children.

Taking the risk to "break things" is the first step, the second is (without blame) to focus on 'why'?

How can we teach our children the Silicon Valley way?

Time is Non-Refundable

I previously felt like I was running a race without knowing the location of the finish line. Taking the time to asses what I genuinely want has been key on my journey towards an intentional life. Stephen Mullins & I taped our life goals to our bedroom wall. With each decision we are able to reassess and realign.

What techniques do you and your family find helpful to use your time with intention?

Teaching Kids How to Apologize

Irritation flows through me when I hear a child giving their parent a backhanded apology...especially when that parent is me! 😡

Although it can be hard to accept, children reflect many of our behaviors back at us. So when I heard my kids giving snide apologies, I knew it was time to reassess my technique.

This is a great article for anyone hoping to teach their children the value of a genuine apology. I'd love to hear your techniques.

Look to the Stars

Could teaching our children to "look to the stars" alleviate anxiety?

Attempting to grasp the enormity of the universe, helps me to keep myself and my challenges in perspective. When I was 18 years old, my mother gave me the book "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff...and It's All Small Stuff." The antidotes have been so useful that the same well worn copy is in the top drawer of my bedside table.

Consider watching a documentary on the universe or star gazing with your children as a tool combat the ego-centricity that can lead to depression and anxiety.

When problems begin to feel overwhelming, remembering that
"it's all small stuff"
... we are just a speck in the universe...
helps me to re-focus on the little I can can control:
my THOUGHTS, BELIEFS & ACTIONS.

Relax and Recharge Event

Wonderful Saturday afternoon at The Women's Health Center 'Relax and Recharge event'. Messages, meditation, manicures, yoga & learning!!! Thank you for the opportunity to present how to Own Your Focus! So grateful for all the positive feedback and new friends!

Excellent event, Katie Quinonez!!! I am officially a fan of Aila Accad... thank you for your inspirational and enlightening presentation & books. "You are the gift you came to share with the world."

Teaching Children to do the "Hard Things"

Growing up, my mother would start every Saturday morning with a few hours of chores. As a kid it felt brutal. One friend recalls her mother telling me, "I like your home; it is so big and beautiful." I answered, "You might not think so if you had to clean it."

Chores like cleaning the kitchen & grocery shopping are easier for me without kids. But once I became a mother of 3 in our blended family, "doing it myself" was no longer an option. Cleaning the kitchen with all three of them feels like I'm continuously putting out small fires. Fortunately there seems to be a few less "fires" each time. What techniques do you use to teach your children how to do the "hard things"?

Can We Make Education as Addictive as Gaming?

What if education was as addictive as gaming🎮🕹️🎮???

We are so fortunate to be alive during this technological explosion✨! In this 2 minute video, Peter Diamandis explores an educational system similar to a video game...'leveling up' by gaining points through persistence and mastery.

I believe we have the ability to use technology to enable children to realize that learning isn't dependent on being "smart". Learning is a game... and when played with persistence anyone can WIN!!!

Stephen Hawking's Big Bang on Life

I love the Big Bang Theory for many reasons including piquing my interest in Stephen Hawking. His life and legacy are remarkable! He continued to add value to the world 54 years after being diagnosed with a terminal illness at 21 years old. He embodied the perseverance and persistence that is within each of us.

I've told myself "I can't" so many times falsely believing that my limits are defined by my physical form instead of my mind. How do you remind yourself and your children of this truth?

(Photo credit: Big Bang Theory Instagram)

Limitless Potential

"Want to build a better world, build a better you."
-Janine Shepherd

This extreme athlete's experiences taught her that we falsely believe our potential is based on the ability of our limited body instead of our unlimited mind.

After watching this video, I asked her how to help children better understand this concept. Her suggestion was "mindfulness meditation."

Thank you Janine Shepherd for your generosity of time & the reminder of our ✨limitless potential💛!!!

You Are What You Eat!

This TED Talk highlights the connection between nutrition and mental health. With so much information out there, limited time to cook and picky kids, it is hard to know if our children are receiving the nutrients they need.

I'm doing some research and would love to know if you are or aren't giving your children vitamins. If so what type and why? I appreciate your input!

Do Better When You Know Better

Allowing the past to affect our self image is easy. Everyday I see people struggling with the consequences of their past choices...I've been there many times myself.

Accepting that I don't have the ability to affect my previous actions, but I do have the ability to make better choices today because I "know better" has been transformative. Real change occurs by focusing on what is in our control-- our thoughts, beliefs and actions influenced by the knowledge we have today without the shame of yesterday.

I'm honored to post Maya Angelou's valuable words. Please feel free to share any quotes that have added value to your life.

Superpower of Focus

‘Focus’ is like a superpower!  It directs our attention and shift our awareness to create reality...any reality we choose.  Focus’ superpower is transforming an image in our minds into a creation.  It helps navigate through life more easily...allowing us to recognize when we should move forward or change course. Obstacles create priceless experiences for growth and learning - two essential factors for a healthy life.

I’ve recently had the privilege of becoming acquainted with a Portuguese couple on an inspiring mission.  Patricia and Miguel are travelling the world discovering how they can best use their skills & passion to add value to our planet.  Learning from obstacles are the norm on this young couple’s journey documented on their blog Freeoversea.  

While living in Ireland, they recently had to make "the hard decision"... to recognize they weren't happy with their situation and change paths - bringing their focus back to what excites them. This couple quit the jobs they no longer found fulfilling, to pursue the dream of making real connections with different communities and people all around the world.

Freeoversea is an inspiring blog highlighting Patricia & Miguel’s story, sharing their life and creating great content about conscious lifestyle, personal growth, sustainability, travel adventures, self-development, and more. I may not be able to travel the world today, but our family enjoys their adventurous blog.  The website is an online destination for everything that gives a touch of happiness to our planet and ourselves!

When we own our focus, we have the ‘superpower’ to make our dreams come true!

Practice Makes Progress

I love learning from patients. Recently a teenage girl shared this quote "Practice Makes Progress"... I love it! "Perfect" as a goal is unattainable and can be disheartening.

A great example of this mindset is Beyonce. I've read that even at the height of her music career, she reviews all of her concert footage to look for areas or improvement. There is no perfect...only progress!

Sometimes discipling my kids feels like the hardest part of my day...and today was definitely one of them! If you are having difficulty getting your kids to listen, this quick video is worth watching.

At times I feel like an imposter...a pediatrician unable to make her own kids obey. Lately I've been feeling like the more parenting tips I read, the less I know. My frustration is compounded when I watch my husband effortlessly command the kids' attention. When I ask for his help, he implies that I'm over complicating it...who me?!?😲

Looking for answers, I found a video of Stephen's style...keeping it simple! It brings back 'old school' techniques that I've been trying to avoid ...like "because I said so." Do these techniques work in your house?

Actively Seek Out Failure

I’m learning to ✨FAIL BETTER✨ everyday. For most of my life, I attached shame😣 and embarrassment😞 to failure. As a pediatrician for 15 years, I’ve listening to hundreds of children telling me that they are “dumb” or “not good enough.” I’ve been searching for a better understanding for them and myself because during all of those visits I’ve NEVER met a child without talent and value. Will Smith says it beautifully, teach ourselves and our children to hold heads high and “actively seek out failure.” ✨”Fail Fast, Fail Often & Fail Forward!”✨

"A Girls' Night of Fun"!

Last night, I had the privilege of speaking at "A Girls' Night of Fun" promoting positive thinking!🌟🌟🌟 I met many wonderful people who were also doing what they enjoy while adding value to others. I loved sharing how to "Fail 1% Better!" Thank you to Alicia Scarberry Huck for organizing such an inspirational event!🦄💜🎵

Will College Exist for Our Children???

In 2030, a 4-year college degree is predicted to cost $200,000+; so the idea that colleges, as we know it, being "disrupted" is kind of exciting! I'm passionately learning techniques to help children build self-esteem and a critical component is preparing them for a technologically exponential future. So much change at such a rapid pace can feel overwhelming, but so does preparing our children with outdated techniques for institutions with skyrocketing costs. This article's prediction of "college" becoming a personalized, interactive environment based skills not semesters seems in line with other changes occurring in our society. Would love to hear your thoughts!

Magic Moment

At our latest visit, an 8 year old proudly handed me this paper announcing, "this is what I've been working on!" Her parents said that she has been handling her "anger" emotion much better using these techniques...WIN!!!!

Understanding that there is a MAGIC MOMENT between an emotion arising and a behavior occurring is the first step. The second step is using techniques to PAUSE during that MAGIC MOMENT. When we PAUSE long enough during that moment, the behavior is no longer driven by that initial emotion. Trying to put this concept into terms that children can use has been a challenge... and completely worth it!

Thank you for the feedback!!!

How can mindfulness improve our parenting skills?

How can mindfulness improve our parenting skills?
Mindfulness (focusing on observing the moment) brings awareness to our thoughts and allows us to be present in our parenting, making better choices about how we raise, educate and spend time with our children.

Did you also know that mindfulness is great for our kids too?
It has been used to treat children with anxiety, autism, depression, stress and ADHD which are becoming more prevalent.

Many coping skills are formed during childhood. These critical years shape how emotions are dealt with...rage, shame, embarrassment versus kindness, self improvement and growth. Which do we hope to foster in children???
Mindfulness helps our children calm down when upset, builds their skills and improves focus allowing them to choosing happiness!

Focus on What Matters

Want to teach children how to focus on what mattersShow them through your actions... focusing your attention on the positives will help you not only appreciate what you have, but also lead to achieving life goals. "Where focus goes, energy flows" (Tony Robbins).So, how do you "own your focus"?
- become more aware of what's worth your energy by actively prioritizing and saying NO THANKS to everything else. - don't waste your time in any other direction than ‘failing forward’—making mistakes in an area of your life that you’re passionate about is priceless! - do less with more *focus*
- go for it: Follow One Course Until Successful

How to Help Our Kids Become Leaders

I’m working on everyone of these except #5… The kids informed me that I already share too much🤣

Human Spirit

My daughter excitedly showed me this video saying, "You are going to love this little girl...she is so special!" One of many examples of the human spirit's amazing resilience when we focus on our blessings.

Focusing Inward

Focusing inward is the only way to make real change...but isn't this selfish?!?Today a friend shared this quote: "In Mandarin Chinese, they have two words for selfish. One means doing that which is beneficial to you and the other means hoarding, greedy, and cruel. We, in English, have pushed those two words together.”- Elizabeth GilbertBy focusing on our THOUGHTS, BELIEFS & ACTIONS we benefit ourselves which allows us to have the energy and wisdom to add value to others.Wishing you a "selfish" 2018!!!(Photo Credit: Quincey Mullins)