Car Talk: Innovative Ways to Connect with Teens
Sometimes a car ride is the best way to connect with a teen.
Update On What Really Happens When You Hit Your Kids
Parents often justify spanking because they insist it is the only way to teach children the difference between right and wrong. Yet the results clearly showed that spanking was also significantly associated with lower moral internalization ability.
Four Ways to Help Your Kids Avoid Depression and Addiction
Intentionally building your relationship with your child to include trust, open lines of communication and mutual support is one of the best ways you can encourage your child.
Coping After Shootings: Self-Care Strategies for Families
Witnessing gun violence directly or through media can cause difficulties with behavioral and emotional functioning. Read these tips on coping to reduce trauma.
5 Questions For Kids Fearful of Trying New Things
"Fear of Failure" preventing your kid from thriving? Here's the encouragement your kid needs
Poor Sleep in Childhood Ups Risk of Later Depression, Anxiety
Children who experience inadequate or disrupted sleep are at greater risk for developing depression and anxiety disorders later in life, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Houston.
Study leader Candice Alfano, a clinical psyc...
Raising a Securely Attached Child | Dysfunction Interrupted
Attachment theory is receiving much attention lately in all aspects of life including relationships, work and of course, parenting. Attachment is defined as a special emotional relationship that invokes an exchange of comfort, care and pleasure. These...
7 Questions to Help You Decode Your Child’s SOS and Respond
As you set the limit—calmly and kindly—remind yourself that there’s a reason for your child’s behavior. It may not be what you consider a good reason, but it’s her reason.
Trauma Of Domestic Violence: 7 Ways It Alters Your Life | Caregivers, Family & Friends
Do you know someone who is (or have you been) the victim of domestic violence in some form (i.e., as a child, a parent, a spouse, etc)? Do you remember what happened during the abuse? Domestic violence is more prevalent than most people believe. In fact, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that about 20 people, per minute,  are being physically abused in their home  by an intimate partner or spouse.
Parenting While Traumatized
Parenting is not an easy task. Imagine how much more difficult it must be to parent after surviving a childhood trauma.
How to Talk to Kids about Mass Shootings and Attacks
How can we help kids cope with violent tragedies? Use a few simple guidelines.
Harvard Study Pegs How Parental Substance Abuse Impacts Kids
A new Harvard study, published today, reports that 1 in 5 children grows up in a home with parental substance abuse. The study offers advice on how to break the cycle of addiction.
Dad’s Psychological Well-Being Impacts His Kids’ Development
New research illuminates the impact a father's stress levels and mental health have on his children.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Co-Parenting Well
Living with a chronic condition, like depression, requires you to focus on creating balance and well-being on a daily basis. For those who are separated, divorced or sharing custody of a child, the struggles of co-parenting can produce enormous stress...
“Dad, if I get a B I feel like I’ve failed”
College students are under increasing pressure to be perfect - to maintain high grades, have a busy social life, look great, all while appearing calm and collected.
10 Things to Know About Parent-Child Relationships
We know that our role as parents is a critical one, in terms of child development. But what exactly can we and should we be doing to raise mentally healthy children or at the very least, to minimize the impact of mental disorders?
Does My Child Have a Psychiatric Disorder?
When parents are concerned about their child's emotional wellbeing, we need to protect time and space to listen without pressure to name the problem
The Big Disconnect: Parents’ Digital Dilemma
When I tried to explain the risks of too much screen time for young children, my friend balked. In fact, she hardly heard me. She wanted to tell me how adept her grandchildren, ages three and almost five, were at sliding their fingers across an iPad. She became defensive, explaining that her son and daughter-in-law limit the children’s time on devices.
The Big Disconnect: Parents’ Digital Dilemma
When I tried to explain the risks of too much screen time for young children, my friend balked. In fact, she hardly heard me. She wanted to tell me how adept her grandchildren, ages three and almost five, were at sliding their fingers across an iPad. She became defensive, explaining that her son and daughter-in-law limit the children’s time on devices.
Parenting Style Can Lead to Kids’ Unhealthy Snacking | Psych Central News
New research finds that a hands-off parenting approach to feeding children may unknowingly contribute to an increase in children’s snacking. Unhealthy snacking is a problem for overweight or obese children with strong appetites. Investigators discovered snacking is an important factor influencing weight control as an 18-month study determined that more than 40 percent of children’s daily intake of added sugars came from snacks.
The Talk You Must Have Before Your Kid Goes to College
Getting your child ready for college doesn’t just mean arranging dorms and paying tuition, it means having an upfront talk about mental health.
The Talk You Must Have Before Your Kid Goes to College
Getting your child ready for college doesn’t just mean arranging dorms and paying tuition, it means having an upfront talk about mental health.
Struggles That Make Kids Stronger
It’s natural for us parents to want to protect our children from pain and suffering, but if we rush to rescue children from problems that they could solve on their own, we prevent them from learning how to cope. Well-intentioned comments like, “Here, let me do it,” “I’ll talk to the teacher for you,” or “I’ll take care of it,” tell children, “You can’t handle this.” Sometimes the best thing we can do for our kids is to allow them to struggle.
Struggles That Make Kids Stronger
It’s natural for us parents to want to protect our children from pain and suffering, but if we rush to rescue children from problems that they could solve on their own, we prevent them from learning how to cope. Well-intentioned comments like, “Here, let me do it,” “I’ll talk to the teacher for you,” or “I’ll take care of it,” tell children, “You can’t handle this.” Sometimes the best thing we can do for our kids is to allow them to struggle.
Responding to Anger in Children
Several weeks ago, I had to pick up my elementary school-aged daughter early from school for her annual flu shot. I made the appointment as late in the day as I could, to accommodate my work schedule and to minimize the time she would miss from class. As most parents can attest, there was a lot of shuffling and hurrying involved, but I multi-tasked, I juggled, and I was feeling good about having “fit it all in.” Until I arrived at school.
Responding to Anger in Children
Several weeks ago, I had to pick up my elementary school-aged daughter early from school for her annual flu shot. I made the appointment as late in the day as I could, to accommodate my work schedule and to minimize the time she would miss from class. As most parents can attest, there was a lot of shuffling and hurrying involved, but I multi-tasked, I juggled, and I was feeling good about having “fit it all in.” Until I arrived at school.
Connecting Child Maltreatment and Behavior Health Problems
About 13% of US children have mental health and/or substance abuse problems. Prevention and treatment must consider child maltreatment as a possible factor to address.
Five Anxiety-Lowering Strategies for Children
How to build a better relationship with your kids—even when they're driving you crazy.
Helping Your Shy Child
When they’re around other kids, shy children feel like outsiders looking in. Here are ways to help your child feel more comfortable and confident in social situations.