The Tipping Point
How much involvement and supervision should parents have with their kids’ school work? My typical short answer to this very, very popular question is generally: “not too much.” My longer, more involved answer is that I like to think of this as a relationship physics equation. Help can be wanted, appreciated, and loving. It strengthens relationships. Help can also [...]
Anne of Green Gables & ADHD
A mouse drowned in the sauce, Marilla. Raise your hand if you loved this book in your own childhood! It was certainly one of my favorites. Anne Shirley didn't have a diagnosis, and I'm certainly not trying to give her one now, except... if I did, I think ADHD would be a front-runner. A lot of people [...]
Tips for Traveling with Kids
Travel with kids can be wonderful, educational, fun, and memorable. It's not usually easy or relaxing, though. For those of you who have family travel coming up this summer, I have a few short tips for you. 48 hours If your young child has touched a plane, train, or long car ride in the last 48 hours, their behavior [...]
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 [...]
