Being a child isn’t all fun and games. Children are constantly faced with new challenges and social pressures, not to mention their growing bodies are changing rapidly. Once they hit adolescence, the hormonal changes associated with puberty may also cause feelings of sadness or frustration, making kids moody or irritable. For some kids, this moodiness […]
Snapchat: A guide to keeping our teens safe
If you have teens or tweens in your house, you’ve probably heard about Snapchat — the uber-popular social messaging app that users use to exchange pictures and videos (called snaps) that capture life’s everyday moments. But while many parents have heard about Snapchat, most of us can admit we don’t know the ins and outs […]
Help your teen develop healthy romantic relationships and watch for red flags in unhealthy ones
Teen dating violence is no small problem and, sadly, is much more common than many parents believe. It’s estimated 1 in 3 girls in this country is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Nearly 1.5 million high-school students nationwide experience physical abuse […]
Family says counseling, open communication key to strong mental health
For Cohen Pierce, it was triggered by the transition to middle school. For his younger sister Lila, it was most apparent the morning of test days. The “its” in both cases were mental health concerns. Cohen’s depression manifested as changes in his personality. He went from his normal happy-go-lucky self to feeling down and negative […]
The “terrible 2s” and tools to survive them
We’ve all heard about — and experienced — the terrible 2s. The frequent meltdowns, temper tantrums and misbehavior at a whim. Kids this age are so eager to explore the world and test their surroundings that when they hit a roadblock, such as mom’s concern for their safety or their inability to score a goal, […]
How to manage toddler tantrums
Many parents of toddlers face the same behavioral issues day in and day out. From mealtime meltdowns to bedtime battles to toileting troubles, it seems as if there’s no end in sight for the dreaded T word: tantrums. “The reality is when anyone acquires a new skill or a new routine, it’s always going to […]