Parenting

One chilly afternoon this spring while playing a board game, my 4-year-old crossed his legs, then quickly uncrossed them and shot me a very serious look. “Crossing your legs is for girls,” he explained. I was horrified. Ever since he could sit upright, my son has crossed his legs—an endearing…

So your child told you they’re questioning their gender, or they’re having a strong reaction to being called a boy or girl. Maybe they asked you to use different pronouns or they refuse to wear gendered clothes. What do you do? First and most importantly: Don’t panic. It’s understandable that…

As a divorced mom of two boys, I’ve realized how common it is to feel lonely even when you’re rarely (if ever) alone. Like that time I got the stomach flu right before bedtime. I held a trash can in one arm while feeding my baby a bottle in the…

As parents, we want to help our children to the best of our abilities. If we could take away their worries altogether, we would in a heartbeat. But childhood anxiety is common, affecting 7% of children and adolescents at any given time, with up to one in three people experiencing…

“Only-child syndrome” is a popular but controversial term used to describe a set of traits or characteristics thought to be common in children who grow up without siblings. These traits, often painted in a negative light, can include selfishness, loneliness, introversion, difficulty sharing, and an overdeveloped sense of independence. However,…

It can be tough to know what’s going on in your child’s world. Little kids may not have the language to name their feelings, while older kids and teens may be resistant to opening up. As both a counselor and a mom, I recommend checking in with your children regularly….

Your 8-year-old suddenly refuses to go to birthday parties. Your teenager has started coming home from school and immediately disappearing into their room. Your preschooler, who used to hop out of the car at daycare, now clings to your leg every morning. If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not…

Parenting can be a joyful experience, but it’s not without its challenges. Parents often struggle with burnout, anxiety, and even depression. But with the right support and treatment, these conditions are highly treatable. Read on to find out what depression in parents looks like, how it can impact children and…

Anxiety is a natural part of life, but when anxiety goes beyond standard stress or fear, it can have a negative impact on life and relationships. Those with untreated anxiety might withdraw from or get irritable with their friends, and anxious parents might model fears and worries to their children. …

Parent-child relationships aren’t always easy to navigate, and they can become fraught with tension when past conflict goes unresolved. When someone has issues with their mother, it can be difficult to know how to change things. When managing conflict in any relationship including with one’s mother, it’s important to prioritize…

Physical touch, whether it’s a hug, a kiss, or even just holding hands, can feel great from those we love. However, it’s also possible to receive too much and become overwhelmed by touch. Many people, especially mothers, can start to feel “touched out” when their sense of physical touch is…

The transition from the laidback days of summer back to the structured environment of school can often be a challenging one for children. Just as adults might take a while to readjust to work after a vacation, children also require time to settle into their school routine.  Dive into these…