The Flexibility Mascot
When your kids were younger, you provided the structure. This meant that you could usually create schedules and expectations that worked pretty well for you! But when your kid becomes a teenager, and has a much more independent life (and personality!) parents find themselves having to put some of their preferences and assumptions aside. For example--your daughter isn’t big [...]
Time Blindness
Time Blindness is a term coined by Russell Barkley (ADHD researcher and author.) It refers to the difficulty that people with ADHD have with keeping a sense of time in their mind. He also calls it 'nearsighted for the future.' People with ADHD tend to live "in the now" and as such, the present moment hijacks their attention, their [...]
Bandaids & the Default Body
Bandaids, and the systemic racism inherent in a single “skin color” option, is an example most are familiar with, right? But knowing it intellectually is very different from experiencing it firsthand. A couple weeks ago, my whole family got our Covid boosters, and each of us received a bandaid that was a very different shade from our skin color. [...]
Back to School
Whether you are thrilled or a little wistful, the end of summer vacation is upon us. Transitioning from summer’s more relaxed schedules and expectations isn't easy—for us or them. I'm sending you good thoughts for peaceful adjustment, along with 3 simple tips to make back to school smoother this year. Know: It's stressful for them. Especially for your introverts, [...]
Gender-Affirming Care and Parenting
Texas has been in the news lately for letters written by state officials declaring that what’s known as “Gender Affirming Care” is child abuse. It’s generally regarded as a political display, as the letters don’t change how the law actually defines child abuse, and major medical and mental health organizations have clarified that gender affirming care is not child [...]
Body Language and Parenting
Driving with my teenager this morning, I stopped at a stop sign and noticed a pair of women walking and talking nearby. Looking at the body language of the closest woman, I chuckled a little and said, "Uh oh, that looks like a big deal conversation! As we passed them, I noticed more body language, especially the other [...]
What is an Askable Parent?
An askable parent is what you want to be. No matter what your family values about sex are, chances are that you want your child to share them. For your child to know your values, and to get accurate information, they need to feel comfortable talking with you about sex. The askable parent creates that comfort, by building the [...]
Divorce: How to tell your kids
5 important things to do/think about/remember when first sitting down to tell your kids that their parents are divorcing
Divorce: 7 things kids want their parents to remember
Separation and divorce are hard on everyone involved. Here are 7 reminders from a child’s perspective about what is important to them.
Finding and Choosing a Therapist for Yourself or Your Child
This post is an FAQ for anyone considering, or already looking for a therapist for themself or someone they love. Click for a brief explanation of different types of therapists, finding a therapist with or without insurance, how to choose the right therapist for you, and a couple of other pieces of advice from the perspective of someone in the business
