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Jennifer Kogan

Posts byJennifer Kogan

Mother’s Self-Renewal: Tuning into Your Creative Bliss

Remember You before age 11 or 12? Your child self had all the time in the world to dream and explore interests and hobbies. These days as we mother, it may feel like that high energy and exuberance is on some kind of semi-permanent hiatus. You might be asking yourself, “What happened to the part of me that used to draw, paint, write, turn
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Mindfulness & Moments of Transitions

Transitions happen all the time. Schools out. Summer’s here. Vacations, camp, back-to-school, moving, sleep schedules, birthdays, illness. All of these shifts can throw a person off kilter. Trying to get back to center where equanimity reigns can feel like an uphill battle. So many of us instinctively push away our strong feelings because they seem scary and uncomfortable. Tara Brach talks about meeting life where it is.  She
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How to let go of those summer struggles

Summer is here and schedules are less rigid. This can be a delight but it can also feel like a heavy load sometimes. It’s easy to feel wistful for the the old, dependable pattern of school, homework, and bedtime. Despite being billed as a relaxing time, some struggles can feel more intense because of the more slower, open pace. We have more unstructured time
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“That’s a Clown Question, Bro’.” Teaching our kids to know and think for themselves

Did you hear Washington National’s outfielder, Bryce Harper’s answer last week to a reporter’s question? He was asked whether or not he was going to go out for a beer after the game. Harper is underage and answered the question with great self-possession. He quipped smoothly and efficiently, “That’s a clown question, bro.” Underneath Harper’s cool answer was a message. He knew what he felt
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Dealing with the loss of a husband or father on Father’s Day and everyday

Honoring mothers and fathers is woven into our culture. Historians seeking an ancient precedent for an official Father’s Day observance have come up with only one: The Romans, every February, honored fathers-but only those deceased. It might make it easier for those of us who are bereaved to honor only our losses. When a parent or husband dies sometimes it seems the only way to cope
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Reconnecting to YOU through the Creative process

We moms are so busy that sometimes we lose the connection to our creative selves. Read on for some thoughts/resources on how to find your “flow” and help bring your heart and mind together from Guest Blogger, Amy Tatsumi. What makes you feel alive?  What allows you to be connected to your true self? For some, it is singing or dancing when no one
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George Harrison and Letting Go

There is an incredible new Scorsese documentary about George Harrison called, Living in the Material World out on DVD this month. The film itself is magical and seamless; filled with never before seen footage and interviews. Harrison, who found his way to meditation and touched so many people’s lives with his generosity of spirit said in 1974, “Everybody’s looking for something…. We don’t have to look anywhere–it’s
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NVC: Handling Conflict By Meeting Everyone’s Needs

As busy moms we spend our days balancing our own needs with those of of others. Here’s an example: It’s 8 PM and you are exhausted. It has been getting harder and harder to get the kids to sleep on time and you feel like your spouse isn’t helping you the way you’d like. This may sound like prime fodder for a blowout fight
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A mind – body toolkit to support kids with their intense feelings

It can be challenging to support your child sometimes if they are wired to be a little on the anxious or intense side. These periods of overwhelm often strike without warning. Sleepovers, tests, teams, all these can trigger anxiety or upset which can lead to worry, sleep problems, and general stress. As parents, it can be hard to hold these emotions because it just
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Kindness & Community = Bully Prevention Strategies that Work

Like many other topics that are covered in the media, the issue of bullying is a worrisome one. Many parents are fearful that their child will be bullied at school.  Luckily, there are powerful ways we can support our children so they have something to fall back on should the situation arise. One emerging approach is that kindness and mindfulness can stop bullying in
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