The human-animal bond is so deep-rooted and self-evident that most scientists neglected to study it for decades. We now know that the loving relationships between domesticated animals and humans are bidirectional, bestowing health benefits on both man and beast. Though only some pets are officially called emotional support animals (ESAs),…
A division of the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia has conducted extensive research into the “past life memories” of children. These spontaneous child “reincarnation” stories usually have elements in common, like the violent death of the previous personality and intense emotions. Some critics use psychological explanations like…
Dads are commonly portrayed in pop culture as oblivious, absent-minded, and detached—in other words, they’re often shown as being incapable of parenting. The laughs are real, but the societal implications are as well. Our favorite shows and media often critique and remark on our social norms and issues. When it…
Social media is often frowned upon for its harmful impact on teens—but the truth is that there are both pros and cons to their social media use. One pro is that social media encourages friendship and interpersonal connection: it helps teens fulfill their social needs. Also, it helps kids learn…
When my parents decided to divorce, I was 19 years old and a sophomore in college. Fortunately, because I was 19, I was able to cope (mostly). I was able to understand and adjust accordingly. I also had distractions aplenty, being that I was away at college. My kid brother,…
Kids and teens are more susceptible to mental health problems because their brains are still developing. It’s important that they’re shown continuous love and support as they change physically, mentally, and emotionally. When parents divorce, this balance of love and support can get thrown off and negatively impact the kids….
New research shows that if parents want to successfully reduce their children’s screen-time, they should cut back on their own screen-time. Kids are spending more and more time playing on iPads and sitting in front of the TV, which feeds an increase in obesity among children. The researchers sought to…
Cyberbullying is a form of bullying in which the perpetrator uses technological means to harass, demean, tease, or threaten their victim(s). Cyberbullies can attack their victims via social media, text, phone call, or email, anytime and anywhere, so long as they have access to this technology. Anybody can become a…
Bullies aren’t just kids who pick on their classmates at school—people of all ages and in all settings, including at work, can become a bully. Bullying at work can look a lot like childhood bullying, in that it can involve teasing, name-calling, gossiping, and exclusion. In the work realm, a…
Many parents are concerned about their children being subjected to bullying, but we often forget to consider another possibility: that our child is the bully. If you’re concerned about this possibility, you can take measures to talk to your child and stop their bullying behavior. First, teach your child to…
It’s important you understand it yourself before educating your kids on bullying: for instance, bullying doesn’t just occur at school but in the household. Oftentimes, bullies are created in the household after they are bullied themselves by family members, like parents and siblings. You can spot sibling bullying by keeping…
It can be hard to navigate a conversation about bullying with your child, but there are a few professional tips that can help you do so successfully. First, you should help your child feel comfortable talking to you; this can be accomplished by encouraging and maintaining open communication on multiple…