Do your kids have what they need to be successful? Like most parents, you want to see your kids get the grade, win the game, learn the skill, and feel proud of themselves. You often willingly make a lot of sacrifices: sleep, time with friends, and time away from work … Read More
Marriage Relationships and Their Healthy Characteristics: Part 2
In Part 1, we reviewed characteristics of a healthy marriage. Unfortunately, when these elements break down, the friendship erodes and the relationship can become very negative. The information that I am sharing with you is based on the work that Dr. John Gottman discussed in his book, “The Science of Trust.” … Read More
Leaking is a Toxic Behavior Parents should Avoid: Part 2
As I stated in part 1 of this blog, leaking can have a negative impact on your children’s mental and emotional health. As parents experience the pain, anger, confusion and grief that typically accompany a divorce, children are also experiencing many of those same emotions. Divorce can increase a child’s … Read More
School and Mental Health: When Parents need to Take Charge
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five school children in the United States suffers in their mental health: anxiety, difficulty focusing and social challenges. As NPR has been reporting in their Mental Health in School series, many schools don’t have the resources to meet their … Read More
Leaking is a Toxic Behavior Parents should Avoid: Part 1
What is leaking? Leaking is a term coined by Dr. Patricia Papernow, step-family and post-divorce expert, which describes what parents do and say to blame and/or undermine the other parent in the presence of their children. In my practice, I hear examples of leaking from many parents contemplating a divorce. … Read More
Complain, but Don’t Criticize
If you are in a committed relationship, you are occasionally going to complain about your partner. Valid complaints help us grow and become better partners. But how do you complain without it resulting in a fight? The key is to soften how the complaint is voiced. In Dr. John Gottman’s research, … Read More
Helping Your Child Through Your Divorce
No one wants to go through a divorce, especially when there are children involved. Unfortunately, divorce is a reality for many couples. If you are going through a divorce and you have children, you have a responsibility as a parent to do what you can to protect your child. It’s … Read More
Tips for Developing Confidence in Children: Part 2
In part 1 of this blog series, I wrote about the importance of developing confidence in our children. I highlighted the fact that self-confidence is essential for all aspects of healthy human development and that children with confidence are more likely to learn more, achieve more and are generally all … Read More
Your Child & A Scar – How to Help Address Differences in Appearance
Recently, I had a mom contact me with a specific scenario in which she needed help for her daughter. Her elementary aged child had recently had surgery and was refusing to go out in public due to her new, very visible, scar. The young girl was worried how people would … Read More
Tips for Developing Confidence in Children: Part 1
Self-confidence is essential for all aspects of healthy human development, especially in the development of children. Confidence makes children more likely to be resilient and to pursue individuality, and less likely to develop emotional problems later in life. They learn more, achieve more and are generally all around happier in life. … Read More
