During and after the holidays parents find their kids’ sometimes unruly behavior burning them out even though they wish to be devoted and loving. Here are some tips to combat feeling worn out as a parent. When kids are home…
Listening to our kids can sometimes be difficult especially if their tone is grating and criticizing, but it’s so important. To know that you are really interested in their lives and concerns gives kids the support they need to help…
Some kids are very independent and think for themselves and aren’t afraid to express themselves when they want to voice their opinions. Others are much more concerned with being popular or just fitting into a certain social group. The latter…
Some children do not react to disappointments and frustrations with words. They scream sometimes about what they want yet other times without obvious content. When this becomes a pattern, it’s essential for parents to know how to react and cope…
I am a psychoanalyst and psychotherapist in Cold Spring Harbor, New York. After practicing for three decades with children, teens, and adults I have found today’s political climate is feeling threatening to many people I treat. While many children and…
During this election week, as a psychoanalyst it is apparent to me that children and their parents are facing this week’s voting day with much anxiety. Children mimic their parents’ words and who they say they are voting for. Teens…
There’s so much stress and pressure on parents and kids today, we forget our sense of humor. We need to have fun time with our kids so they become resilient, enjoyable, and find time with us as pleasant, loving people…
Although we wish we were no longer in a gender-biased world, there are still many times when boys are expected to act a certain way. Fathers can help their sons learn how to build confidence in themselves and accept who…
What Parents Need to Know About Late Adolescence Thinking About the Future As the last stage in child development, teenagers need to think about their future academically, socially, and in the work place. This is a time to help them…
When children have two parents who live together or live apart due to a divorce, it’s important that they know that they are united in supporting the child’s venture into the new school year. Make sure every day each parent…
All mothers have those days or weeks when whatever they say doesn’t seem to work to ease their children’s large and small problems as they arise. They feel disillusioned and full of self-doubt as a parent. They wish they had…
Teens go through stressful times with spot quizzes, weekly tests and major exams. The major exams are the most difficult because they cover the largest amount of work that has been learned. Early in the year it is helpful to…
When kids go back to school at various ages, new demands pile on parents very quickly. New schedules, new homework, new teachers, and new schools are just the beginning. Increasing energy and stamina by parents are needed to cope with…
Going to a new school can always be stressful, but high school is the icing on the cake. New friends, new teachers, more work, and prospects of college are just a few of the stressors that kids are concerned about….
Transitioning from Elementary School to Middle School is a great challenge for many kids. The expectations of meeting new kids from other schools, having more serious school work, and meeting different teachers are part of the concerns. Then there is…