Helping Kids Feel Safe By Using Parental Intelligence
Nothing is more basic to an infant, a child, and an adolescent than feeling and staying safe. This applies not only to physical safety but to emotional safety based on trust in attachment to at least one parent. Without this, all else of importance falls away. A sense of safety is at the core of…
Read MoreShe’s Not Bossy, She’s a Leader: 10 Ways to Know a Bossy Child from a Potential Leader
It’s so common to see little three and four-year-olds telling their peers and adults what to do with such ferocity you wonder where that gumption came from. It stops being cute when they keep demanding their way and you find yourself helpless to curb their appetites for getting what they want from others all the…
Read MoreWhy Do I Apologize for My Child When He Acts Like a Kid in Public?
The other day I was visiting a preschool and talking with a parent whose adorable six-year-old was wearing a pirate mask and carrying a play sword. He came up to me to me and said, “I’m scaring you!” I said “Oh-h-h. I’m so scared!” He smiled appreciably. Immediately the mother apologized for her son’s rude…
Read More7 Effective Ways to Instantly Feel Calmer, As Backed by Science
Do yuou want to calm down instantly? Are you stressed out, anxious, and irritated looking for some quick ways to effectively calm yourself down? Here are a few suggestions that I’ve repeatedly discovered help my patients as their psychotherapist: SMILE! Smiling actually releases endorphins and lifts your spirits and relaxes you. Look outside of yourself.…
Read MoreStages in Adolescence: Early, Middle, and Late Development
Understanding stages in adolescence is very important to parents when they want to comprehend what their teens are going through. Their chronological age may not correspond to their developmental age so perceptions may be different than what is expected. Early Adolescence Early adolescence is a time when kids begin to separate from their parents internally…
Read MoreParenting Kids Through Separation Anxiety
Separation Anxiety in The Early Years During the first three years of life, kids are just beginning to understand that their parents have not vanished when they can no longer be seen. Some children take longer than others to understand this. Those who find this difficult often experience separation anxiety, feelings that their parents are…
Read MoreWhen Teens Say, “NO!” – Finding Meaning Behind Behavior
Does your teen often say,”NO”? Don’t react. Listen. You may learn a lot!! Do you have an oppositional teen and you’re at your wits end? Think of their naysaying as a communication and your mindset shifts rapidly. Your teen wants to tell you something, but they don’t know how, so they just say “NO” to…
Read MoreRushing to Work When Your Child Has Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a problem for parents when they need to go to work. This creates a conflict for a busy parent rushing in the early morning hours. What to do? Because your child has separation anxiety, always leave at least half an hour of free time before you leave for work. This probably means…
Read More10 Tips on Living a Mentally Healthy Life
Living an emotionally healthy life is crucial to the well-being and productivity of children and adults. Here are some of my favorite tips: Get enough rest. Pursue an interest that inspires you either in your career or general life. Always continue to learn whether you are a student in an organized program or not. Learning…
Read MoreManaging Anxiety in Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Anxiety in preschoolers is important for parents. Managing anxiety in under fives depends very much on their ability to verbalize. If their vocabulary isn’t large it’s important to attend to their body language. Here are some tips for managing anxiety in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Infants Infancy from birth to age one is a wonderful…
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