At one time or another, all parents feel like their child is acting “out of control.” But eventually this feeling passes as the event passes. But for some parents, an out-of-control child is not a fleeting phenomena but a 24/7 reality. These children constantly push the limits and seem to care very little (if at all) about the consequences.If you are the parent of an out of control child, you must take steps to maintain your authority, not only for your child’s well-being, but for your own ...read more
Tips to Help Bond with Your Teen
When our children are young, they come to us, it seems, innumerable times throughout the day wanting to share something with us. An idea they had, a discovery, questions about life. At times these visits aren’t so helpful or desired, like when we’re on an important conference call or having… private time with our spouse.But we should savor each and every interaction we have with our kids, because eventually they grow up to be teenagers and want nothing to do with us!Okay, not exactly. But kind ...read more
How to Feel Less Stress as a Parent when the Kids Go Back to School
Starting a new school year can be super exciting. It can also be stressful, both for the child and the parents. The following are some ways you can ease back into a new schoolyear but leave the stress behind!Meet the New TeacherOne of the biggest fears many young children have is will they like and feel comfortable with their new teacher. To address this fear, be sure to take advantage of the school’s open house so your child can see exactly where their new classroom is and who their teacher ...read more
Helping Kids Cope with Divorce
Divorce isn’t easy for anyone, but children can take it particularly hard. Many children don’t understand what is happening and many more feel the divorce is somehow their fault. Here’s how you can help your child cope:Communicate OpenlyThe divorce should be explained in simple and straightforward terms. If at all possible, both parents should be part of the conversation. Your language should be tailored to the age of your children as well. So for instance, when speaking with very small ...read more
What Determines Gender Identity and How Can Parents Help?
Gender identity, what makes someone feel they have been born into the wrong body? Gender identity is a prominent topic these days thanks to the transgender movement, yet many people are still uncertain about what causes this issue. What is it, exactly, that determines whether an individual thinks of themselves as “male” or “female” or something else or neither of these two options? It seems that a possible answer to this question lies in the structure of our brains. A considerable number ...read more
Co-Parenting Strategies for Divorced Parents
Co-parenting strategies for divorced parents can be learned. Going through a divorce can bring the worst out of a couple that once promised each other forever. Your world might feel like it’s falling apart, and trying to co-parent when you’re struggling to simply keep going can be overwhelming. Learning to co-parent won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible. Use the five strategies below to start co-parenting with your ex. 1. Focus on the Children By maintaining the focus on what’s best for ...read more
5 Reasons Why Parents Don’t Discuss Child Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse is not going away. According to the US Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused by the time they are 18, and 44% of rape victims are under age 18. Sadly, but not surprisingly, victims of sexual assault are three times more likely to suffer from depression, 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol, 26 times more likely to abuse drugs, and four times more likely to contemplate suicide according to the Rape and Incest National Network ...read more
How Family Therapy Can Help During This Lingering Covid Crisis
It has been almost a year since the world changed with the Covid-19 virus. After months and months of being locked down, many families are experiencing burnout from being forced to be home together so much. Family therapy during covid may be the answer. While the vaccines are being rolled out, we are still getting mixed reports and messages from the media as to when life might return to normal. Some schools have opened, but many have not. Parents are still scrambling to figure out how to make ...read more
Parenting the Highly Sensitive Child
Parenting the highly sensitive child can be tricky. If your child is sensitive to the emotions of others, worrisome and easily overwhelmed by changes or new people and environments, you may have a highly sensitive child. Parenting can be demanding, and parenting a highly sensitive child can present additional challenges. However, with a few simple strategies, you can better manage everyday problems and create a more peaceful home for the both of you. Change Your Viewpoint: First, it’s ...read more
How to Bring Up Resilient Children
How can parents bring up resilient children? Have you heard the phrase “helicopter parent?” It describes a mother or father that ‘hovers’ around their child 24/7, overseeing their life to keep them from every potential danger, pitfall and mishap. It looks good on paper, but this kind of parenting forgets one important fact of reality: life happens. Adversity happens to all of us. Those children who engage with adversity in their formative years learn how to handle it well and come up with ...read more