August is National Breastfeeding Month, and at TAPS, we’re reflecting on the many ways breastfeeding support can make a difference for families, whether through months of care or a single conversation at the right moment.

On the blog this month, Jacquie Biehl, CLC, shares about how she’s working with families even before their baby arrives to support their knowledge, connection to clinical care, and social connections through TAPS Breastfeeding Education and Support Programming.

One of our recent participants beautifully illustrates the value of continuity of care. During her pregnancy, she connected with…

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Keep connections strong with play during back-to-school season

August is also a big back-to-school month for many with young children in childcare and Pre-K. This month Susan A. Johns, MEd, shares simple ways to keep connecting with your children through play.

Before summer break draws to a close, we wanted to share a few ideas to find the joy, beat the heat, and take advantage of these final moments before the school year is in full swing.

Whether you’re working full time and juggling three different camp drop offs or holding a newborn on your chest and a toddler on your hip, we’ve got you covered. We hope you can be present, enjoy the moments, and give yourself some grace when you find yourself shocked that it’s only 9:37am.

We’ve separated ideas out by age group, but of course you know your kiddos best, and many of these activities can be adapted to older or younger children depending on how you use them- just remember to avoid small pieces for children under 3 as this can create a choking hazard.…

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On the Calendar: September

Always available:
Make an appointment for Resource Navigation

Summer Workshops

Infant Car Seat Safety Education: (FREE)
When: September 25th at 12:30 and 1:30pm
RSVP Here

Breastfeeding Education & Support Online: (FREE)
When: September 9th at 7pm
RSVP Here

Fall Group Sign Ups:

PEPS Groups: 12-week cohorts for 1 or 2 parents to attend with baby
Starting September 9th - Sign Up here

Circle of Security Parenting Groups:
Starting week of October 4th - Get on the waitlist - Sign Up here

Lactation Support Group:
Always Free: Online and in person. Join the email List to get info on upcoming summer group meetings

Thanks for being part of the TAPS community!

This month, I’m excited to share with you about how we’re growing a continuum of care here at TAPS. Families are looking for a supportive community & connection focused environment to thrive - all the way from pregnancy through early childhood. And from the very beginning, TAPS has always been about community - building community, creating social connections, & gathering together. As cohorts of parents have come through our programs, we often hear parents ask, “How can we keep this going?” or “I need help with something else.”

On the blog this month, May & Geraldine share their experiences as staff with helping families navigate resources. Sometimes it’s as simple as a book recommendation. Sometimes it’s a more complicated series of steps to help families overcome all kinds of challenges.

On the blog: A continuum of care part 1

2 New Program Areas!

Later this summer and early in the fall we’re launching two (2) new program areas - our Family Resource Room and Circle of Parents. These two program areas will help ensure that every family has the information, support, connection and resources they need to thrive.

Circle of Parents: For several years, you all have been asking for more opportunities to connect with each other - more chances for reflection, more chances to learn together. You’re going to love Circle of Parents. This un-scripted, drop-in program focuses on parent leadership, supportive learning, and ongoing connection as your children grow. We plan to make this program the kind of place where parents come to stay connected with their COSP group or their PEPS or MaS group as their children grow and change. Some meetings will be online, some will be in-person, some in English, and some in Spanish.

Launching officially later this fall - be on the lookout for social media and a newsletter with the official interest form!

Interested in being a parent leader? Let us know on our contact form!

Contact Form

(Be sure to select, “I’m interested in volunteering” then “helping with parent groups” and “ongoing involvement” and let us know in the text box that you’re interested in helping with Circle of Parents!)

The TAPS Family Resource Room has been in the works for a long time - and we’re thrilled that it’s finally happening. We already have baby clothing, a crib, pumps, postpartum supplies, infant toys, and maternity clothing ready to give away AND we’ve already supported more than 7 families through in-person meetings in this space. Based on their feedback, we’re moving ahead with plans to publish a booking link on our website (here) so that when someone needs a virtual or in-person meeting, it’s easy to make an appointment with the right staff member.

To get ready for new appointments, we need your help.

Thanks to Once Upon a Child, Cary (Thank you Lauren!!), we have a ton of donated infant clothing that still needs to be sorted and packaged for giving away. We also need donations of feeding pillows, swaddles, and other items to help families get ready for their babies.

Two options to support the resource room:

1. Click the link and let us know you’d like to volunteer.

Interest Form

2. Click the link to send us items from our Amazon Wish List to help finish setting up and stocking the Resource Room!

   Wishlist

On the Calendar: August

Summer Workshops

Infant Car Seat Safety Education: (FREE)
When: August 14th & September 25th at 12:30 and 1:30pm
RSVP Here

Breastfeeding Education & Support Online: (FREE)
When: August 12th & September 9th at 7pm
RSVP Here

Infant sleep: (Free)
When: August 21st at 12pm
RSVP Here

Fall Group Sign Ups:

PEPS Groups: 12-week cohorts for 1 or 2 parents to attend with baby
Starting September 9th - Sign Up here

Circle of Security Parenting Groups:
Starting week of October 4th - Get on the waitlist - Sign Up here

Lactation Support Group:
Always Free: Online and in person. Join the email List to get info on upcoming summer group meetings

Leadership Training:

PEPS facilitator informational session:
August 14th at 1pm - Register here

Thanks for being part of the TAPS community!

We have a huge opportunity for you to make a positive impact in the life of a group of new parents, just by hanging out with them each week.

Interested?

Join us on July 17th for a virtual info session and learn all about facilitating the PEPS program for new parents!

Register now for this zoom chat

Pssst - there’s still time to join a group if you and your new little one are looking for support! Whether you need an evening group, a daytime group, or a weekend group - there are options for you on the calendar!

Learn more about PEPS

We can’t wait to connect you to your group!

Starting:

Friday July 24th at 10:30 am

Thursday July 30th at 5:30pm

Saturday August 1st at 10:30am

Nuestra serie sobre programas de crianza positiva continúa con una exploración del “La proporción mágica”. Este recurso proviene del Instituto Gottman, que comparte investigaciones y educación sobre relaciones para parejas, padres y amistades.

Julie Schwarz Gottman y John Gottman han estado estudiando las relaciones, el conflicto y la reparación durante décadas. Susan, nuestra escritora del blog este mes, conoció personalmente a los Gottman a través de la terapia de pareja. Ella y su pareja estaban teniendo dificultades como nuevos padres, y buscaban maneras de sentirse menos en competencia por los escasos momentos de descanso o ocio, y más en colaboración para apoyarse mutuamente en este nuevo desafío. 😎

Los Gottman han realizado investigaciones tanto con parejas como en relaciones familiares, y han encontrado ciertos patrones sobre cómo surge el conflicto y algunos consejos clave para mejorar y fortalecer esas relaciones. Un elemento central de su filosofía es “La proporción mágica”. ¿Alguna vez has tenido un día con tus hijos en el que sientes que solo has estado apagando incendios y diciéndoles que no? ¿No es agotador? Te sientes frustrado y quemado.

Lee más en el blog

¿Tienes preguntas? ¡Pregúntale a Susan! Ella está trabajando en el próximo lote de respuestas de “Pregúntale a Susan” y quiere saber de ti.

Pregúntale a Susan

En el calendario:

Apoyo y Educación sobre la Lactancia Materna - miércoles, 22 de julio a la 1pm

Seguridad del Asiento de bebe para el Automóvil - viernes 26 de junio a las 12:30pm

¡Rellena un formulario de interés para un programa en julio!

Newborn PEPS group

Madres Solidarias

Circle of Security Parenting - English

Círculo de Seguridad Parental - en español

Recursos sobre relaciones familiares:

La proporción mágica de las relaciones, según la ciencia

▷ Qué es el Ratio Mágico de 5 a 1 de John Gottman - PsicoActiva

Programmas para padres -

De una niñez segura a una vida adulta exitosa con estrategias de crianza positiva comprobadas | Triple P

Crianza con Cariño - SAFEchild Raleigh NC

For many of you, school is out and summer is in full swing. For others, the transition to summer is still on the horizon. For those with a consistent care all year long you’re getting ready to navigate the tricky steps of moving up to the next, more advanced room in your child’s preschool or childcare center.

However you’re coming into this season, let’s take hold together of the opportunities to reflect, learn, and grow.

On the Blog

This month, we welcome back Susan A. Johns for her latest thoughts on the seasonal and annual transitions that we go through. Susan shares how her family is handling some of these transitions with tips for helping you reflect through the seasonal changes and some ideas for traditions and ceremonies that help our little ones mark their own growth and change in developmentally supportive ways.

Read more on the Blog

Are you becoming a parent soon? This is one of the biggest life changes of all - joining a PEPS group can help you find connection and support throughout this season of transition.

On the Calendar:

Summer Workshops

Car Seat Safety: (FREE)
When: June 26 and July 31
RSVP Here

Breastfeeding Education & Support Online: (FREE)
When: July 1st
RSVP Here

Summer Groups:

PEPS Groups:
12 week cohorts for 1 or 2 parents to attend with baby up to 6 months of age.
Two opportunities to join a group starting July 18th and 24th!
Sign Up here

Circle of Security Parenting Groups:
Starting July 20th at the Coven Coworking space (childcare available)
Sign Up here

Summer Lactation Support Group:
Online and in person - Join the email List to get info on upcoming summer group meetings

Resources to support transitions:

Matrescence - the Transition to Motherhood

Support Transitions for Infants and Toddlers | HeadStart.gov

The Practical Magic of Daily Routines | ZERO TO THREE

Visual Supports for Routines, Schedules, and Transitions

Creating Routines for Love and Learning | ZERO TO THREE

Easing Transitions: Picture Books for the End of the School Year

Celebrating Progress - How to reflect on a year of Learning

Navigating Transitions and Change during Back-to-School Season

RAIN Mindfullness Practice

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New global research fr…

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Black Maternal Health Week is a time to reflect on why this matters so deeply to our work at TAPS. I wanted to share this Black Maternal Health Week reflection as a shared reflection with …

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Welcome spring, pollen, flowers & sunshine! The staff and I are so excited to be attending many spring community events and hope to see you there! (Scroll down for the calendar!)

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For the last 4 years, TAPS has offered a Spring community resource fair that we’ve called a “Community Baby Shower” - but before we plan any more events, we want to learn from you. We’re …

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Acabamos de salir de las fiestas — una etapa ajetreada para todas las personas. Tomemos un momento para reflexionar y reconectar. En TAPS, nuestro objetivo es ofrecerles recursos que…

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We’ve just come out of the holidays - a hectic time for everyone. Let’s take a moment to reflect and reconnect. Our goal at TAPS is to provide you with resources that empower positive rela…

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A whole lot to be grateful for

What are we grateful for this year? We are filled with gratitude for how each of the parents and families TAPS supported this year leaned in to learning, growing, reflec…

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A estas alturas, estoy segura de que todos saben que funcionarios de Seguridad Nacional de todo tipo están realizando registros y decomisos ilegales aquí en el Triángulo (Ra…

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By now, I’m sure you’re all aware that CBP/ICE officials of all kinds are conducting illegal searches and seizures here in the Triangle (Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Fuquay, Apex, etc).

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We have lots of new followers and subscribers this month so I want to take a moment to re-introduce the team here at TAPS and help everyone get connected with the workshops, support prog…

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Our series exploring positive parenting programs continues with an exploration of the Magic Ratio. This resource comes from the Gottman Institute, which shares relationship research and education for couples, parents, and friendship.

Julie Schwarz Gottman and John Gottman have been studying relationships, conflict, and repair for decades. Susan, our blog writer this month, was personally introduced to the Gottmans through couples therapy. She and her partner struggling as new parents, and we were looking for ways to feel less in competition for the sparse moments of rest or leisure and more in collaboration to support one another through this new challenge. 😎

The Gottmans have done research with couples as well as through familial relationships, and they have found some patterns in how conflict arises and some central pieces of advice to improve and strengthen those relationships. One core element of their philosophy is the “Magic Ratio”. Have you ever gone through a day with your kids where you feel like all you’ve done is put out fires and tell them no? Isn’t it exhausting? You feel frustrated and burnt out.

Read More on the Blog

Do you have questions? Ask Susan! She’s working on the next batch of Ask Susan responses and wants to hear from you!

Ask Susan

On the Calendar!

Every Week:

Tuesdays at 6:30pm - Breastfeeding Support & Education (online in Spanish)

Wednesdays at 1pm - Breastfeeding Support & Education (options for online and in-person!)

In Durham County:

PEPS Group Leader Training - We need you! Fill out this interest form to find out about the next online PEPS leader training

In Wake County:

October 24th at 12pm on zoom - Sleep Workshop with Megan Hast, LCSW

October 31st at 1 pm - Car Seat Safety Workshop

Fill out an interest form for a Fall program!

PEPS Group leader Training

Newborn PEPS group

Madres Solidarias

Circle of Security Parenting - English

Circle of Security Parenting - Spanish

Struggling with sleep? Come to our Infant sleep workshop with Megan Hast, LCSW! One of our most popular workshops - this online connection is open to anyone - past attendees say this workshop is extremely helpful!

Fall Health and Safety Resources:

Flu and Covid Shots are covered by insurance this Fall | Forbes

Winter Car Seat Safety Tips | AAP

How to dress your baby in the Winter | Baby Center

Acetaminophen and children: Why dose matters - Mayo Clinic

When to call Emergency Services | AAP

Teaching Toddlers Hand Washing | Super Simple Learning

Did you know that children under age 4 at more at risk of drowning than any other cause of death? (I know, morbid, sorry, not sorry) Risks might include the pool, the bathtub, lakes, oceans, or backyard creeks. (Preventing Drowning | Drowning Prevention | CDC)

As a former competitive swimmer, helping families learn to love swimming and be safe in and around water is super important to me! It’s so important that I spend some of my free time volunteering with my neighborhood swim team and advocate for all my friends to get their kids swim lessons.

Last month, TAPS parents in the Durham and Chapel Hill area met up at Goldfish Swim School for a free, fun, and educational playdate. Goldfish teaches swim lessons, but also really cares about every child’s safety in the water.

Here are some tips Goldfish educator Rachel Meltzner shared with our staff and families that you can use at home:

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Hi friends,

August is national breastfeeding month and this week is Black breastfeeding week! We’re excited about the regional and local awareness building and support opportunities that are availabl…

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