Being a teenager is tough. Between navigating friendships, managing schoolwork (and pressure about college), and dealing with the endless stream of social media, it’s no surprise many teens struggle with self-esteem. As a parent or caregiver, you play a crucial role in helping your teen build confidence that comes from within—not from likes, followers, or the latest trends. […]
Tag: Parenting
Is Your Child Ready for a Cell Phone?
As a child and family therapist, parents frequently ask me what is the “right” age to get their child a cell phone. It’s a big decision, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Some children are going back and forth between 2 homes, and a cell phone can be helpful. Others want one to be able […]
Managing Your Child’s Screen Time
Screens today are an integral part of our children’s lives, offering entertainment, education, and connection. Many children get computers in kindergarten. Lots of parents choose to get cell phones for elementary-age children to monitor location and safety. Kids today are “digital natives,” meaning they are born into a time of technology. Screens are all around […]
Helping Your Child Get a Better Night’s Sleep
As a therapist, I understand the importance of a good night’s sleep on mental health. Problems falling asleep or staying asleep are common issues my clients share with me. Children and teens talk about having a hard time falling asleep because of overthinking, worrying, or difficulty relaxing. Parents share concerns about their child’s moods, school […]
8 Ideas to Help Your Child Feel Comfortable with Therapy
These days, a lot of children and teens are asking for therapy. This is usually easy for parents. You find a good therapist and get started. Other times parents might be concerned about their child’s mental health, behavior, or substance use and know that they need more help… but the child does not want to […]
Tips for Talking with Your Teen (Part 2)
Part 1 of Tips for Talking with Your Teen covered ways to create opportunities for connection with your teen. Finding times for talking with your teen can be a challenge. But what do you do or say once you have them in a chatty mood? Read on for some of my favorite tips for talking with […]
Tips for Talking with Your Teen (Part 1)
Recent research shared by the Pew Research Center is that two-thirds of parents in the U.S. believe that parenting today is harder than it was 20 years ago. The majority of parents surveyed reported they believed this was due to the increase in technology, primarily screens and social media. With busy and technology-filled modern lives, many parents […]
10 of My Favorite Books For Parents
As the days get shorter and cooler, it’s perfect weather to curl up with a new book. Enjoy some time for yourself to learn, grow, and reflect. Here’s a list of some of my favorite books for parents and families. Trauma 1. What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. […]
Back-to-School Care for Parents & Caregivers
This time of year, there is so much to do for parents and caregivers! Trying to squeeze in those last bits of summer fun, shopping for school supplies and new clothes, signing up for fall sports, and getting kids back into the school routine. And who can forget about all the other school to-do’s: parent […]