Jen O'Rourke
Jen is a mom, child psychotherapist, and parent educator. She spent 12 years in Los Angeles building her career and family before moving back to her home state of Indiana. Jen currently lives in Zionsville with her husband, 3 year old son, and 7 month old daughter. She spends most of her free time reheating the same cup of coffee and looking for her car keys.
Dear Moms: Ask Someone to Take Your Picture
My family and I just returned from the most beautiful vacation in Turks and Caicos-I’ve been flipping through the photos all day. But you know what was almost missing from those photos? Me, also...
Seven Things I Did to Boost My Mood During Quarantine
A few weeks ago I hit a wall and got in a bit of a funk. I noticed I was more irritable than normal, my energy was low, and I wasn’t sleeping well. After...
Top Reasons You Should Consider Teletherapy During Covid
When Covid-19 hit in March many of my therapy clients wanted to pause on coming into sessions for a few weeks. Very quickly after that I shut the doors to my office and went...
When Breastfeeding Hurts: How I Pushed for Answers and Found Help
The first latch hurt so did the next one, and the one after that. I was told it since I was a first-time mom it might be uncomfortable but this was downright painful! Within...
Wear a Mask. It’s Science.
I recently saw a video of a woman throwing an epic tantrum in Costco because they asked her to wear a mask in their store per the store policy. She laid on the floor,...
An Open Letter to Black Moms
Dear Black Moms,
I’m thinking of you right now, and you’ve been on my mind every single day since George Floyd was murdered. I heard George cry out for his mama as his last breathes...
Screen Time: A Free for All in Quarantine
I think too much screen time for children under the age of 5 and especially under the age of 2 can be harmful to the developing brain of a child. There I said it....
Our First Year in the AU Pair Program: The Good and the Bad
Almost exactly 1 year ago I was in childcare hell. Our nanny, from a nanny service, had called out sick, or with a flat tire, or an emergency, or whatever the excuse was that...
5 Tips for Rehabilitating a Picky Eater
Is there anything more frustrating than a picky eater? Rushing around at the end of the day to put a healthy and tasty meal on the table only to have your child scream in...
6 Tips to Manage Your Toddlers Separation Anxiety: A Mental Health Perspective
My daughter is now almost 18 months, and we are in the throes of some pretty serious separation anxiety-I’m talking full-on tears, clinging, and protest when I even so much as turn my back...
The Push to Silence Mommy Talk and Why We Shouldn’t Let It Happen
I was sitting at Starbucks not too long ago and overheard two women complain that their friend had nothing to talk about but her child. One “friend” states that this woman used to be...
Your Toddler’s Behavior Is Not a Measure of Your Success as a Parent
I’ve heard a few times tales of toddlers that listen when their parents tell them no. They follow routines, order, and don’t dare to push back on the rules. I was in a conversation...
When a Baby Needs Mental Health Treatment
Most of my career has been devoted to play therapy and the mental health treatment of children ages 0-5-with a particular focus on trauma. When I tell people this they often understand the play...
The Gift I Give My Children Every Year
On my sons 1st birthday I found myself searching for the perfect birthday gift for him. Sure he’d get plenty of toys and cute clothes from friends and family, but I wanted to give...