Joyful Snow-showers

Snowflakes, soft and fluffy, were floating down, atop the 8 inches of snow on the ground. I watched my dog delightedly running circles in the yard as if to say, “Yey! Fresh snow! Look at me!” I called my 12 year-old son to the window. “I wonder why all dogs, big or small, short coats […]

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How to Help Your Child Open Up to You.

Helping Your Child Open Up to You

Children commonly have a hard time talking to their parents. It can be hard to open up. For some, it is a normal developmental stage. Other children are described by parents as shy or sensitive.   Additionally, children with anxiety or depression often keep difficult thoughts, feelings, and experiences to themselves.    There are many reasons that children […]

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Many Children Looking at Personal Screens

Keeping Your Child Safe On-Line

Many parents are uncertain of how to keep their children safe on-line. Although most of us use computers in our day to day jobs, we grew up at a time in history where friendship and learning primarily occurred face to face, and not through a screen or electronic device. Children today use electronics to learn, […]

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Parent Stress Increases Child Stress

Many children experience anxiety from time to time In fact, there is evidence to suggest that the number of children with anxiety disorders continues to increase over time, as well as the intensity of anxiety symptoms. Many things contribute to the stress children experience today.  Our culture demands more time and energy from both children […]

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Suicide: How to Talk to Your Child About It

It can be very difficult to talk to children about suicide Suicide is often very confusing and difficult for children and adults to understand. Many adults have mixed reactions, often questioning spiritual truths, models of mental illness, and issues of choice. Many survivors of suicide report a combination of feelings, from anger, anxiety, disbelief, and […]

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A six years old girl is practicing writing in a notebook.

Does Your Child Have Messy Handwriting

Handwriting often seems like a long-lost art. When I was in school, it was a class, just like spelling or reading. I practiced and practiced my letters, particularly when we got to cursive writing. I remember having to take home extra work to practice being neater in my work, and how important it was to […]

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Weathering Life’s Adversities

“Each of us is a flower growing in life’s garden. Each of us is a flower. We need the sun and rain.” The above song has been sung by both my children in elementary school. As I attended my youngest son’s music performance this week, I listened to the words. I found myself wondering if […]

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Building Resiliency in Our Children

Stop the avoidance

Many parents have appropriately question whether there is anything they can do to keep their children safe, strong, and healthy. Many parents, even myself at times, avoid thinking about all the hard things their children may face. Sometimes, this avoidance feels easier than contemplating a future that seems so scary or uncontrollable. However, by avoiding thoughts of fear or tough things in the world, we also evade making healthier changes in our lives, and our children’s lives.

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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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