Building the Parent-Child Relationship
Becca Samelson-Webb , M.A.
All too often, I hear parents share that they are unable to connect with their children. They don’t understand their interests, are confused by their behavior, or frustrated by their attitudes. Sometimes parents respond by setting stronger punishments, leaving...
Understanding and Managing Anger: A Guide for Kids
Line Fleming , M.A.
How are you feeling today? This is a question we hear often. But what is the answer? Some feelings are easy to understand while others are confusing and not as easy to understand and express. We can also feel...
Fostering Independence for Anxious Children
Caroline Buttrey , M.S.W
Parenting a child with anxiety and social challenges can feel like a delicate balancing act. On one hand, you want to provide them with the comfort and support they need. On the other, you know it’s important to encourage...
The Anxious Generation: Book Review
Bailey Smith , M.Ed.
If you have ever thought… Kids these days are always on their phones! My middle schooler never spends time with any friends in person. Taking my high schooler’s phone as a consequence causes more problems than it’s worth. Why...
Recognizing Signs of Anxiety in Children: A Short Guide for Parents
The First Step is Recognition Anxiety can be tough for anyone, and it can be especially scary for parents when their child experiences these difficult feelings. However, with the support of family, a trusted support system, and professional help...
Co-Parenting After Divorce
Janet Fluker , M.Ed., M.S.
The goal of healthy co-parenting after divorce is to minimize the conflict between the parents. Research shows that it’s the conflict between the parents, not the divorce itself, that has the greatest negative impact on the children. What are...
The Visual Aid: an Invaluable Tool to Help Children Manage Their Emotions
Samantha Scalabrino , M.A.
Recall the last time you witnessed a child having a temper tantrum. Did it help to tell them to just “calm down?” Probably not. In fact, it most likely made the tantrum worse. Now, what if you had tried...
Size of the Problem: Helping Children Match Their Feelings and Reactions to a Problem
Samantha Scalabrino , M.A.
Size of the Problem (SotP) is a tool used to help individuals think critically about how their feelings and responses to a perceived problem impact themselves and the people around them. Simply put, it helps people understand how big...
How to Talk to Your Child About School Shootings
Alyssa Kiss , M.A.
It grieves me to be writing this blog regarding a topic that so deeply affects our students, parents, school staff, and community today. The anxiety and confusion surrounding school shootings is prevalent for us all. This is made more...
Helping Your Student with Back to School Feelings
Kara Cunningham , M.A.
With summer quickly coming to an end, children and teens in your home may be experiencing familiar and competing feelings like excitement, dread, anticipation, and anxiety. Often, these feelings may not be expressly spoken, but there are clues your...
Benefits of Authoritative Parenting
You may have heard of the term parenting style. There are four main parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and distant. Authoritative parenting is known as a balanced approach and is widely regarded as the most effective parenting style, because...
How ADHD Can Impact Emotions
Shaquanta “Shelley” Danjoint , M.S.
We are accustomed to looking for the common symptoms of ADHD. In the health care field and the school systems, we commonly look for symptoms that include, fidgeting or restlessness, difficulty managing time, impulsive behavior, difficulty focusing, getting easily...
The Power of Play Time
Many children are involved in increasingly rigorous academic programs. Parents who want their children to have a better life often focus intensely on academics and neglect play. Neglecting to prioritize play can have the opposite effect that parents want...
“Will My Child Grow Out of It?” The Crucial Role of Early Intervention for Young Children with Behavior Issues
As parents, we often find ourselves wondering whether our child’s challenging behavior is just a passing phase or something more significant. The common belief is that children will grow out of biting, defiance, tantrums, destructive, aggressive, hyperactive, or anxious...
My Child is Struggling with Their Body Image – How Can I Help Them?
Sarah Mixson , M.S.W.
Anyone can struggle with body image; Research shows that children as young as 3 years old can have body image concerns. As a therapist who works with children and teens, this question comes up a lot from parents. And...
Monkey Bars and the Normal Grief of Living Well
Alice D. Hoag , Ed.D.
In playgrounds, there used to be a structure called the Monkey Bars. I believe they’re too dangerous to be included in most public spaces anymore, but they were the test of endurance and strength (and bravery) for an entire...
How to Support Your Child’s Behavior Over Holiday Breaks
Allison Bates , M.S.
As the holidays are fast approaching, one thing parents often state their frustration about is behavior regression or increased outbursts during breaks from school. Children thrive when they understand expectations and know boundaries and limitations. The holiday season can...
How to Support Students Facing Academic Pressure & Stress
Alyssa Kiss , M.A.
As we approach the fall, school begins picking up and the weight of different responsibilities can begin to feel overwhelming. Many of our students deal with high levels of school anxiety and academic stress. They are being asked to...
Co-Parenting Through Divorce: Prioritizing Your Child’s Well-Being
Aleisha Parker , M.Ed.
For parents going through divorce, it is a challenging time of transition. I understand that sometimes it can be extremely difficult to control your own emotions and words shared to each other while together in the same household until...
5 Effective Ways to Encourage Your Child to Open Up and Communicate
Communication is a vital skill that empowers children to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs effectively. As parents, we play a crucial role in nurturing this skill and creating a safe environment for our children to open up and...