Surviving and Skill Building
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve been forced to take on new and different roles, to change our routines, and to adjust to restrictions that limit our usual activities. Although these changes can be stressful, they also provide opportunities to learn and practice many valuable skills including flexibility, communication, and problem solving. On […]
Helping Grieve the Lost Events of Spring 2020
Graduations, proms, musicals, concerts, senior recitals, birthday parties… the list goes on. There has already been a long list of postponed or cancelled events, and it will likely grow longer. There are even things that might seem minor, but have still been suddenly changed without the chance for proper closure. My daughter is grieving that […]
Why Is My Anxious Kid So Angry?
It’s easy to recognize that a child hiding behind a parent’s leg, trying to disappear from a friendly stranger’s questions, may be feeling shy and a little anxious at that moment. It’s also pretty widely acknowledged that certain scenarios like public speaking, starting a new school, or going away to camp may create a bit […]
Responding to Parent Social Media Concerns
I have recently been asked about the following article from Medium.com by multiple parents: “I’m a 37-Year-Old Mom & I Spent Seven Days Online as an 11-Year-Old Girl. Here’s What I Learned.” Parents have asked about my opinion of child social media use in light of this article, and generally how concerned they should be. […]
Changing Unhelpful Thoughts into Helpful Thoughts
In fits of frustration, an intense and upset child might exclaim, “I hate my life! I’m so stupid!” These kids sometimes hit themselves, destroy their work, and seem out of control. It can be really hard to listen to your child say terribly mean things to himself. It can be scary to think your child […]
48 Hours with a Tablet: Lessons Learned
My family did some traveling for Thanksgiving, and we typically use a portable DVD player to keep our 6 and 3-year-old daughters content during longer trips. Before the trip, I took the girls to the library and saw they have tablets with various educational games to check-out. So, thinking that this would be a better […]
Crying Over Spilled Hot Chocolate: An Opportunity for Teaching Self-Regulation, Problem-Solving, and Growth Mindset
The other day, I came home to find my 6 year old son flat on the kitchen floor, red faced, and cry-yelling, “I am so STUPID and I can’t do ANYTHING and NOTHING is working and we don’t even have any paper towels!!” A quick scan of the kitchen revealed a counter of spilled milk […]
Being a Pillar When Facing Conflict
Anyone who spends a lot of time with adolescents is used to hearing about the day-to-day “drama” of peer relationships. For teens prone to anxiety and low self-esteem, even relatively minor conflicts with peers can create elevated distress. These are teens who tend to have difficulty accurately interpreting non-verbal cues and who react strongly to […]
“Remember when…” A Helpful Way to be Mindful of How Your Child Experiences a Moment
In a moment of conflict, frustration, or exhaustion, we can easily lose sight of the impact our words and actions have on our kids. We may be flooded with our own emotions and needs, such that we are not pausing to consider what is happening inside our child. We may be very aware of […]
Mindfully Communicating with Teachers
As the new school year gets into full swing, you likely have had opportunities to meet new teachers, classroom aides, intervention specialists, and other staff that may be helping your child. If you haven’t, then the opportunity is probably not far away. Teachers and school staff play a vital role in the day-to-day experience of […]