Advice for Parents by Doris Smeltzer

The Journey of self-acceptance is best when taken with others

OK...I know I continually return to the resource I've written about a few times already, but it really is that good. In Off the C.U.F.F.: A Parent Skills Book for the Management of Disordered Eating Dr. Nancy Zucker has so many practical suggestions for how we as parents can navigate the so often tumultuous terrain of our child's eating disorder that, I believe, it is worth the blog time I'm giving it.

Signs of our times

Yesterday, we had a bit of excitement in Napa. The local college, where my husband Tom is a professor, experienced an emergency lock down. Students and teachers were not allowed to leave their classrooms from about 2 PM to about 5:30 PM because two armed "bank" robbers chose to hide out in the campus library.  The stress of the situation was not helped by the fact that yesterday was the anniversary of the Columbine shootings.

Self care

A few weeks ago I wrote about my renewed commitment to spend time every day taking care of me. Except for a few slip ups, I've been excited with how consistently I've honored this pledge to myself.  What has amazed me is that even though I am taking time out of each day to pamper me (either with a soak in the hot tub, an extended bit of meditation, reading a good book, a meal prepared just for me--eaten with complete presence and gratitude, or a walk in nature) all those pressing jobs in my life are still being accomplished. I am seriously astonished. How is my work getting done without me spending every waking moment attempting to complete each task?

Updates on the "Health At Every Size" Movement

I'd planned on writing a different blog today but before beginning I checked my email.  I received such an exciting update from Linda Bacon that I just had to share major portions of it with you today. If you have yet to read Linda's amazing book, Health at Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight, please find a way to do so...it will change your life!  This is information ALL parents need. In Linda's email she shared: