It was 20 years ago this month that my grandfather passed away. This was my first experience with death and the dying process. I was 12 years old, and I still remember the feelings I felt to the news that he passed away… extreme sadness, shock, anger, worry, confusion, etc. Those are a lot of feelings for any child to experience all at once.
Read MoreChildren face many obstacles as they grow such as school challenges, social issues, bullying, life transitions, etc. Each of these can rock one’s world that can lead to heightened anxiety or depression. All too often our child’s wellbeing is only associated with physical health while mental health and anxiety are overlooked. If your child was physically injured or sick, you would bring them to the doctor. If your child was failing a class, you would get them tutoring.
Read MoreSince life changed in March, you may have noticed your child having more potty accidents, thumb sucking, or drinking from a bottle when your child has not done these things in years. Your child may also have more tantrums and appear clingy as well. It can feel confusing as a parent as to why this is happening and what to do about it.
Read MoreIf you have not talked with your children about race, now is the time. The topic can be sensitive, enlightening, and uncomfortable, but it is imperative to create a dialogue for the ones that will soon run this world, and hopefully, make it a more inclusive and peaceful one. It may be difficult to know how to start the conversation. Here’s how:
Read MoreDuring this time, you may notice an increase in tantrums, yelling and fighting between siblings. Changing the way we view behavior is an important step in positive parenting. Children use behavior to communicate when they cannot articulate what they are feeling. As parents, we can often find ourselves using language such as “you’re being good” or “stop being bad”.
Read MoreDuring these tough times, it can be hard for anyone to self-regulate, but especially children. You may have a child who has a ton of energy, so it’s been difficult for your child to burn it all off with staying at home. You may have a child who has been struggling to focus on school work with having to learn online. You may also have a child who struggles with regulating their feelings. How is a child supposed to learn how to regulate?
Read MoreI was sitting on the couch with my husband, eating my favorite chips from childhood, and watching a movie from the 80’s, when I asked, “Do you think our kids are regressing during all of this?” I knew the answer. In some ways the regressions were positive: more imaginary play, time away from structured activities lead to more free play, and more independence.
Read MoreI want to let every parent know that these times are hard and to be okay if your day doesn’t go smoothly. Kids are bored, parents are overwhelmed, and everyone is stressed. I wanted to create a list of things to do with your children to help ease some of the stress, but please know it’s okay if you just make it through the day with love, screen time, and survival.
Read MoreChances are your children have heard about the coronavirus somehow, whether they overheard it on the news, they heard about it from other children, or they overheard adults talking about it. When adults present anxiety about the coronavirus, children will definitely pick up on the anxiety.
Read MoreI was recently interviewed for an article on Highly Sensitive People (HSP) . The amount of feedback was surprising at first. Many people reached out to tell me their experiences with HSP, either with themselves or their family. I then realized with about 20 percent of the population being a HSP, there is no wonder the impact the article had on others.
Read MoreWe have said it over and over again: the holidays can feel stressful. The holidays can especially feel stressful when you have a child/ren who become overwhelmed easily, have sensory issues, and/or have issues with regulation. Not to worry! I am here to share tips on how to navigate these meltdowns.
Read MoreYou may have heard of attachment theory before and if you’ve ever had a general psychology class, you may be aware of the infamous Bowlby and Ainsworth experiments. For those of us that are newer to the theory, no worries. This blog will give a basic understanding of attachment styles and how they impact our relationships.
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