Most parents report that their primary parenting goal is to teach children skills for succeeding in the real world. People who are most successful in the “real world” are confident, self-reliant and able to communicate effectively with others. In order for children to develop these skills, they need opportunities to practice and experiment with growing … Read more
In recent years, there has been an increase in media and community awareness surrounding the topic of bullying, which has resulted in many schools adopting a zero-tolerance policy with respect to bullying behaviors. However, even with the increased awareness and school interventions in place, there is a high likelihood that your child will encounter some … Read more
Although it’s still August, it’s not too early to start preparing your children for the back-to-school transition. By following the tips below, you can help your children get a smooth start to the new school year. Get back to a “school-friendly” sleep schedule. Schedules often become more lax in the summertime, particularly bedtimes. When bedtimes … Read more
It almost seems as if defiance has become a rite of passage for children and adolescents. All too often children refuse to do what parents ask them to do and this can lead to tremendous stress in families. Fortunately, parents can stop a pattern of defiance and negativity in children with a few simple strategies: … Read more
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 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
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
There is nothing more frustrating than watching your child struggle and not knowing what steps to take to help them. Psychological testing is the most efficient and objective way of answering questions you may have about why your child is having difficulty at home, school, or with friends. Through testing we can speak to your … Read more
