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Parenting

Children
Why Routines Are Especially Important for Kids with ADHD
June 3, 2025

For children with ADHD, the world can often feel unpredictable and overwhelming. Their brains are constantly taking in information, jumping from thought to thought, and struggling to filter out distractions. This is where routines become incredibly powerful. A consistent...

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Teen Issues
Talking Tips for Teens 2
April 16, 2025

So far in 2025, I have been giving parents some tips on how to talk to their teens, and last time I started giving teens tips on how to talk to parents. My hope is that communication in the...

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Teen Issues
How to Talk to Your Teen – Part 3
April 8, 2025

So far this year, we have been looking at tips on how to talk to our teenagers and how to make 2025 “The Year of Communication.” In Part 1, we looked at avoiding lecturing, active listening, and validation instead...

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Children
What is Play Therapy and is it Right for My Child?
February 21, 2025

“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” -Plato Child-centered play therapy (CCPT) is the oldest and most researched therapy for children. Children are at a different developmental age...

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Teen Issues
How to Talk to Your Teen – Part 2
February 21, 2025

In part 1 of “How to Talk to Your Teen,” I mentioned that I have a teenager and I am trying to figure out how to communicate well with him as the dynamics of his needs change. I mentioned...

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Teen Issues
Talking Tips for Teens 1
February 21, 2025

So far in 2025, I have been giving parents some tips on how to talk to their teens. I mentioned that I now have a teenager and that communication changes as our kids age. I want to help parents...

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Parents & Parenting
Helping Your Child Through Your Divorce
February 21, 2025

Divorce can be an emotionally overwhelming experience for everyone involved, but for children, it can be especially confusing and painful. As parents, you may worry about how the separation will affect your children and what you can do to...

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Children
Grounding Techniques: Easy Skills to Help Your Child Manage Their Anxiety
February 21, 2025

Anxiety is an excessive worry about a real or perceived threat that can result in avoidance behaviors and physical reactions. It differs from fear in that fear is an appropriate response to an immediate threat, whereas anxiety is usually...

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Children
Encouraging Flexible Thinking: Playing Games “Wrong”
February 21, 2025

Flexible Thinking is an important skill that allows children to understand situations different perspectives, embrace change, learn to adapt, and engage in critical thinking. However, this skill can be difficult for some children to learn on their own, leading...

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Children
Knowing the Signs of Trauma in Children
February 21, 2025

Recognizing signs of trauma in children is an important but challenging task for parents, caregivers, and educators. Traumatic experiences can deeply affect a child’s emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Since children often lack the language or coping skills to...

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Children
A Kid’s Guide to Expressing Feelings
February 21, 2025

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...

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Parents & Parenting
Let’s Talk about Social Media & Screen Time
January 24, 2025

Parents raising a teen in today’s world of technology can often experience confusion, stress, and judgement from others for their decisions surrounding social media use and screen time. There are mixed messages, a lack of sufficient research, and little...

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Parent-Child Relationships
Building the Parent-Child Relationship
January 24, 2025

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...

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Children
Understanding and Managing Anger: A Guide for Kids
January 24, 2025

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...

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Parents & Parenting
Fostering Independence for Anxious Children
January 24, 2025

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...

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Parents & Parenting
How to Talk to Your Teen – Part 1
January 24, 2025

Recently, I became a parent to a teenager. Now, I have been his parent his whole life. However, I understand that our communication needs to evolve from how I spoke to him when he was 3 and how I...

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Children
The Anxious Generation: Book Review
January 23, 2025

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...

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Parents & Parenting
Supporting Teenagers Through Difficult Times
January 14, 2025

Adolescence is a time of growth, change, and challenges. For many teens, it can be difficult to navigate academic pressures, social dynamics, and personal struggles. As a parent, it can be challenging to know when to step in and...

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Diana Campos Pena
Why Speaking Softly Can Change Everything At Home
January 2, 2025

The Power of a Soft Voice: Calming Your Child (and Yourself) Sometimes parenting can feel loud, especially when emotions are high and your child isn’t listening. When stress builds up, it’s easy to raise your voice without even noticing....

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Parents & Parenting
Recognizing Signs of Anxiety in Children: A Short Guide for Parents
October 23, 2024

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...

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