Laughing through the chaos!

Stay connected with our Monthly Newsletters—packed with tips, resources, and a healthy dose of humor about the chaos of parenthood. Whether you're surviving off coffee or bribing with snacks, we’re here to grow together! Expect expert advice, hilarious kid quips, diaper-bag must-haves, parent hacks, and tips for building stronger bonds. Plus, we'll share what to watch, read, or listen to when you finally get a minute to yourself. Join us in building a community around the hardest—and most rewarding—job we'll ever have: loving our wild and wonderful kids!

Tune-in or Turn the Page

This section is where we hook you up with some sanity-saving recommendations. Whether you're finally ready to crack open a parenting book or just need something to binge-watch once the kids finally go down (if that ever happens), we’ve got you covered! From podcasts that help you laugh off the chaos to shows that make you feel like a parenting pro, this section is all about giving you some well-deserved “me time”—or at least something to play in the background while you fold that never-ending mountain of laundry!

  • "Good Inside with Dr. Becky" is a podcast hosted by Dr. Becky Kennedy, a popular Instagram psychologist. The show focuses on practical parenting tips and strategies for common challenges like encouraging independent play, resolving power struggles, and managing separation anxiety. Each episode is under an hour, making it accessible for busy parents. The podcast extends the bite-sized tips from her Instagram content into more comprehensive discussions, offering valuable guidance in a concise, approachable format. It's a great listen for those pockets of time—while cooking dinner, folding laundry, or just enjoying a quiet moment after the kids are in bed. Dr. Becky’s compassionate, no-nonsense advice feels like a deep breath for stressed-out parents.

  • I made sure to let my husband know what the documentary, "Fair Play" was about beforehand, as recommended by my buddy. I wanted him to be prepared for the discussion I knew we’d have afterward, especially since the film touches on some realities that I experience as a mother. The film opened up an important dialogue between us about the invisible mental load I often carry. Seeing it laid out in the documentary validated my feelings and sparked an honest conversation about how we can better share responsibilities at home. It was eye-opening for both of us, and I'm glad we had that space to connect and reflect on what fairness really looks like in our relationship. The film helped us see how each of us bears different, but equally important, responsibilities, and it sparked a discussion about how we can better support one another by acknowledging each other's mental load more openly. It gave us both a fresh perspective on how to find balance and share the weight more equally

  • Ever wonder how to get your kids to actually listen? In “No Drama Discipline,”the authors break down the brainy stuff in a way that actually makes sense (yea, even when you’re sleep-deprived). They highlight the fascinating link between a child’s neurological development and how parents react to misbehavior, providing a compassionate approach to dealing with tension and tears- without causing a scene. One of my favorite examples in the book is when a parent waited until the next day- after a good night’s sleep- to talk about the ‘no phones at bedtime’ rule (they took the phone away that night, of course!). Turns out tired kids aren’t the best listeners (who knew?). So, next time you’re ready to launch into your parenting speech, consider hitting pause, catch them when they’re rested and ready- your sanity will thank you!

Tiny Tales

Here we dish out snack ideas that are toddler-approved (or at least toddler-tolerated). Whether you're trying to avoid the classic floor-drop or just need a snack that can keep your little one happy for the length of solving your daily wordle, this is the spot for you.

Do you have a snack that your toddler actually eats without a meltdown? Share your brilliance! Email me your favorite easy treats, and we’ll spread the snack love in future newsletters. Let’s unite in the battle of snack time—one crumb-covered victory at a time!

Snack Shack

OATMEAL PEANUT BUTTER BITES

1 1/2 CUPS OLD FASHIONED OATS

1/2 CUP CREAMY PEANUT BUTTERMELTED

1/4 CUP MINI CHOCOLATE CHIPS

1/4 CUP HONEY MELTED

1/4 TSP. GROUND CINNAMON

1/4 TSP. VANILLA EXTRACT

COMBINE ALL OF THE INGREDIENTS IN A LARGE MIXING BOWL. STIR UNTIL COMBINED.

ROLL OUT 15 BITE SIZE BALLS.

PLACE IN THE REFRIGERATOR UNTIL READY TO EAT.

Here is where we dive into the survival gear every parent needs! From the essentials (wipes for days) to the unexpected life-savers (doogie poop bags), we’ll share the best diaper-bag must-haves that keep you prepared for anything—from blowouts to meltdowns. It’s like packing a magic toolkit that helps you feel ready for parenthood’s messiest moments!

Got a genius diaper-bag hack or a go-to item you can't live without? We’d love to hear it! Email me your tips and tricks, and we’ll feature them in upcoming newsletters so we can all benefit from your parent superpowers

What is in your Diaper Bag?

Who is behind the newsletters?

I’m Carmel, the youngest of five, raised just outside Chicago with 45+ cousins, all just a hop, skip, and a jump away—literally. So, it’s safe to say, I’ve seen every kind of parenting style due to the fact that I have had my fair share of chaos at cousin sleepovers. Or maybe its the aunts, uncles and now cousins who are parents raining in the kiddos at the yearly Christmas Eve party, where over 200 of us squeeze into Aunt Katie and Uncle Bill’s TV room for a 'post-Mass family slideshow.' It’s just as loud, chaotic, and full of love and laughter as you’d imagine!

I’ve had the privilege of assisting my mom run her camp in Chicago, I studied Visual Arts and Education at Regis, taught children from preschool to middle school art in Denver, and was a Parenting Coach here in Chaffee County, where I also taught classes. I’m honored to be running AVP, which is always teaching me something new. I love to explore books, shows, and more to stay current on the latest parenting advice. I’ve also had formal training in Nurturing Parenting and Guiding Good Choices—so, while I’m still figuring things out like everyone else, I’ve gathered some tools that help when, say, a kid is flinging spaghetti at the wall!

Does this make me a perfect parent with a perfect child? Absolutely not! Am I free from chasing my toddler at the park while juggling my coffee and a sippy cup? Definitely not. I have a two-year-old, so my parenting journey is just getting started. Parenting is messy and unpredictable, but we’re in this together, right? That’s why Whitney and I decided to start these newsletters, to share ideas, to learn alongside y’all and build a strong community of support- cause parenting is hard!

Remember that time you got together with your partner and things were easy, carefree, even fun?! Then, we all went and decided to complicate things and add some tiny humans that have the ability to bring insane joy and happiness, laughter, and also bring tension, discomfort, and anger. Don’t get me wrong, I love my little dudes, but holy cannoli, they have moments where I look at my partner and think to myself ‘what the hell have we done?!’.

For those of you I haven’t met yet my name is Whitney Cline and I am a Marriage and Family Therapist. I have two boys, Wilder (5) at Longfellow, and Everett (2) here at AVP. My partner Chad and I are Denver natives, and chose to move this circus to Salida about 3 years ago.

All this is to say, the goal with this section of our AVP Newsletter is to check in, a means of imparting some tips and tricks that can help us reconnect with our partners, and create a little more space for how we see ourselves as a couple, before, and during the kiddos. I accept that some of these tips may not work for you and yours, I also know some of the things I say aren’t for everyone. I am doing this in the spirit of remembering that everyone has their own stuff, and our partnerships certainly carry different strengths and weaknesses. Take it for what you will, try if you want, no one is perfect.