AROUND THE NEST
AROUND THE NEST
Cozy up with blogs from the Riveras on fertility, pregnancy, motherhood, parenting & marriage.
Blog Categories
MARRIAGE
PREGNANCY
FERTILITY
PARENTING
End-of-Month Reflection: What We Learned & What We Carry Forward
As November draws to a close and December beckons, it’s a perfect time for reflection. Not to shame ourselves, but to honor how far we’ve come. Ask: What helped me grow this month? What challenged me? What will I carry forward? Reflection is the space between seasons—the place where you breathe, note the lessons, rest in grace.
Gratitude as Legacy: How Saying “Thank You” Shapes Your Family’s Story
Gratitude doesn’t erase the hard days—but it gives them meaning. Around the dinner table, hearing simple words like “I’m thankful for…”, “I noticed you…”, “I appreciate you…” begins to shape the emotional culture of a home. Over time that culture becomes legacy: the way your family treats each other, the way your children treat the world.
The Calm Before the Storm: How the Pause Transforms Your Parenting
When the toddler screams, the teenager slams the door, or your own frustration starts to rise—it’s tempting to respond quickly. But what if instead you paused? That pause is not a sign of weakness or delay; it is a moment of wisdom. In trauma-informed parenting, recognizing that a misbehavior often signals an emotional need means our first act isn’t a reaction—but a pause, a breath, a becoming present. By choosing to pause, you model for your child how to regulate emotions and respond instead of react.
Connection First, Correction Second: Building Trust Before Discipline
In many homes, discipline starts with a command: “Stop! Sit down! Do this!” But what if we flipped that script? What if instead we began with connection—an invitation: “I see you, I know you’re upset, I want to help you”—and then brought in correction? When we connect first, correction lands in a context of trust, not threat.
The Role of Birth Trauma Counseling in Emotional Healing
Childbirth is often celebrated as a moment of joy and new beginnings, but for many parents, the experience brings unexpected pain, fear, or loss. Birth trauma can occur for a variety of reasons—emergency interventions, complications during delivery, loss of control, or feelings of being unheard in the birthing process.
Breaking Cycles: Trauma-Informed Parenting Strategies That Work
Parenting is often described as one of the greatest responsibilities in life, yet few experiences are as complex or deeply personal. For many parents, raising children means confronting the echoes of their own childhood—whether those memories are filled with warmth or shaped by pain
How to Strengthen Your Marriage During the Parenting Years
The parenting years are some of the most rewarding, yet they are also among the most demanding seasons of life. With sleepless nights, endless to-do lists, and the daily responsibilities of raising children, it’s easy for couples to place their marriage on the back burner.
The Hidden Impact of Perinatal Mental Health on Families
The journey into parenthood is often described as one of the most joyful and transformative seasons of life. Yet behind the smiles, nursery preparations, and celebrations, many families quietly carry a weight that is not often discussed: the challenges of perinatal mental health.
Parenting Tweens & Teens: Guidance for the Growing Years
Parenting teen tweens can feel like navigating two worlds at once. This guide helps you build a connection and structure for both tweens and teens.
Four Parenting Styles: Finding the Fit for Your Family
Discover the four major parenting styles and how they shape your child's growth. Learn how to shift toward a balanced, supportive approach that fits your family.
How to know which parenting style fits your family
Your parenting style shapes your child’s confidence, behavior, and emotional health. Discover which style fits your family and how to grow with intention.
Why 3-Year-Old Tantrums Happen and How to Handle Them
3-year-old tantrums aren’t about being “bad” they’re a cry for connection. Learn why they happen and how to respond with calm, not chaos.
How Parents Can Prevent Back Talking Without Yelling
Back talking isn’t about disrespect, it’s a sign of big emotions. Learn how to respond with calm, connection, and firm boundaries, without yelling.
Authoritative Parenting: Raising Confident, Independent Kids
Authoritative parenting blends warmth with clear boundaries, helping children grow into confident, emotionally healthy, and independent individuals.
Inside a Tantrum: What Tantrum Throwing Really Means
What if tantrum throwing was actually a doorway into your child’s emotional world? Discover how calm presence, emotional validation, and gentle boundaries can transform these moments into meaningful connection.
Bedtime Anxiety in 10-Year-Olds: What’s Keeping Them Up at Night?
Your 10-year-old still can’t sleep—even after storytime and a calm routine. Bedtime anxiety is real, but it can be managed with the right support.
Screaming and Kicking: Understanding Big Emotions in Little Kids
Big emotions often show up as screaming and kicking—but these outbursts are a normal part of childhood. Learn what’s behind the behavior and how to respond.
Finding the Teaching Moment: How Everyday Interactions Shape Our Kids
Parenting is filled with opportunities to guide your child’s growth. Recognizing each teaching moment helps build character.
10 Engaging Questions to Spark Meaningful Conversations with Your Kids
Getting kids to open up isn't always easy—but with the right questions, you can spark meaningful conversations that help them feel seen, heard, and valued. Discover age-appropriate prompts designed to strengthen your bond and encourage deeper connection.
How to Build a Strong Support System as a New Mom
Motherhood is filled with joy, exhaustion, and many questions, but you don’t have to do it alone. Building a strong support system is essential for new moms navigating this journey, helping to ease overwhelm and create connection.