admin As parents, it often feels as though we spend 24/7 attending to other people’s needs – if not our children’s needs, then our spouse’s, our pets’, our boss’s, or maybe even our own parents’ needs. Being a parent and helping to run a household (not to mention also holding a job outside of the household) … Read more
The thought of telling a child about the death of a loved one is a daunting task for most parents. The first experience of loss is often associated with the death of a pet; however, the death of a grandparent or other close relative is often the experience that evokes tough questions and intense emotion. … Read more
Summer time is here! For some families the summer season is full of activities and adventures. While children enjoy this time of year, reducing stimulation over the course of the day is paramount. Over stimulation can contribute to irritability, hyperactivity, and melt-downs in some children. Take the opportunity this summer to help your child develop … Read more
Now that summer is here, many of our children will be heading off to camp. Some will be attending overnight or “sleep away” camps for the very first time. While some children anticipate camp with eagerness and excitement, others evidence a range of negative emotions, including nervousness, fear, sadness and/or anger. Your child may be … Read more
Sometimes families are affected by an event or experience so traumatic that it seems to reshape the fabric of who they are and how they function as a family unit. Even when a traumatic experience happens to only one member of the family, its effects can be felt throughout the family system. When the individual … Read more
From an early age, we are taught that once we fall in love we live happily ever after and ride off into the sunset with our perfect mate. This kind of message often creates the misconception that relationship difficulties are abnormal and a sign that a relationship must be doomed. In reality, relationship difficulties are … Read more
The most important thing you can give your child is a sense of self-confidence. The foundation of self-confidence is self-esteem. Building self-esteem is a process and usually a slow one. Below are several tips for helping your child see him or herself as capable and competent, lovable and loving, unique and valuable. First, be available … Read more
In all relationships, an important part of effective communication involves trying to understand where the other person is coming from and what they are feeling. Thus, when communicating with your partner, children, friends, or colleagues, listening is often more important than talking. Listening is not as easy as it seems; with a few useful tips … Read more
Research on adolescent development is still somewhat in its infancy, as much of the research to date in the field of child development has focused on younger children. Thus, many of the ideas we have as psychologists (and as parents) about adolescence as a stage of development were not actually examined empirically until relatively recently. … Read more
Is your teen’s mood just part of growing up or something you should be worried about? It’s often difficult for parents to differentiate between normal moodiness and signs of an emotional problem, such as depression or anxiety, in their teenage children. In light of recent news of high profile cases of suicide among young people, … Read more
