Posts by Deborah MacNamara, Author at Motherly
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Deborah MacNamara

Deborah MacNamara, PhD, is a developmental counsellor and is on faculty at the Neufeld Institute. She makes sense of kids for the adults who are responsibile for them. Deborah is the author of Rest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (or anyone who acts like one), and Nourished: Connection, Food, and Caring for our Kids (and everyone else we love).

little boy playing with a toy guitar
Toddler Milestones

How to ease your toddler’s separation anxiety: 5 tips to better attachment

Toddlers are highly dependent on others for caretaking, and staying close to you is one of their biggest jobs.

Updated Mar. 23, 2023
Toddler Milestones, Parenting, Toddler
little girl sitting in booster seat in the car- how to make school mornings easier
Back To School

This is how to make your morning routines for school easier—and less hectic

2. Solicit good intentions.

Updated Aug. 11, 2023
Back To School, Tips & Tricks
Parenting

How to be your child’s safe space

Rest matters because it frees our attention. When we don’t have to look for love, we can start to figure out who we are.

Updated Oct. 14, 2021
Parenting
Children's Health

How to help your worried child express their feelings

Come alongside them.

Updated Oct. 14, 2021
Children's Health, Health & Wellness, Life
Health & Wellness

Boys *do* cry—and parents must let them feel all their emotions

The more our children can feel, the more caring they will be. 

Updated Oct. 14, 2021
Health & Wellness, It's Science, Life
Back To School

The one thing every child needs to bring with them to school

Think of it as their shield.

Updated Oct. 31, 2022
Back To School
little toddler looking at camera
Child Learn & Play

Want to raise resilient kids? Teach them to embrace their feelings

It is the emotional mending of what has been broken that paves the way to being able to thrive and bounce back.

Updated Oct. 28, 2022
Child Learn & Play, Child, Children's Health, Parenting
Life

What every parent needs to know about human emotional development

1. We often use the word emotion and feeling interchangeably, but they refer to different things.

Updated Oct. 12, 2021
Life
mom taking a selfie with two kids
Toddler Learn & Play

Kids not listening? They might be craving a deeper connection—to you

You cannot truly care for a child who has not given their heart to you.

Updated Feb. 10, 2022
Toddler Learn & Play, Child, Child Learn & Play, Parenting, Toddler
Child

Your independent child is evidence of a healthy parental attachment 

When children can take us for granted, they can leap into new surroundings of their own making.

Updated Oct. 12, 2021
Child, Child Learn & Play, Parenting
Parenting

Help your kids solve sibling fights—without affecting your own relationship

Play matchmaker!

Updated Oct. 12, 2021
Parenting
Parenting

Why timeouts don’t work for toddlers

When we get a young child on our side, it can prevent dealing with big reactions and upset in the moment.

Updated Oct. 13, 2017
Parenting, Toddler, Toddler Learn & Play
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