How many parents have said at one point or another, “I wish my child would have come with a users’ manual,”? Nearly every single one. Nothing can really prepare us for parenthood. No class, no advice, and no user manual can give us the tools we require for raising happy and healthy kids. The truth is, to be good parents requires us to be conscious parents. Mindfulness – It’s Not Just for Meditation Your 8-year-old runs in from the backyard, excited to tell you about the frog he just found ...read more
Must-Know Advice for Managing Changes During COVID-19 Pandemic
Perhaps you’ve decided to make some changes in your life because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Or maybe you’ve had certain changes forced upon you, and now, you’re just trying to adapt and adjust. Dealing with these changes can be challenging at first, but what if these shifts could benefit you in the long run? Here are a few transitions you may be dealing with right now and how you can handle these events with a positive outlook. Becoming a Pet Owner If your time in self-isolation has inspired ...read more
The Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 on Families
If you asked any of us a year ago what would life be like in 2020, it’s doubtful anyone would have guessed we’d be going through a global pandemic, replete with lockdowns and self-quarantining. The Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 has impacted people oof all ages. At the beginning of the year, some families might have thought of being forced to stay home from work and school would be a fun little vacation. But as the weeks and months have passed, we’ve all learned this has been anything but ...read more
How To Help Your Teen Cope With Back to School Stress
It’s almost fall, which means store shelves are stocked with low-priced notebooks and markers and glue, et al. Soon the familiar brake hiss of school buses will be heard in neighborhoods across the country as kids head back to school, or you child will be logging into virtual school each day. Either way, there is added stress of returning to school amidst the pandemic of COVID-19. While some kids begrudge alarm clocks and mountains of homework, they still look forward to school; to enjoying ...read more
The Mental Health Dangers of an Over-Stuffed School Schedule
For their children to succeed as adults, many parents think they’ve got to be involved in numerous extracurricular activities with a jam-packed school schedule. Perhaps we believe this abundance of activities will foster a sense of pride and accomplishment. But is this excessive involvement in activities doing more harm than good? According to a study published in the journal “Sport, Education, and Society,” the social demands of an extracurricular-heavy and/or manic school schedule are not ...read more
How to Talk to Your Kids About Divorce
Going through a divorce can be one of the most stressful and emotional times in a person’s life. It’s hard enough wrapping your own head around the event, but trying to break the news to your children can be especially difficult. We are happy to help by sharing some information on how to talk to your kids about divorce. Many parents struggle to have this conversation because they worry they may not be able to keep their emotions in check. They also wonder if shielding their kids from the ...read more
Transitioning into a 2-Home Scenario After Divorce
Transitioning into a 2-Home Scenario After Divorce can be a tumultuous time for any adult and for children, it can feel like their world is falling apart. It can be confusing for children to have two homes, particularly in the early stages of divorce. But there are ways to bring positivity and excitement to this change while reducing your child’s stress significantly. Provide Stability Help your child adjust to the changes in your family by providing as much stability as possible. Having ...read more