Anxiety
Is My Child Lazy? What Their Behavior May Actually Be Telling You
Few words worry parents more than lazy. It often starts with observations that seem difficult to explain. Your child avoids homework, but happily spends hours building with Legos. They can focus for hours on a video game but struggle to even begin a writing assignment. They promise they’ll clean their room, but somehow never get started. Or…
Read MoreMy Child Is a Picky Eater. When Should I Be Concerned?
Few parenting challenges create as much daily stress as mealtime. One child happily eats almost anything that is served (at least before a certain age…). Another insists on the same five foods every day. One refuses vegetables. Another won’t eat foods that touch each other. Some children gag when trying a new food, while others…
Read MoreHelping A Child Find Their Own Voice
We all want children who can make decisions, solve problems, express their needs, and eventually navigate adulthood without relying on someone else to tell them what to do. We want our children to become independent, but also confident and happy. But how we should build and support a child’s ability to find their own voice is…
Read MoreADHD, Autism, and Anxiety: Why Diagnosis Can Be Complicated
Many parents come in with the same question: “We’ve been told it’s ADHD… but something still doesn’t feel quite right.”Sometimes anxiety has been mentioned. Other times autism has been raised—often later than expected, or after years of trying to understand why certain things feel harder than they should. Parents may hear different opinions from teachers, therapists,…
Read MoreUnderstanding Masking: When Kids Hold It Together All Day and Fall Apart at Home
Parents often tell me some version of this story: “My child does great at school. Teachers say they’re a great student, a good friend, and working hard. But when they get home… it’s like everything falls apart. Big emotions. Irritability. Tears. Explosions. Shutdown. What happened to the kid who held it together all day?” This…
Read MoreHelp Your Child Build Study Skills
Supporting your child’s learning at home can feel like a delicate balancing act. You want to help—of course you do—but you also want your child to grow confident, independent, and capable. The good news is that with a few intentional strategies, you can create a homework routine that builds study skills, lowers stress, and supports…
Read MoreSeparation Anxiety in School-Aged Children
Your 8-year-old clings to you at the classroom door. Your 10-year-old insists on sleeping in your room. You wonder… Is this normal, or is something else going on?
Read MoreSupporting Your Teen’s Growing Independence
As a parent, you’ve worked hard for years to keep your child safe, healthy, and supported. When your child has neurodevelopmental differences (e.g., autism, ADHD, or a learning disorder) or if your child has a medical condition, your protective instinct can feel even stronger. You’ve likely spent much of their childhood coordinating appointments, advocating at school, and stepping in when the world wasn’t quite ready to meet their needs.
Read MoreSimple breathing exercises for kids to calm their nervous system
When your child feels overwhelmed, anxious, or wound up, you want to help them find a place of calm again. Breathing exercises are one tool you can teach your child – lots of research shows these simple techniques change how their nervous system responds to stress. Before you try these during those times of big emotion, be sure to first practice them during times of calm.
Read MoreAbout Medical Play for Kids with Medical Fears
“Medical play” (sometimes called “therapeutic play”) refers to play activities in which children use real or pretend medical equipment, dolls, or role‐play to explore medical experiences (e.g. doctor visits, hospital stays, injections). In healthcare settings, it may be guided by a child life specialist, psychologist, or another trained professional. Parents and caregivers can also help facilitate medical play, especially if their child shows an interest.
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