I often field questions from parents asking about how to navigate the role of social media in their children’s lives. “Should I allow my teen to have a Facebook?” “Is it ok for him/her to be posting so many selfies?” “What is ‘Snapchat?’” Most of the time, the answers to … Read More
Relationship Navigation for Parents and Adult Children
When kids become adults, the dynamic between the parent and child relationship changes. You will be dealing with different issues than when your children were younger and living under the same roof. For example, it can be difficult to figure out when to give advice and when to stay quiet. … Read More
The Aftermath of Trauma: Helping Children Cope
Witnesses to a violent or traumatic event are considered “secondary victims.” When the “secondary victim” is a child, parents and other caregivers are often unsure of how to respond to the effects of trauma. It is essential for children to be able to talk about their feelings and attempt to … Read More
The Best School Year Ever: Saying No
With the new school year about to begin, you are going to be faced with a lot of new opportunities. There will be new sports to join, new hobbies to try out, and new volunteer opportunities. It is so tempting to jump into everything and take on every possible fun … Read More
Parenting with Love and Logic
Parenting is not easy. Many of the parents we work with at GROW Counseling are seeking to establish a loving and positive relationship with their children. There are a variety of factors that contribute to building a strong parent-child relationship. In today’s rapidly changing and complex world, it is essential … Read More
Words: Beyond Sticks and Stones
You’ve probably heard the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” I appreciate the spirit of the maxim, the refusal to give credence to critical, spiteful, thoughtless speech. The problem is, it’s not true. Scientific studies, legislation regarding hate speech and even … Read More
Ease the Back to School Butterflies
As summer comes to an end, you may notice your kids are asking more questions about going back to school and may even have some butterflies about all the upcoming changes. Kids may feel worried about having a new teacher, finding friends to sit with at lunch, or even if … Read More
Children and the Financial Impact of Divorce
Recently, I was asked to be an expert on a podcast with IRC Wealth discussing divorce and how to manage the financial impacts that it may have on children. With divorce, decisions made regarding the children are often some of the most difficult. Will we split custody? Where will the … Read More
Parents: Prepare Yourself and Your Child for College!
When teens are seniors and preparing to graduate, they are repeatedly asked whether or not they are ready for college. Have they applied? Been accepted? Chosen a major? Do they feel ready to “live on their own?” While the kids are the ones heading off to class, parents may also … Read More
Redefining Failure: A Conversation with Sara Blakely
Is fail a four-letter word in your vocabulary? Do you define yourself by your failures? Sara Blakely, founder and CEO of Spanx, offers a redefinition of failure. She states, “Failure for me became not trying, versus the outcome.” Our perception of an event and what we think the event means … Read More
