Self-Care and Self-Compassion Improves Parenting

Self-compassion is an important part of parenting children and adolescents.  A few years ago, the Washington Post published an article called “Teaching Children Self-Compassion by Modeling it Ourselves” by Mandy Lange.  The article addresses the idea that children learn how to respond to their difficulties, stressors, and mistakes through their own experiences, and through what […]

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Girls Playing in the Surf

Appreciating Summer with Your Children

Summer can be a magical time for families, full of long, sun-soaked days, swimming at the pool, and gentle memories….summer CAN be enjoyable, even if plans don’t work out the way we thought they would. Here are a few suggestions which may be helpful.

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Graduation

The Summer Before College: 7 Tips for Parents and Teens

The summer before college represents a huge transition between high school graduation and leaving for school in the fall. Families are proud, excited, worried, and quite busy. There is much to do and prepare for, especially if that teen is headed to college in the fall. The summer after graduation is an exciting and overwhelming […]

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Woman winning award

Finding Your Way Through Status Anxiety

Issues related to status and college pressures are familiar to many people, particularly given the college admission scandals in the news lately.  Recently, federal prosecutors filed charges against a group of parents who paid someone to “help” admit their children to particular colleges. Specifically, these parents paid to have someone else take standardized entrance exams for […]

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Depressed Girl in Bed

Depression in Children and Adolescents: How to Help

Depression affects children, adolescents, and adults. It affects people from all income levels and ethnic backgrounds. Research estimates indicate that at least 2-6% of all children and 10-35 % of all adults are diagnosed with depression in their lifetime. Unfortunately, less than 20% of children receive the help that they need. Because you are now reading this, you are taking action to help your child, and that is a very important choice.

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Happy Nowruz

Spring in the New year!

The snow is melting and we can breathe in the fresh air once again. It’s a time for new beginnings, renewal, fresh energy, cleansing, and new habits. The natural world around us is going through a change and we can also go through some internal changes with it.

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Heart Puzzle

Autism Spectrum Disorder: What It Is and How to Help

“Autism” is a term with which many people are familiar.  Autism impacts many families, either in their own family, or through a relative or a friend.  However, many people still struggle to understand what it means, how to identify it, and how to help.  To make matters more confusing, autism is called many different things, and […]

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Girl with ADHD

ADHD In Girls

ADHD is a common topic among parents, schools, and health providers. But ADHD in girls is an elusive concept. Allison was always labeled a “Tom Boy.” When other girls were playing with dolls, reading, or coloring, she was outside playing with the neighbor boys. She preferred softball, kickball, riding her bike. She could never sit […]

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