Baird Counseling

08/16/2026

So yesterday (Saturday, August 15, 2026) was National Relaxation Day. Today is Sunday, August 16—but I fully support extending the celebration all weekend.

What did you do this weekend to relax? Comment below

08/13/2026

08/13/2026

❤️ Love Language Date Challenge

Purpose: Help each partner better understand how the other experiences love and turn that insight into a concrete action.

1. Take the Love Language Quiz
Have each partner independently complete the Love Language Quiz and identify their primary love language:

* Words of Affirmation
* Quality Time
* Acts of Service
* Receiving Gifts
* Physical Touch

2. Share & Discuss
Each partner shares their result. Discuss:

* Does this result feel accurate?
* What does this love language look like to you personally?
* What are 2–3 things your partner does that make you feel especially loved?
* What is something you wish happened more often?
* Are there ways your partner has been showing love that you may not have recognized because it isn’t your primary love language?

3. Plan a Date for Your Partner
Each person plans one date centered around their partner’s love language rather than their own preferences.

For example, if your partner’s language is Quality Time, plan an uninterrupted evening together. For Acts of Service, take something off their plate before the date. For Words of Affirmation, incorporate a handwritten note or meaningful conversation. For Receiving Gifts, include a small thoughtful item connected to them. For Physical Touch, create opportunities for affectionate, mutually comfortable connection.

4. After the Dates — Debrief
Ask each other: “What part of the date made you feel most loved?” and “What is one thing from this experience that you would like us to incorporate into our relationship more regularly?”

08/13/2026

📚🎮 Book of the Month: How to Raise a Healthy Gamer by Dr. Alok Kanojia

First, I apologize for the delay in getting this month’s book recommendation posted! Like so many families, I’ve been juggling the transition into a new school year while also squeezing in the last of our summer vacation plans. Sometimes life gets busy, and that actually ties in perfectly with why I chose this month’s book.

As we transition from the freedom and flexibility of summer back into academics, schedules, homework, activities, and earlier bedtimes, there’s naturally an adjustment to change for both kids and parents.

I chose How to Raise a Healthy Gamer because technology and gaming are a very real part of our children’s world. Rather than approaching screens as simply “good” or “bad,” this book offers parents a relatable perspective on moderation, healthy boundaries, communication, and balance.

As parents, the goal doesn’t necessarily have to be eliminating gaming or technology. It’s helping our kids learn how to navigate it in a healthy way alongside school, friendships, family time, sleep, responsibilities, and other interests.

As we head into another school year, this felt like a timely and practical read for parents navigating many of the same conversations in their own homes.

Here’s to finding a little more balance as we settle into the new school year!

Baird Counseling

07/29/2026

As we’re halfway through 2026, I wanted to check in with everyone who created a vision board or set goals for the year.

Take a few minutes to pause and reflect. Progress isn’t always measured by checking every box—sometimes it’s found in the ways we’ve grown, adapted, or persevered through unexpected challenges. Wherever you are in your journey, give yourself credit for how far you’ve come.

Here are a few questions to reflect on:

1. Looking back at the goals or vision you set in January, what progress are you most proud of?
2. What unexpected challenges or opportunities have shaped your year so far?
3. Are your current goals still aligned with what matters most to you, or have your priorities shifted?
4. What is one habit or mindset that has helped you move forward—and one that may be holding you back?
5. If you could choose one meaningful focus for the second half of 2026, what would it be, and what is one small step you can take this week to move toward it?

Remember, it’s never too late to adjust your course. Growth isn’t about perfection, its about progress and the ability to move in the direction of the life you want to create.

07/11/2026

Challenge to post something that makes you feel happy. Try to remove the ability to see likes or comments. Just post it for yourself. See how you feel.

07/11/2026

Posting things that make you happy can increase Dopamine release.

07/01/2026

If you’re feeling stressed or overstimulated during this holiday season, think about application of grounding techniques.

06/29/2026

📚 July Book Recommendation

This month's recommendation is The Comfort Book by Matt Haig.

If you're looking for an easy, uplifting read this summer, this is one to add to your list. Rather than a traditional novel, it's filled with short reflections that offer perspective during difficult days and gentle reminders about resilience, self-compassion, gratitude, and hope.

Sometimes the smallest shift in perspective can make the biggest difference.

⭐ Easy to read
⭐ Thought-provoking
⭐ Perfect for reading a few pages at a time