Girls Playing in the Sand

Trying and Enjoying New Adventures!

At one time or another, we have all tried something new. It could be a new job, a new task, or a new hobby. But, for some reason, we took a chance and did something differently. Whenever we do something new, there is uncertainty and risk. We may fail. But, even more likely is the […]

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Girl Sitting in Chair in the Sunshine

Internet Use and Child Behavior Problems

Behold, the SUN! With the sun shining so gloriously today, particularly after a rainy Midwest spring, many of us will be coaxed by its inviting rays away from our televisions and computers into the great outdoors…aka the backyard with the kids. However, as spring melts into summer and the sunshine loses its novelty, many children […]

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Boy walking to kindergarten

Taking Kindergarteners Behavioral Health Seriously

Kindergartners are fabulous kids. They are often joyful, exuberant, and creative. They are capable of many new developmental tasks, including turn-taking, pretend play with other children, feeling “grown-up,” independent play, seeking adult approval, and demonstrating a sense of humor with children and adults. They are beginning to read, spell, and do some math. All of […]

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Parenting Depression

Protecting Teens from Depression

Many parents struggle with a moody child, “tween,” or adolescent. At these ages, children are discovering their own identity, and managing the stress of school, parents, peers, and their future. In addition, they are going through vast changes in physical and emotional development. Who, in their shoes, wouldn’t be a little up and down? Adolescent […]

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Teaching Assertiveness to Children with Social Anxiety

Oftentimes, parents, educators, and therapists teach anxious children social skills, such as assertiveness. Assertiveness skills are used to negotiate conflict or to ask someone else to do something differently. For example, an assertive 12 year-old girl may ask a peer to stop speaking negatively about a friend by saying something like, “Let’s not talk about […]

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Devastation is Worse Than We Can Imagine

When the news earlier this week came about the tornado in Moore, Okla., my husband Mike and I looked at each other wide-eyed. “I didn’t think living through that other tornado bothered me, but I still have nightmares about it,” Mike told me. On May 3, 1999, Mike and I were living in Stillwater, Okla., […]

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happiness concept, happy girl child on the swing on beautiful mountain landscape

The Gift of Mindfulness and Meaningful Moments

When I was growing up, one of my favorite places in the world was the swing-set in my backyard. I have vivid, lovely memories of swinging, feeling the sunshine on my face, the wind in my hair, and watching the clouds up above. I would often sing with my mom and sisters, laugh, and imagine. Those were not extravagant moments, but rather simple joys. They were the moments that I experienced beauty and connection with my family and the world. They were moments that I was mindful.

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