Helicopter parenting. It’s a term that we’ve all heard before. But what does it really mean? In this blog, I will help you better understand this concept and why you or someone you know might be acting this way.
Student-Athletes: Tips on how to Stay Emotionally Fit During the Holidays
The holidays are typically an exciting time for students. This is a time for taking a break from rigorous academic schedules, spending more time with loved ones from far and near and eating traditional foods you’ve waited for all year long.
Most student-athletes have a very different outlook on the holiday season. The holidays can be a very stressful and sacrificing time for them.
HALT Part 3 of 5 – Am I angry?
The HALT method is one of the most useful tools I have ever come across as a therapist. Whenever you find yourself heading towards a fight with your spouse/coworker/etc., ask yourself: Am I feeling hungry, angry, lonely or tired? This simple question has the power to radically transform those conversations. … Read More
Why Are Teens So Stressed Out? Part 2
In the first part of this blog, we looked at how chronic stress is beginning to impact teens in high school. Earlier this month, The Atlantic Magazine addressed this issue in their article “High Stress High School”. Teens are under increasing pressure/stress related to academic performance, intense focus on college applications/decisions, standardized test score performance and balancing their daily activities. In our previous post, we identified signs of chronic stress in teens and here are a few ways teens can cope with stress in a healthy manner. Developing healthy coping skills can be a lifelong goal, but parents can encourage and model good coping skills for their teens, right when they need it most!
Why Are Teens So Stressed Out?
Teens experience stress in many areas of their lives. Some stress, in small doses can be helpful for motivation. But many teens are experiencing higher levels of stress for extended periods of time, which is called ‘chronic stress’. If chronic stress isn’t identified and coped with, a teen’s physical and emotional health can be negatively impacted.
HALT Part 1 of 5 – Something to remember just before your next fight.
This is hands down one of the most helpful tools I have ever come across as a counselor. It’s a fairly common question used for self-reflection in recovery circles. You may be familiar with it if you or someone close to you has ever struggled with substance abuse. However, the … Read More
The Importance of Consistent Sleep Patterns
Are your children difficult to manage? Are they having behavior concerns that seem out of control? While there may be a variety of reasons, sleep patterns could be one of the most impacting. According to some research, children with inconsistent sleep patterns are more likely to have emotional difficulties, increased … Read More
Letter to Parents of an Injured Student-Athlete
You are not alone. Did you know that according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control high school students account for an estimated 2 million injuries each year? Although this may be true, when it happens to your son or daughter you may feel very alone and alienated. After the panic and relief that your child is “ok” wears off, the disbelief and disappointment starts to set in. Does this sound familiar? Depending on the injury, you may begin to wonder how your child’s ability to play will be impacted in the future. You may have feelings of helplessness because you can’t “fix” the situation. All of these feelings and frustrations are very normal but may cause significant emotional distress without proper care. This difficult experience can be managed by a variety of coping skills.
One hour to becoming a better spouse and parent.
We all know the importance of good habits. As we head back in to the school year, it’s not uncommon for parents to begin helping their children by establishing schedules that include things like regular homework time or a routine bedtime. However, the start of the school year can be a great time for parents to re-examine their own schedules and routines as well. One area that can be particularly helpful for many couples is to establish some routines or habits around spending time together.
Talking With Your Teen About Porn: 7 Tips for Having the Conversation(s), Part 2 of 2
We’ve spent plenty of time in prior blogs discussing whether or not porn use merits a conversation with your teen; and addressing common barriers to having this conversation; and offering suggestions as you prepare yourself for the conversation. Finally…you are ready to talk! Included in this blog are the last 4 of 7 great tips to keep in mind when you have your conversation.