Wanting kids does not always equal happy parenting.

Is parenting not quite what you envisioned?

Did your new addition change the dynamics at home, at work, in your relationships? We get it. Parenting can surprise you. But just because you wanted kids doesn’t mean you have to struggle at it alone.

In this month’s newsletter, we're shining a light on the support that ECPP has available to you! And a space just for our Dads too! (Don’t miss it.)

Because we recognize that when parents thrive, children flourish.

Inner child healing — understanding how your own early experiences shape how you parent today

Emotional regulation — building the skills to pause and respond rather than react
Parent coaching — practical strategies for the real, hard moments
Life transition support — navigating the identity shifts that come with parenthood
Dad support groups — community in fatherhood

Wed, Mar 4

March Blog: You Planned for This. Why Does It Feel So Hard?

The exhaustion, the self-doubt, the moments you react in ways that surprise you — none of it means you're failing. It means you're human. In our blog this month, we're talking honestly about what parents of young children are quietly carrying, why it shows up the way it does, and the support that is available to you.

Are you a parent that needs support? Meet Amy!

In a season that demands so much of your time, your energy and your budget, we understand that it’s not always easy to take care of yourself. In our attempts to make therapy more realistic, Amy is offering: Virtual Therapy for Parents , and Accepts Insurance - Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and CareFirst.

“As a parent, I know firsthand that everyday parenting can feel both beautiful and exhausting — sometimes at the very same time! I sit with parents as someone who understands how complex and humbling this season can be and to create a safe, judgment-free space where you can be honest about what’s hard and receive both emotional support and practical guidance. I truly believe we all do the best we can with what we know — and when we learn more, we try to do better.“

What I wish more people understood about early childhood: “Two things: everything is connected, and relationships matter. With young children, it’s never “just” the behavior. Development, environment, sensory needs, and emotional experiences all influence what we see on the surface.

The parent-child relationship is foundational. It’s incredibly important—but it’s also important to give ourselves grace. No one is perfect and there will absolutely be moments of disconnection or rupture in every relationship. What truly matters, though, is the repair. Those moments of reconnection are where growth and trust are built and we always have a chance to make things better.”

Connect with Amy today!

A Space Just For Dads!

Do you feel like your patience is being tested? Are daily transitions like getting dressed, brushing teeth, or getting in the car turning into power struggles? Do you find yourself reacting quicker than you’d like?

You love your kids but lets face it, there was no training for this. And our own examples of fatherhood might actually be making it harder.

Our resident dad, Justin Gutterman knows all about it and is here to help you figure it out.

No lectures, no parenting shame. Just real tools that work in real life. How to:

reduce daily escalations
handle transitions without yelling
steady emotions
lead with control, not guilt

Our Virtual Fathers Group for VA Dads still has a few spots available SIGN UP HERE or BOOK A FREE CONSULT with Justin today.

💜 Women's History Month

Honoring Mary Ainsworth — The Woman Who Helped Us Understand the Parent-Child Bond

This March, we want to take a moment to honor a woman whose work quietly shapes everything we do at ECPP.

Dr. Mary Ainsworth (1913–1999) was a developmental psychologist whose groundbreaking research gave us the framework of attachment theory — the idea that the bond between a caregiver and child is not just emotionally meaningful, but essential to healthy development.

Her landmark "Strange Situation" studies in the 1970s revealed how the quality of early caregiving shapes a child's sense of safety, trust, and ability to explore the world. Her work transformed how therapists, educators, and parents understand the parent-child relationship.

At a time when the emotional lives of infants and young children were largely dismissed, Dr. Ainsworth insisted they mattered. Her voice, her research, and her decades of dedication changed the field — and it continues to guide us every single day.

To every parent reading this: the care you give matters more than you know. Dr. Ainsworth proved it.

Free Family Fun!

Kids United Parents Night In: St. Patrick’s Day Soccer & Social

Kids will enjoy an evening of soccer games, activities, and plenty of time on the field while parents have the chance to relax and socialize.

📍 Where: 2312 B Hunters Woods Plaza
Reston, VA 20191

🕑 When: Tuesday, Mar 17 from 5:30 pm to 8 pm
💲 Cost: FREE

Click here to learn more and reserve your spot!

Kids’ Festival with the Easter Bunny

Bring the whole family for an unforgettable festival experience! For your little ones there will be easter egg hunts, face painting and arts & crafts. Along with live music, great drinks, moonbounces, and a full outdoor playground to ensure everyone has a blast.

Click here for more info and to reserve your spot!

📍 Where: 7581 Colshire Drive, Tysons, VA 22102

🕑 When: Sunday, Mar 29 from 12 pm to 6 pm
💲 Cost: FREE