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Tweens (ages 10-12)

Squash summer sibling rivalry today

By | 2016-10-31T01:22:54+00:00 June 24th, 2016|Children (ages 0-5), Children (ages 6-9), Tweens (ages 10-12)|

It's summer, it's hot, and the kids are bored. And when kids are bored, they squabble. Like chickens. About anything and everything... from whose turn it is to sit in the front seat of the car to who ate the last popsicle. If you're like the majority of parents, you're sick and tired of the senseless arguments. You may even be beyond yelling at this point, because nothing seems to quiet the masses that are your bickering children. Instead of giving up and pounding your head against a wall, hoping it'll drone out the constant conflict, give these strategies a [...]

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Kids and allowances: To give or not to give?

By | 2016-10-31T01:22:54+00:00 February 27th, 2016|Children (ages 0-5), Children (ages 6-9), Teens, Tweens (ages 10-12)|

Many parents struggle with decisions about how, when, and if to give their children allowances. While there is really no one correct answer to each of these questions, there are some great opinions and research on this topic. As a child psychologist, I support giving children an allowance; it can be a valuable parenting tool if done effectively. Below I explain my reasoning for allowance giving and provide answers to some of the common questions parents often ask me: What's the purpose of giving an allowance? Allowances provide children with valuable educational tools. If your children have access to their "own" [...]

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I’m sorry for my ADHD, Mom; Let’s have a better life

By | 2016-10-31T01:22:57+00:00 January 24th, 2016|Children (ages 0-5), Children (ages 6-9), Teens, Tweens (ages 10-12)|

I think we sometimes forget that kids who have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) don't chose the problems they have. Whether it's talking too much, bouncing off the walls, or having the attention span of a gnat, kids with ADHD often truly cannot control their behavior. They are many times labeled as annoying, socially immature, self-centered, out-of-control, and rude. While these labels certainly do describe typical ADHD behaviors, they certainly don't help us to understand and intervene with kids who struggle with ADHD. In my work as a child psychologist, I help several kids and families with ADHD. The ways in which [...]

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Win the holidays with cheer: 5 simple tips for a stress-free holiday season

By | 2016-10-31T01:22:57+00:00 November 22nd, 2015|Children (ages 0-5), Children (ages 6-9), Teens, Tweens (ages 10-12)|

The holiday season is here. Wahoo! Or is bah-humbug? Although the holiday season brings excitement and cheer for many parents, the added stress of prepping for the holidays can be extremely overwhelming. It's easy to lose your holiday spirit, but with a little planning and focus, you can be jumping up and down with excitement alongside your kiddos. Here are 5 simple tips to minimize your stress this holiday season: 1. Start early and plan. Squeezing in an extra errand a few days a week is less stressful and more realistic than completing all holiday prep a day or two before the [...]

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The skinny on autism: The top 7 things you really need to know

By | 2016-10-31T01:22:58+00:00 April 11th, 2015|Children (ages 0-5), Children (ages 6-9), Tweens (ages 10-12)|

Autism has been a hot topic for the past several years. Like any other topic in the spotlight of the media, there is a ton of information out there about autism- some of which is great (and when I say great, I mean valid) and some of which is not so great (Ahem... untrue). Because April is autism awareness month, I thought I'd write a brief post highlighting what I consider to be the most important facts about autism. So here goes: 1. ASD: The full name for autism is now Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In 2013 when the new [...]

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6 amazing gift ideas that won’t cost you a cent

By | 2016-10-31T01:22:59+00:00 December 20th, 2014|Children (ages 0-5), Children (ages 6-9), Teens, Tweens (ages 10-12)|

The holiday season can certainly be stressful. Party planning, cookie making, gift giving, traveling, dealing with financial guilt... and the list goes on. It's very easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle and forget what the holidays are truly about- family, friends, gratitude, spreading good cheer, and the celebration of mankind. Teaching your children about the significance of gift giving is important, but sometimes it's hard to remember that it really is the thought that counts. We'd like to share a few gift options below that don't cost a cent because having a handy list of gifts that [...]

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The homework battle: Stop fighting and start writing

By | 2016-10-31T01:22:59+00:00 October 12th, 2014|Children (ages 0-5), Children (ages 6-9), Tweens (ages 10-12)|

Homework. Just mentioning the word makes me cringe and brings back horrors from my own youth. The fights, the worry, the late nights. The hours spent thinking up excuses to explain why those pesky math problems didn't get finished. Eventually, I learned what was behind my own personal struggle with homework: the perception that my work had to be perfect, which led to me feeling completely overwhelmed, anxious, and aided me in becoming the world's greatest procrastinator. If only my parents and I had figured this out in the third grade, those countless battles of hurtful words, tears, and doors [...]

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A case of the grumpies or childhood depression: How to figure it out in just a few easy steps

By | 2016-10-31T01:23:03+00:00 March 15th, 2014|Children (ages 0-5), Children (ages 6-9), Teens, Tweens (ages 10-12)|

People often think childhood depression is a myth. I mean, what could a kid possibly be depressed about? A lot, as it turns out... school difficulties, problems with friends, family conflict, health concerns; the list is endless. But the majority of kids experience at least some stress at one time or another, and not every child is depressed. So how does it happen? Good question. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 11 percent of kids have a depressive disorder by the age of 18. However, depending on who you talk to, the causes of childhood depression are varied. [...]

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3 tips for A+ January success

By | 2016-10-31T01:23:03+00:00 December 29th, 2013|Children (ages 0-5), Children (ages 6-9), Teens, Tweens (ages 10-12)|

Winter break is quickly approaching its final days. With the kids out of school for the past couple of weeks, your days have likely been anything but ordinary and routine.  Between the excitement of new gifts, an endless sugar supply, and late night bedtimes, you and your family are almost certainly a bit out of sorts. Rather than spending all of January trying to recover and get back on track, kick-start the new year and experience less family stress by following these three easy tips: ROUTINE, ROUTINE, ROUTINE Once New Year’s has come and gone, begin picking up the pieces [...]

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Grateful versus greedy: Getting rid of the gimmes this holiday season

By | 2016-10-31T01:23:03+00:00 December 1st, 2013|Children (ages 0-5), Children (ages 6-9), Teens, Tweens (ages 10-12)|

The holidays are upon us. Thanksgiving has come and gone in the blink of an eye. Every year Thanksgiving seems to pass more quickly, for just as soon as the last pumpkin pie dish is cleaned, plans for Black Friday shopping take over in full force. Sometimes it seems we don’t give Thanksgiving the time and credit it deserves, while we prepare and plan for Christmas weeks in advance. And have you ever wondered why Thanksgiving music doesn’t exist? I myself think it would be a refreshing alternative to hearing Christmas music in October. Being grateful and giving thanks sets [...]

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