Dealing with the loss of a pet is never easy. Pet owners love their animal companions and many consider them members of their family. Therefore, it is not unusual to experience sadness and difficulty after the loss of a pet. This event can be especially distressing for children. Many kids … Read More
Depression in Teenagers- See the Signs
Teenagers today are faced with ever-increasing pressures. From the changes of puberty, the pressure to fit in, meeting academic and parental expectations, peer pressure and the media, it’s no wonder that an estimated 3 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the United States experienced at least one major depressive episode. … Read More
Finding Meaning in Everyday Life
We are wired to search for meaning or purpose in life. We chase after it in our goals, careers, families, etc. But sometimes it is difficult to find purpose in everyday life. Even when we have achieved major goals, we are still discontent with where we are in life. Purpose … Read More
The Crisis of Modern Parenting
In her TED Talk, writer, and author of “All Joy and No Fun,” Jennifer Senior raises the question to parents, “Should our goal as parents really be to raise happy kids?” With so many advances in parenting, have parents today placed unnecessary anxiety, confusion, and panic onto themselves by creating … Read More
5 Ways to Compliment Your Kids
A major role in parenting is instilling confidence in children. In order to feel competent and valued, kids need to hear certain things from their parents. A compliment can drive a child towards great things. Some of the best and most meaningful compliments can come from Mom and Dad. Here … Read More
Relationship: The One Thing You Need for a Happier Life
It’s not wealth, fame or even success in your career. According to this Washington Post article, Harvard researchers have found that the key to the happy life is…relationship. The 75-year-old Grant Study is the oldest of its kind. It has followed the lives of men from Harvard University and Boston … Read More
Therapy for Children: Connecting Through Play
Many parents are skeptical about the therapeutic benefit of therapy for children. A common question we are asked at GROW is, “Can my child really participate in therapy?” “Will they know how to express themselves?” The answer to both of those questions is an absolute yes. Play therapy is a research … Read More
Strengthening Your Stepfamily: Part 3
While the step-couple may be experiencing the bliss of their new relationship, children are likely experiencing a myriad of emotions. When a stepfamily forms, changes often happen too quickly for the children. According to Dr. Patricia Papernow, this presents a common challenge that stepfamilies encounter: Children are dealing with losses, … Read More
Parenting with Mindfulness
The practice of mindfulness has gained popularity in the field of Psychology as a practice for improving well being, health, and managing stress and anxiety. Mindfulness requires you to be fully present in the moment, attentive to your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Parenting can benefit from this mindful approach … Read More
Yours, Mine, and Ours: 5 Tips for Merging Two Families
When families blend and stepfamilies are created, it is not uncommon for problems or conflict to arise. This adjustment process comes with its own unique rewards and challenges. Research findings suggest that a stepfamily takes several years to develop into a family unit. In order to increase your best chance … Read More
