With summer in full swing and the kids out of school, you may often find yourself thinking or even saying to someone, “my kids are driving me crazy!” If that’s you this summer, here are a few suggestions to ward off the craziness. Don’t give in to the idea that you have to keep your…
6 Ways to Protect Your Child’s Mental Health
There’s a lot of mental health chatter these days and for good reason. Consider these facts: 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and…
Talking to Your Child About Death
Talking to your child about death is a conversation no parent wants to have. But death is a subject that our kids must face in their lives, some sooner than others. For some, it’s the death of a parent or grandparent. For others, it’s the death of a famous person or the death of unknown…
5 Ways to Nurture Security In Your Kids
We all like to feel a sense of safety and security. Kids are no different. Children who feel secure are more likely to become independent and emotionally healthy as they grow up. When a child feels secure, they feel safe, not just physically, but emotionally as well. Children need to feel that it is okay…
The Myth of Quality Time
Quality time versus quantity time–which is most impactful when it comes to your children? Quantity time for parents and kids refers to the amount of time a parent is physically present with their child. But even in the quantity of that time, the parent may be only physically present and not emotionally present. Quality time is…
A Parent’s Mental Health: Are You Running on Fumes?
During this month when we focus on mental health awareness, let’s not forget about parents and their mental health. A parent’s mental health can range from burnout to depression to more severe mental health disorders. If you have any doubts or questions about the severity of your mental health, please seek help from a counselor…
How to Talk to Your Children About War
How do you talk to your children about war? When Russia invaded Ukraine a couple of months ago, news of the war was everywhere. Perhaps you or your kids have felt overwhelmed or uneasy at all the reports and very graphic pictures of the atrocities. How much should parents shield their kids from the realities…
“My Child’s Mental Health is Great!”….But is it really?
It can be difficult to detect mental health problems in children because childhood development is a changing process that can account for a lot of up and down emotions. It can also be difficult to detect when a child needs the help of a mental health expert because the symptoms may differ according to a…
Do You Hear Your Kids? 5 Listening Skills for Parents
While most of us admit that listening to our kids is important, we fall short when the rubber meets the road and instead assume that our kids should be listening to US. But if we want our kids to listen to us, then we must begin by listening to them. When children feel listened to…
8 Ways to Avoid Fights With Your Children
No matter how much you want to avoid fights with your children–or conflicts, or heated disagreements, or whatever you want to call them–even the most controlled parent can find themselves doing just that, because kids are masters at pushing your buttons. When you feel the anger rising within you, remember that the best way to…