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When we think of “toxic parenting,” our minds often go to more obvious offenses – various forms of abuse or neglect. And while these behaviors are undoubtedly toxic, harm can come from a variety of behaviors. Below are some specific actions that can cause emotional difficulties for our children. If you find any of theseContinue reading Toxic Parenting: Problems and Fixes
As the holidays approach, parents are often strapped to come up with affordable gifts for their kids. Keep this in mind – our kids want presents, but they also want our presence. Below are 10 gifts you can give your children that don’t cost a cent but that can have a significant impact on them,Continue reading 10 Free Holiday Gifts for Your Kids
Participating in sports offers our kids so many benefits: physical activity, teamwork, working toward goals, socialization, fun, and more. Unfortunately, there are some aspects of youth sports that are harmful and detract from the multiple benefits. Here are five observations (as an ex-athlete, a graduate of a master’s program in sport psychology/clinical psychologist, and aContinue reading The Psychology of Youth Sports: What We Continue To Get Wrong
Parenting isn’t always the rosy picture we see portrayed on social media. Most parents struggle sometimes or often, and one of the significant triggers for their distress, especially when their children are young, is meltdowns. Meltdowns, or tantrums, are emotional storms that take their toll on anyone present. And while we can’t really prevent theseContinue reading Coping with Meltdowns: DBT in Action
Does your child engage in repetitive behaviors such as counting, washing, or checking? Do they insist on lining up their shoes or toys? Do they ask you the same questions over and over, seeking reassurance? Do they get stuck in certain patterns of action, distraught when unable to perform the action the “right” amount ofContinue reading Child OCD: An Introduction for Parents
You do it all – manage a home, a job, the children, and more. But now, with the spread of coronavirus and resulting school and activity closures, you’re being asked to do even more. Educate your children while you work from home and simultaneously cope with isolation, uncertainty, and other aspects of a pandemic? Check.Continue reading When Supermom Must Go Above & Beyond
Boundaries. We’re hearing a lot about them lately. But what exactly are they? Boundaries are limits we set with other people in order to protect our relationships – and ourselves. They are guidelines we communicate to others regarding how we want want (and need) to be treated. In fact, a healthy relationship cannot exist withoutContinue reading Boundaries for Beginners: Setting Limits that Preserve Your Relationships and Your Well-Being
Why Youth Sports? As someone who studied sport psychology before moving on to clinical, I learned the many benefits of youth sport participation. When children participate in sports, they mature physically, socially, and emotionally. What I find disturbing is a recent spate of advertising for youth sport touting weight loss as a motivation or primaryContinue reading Youth Sports: 10 Reasons to Participate that Have Nothing to Do with Weight
Parenting Is Hard The days are long and challenging. Emotions run high. Tempers flare, you bump up against your child’s emotions, and you lose control. Sometimes, things are so intense that it feels like you won’t make it until bedtime intact. You’re worried, frustrated, and even feel like life is devoid of meaning at times.Continue reading ABC PLEASE Skills – Parenting with DBT: A Series on Effective Parenting Strategies
Have You Experienced Mom Shaming? You’re unable to breastfeed, and a cadre of women tell you that you’re compromising you child’s attachment, development, and intellectual potential. You sleep apart from your infant, and they say you child is lonely and scared. You co-sleep, and they say you will crush or asphyxiate your baby. You goContinue reading Mom Shaming: Why It Needs to Stop
Are you sure you don’t want some cauliflower? A Bite of broccoli? A carrot drowned in ranch? Anything? Please? If you ask my kids if they eat vegetables, they’ll probably say no. Actually, it’s possible that one kid will tell you about the time he tried a cucumber in Ms. Vivian’s class (1.5 years ago).Continue reading Why I Don’t Make My Kids Eat Vegetables
You’re so sick of saying the same things. “Marco, pick up your socks.” “Vanessa, stop hitting your brother.” “Monique, put down your phone and do your homework.” Sometimes, you sound like a broken record, complaining about the same things your child is or isn’t doing. And the truth is, you just can’t take it anymore.Continue reading Radical Acceptance – Parenting with DBT: A Series on Effective Parenting Strategies