A certain degree of parent involvement is necessary for most children to engage in online school sufficiently. However, too much parent involvement can backfire and hinder children’s academic and behavioral development. So, how much is too much? And when is it not quite enough? The answer is: it depends on the child, their teachers, and … Read more
Everyone experiences anxiety in some form. Each of us have different situations or things that trigger an anxiety response (e.g. spiders, airplanes, giving a speech, wearing a bikini at the pool, etc.). For children and teens, it has become increasingly difficult to tell whether they have typical, healthy levels of anxiety or if they may … Read more
Diagnosable depression (e.g. Major Depressive Disorder) is the most common mental illness across the world. In children, depression looks different than it does in adults. Children often present with lower energy and more irritability. Depression is different than a temporary low mood, regular ups and downs, or a response to loss (grief). Depression in children … Read more
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has two flavors: inattentive and hyperactive. Some children present with one more than the other, and some present with both. What was once called “ADD” is now part of the overarching diagnosis that we call “ADHD.” ADHD tends to run in families as there is a genetic component. If you or … Read more
Grief is a normal reaction to the death of a loved one, which is experienced across cultures. Grief can manifest in many ways, based on the bereaved person’s developmental stage, family/cultural norms, relationship with the person who died, and many other factors. Below is information intended for caregivers regarding 1) what grief might look like … Read more
During the COVID pandemic, many people are struggling to maintain healthy sleeping habits for a variety of reasons. Our work and social lives increasingly rely on screens, our homes (and sometimes bedrooms) may now be our workplaces, and our normal routines have been disrupted. Additionally, many people are suffering from increased stress. Below are 3 … Read more
Over the past year, parents have been taxed with the immense challenge of navigating the pandemic while also ensuring that their children’s needs are being met. For many parents, this has meant juggling work from home while also supporting their childrens’ online schooling, on top of generally helping their families cope with increased isolation, boredom, … Read more
As COVID-19 cases in the area decrease, a growing number of children are returning to in-person school. Many children are excited to return to school in person. However, for scores of children and adolescents, that excitement may also be accompanied by apprehension, nervousness, and/or anxiety. There are a number of reasons that children may be … Read more
As we approach the one-year anniversary of COVID-19 uprooting our lives as we knew it, most people are eager to return to their pre-pandemic routines and activities. However, the reality is that it will likely be some time before things fully return to “normal”. Unfortunately for most people, the appeal of “shelter at home” activities … Read more
March 2021 marks the one-year anniversary of the beginning of the end of life as we knew it. Over the past 12 months, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we and our kids have adapted to massive changes in our social, academic, and personal lives. Although many children and adolescents have settled into their “new normal,” … Read more