Category Archives: Parenting

My Brain Made Me Do It! Neuroscience for Kids Who Need It

How the basics of brain science can help kids change troubled behaviors Several weeks ago, I was sitting in the hallway of my school building talking with a student who was feeling distraught after her involvement in a heated conflict with several classmates.  The young girl had lashed out verbally at a group of studentsContinue reading “My Brain Made Me Do It! Neuroscience for Kids Who Need It”

Teaching About Social Meanness In Middle School

Developmental insecurity in early adolescence can cause cruelty at school. Several books ago I wrote one, Why Good Kids Act Cruel, to help parents help their early adolescents in middle school deal with mistreatment from social cruelty in any of the five forms it commonly takes: teasing, exclusion, bullying, rumoring, and ganging up. Why isContinue reading “Teaching About Social Meanness In Middle School”

Helping a Partner, Relative or Child who is Recovering from Trauma

Trauma can be described as a mental injury that is stored in the body and the brain. It’s an experience that overwhelms our natural ability to cope effectively. Managing the symptoms and daily experience of trauma recovery can be a constant battle, for both the survivor and those around them. Here are some information aboutContinue reading “Helping a Partner, Relative or Child who is Recovering from Trauma”

Parenting – How to Avoid “Mood Matching”

Here are a few ways to avoid “mood matching” when your little one is having a tough time: Give your good mood roots. Take care of yourself so your joy reaches beyond the amount of sleep you got, an insensitive comment someone made, or whether or not your partner shoveled the driveway. Your demeanor isContinue reading “Parenting – How to Avoid “Mood Matching””

Mistakes Parents Make When Feeding Their Kids

Tried and true ways to avoid common pitfalls at the family table. Whether your children are overweight, underweight, or perfectly fine, you probably still worry about how they’re eating. Here are 7 common mistakes parents make and how to avoid them. Mistake #1: Encouraging Kids to Join the “Clean Plate Club” For the most part,Continue reading “Mistakes Parents Make When Feeding Their Kids”

5 Ways to Help Young Kids Communicate Their Emotions

One of the most valuable lessons you can teach your child is to identify and manage their emotions. Doing so shows them that experiencing a range of emotions is normal. Kids who learn healthy ways to express and cope with their emotions show less behavioral problems. They feel more competent and capable. “Being able toContinue reading “5 Ways to Help Young Kids Communicate Their Emotions”