by Ashley Barkley | Oct 26, 2018
We have an expectation in our family about physical activity. The expectation is that it’s mandatory! Each day, we plan to move our bodies in some way. Some days it may be going to the gym, others it may be walking around the zoo or riding scooters/bikes around the...
by Ashley Barkley | Jun 17, 2018
Empathy is a concept easily talked about but much less easily understood. Furthermore, the application of true empathy can be immensely challenging. The basic definition of empathy is the attempt of imagining or trying to share the feelings of another. Empathy is...
by Ashley Barkley | May 16, 2018
“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”— Martin Luther King, Jr. on diversity Connecting with others When is the last time you invited friends to your...
by Ashley Barkley | May 10, 2018
Ashley Barkley is on a mission. A former school counselor and Acorn’s adolescent therapist, Ashley wants to help our high school and middle school students end school violence. They can change the face of our schools. She talks about empowering students to fight...
by Ashley Barkley | Apr 17, 2018
Every day, headlines are becoming more devastating in the realm of school violence. Polarizing politics involving gun control and mental health regulations, make us overwhelmed and incapable of making positive and lasting changes. As a parent and mental health...
by Ashley Barkley | Feb 13, 2018
A man had a tenacious dream to open his own restaurant in New Orleans but real estate was pricey. A few years ago, he made it to the show “Chopped”. He planned to use the winnings as a downpayment for his dream. He made it to the final round but cut his finger so...
by Ashley Barkley | Nov 22, 2017
“But Dad, EVERYONE has the iPhone X! I don’t understand why I have to keep my old phone. Anyway, Christmas is coming up so can’t you just get it for me then?”. Parents, does this conversation sound familiar? The holidays are upon us and while they can bring a season...
by Ashley Barkley | Aug 31, 2017
Youth Sports. There is nothing that brings joy to a parent’s heart quite like seeing their little ballerina dancing across a stage in full (and most darling!) costume or watching their soccer player, all knees and elbows, running wildly across the field after scoring...
by Ashley Barkley | Apr 7, 2016
Village People It’s 8:45am and I need to drop my 2-year-old off at Mother’s Day Out to make it to work in time. I get her loaded in the car and try to start it. Nothing. My battery is dead and my husband is traveling for work. We have no family that lives in town....
