Optimism May Buffer Against Stress of Parenting Autistic Kids
Mothers of teenagers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual disability (ID) report higher levels of stress and other mental health problems,... Read More
The Best Gift You Can Give Your Child
When your emotions are “triggered,” your child looks like the enemy. You can’t be the parent your child deserves at those times.... Read More
Helping Your College Student Cope with a Grandparent’s Death
A grandparent’s death can pose some challenges for a college student, but with your support and working with campus resources, your college... Read More
New Tool Measures Screen Addiction in Children
In today’s technologically driven milieu, it is common for young children to be focused on a screen for hours texting or gaming,... Read More
9 Warning Signs Your Child May Be Lost in Cyberspace
For the first time, psychologists have created a nine-point checklist to help parents identify if their child may be suffering from what... Read More
3 Common Friendship Mistakes for Kids
Every child faces friendship challenges at some time, in some way, but broadly speaking, there are three main ways that children struggle... Read More
Why You Feel Helpless When Your Young Adult Won’t Help
Frustrated by your young adult treating your home like a boarding house? Careful consideration of your expectations and how you express them... Read More
9 Tips for Getting Better Sleep While Pregnant
One of the biggest challenges in pregnancy is getting a good night’s sleep. Getting solid rest is one of the best strategies... Read More
How Do Kids Think About Who Makes Up a Family?
The evidence shows that how kids think about family is often quite different from the way grown-ups do. Read the article
Spanking Makes Things Worse
New research finds that spanking young children can lead to an increase in behavior problems. Investigators discovered children who have been spanked... Read More
Walking in Natural Environments Nourishes Parent-Child Bonds
Spending time together in nature increases family cohesion and parent-child bonds, according to a new study. Read the article
Beyond Reality: Pretend Play Matters
What is pretend play? How does pretend contribute to social skill development? What does all of this mean for everyday contexts and... Read More
Mom’s Help Kids Manage Negative Emotions, But What if Mom Becomes Stressed
Parenting is not an easy task requiring patience, discipline and love. The responsibility is especially challenging for mothers as they often take... Read More
Why has self-harm tripled among tween and teen girls?
Why are three times as many girls harming themselves? There’s a likely culprit Read the article
How to Help Teens Cope with Cyberbullying
Worried about teens and cyberbullying? You’re not alone. Read the article
Why Depressed Fathers Are Likely to Have Depressed Teenagers
Fathers who are depressed are more likely to have teenagers who become depressed. Here are three reasons why fathers become depressed and... Read More
Is Your Child Overstimulated from Too Much Screen Time?
Screen Time Side Effects: Are your children are experiencing electronics-related symptoms that mimic mental health. learning, and behavior issues? Take this quiz.... Read More
ADHD and Special Education
Does your child’s mental illness get in the way of learning at school? Here are six reasons to consider special education for... Read More
Surviving mealtimes with a picky eater
Is your child a picky eater? It turns out that many children are, but here are some useful tips backed by research... Read More
Wild, Fun-loving, and Free
Childhood anxiety is largely learned, not innate. If we can teach our children to be anxious, it means we can teach them... Read More
On Teenagers, Helplessness, and Anxiety
How does an understanding of normal childhood anxiety help us make sense of anxiety disorders among teenagers? Read the article
Stressed out Parents
Watching your stress. Recent research shows that your anxieties can spill over into your interactions with your children. Read the article
Why Mentally Strong Parents Let Kids Fight Their Own Battles
If you want to raise mentally strong kids, think of yourself as a guide—not a protector. Read the article
Why Does My Child Hate Math?
Math shouldn’t be seen as just a tool, or a compulsory subject. It is an enriching mental experience. Read the article
The Best Relief for Stress in Children May Be a Dog
New data suggests that we should think about prescribing dogs instead of Prozac or Valium to treat stress in children Read the... Read More
Dads Are Not Receiving Needed Care for Postnatal Depression
Although depression among new mothers is a well-identified condition, experts have only recently understood that some new fathers are also at risk.... Read More
When You Just Don’t Have Time for The Meltdown
When kids feel understood, they’re more likely to do what we ask, even if they don’t see any benefit for themselves. So... Read More
Cueless: Why is Anxiety Up for Teens and Young Adults?
Anxiety and depression have increased sharply for teens and young adults. Why? Does cuelessness about relationships play a role? Read the article
Less Harsh Parenting Seen as Beneficial for ADHD Kids
New research suggests that parenting styles can influence kids biologically and influence emotional control. Investigators found that less yelling, criticism and other... Read More
Empowering Your Anxious Tween
Anxiety is a beast that can be at least contained if not completely slain. Read the article
When You Lose It With Your Young Children
They are some of the darker moments of parenthood and we have, or will, all have them. Read the article
Acknowledging Teens’ Perspectives Leads to Stronger Self-Worth, Less Depression
A new study has found that when parents acknowledge the perspectives of their adolescent children and encourage them to express themselves, the... Read More
What to do when your kid talks back
When kids express irritability towards us — often called “back talk” — they’re trying to tell us something, and if we don’t... Read More
Practice Empathic Parenting to Help Cultivate Healthy Anger
Being mindful to be an empathic parent can be extremely challenging. Doing so can powerfully impact how you and your child manage... Read More
Courageous Parents, Smart Kids
How much does your parenting really matter? New research shows that just believing in the importance of your parenting can make your... Read More
3 Ways Parent Shaming Takes a Toll on Kids
The fear of being shamed has changed the way we’re raising the next generation—and it’s not for the better. Read the article
How to Help a Child Overcome School Refusal
Does your child throw massive tantrums before school? School refusal might be to blame. Read the article
Develop Emotional Mastery in Your Young Athletes
Your children’s ability to develop emotional mastery in sports will also influence them in other aspects of their lives including with family... Read More
10 Ways to Deal with Mom-Shaming
A new poll finds a majority of moms feel judged. Learn how to handle criticism and have confidence in your parenting decisions.... Read More
Healing in the Aftermath of Las Vegas
Our brains take in the details of a mass tragedy, and organize them so that we have a sense of understanding and... Read More
Fathering in the Quiet Moments
How can fathers create meaningful relationships with their children? A few simple tasks can go a long way. Read the article
Childhood ADHD and Poor Self-Esteem
Does your child with ADHD constantly put himself down? ADHD, anxiety, and negativity commonly go together. As parents, we have to figure... Read More
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
Thinking today of those touched by #infantloss #pregnancyloss. Support a friend and be a #mentalhealresource to them. Read the article
Attend our Kick-Off Bash to launch the #UnlockURWell Campaign
Ever noticed how a vacation can lift your spirits? How else do you #UnlockURWell? www.well.family/community Read the article
OCD Awareness Week
#UnlockURWell wants to show support for our followers living with #OCD. Learn more by following @iocdf. #OCDWeek Read the article
Bullying Prevention Month
October is #BullyingPrevention Month. More than 1 in 4 kids experience #bullying. Take a stand. #UnlockURWell @iseebullying Read the article
Did You Know?
1 in 6 adults has a mental health need #UnlockURWell Read the article
National Hispanic Heritage Month
This month #UnlockURWell celebrates #HispanicHeritageMonth and the diversity of life experiences of our #mentalhealth community. Read the article
Positive Attitude Month
When you #UnlockURWell you’re tapping into your strength. This #PositiveAttitudeMonth, share your strength. Read the article
How to Talk to Kids About the Las Vegas Shooting
It’s hard to know how to explain the Las Vegas shooting to kids. Here are some tips for holding some tough conversations... Read More
Logical Consequences: Helping Kids Learn from Their Mistakes
Punishment breeds resentment and retaliation. Logical consequences–when they’re imposed with kindness and attention–can help kids take responsibility for their actions. Read the... Read More
35 Activities to do with your Child
Melinda Gates warns about the negative effects of technology on today’s children Read the article
Parent Training Can Improve Behavior, Social Skills for Kids with ADHD
New research finds a program that focuses on strengthening parenting skills improves symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 3- to 8-year-olds.... Read More
7 Reasons It’s Tough to Raise Mentally Strong Kids
On the surface, you might think today’s parents have it easy. But raising resilient kids who will become responsible adults is a... Read More
More Boys Admit to Cyberbullying Than Girls
Over a quarter of young people say they have bullied or insulted someone else online, according to a new study. Nearly a... Read More
Children and Exposure to Terror: The 3 Cs of Coping
Are your children anxious from the media coverage of horrific events? Here are tips to identify their anxiety and help them cope... Read More
8 Predictors of Early Onset of Binge Eating
Youth with loss of control go on to experience persistent and intensified loss of control eating patterns during adulthood. Read the article
How to Find Help When the Person You Love has Mental Illness
While we are emotionally drained, physically exhausted and psychologically depleted, we are asked to deal with a maddeningly convoluted mental health system.... Read More
Help Your Child Learn to Forgive
Holding onto resentment is emotionally costly. Here are some forgiveness guidelines to help your child figure out when to let go. Read... Read More
How Parents Can Warn Their College Kids About Sexual Assault
Parents can play an instrumental role in trying to reduce the risks of sexual assault with their children if they routinely discuss... Read More
How To Be Your Child’s Friendship Coach
Recent research suggests that parents can play an important role in helping children learn social skills. Here are some ways to be... Read More
Managing Anxiety After a Mass Shooting
After national tragedies like Las Vegas, life is more difficult for everyone. It may seem difficult, but finding a way to feel... Read More
Vlog: Build Self-esteem in Your Young Athletes
Sports are a venue in which children are exposed to experiences and challenges that can foster healthy and resilient self-esteem. Read the... Read More
How do you #UnlockURWell of strength?
Let’s stand strong together and build a pro mental health community that actively strengthens wellness. With #UnlockURWell we want to focus on the... Read More
OCTOBER is World Mental Health Month
This #MentalHealthMonth #UnlockURWell celebrates how you strengthen your well-being. Join our pro #mentalhealth movement. www.unlockurwell.org Join the movement. #UnlockURWell is more than... Read More
#DYK – Did You Know…
#DYK Child & Family Guidance Center builds resilient communities by helping families #UnlockURWell of inner strength www.unlockurwell.org Let’s stand strong together... Read More
What is #UnlockURWell
#UnlockURWell, a first-of-its-kind, pro-mental-health campaign designed by the Child and Family Guidance Center (CFGC), launches October 18, 2017 and aims to reach... Read More
Join CFGC’s #UnlockURWell Pro Mental Health Movement
We All Want To Live Well. Sometimes you need a jump-start to your day, to your life and to your well-being. You... Read More
Join the #UnlockURWell Thunderclap
Let’s stand strong together and build a pro mental health community that actively strengthens wellness. With #UnlockURWell we want to focus on... Read More
7 Things Mentally Strong Parents Know
Telling your kids to “act brave” or “look on the bright side” won’t work if you don’t role model the appropriate skills.... Read More
Connecting with Your Children Authentically in a Wired World
Struggling to define the role of technology in your family’s life? (You’re not the only one reaching for the fidget spinner.) Read... Read More
Why Parents Should Put Down Their Smartphones
Eighty percent of a child’s brain development occurs in the first three years of life. A child’s brain development is fed through... Read More
When Your Loved One has Mental Illness but Refuses Help
Desperate parents write me every week because they want to help their adult child who has a mental illness, but refuses help.... Read More
16 Fun Games to Play With Toddlers & Preschoolers in the Car
Car rides can be meaningful ways to engage with toddlers and young children. They can help strengthen a playful bond/attachment and grow... Read More
Do You Want to Raise an Obedient Child?
That doesn’t mean you don’t set limits. And sometimes children do have to do what adults say. But children also need to... Read More
Adoptees and Lying: Why Your Child Might Be Telling Lies
Are you struggling to understand why your adoptee frequently lies? Learn how to empathize and respond Read the article
Being hard on yourself doesn’t make you a better parent.
What we CAN do is make the commitment to increase our ratio of good parenting moments, and keep working at it, day... Read More
How to Respond Effectively to a Young Person’s Anger
“Do not teach your children never to be angry; teach them how to be angry.” Read the article
Green Space at School Improves Child Health
Emerging research points to the benefits of a green environment to relieve stress and enhance physical fitness. A new concept gaining momentum... Read More
How to Raise Mentally Strong Kids in Today’s World
Mentally strong kids turn into resilient adults who are equipped to tackle whatever life throws their way. Here’s how you can help... Read More
Seven Words to Help Your Dependent, Stuck Adult Child
Are feeling at an impasse with your dependent, stalled out, adult child? Try saying these seven words before you say anything else.... Read More
What’s the Difference Between Bullying and Teasing?
Is your child the victim of bullying? Parents and kids can develop plans together to outwit the bullies. Read the article
The One Decision That Can Radically Improve Your Family Life
Want to improve the quality of your family life? One decision that will change everything… Read the article
When to Push a Child:
Self-Reg helps us to understand when and why perseverance turns into something vastly different, with far from salutary effects. Read the article
50-50 Joint Custody May Be Best For Preschool Kids of Divorce
Preschool children in joint physical custody have fewer psychological symptoms than those who live mostly or only with one parent after a... Read More
Does Your Child Have Enough Friends?
Some children are shy and happy to be alone. Many others struggle to make friends and are at risk for depression. Parents... Read More
When Grandparents Raise Their Grandchildren
This phenomenon leads to a complex set of issues and outcomes for grandparents and the children for whom they care. Read the... Read More
On the importance of cuddling
Recently, doctors have been touting the importance of skin-to-skin contact for newborns. Here’s what science says about why touch is so important... Read More
Top Ten Parenting Tips
Parenting is the greatest trip on earth. I wish you the ride of your life. Read the article
A Back to School Stress-Management Toolkit for Teens
This time of year involves transition. Whether it’s adjusting to high school, the new academic semester, or going off to college, teens... Read More
Overwhelmed with the Busy Back-to-School Pace?
Don’t let the crazy back-school-pace wear you down. With a quick Life as Pie exercise you can create some delicious slices of... Read More
How to Help Kids Who Struggle Socially
What can you do to teach young people the skills they need to make healthy friendships and connect with positive peers? Read... Read More
Parenting a Child with Mental Illness
When your child is diagnosed with mental illness, it can be isolating. Parenting guides don’t talk about it. Stigma silences our families.... Read More
When Your Toddler Hits You: A Script
But Sam isn’t laughing because he’s enjoying her pain. He’s so upset that he can’t cry. His laugh is letting off the... Read More
Teaching Kids the Difference Between Prejudice and Respect
Tips to help your kids understand the differences between prejudice and respect. Read the article
My Child a Bully? Never! Well Maybe…
How can a parent help their child when he is bullying others? A few suggestions to get to the heart of the... Read More
When Bullies Go Back to School: Spot Them, and Stop Them
Back to school is a time of excitement, or dread–depending on whether or not a child is being bullied. Spot and stop... Read More
The Suicide Prevention Hotline: Find It in This Rap Song
Can a rap song help save a life? Yes, when it’s ‘1-800-273-8255’ Read the article
Schoolyard Superheroes: How Bystanders Can Stop Bullying
Bullies like to show off. Do not be a captive audience, because bullying is not a spectator sport. Intervention on behalf of... Read More
How to Spot a Cyber Bullying Victim Before it is Too Late
When it comes to bullying behavior, toxic texting is the new fistfight at the bike racks. Yet unlike an after school sucker... Read More
Co-Parenting with Shared Custody May Put Less Stress on Kids
When parents divorce often the most important issue, and perhaps the most difficult negotiation, involves the children. Parents typically have strong views... Read More
Change Your Parenting: Get Me Re-Write!
Here’s the key. Don’t just decide to act differently next time. Instead, reprogram your subconscious, and give yourself a new script for... Read More
Tips for Parents to Help Their Kids Return to School
What parents should be thinking about as their kids return to school Read the article
Making This Your Child’s Best School Year Yet
“What did you do in school today?” “Nothin’” Read the article
Be the One to Help Save a Life from Suicide
In a given lifetime, all of us will likely encounter someone in crisis. That is why it’s so important to know what... Read More
Teen Attitude, Teen Trouble
It’s hard to parent a teenager. It’s even harder to be one. Here are ten attitudes and actions that can help make... Read More
Teaching Kids Social-Emotional Skills Can Pay Off Now And Later
New research finds that social and emotional learning programs for youth deliver both immediate and long-term value. Investigators from the University of... Read More
Parenting in the Era of Addictive Electronics
Are your kids obsessed with screen time? Here are steps to curb their addiction. Read the article
Six Ways To Help With Developmental Trauma
Recovery from trauma and growing beyond it can seem challenging and even impossible. Here are some potentially useful tools to begin to... Read More
A Simple Strategy to Help Worried Kids
The more parents say, “It’s fine. Don’t worry!” the more anxious kids demand, “But what if…?” Here’s a way to help children... Read More
Resilience – A Sustaining Gift for Your Children
Resilience in learning, as in life, provides the capacity to persevere through setbacks, take on challenges, and even risk making mistakes on... Read More
Some Advice on Coping Following Trauma
If you, a loved one or friend, has recently been through a traumatic and upsetting event, it may be worth considering some... Read More
First aid for when your toddler doesn’t communicate
Every parent knows the feeling of both joy and anxiety when a baby starts growing up and discovering the world, trying everything... Read More
Atypical Depression -#YouMightHaveDepressionIf
Here are some ways that depression impacts people that often go unacknowledged. Read the article
Understanding Children’s Best Interests in Divorce
“Shared parenting now has enough evidence…[that] the burden of proof should now fall to those who oppose it rather than those who... Read More
Can’t Get Through To Your Child?
As children develop, they naturally want to explore the world and learn for themselves. But they need to know that their parents... Read More
How to Effectively Respond to an Angry Teen
It is easy for parents of teens to forget that their once little children, are now closer in transition to adulthood compared... Read More
Helping Your Child with Autism Improve Social Skills
As a parent of a child with autism, do you wonder how you can help him approach social situations with confidence, rather... Read More
Baby Care: Baselines for Mental Health
Babies need 24/7 care. For most babies in the USA today, their early experiences are undermining their short and long term mental... Read More
Does Your Child or Teen have Oppositional Defiant Behavior?
Is your child’s or teen’s defiant behavior maddening? Do consequences only make things worse? Read the article
Collaboration when a Family Has ADHD: Like Parent Like Child
Finding an empathetic, mutual path around ADHD aims families towards a shared goal instead of a battle, while adults build the same... Read More
13 Reasons Why “13 Reasons Why” May Send a Dangerous Message
1. Suicide is a “blame game”: The premise of “13 Reasons Why” is that Hannah, the angst ridden main character leaves behind... Read More
Now what? HOW to Talk With Your Millennial Kids about Love
Young adults want their parents to talk with them about the complexities of romantic relationships. The “Marriage 101” professor shares some questions... Read More
Should You Negotiate with Your Child?
Sometimes that means we just have to say No and stick to it. Even when our limit is greeted with tears. But... Read More
How (and When) To Apologize To Your Child
Apologizing for your own off-track behavior doesn’t mean you don’t correct your child when necessary. He’ll still know who’s boss. Read the... Read More
6 Things You Should Know about ADHD
A recent study, geared toward teachers promotes a new understanding of ADHD–a diagnosis that has been skyrocketing among American children. Read the... Read More
What’s so Special about Dads.
For Father’s Day, we describe the science of what makes fathers unique from mothers, and the special role they play in child... Read More
How Does Parenting Work When the Instruction Manual Fails?
Maybe x is the problem, maybe x is part of the problem, or maybe x is irrelevant to the problem. With regard... Read More
ADHD Summer Reading Challenge
Reading is one of the most crucial activities for children, promoting language development, building knowledge, and setting up academic success – but... Read More
The Bully on the Screen
With the explosion of social media, the proliferation of screens, and the rapid rise in screen time, children are more exposed than... Read More
Our Kids Are Not All Right
By the age of 26, diagnostic rates of addiction were two to three times those in national norms. Read the article
Does Peaceful Parenting Mean Letting Kids Do What They Want?
It’s not that peaceful parents aren’t “in charge.” In fact, they’re more in charge than most parents–of their own reactions, and therefore... Read More
3 Rules for Arguing with Teenagers Without Pushing Them Away
It’s difficult for us to communicate these days. We get angry or frustrated. We say things we regret. We bruise each other... Read More
When a Family You Know Is Hit by Mental Illness
How you can help when a friend’s child, sibling, or partner has a breakdown Read the article
Parenting High School Students with Year End Burnout
Is your exhausted, stressed-out high school student crumbling at the end of the school year? These tips will help you provide the... Read More
13 Things Parents Should Know About 13 Reasons Why
Although 13 Reasons Why is a show about high school students, parents should be tuning in before allowing kids to watch the... Read More
How To Teach Kids Right From Wrong
We all want our kids to grow up knowing right from wrong, with the moral courage to act on what they know.... Read More
How Can I Help My Child Transition to a New School?
Is your child unhappy about an upcoming move? Read the article
How to Tell If Your “Back from College” Kid Is Addicted
Is your college kid slipping into addiction? Read the article
Are You The Parent of a Depressed Child or Teenager?
Are You The Parent of a Depressed Child or Teenager? A psychiatrist and a teenager’s mother team up to offer irecommendaitons. Read... Read More