When should we tell the kids that we are getting a divorce?
There is no “perfect time” for this conversation, but this article offers tips about how to carefully choose choose when to tell your child about separation/divorce.
Good for him!
As an MSSW first-year intern, I worked at a residential treatment facility for teenage male sex offenders. I didn't ask for that job, and it was really-really challenging, but I definitely learned an enormous amount there. This is one of my favorite stories from that time. I worked with a psychiatrist who was a super smart guy. He was [...]
Q: When should a parent seek professional help?
Therapy can be supportive at any stage, and can help improve relationships by resolving minor challenges before they become a major problem.
The pothole story… a metaphor for change
Once upon a time, on a Monday, a man was walking down a road. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, he found himself at the bottom of a big, dark place. It was scary! After several hours, he figured out that he had fallen into a very large pothole. He wasn't able to get out on his own--actually it required a lot of help to get out, but eventually he did get out. It was awful. The very next day--Tuesday,
You say you want a revolution…
When people come to see me, it’s generally because they are seeking change. Something isn’t quite the way they want it to be: they want to grow, or help their child grow. That desired change?—it begins in the brain. Scientists used to think that brains stopped growing after a certain age, but thankfully we now know better. Modern neuroscience [...]
An insider’s guide to getting the most out of your child’s therapy
Therapy is good stuff. Kids usually like going, and parents love the progress they see. You want your kid to get what they need and their health (physical and mental) is a top priority. But, money doesn't grow on trees and you want to make sure that you're maximizing your time, money and energy. So, here are a few [...]
Anti-Racist Parenting Conversations
Parents, and especially White parents, have important work to embrace around being, and parenting, in anti-racist ways. Let's start with two steps. #1: Understand “anti-racism.” I believe that most everyone in my life would describe themselves as “not racist.” If asked, they would disavow racist ideas and actions. However, as I have learned embarrassingly recently, it is not enough [...]
Book Recommendations about Parenting & ADD/ADHD
Taking Charge of ADHD by Russell Barkley Super-parenting for ADD by Edward Hallowell. (He also has a podcast with about a million episodes. Free and easy to access!) Late, Lost, and Unprepared by Joyce Cooper-Kahn & Laurie Dietzel This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive compensation if you click the links and then buy. (and if [...]
Puberty Book Recommendations
The Care and Keeping of You (The American Girl book). These people know their market! This book is known and loved by a gazillion people. There's also a "Part Two" version for older girls. This one was recommended to me as a more inclusive puberty book for girls: And for boys, I like this one but FYI it does [...]
After a Lockdown: Tips for Teachers
A mom friend got caught in a lockdown at her child's school recently, and she posted about her frightening experience on Facebook. Another friend asked if anyone helped the kids re-regulate their nervous systems when it was over. Unfortunately, the answer was no--kids were just released to go on to the next thing, probably still scared and with adrenaline [...]
