Room to Roam: A Therapists Guide to Helping Kids Embrace Experiences Outside of the Home
Struggling to get your kids out the door? You’re not alone. By understanding their challenges, you can make it easier—and even fun. [read more]
Tis The Season: Managing Holiday Stress
Ready or not, Winter is here. Daylight time is becoming shorter, and when you are out-and-about, you see people busily preparing for the upcoming holidays. While the new fresh snow and anticipation of seeing family over the holidays is exciting and joyful for many, we also know that many people find the holiday season to [read more]
Supporting Child Mindfulness Practices
There has been increased interest and research on the benefits of mindfulness and meditation strategies for both adults and children in recent years. Mindfulness encourages people to be intentionally present with their experiences while suspending judgment and being open and accepting to what is happening in the present moment. Achieving this state can help us [read more]
Family Boundaries and Communication with Outside Caregivers
We are expected to have good boundaries and follow social rules when invited into another person's home. We ring the doorbell, wait to be invited in, and then sit where we are told to sit. We don’t open the cupboards or wander around, and we usually find a way to give a compliment related to [read more]
Enhancing Friendship in Marriage
When you listen to people in newly formed relationships, you hear them say things like, “We have so much in common,” and, “I can talk to them for hours and hours.” Regular date nights, fun activities, and spending time together are a natural part of the dating experience as partners get to know each other. [read more]
Sweet Dreams…Tips on Child Sleep and Bedtime Routines
You are in back-to-school mode, and shifting from flexible summer routines to structured school year routines are a challenge for many families. Just how much sleep should your child get each night? How can you have a peaceful bedtime routine, or what do you do if your child has bedtime worries? Keep reading for a [read more]
Thanks, But No Thanks: Ideas for Handling Unwanted Advice
“You should really make sure your kid is wearing a hat, it’s windy out there…” “You and (your partner) really should start having a family soon or it may be too late.” “I can’t believe you bought a new car, don’t you know that used cars are a much better deal?” “That’s why you shouldn’t [read more]
A Few Reasons Why Kids Break Rules & What You Can Do About It
Those of you who are parents can all think of many times your children really pushed your buttons. You set rules, you do your best to enforce them, and work hard to instill good values and morals. Yet, your kids still reliably find ways to break the rules. Why is this happening? I believe that [read more]
How We All Receive and Experience Love Differently
Your partner shows love for you by cooking dinner on weeknights, while all you want is for him/her to tell you that you’re such a great parent. You buy your partner flowers, when he/she would rather spend an afternoon with you. Most of us don’t spend time thinking about how we all have different preferences [read more]
Why So Many Teens Tell Me They Can’t Talk to Their Parents– How You Can Improve Communication with Your Teen
I often have parents come into my office and say, “My teen won’t talk to me.” I meet with the parent(s) and they discuss their concern about their child not opening up to them. They talk about the teen’s tendency to withdraw, and they wonder what is going on. I later meet with the teen [read more]
