Coping with Loss During the Holidays

Quite a lot has been written about loss and grief. Many people are familiar with the model of grief introduced by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross that talks about denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Another well accepted model of grieving discusses 4 phases: numbness, searching and yearning, disorganization and despair, and reorganization and recovery. This model also … Read more

Battling the Wintertime Blues

Many people start feeling blue as the air turns chilly and the days get shorter. However, for some this seasonal change in mood is more serious and may require treatment. Seasonal Affective Disorder (also called SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year, usually beginning in the fall and … Read more

Bedwetting and Your Child

The medical term for bedwetting is enuresis. Enuresis refers to the “involuntary voiding of urine” after an age by which bladder control should have been established. Developmentally speaking, most children gain bladder control by the age of four or five. Most children who have enuresis have nocturnal (nighttime) type. In other words, they wet the … Read more

Parenting in the Digital Age

Many parents feel completely overwhelmed with regard to how to manage their children’s interactions with the digital world. With the advent of cell phones, Facebook, online gaming and GPS tracking, the decisions that parents need to make are numerous and often seem very complex. It doesn’t help that many parents lack knowledge and personal experience … Read more

Healthy Families and the Coming Out of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth

Within the past month, there has been an increase in the amount of attention given to the issues surrounding Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) youth, especially the effects of peer bullying. As I have touched upon bullying in previous blogs, I would like this blog to focus on the importance of family support, particularly … Read more

Common School Problems Faced By Children With ADHD

Symptoms of ADHD (hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention) often lead to under-achievement in school for the child. Below you will find a list of common learning problems experienced by most children diagnosed with ADHD.  Keep in mind that every child is unique and may have some, but not all of these challenges. Poor Concentration: Includes difficulty … Read more

Keys for Getting A Good Night’s Sleep

A good night’s sleep has far-reaching benefits for both children and adults. When we are well-rested, our bodies and minds can be healthy and strong. A good night’s sleep helps us have more energy, feel happier, and perform better in all areas of our life. In order to get a good night’s sleep, we need … Read more

The Value of Empathy in Parenting

Empathy is one of the most important tools that parents have in helping us to connect with as well as manage our children.  But it is also a tool that is frequently under-utilized and/or misunderstood. What is empathy? Empathy involves understanding another’s feelings.  It is related to, but different from compassion, sympathy, and/or pity.  Being … Read more