December 14, 2015
Survive The Holidays
How do you keep children focused on projects
assigned over the holidays, but still allow time for a
“break” from school work?
December 1, 2015
The 2015 ADDitude Gift Guide for Kids with ADHD
Yes, you could buy another baby doll or Nerf
weapon, and your kid would probably love it. Or you could
invest in a gift that stimulates your child’s brain, builds
up her working memory, or helps him improve social skills.
November 18, 2015
Intro by Dr.
Skipper
The holidays are upon us and with that comes
the chance to create the “warm fuzzies” in your child’s
life. This is the perfect time of year to treasure valued
memories or create new ones. Here are five reasons why you
should make an effort to preserve and adore your family
traditions!
Why We Need to Maintain Family Tradition
November 18, 2015
How Parents Give Away Their Authority
Like a fever, these behaviors may have many triggersYou
don’t like to be seen as “the bad guy.” Besides, your
partner is a much better disciplinarian – they have no
problem enforcing the rules, and the kids actually listen to
them.
November 10, 2015
Value of an Allowance
Many parents wonder about the value of giving their
kid(s) an allowance. I’m in favor of allowances for these
reasons.
November 02, 2015
How to Help Kids With Sleepover Anxiety
A step-by-step plan for building comfort (and
courage!) away from home.
October 20, 2015
Behavioral Treatment for Kids With Anxiety - Kids learn to
handle the bully in the brain
Serious untreated anxiety tends to get worse over
time, not better, because the child learns that avoidance
works in reducing the anxiety, at least in the short run.
October 12, 2015
11 Meals to Fuel the ADHD Brain
These easy-to-make meals, for any time of day,
contain the protein and ADHD-friendly vitamins and minerals
needed to optimize brain power.
October 02, 2015
ADHD Behavior: Banishing Bad Moods
Some children need medical intervention to combat
depression or anxiety, so it’s important to consult with
your child’s doctor. But most children can be taught to
regulate their bad moods and ADHD behavior problems with
some simple cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques.
September 22, 2015
7 Ways To Support Your Shy Child
People have told me that my daughter Nava is an old
soul. They say this because — although she is often quiet —
when she does speak, the wisdom she espouses is frequently
quite remarkable.
September 10, 2015
The Surprising Reason for Bad Child Behavior: "I Can't Solve
Problems".
What causes bad child behavior? James Lehman says
it happens because children don’t yet know how to solve
problems effectively.
September 3, 2015
Devise Smart Homework Strategies
The ADHD Homework System That Works - Is homework
stress exhausting your family? Follow this homework system
to put in place a routine that will to bring peace to the
household and help your child establish life long learning
habits.
August 22, 2015
40 Best School Accommodations For Your ADHD Child
Here are the accommodations to request in your child's IEP
or 504 plan to assure academic success.
August 10, 2015
10 Steps to Set Your Kids Up with a Healthy Online/Offline
Balance
Talking with parents about sexuality and online
safety, it seems as if everyone just wants to know what
button to push or what software to buy to ensure their child
never sees porn, never talks to strangers online, and never
posts provocative pictures.
July 25, 2015
Intro by Dr.
Skipper
The new school year is so exciting because it’s a
fresh start for teachers, parents, and students. Everybody
gets a chance to do it over and do it differently if things
didn’t go so well the year before. To help out, here are 10
suggestions to aid in your child’s school year launching
more smoothly. Even though the focus is on children
diagnosed with ADHD, these strategies are great for all
children to start the school year off right.
10 Steps to Take BEFORE School Starts
July 19, 2015
5 Valuable Health Lessons You Can Learn From Your Child
The moment my first child was born, my view of the world
changed forever. But of all the perceptions that changed,
one thing took me especially by surprise: the health lessons
kept rolling in.
July 12, 2015
Screen Addiction Is Taking a Toll on Children
Excessive use of computer games among young people in China
appears to be taking an alarming turn and may have
particular relevance for American parents whose children
spend many hours a day focused on electronic screens.
June 12, 2015
Will ADHD Medication Change My Child's Brain?
If you have a child who's been diagnosed with ADHD, you may
be facing a decision whether to try medication. Stimulant
medications have been shown repeatedly to be the most
effective treatment for the symptoms of ADHD, helping kids
pay attention, concentrate, manage their impulses, and avoid
risky behaviors.
June 8, 2015
Top 5 Summer Vacation Problems with Troubled Children - and
How to Handle Them
Summer vacation. This favorite time of the year for
kids is often the most stressful time of the year for
parents. Whether your child is off for three full months or
attends school year-round, if he is oppositional or defiant,
you’ve probably learned to dread school breaks.
May 3, 2015
Anxiety in the Classroom - What it looks like, and why it's
often mistaken for something else
Sometimes anxiety is easy to identify—like when a child is
feeling nervous before a test.
April 25, 2015
Hitting, Biting and Kicking: How to Stop Aggressive Behavior
in Young Children
As parents, few situations are more difficult to deal with
than having a child who is aggressive toward other children.
It can be embarrassing as well as frightening when your
child bites, hits, scratches or kicks to get his or her way.
April 12, 2015
When Should You Come Between A Teenager And Her Phone?
For teens, the threat of having their phone confiscated or,
worse, having their phone searched by their parents, would
seem to be a powerful deterrent to bad behavior.
March 31, 2015
3 Things Mothers Need To Stop Saying In Front Of Their
Daughters
For as long as I can remember, I have had an ongoing battle
with the mirror. I distinctly recall dropping out of dance
class while in elementary school because I was too
embarrassed to wear the leotard.
March 22, 2015
When Should You Come Between a Teenager and Her Phone?
For teens, the threat of having their phone
confiscated or, worse, having their phone searched by their
parents, would seem to be a powerful deterrent to bad
behavior. At least parents would like to think it's a
deterrent. But what is really going through the mind of your
teen, when you take away her phone?
March 10, 2015
Attention Seeking Behavior
Here are several things you can do, as well as what to
avoid, when your child seeks attention from you.
February 24, 2015
Angry Kids: Dealing With Explosive Behavior. How to respond
when a child lashes out
When a child—even a small child—melts down and becomes
aggressive, he can pose a serious risk to himself and
others, including parents and siblings.
February 3, 2015
The 6 Secrets To A Happy Household
Is everyone singing the same song -- or does it
sometimes feel like you're all out of tune? How to get in
sync with one another to create a happier, more connected
household.
January 24, 2015
Intro by Dr. Skipper
I read a lot of articles and papers in
my work and sometimes I just share an article link on
Trending @ Dr. Skipper.com and other times I really want to
make sure people see a particular article and truly take it
in. This is the case here…
Many families are so caught up in the day to day grind of
work, homework, running the kids around, and extended family
matters that even dinner isn’t without interruption. Next
thing you know, the entire family is accustomed to doing
their own thing, burying their heads in technology, and no
one is taking the time to just talk together as a family.
Keep reading to see how something as simple as sharing a
meal together can make a huge difference for yourself and
your family.
Doing This One Simple Thing Will Help Your Children Avoid
Misbehaviors
January 24, 2015
Ten Things You Should Never Tell Your Child
"What were you thinking?" "You're not even trying!" Parents
aren't perfect — we all wish we could take back some of the
harsh things we've said. But here are 10 phrases that
parents of ADHD kids should absolutely, positively never say
out loud.
January 12, 2015
11 Things I Wish Every Parent Knew
After 25 years practicing pediatrics, and caring
for thousands of children, I've noticed some patterns that
offer me a deeper vision of health. Here are some of those
invaluable lessons.
December 30, 2014
Three Common Parenting Traps
Parenting. Even though we've been doing it for
millennia, it's still a work in progress. Despite
generations of passed-down knowledge and experience, it
seems like it always comes down to a situation where it's
after bedtime, you're sleep-deprived and running on leftover
mac and cheese, and you will do just about anything to get
your kid into the bath.
December 10, 2014
By Dr. Skipper
Psychological Evaluation And Testing
Hearing that your child may need a psychological evaluation
can cause a great deal of anxiety for any parent or
guardian. It’s difficult to hear that your child may have a
disability, mental health disorder, or behavior problem. If
you find yourself in this situation, try to look at an
evaluation as a way to lessen anxiety and difficulty as it
will aid you in understanding and addressing the specific
needs of your child in order to positively affect their
family life and/or academic functioning.
November 25, 2014
The Family Gathering: A Survival Guide - How to help your
kids be at their best and have fun, too
We know from the songs and movies that holidays are
supposed to be an exciting, meaningful time for families to
reunite and celebrate the things we cherish.
November 12, 2014
Kids And Addictive Self-Harm Behaviors
In the United States, as many as 35 percent of
adolescents intentionally inflict harm to their bodies. This
is called self-harming, self-injury, or self-abuse. Often,
people who take part in this type of behavior have some
underlying emotional trauma or disorder.
October 9, 2014
How to Talk to Your Teenager About Substance Use and
Abuse
Adolescence is a tricky time. Teenagers are just beginning
to establish their identities and this often means testing
the limits of parental controls. When it comes to drugs and
alcohol, pushing the boundaries can lead to dangerous
territory.
September 28, 2014
How To Talk To Your Kids About Sexting
It's far too easy for kids to assume that private
online communication stays private. It feels intimate, and
sharing intimate details is one way we build close
relationships.
September 7, 2014
Teen Stress and Management
Strategies
By Dr. Skipper
Teen
stress is on the rise as adolescents are faced with an
increasing number of challenges such as relationships with
peers, new demands at school, developmental challenges, family
issues, and social media to name a few.
August 27, 2014
American Psychological Association Survey Shows Teen Stress
Rivals That of Adults
American teens report experiences with stress that
follow a similar pattern as adults, according to a new
survey released today by the American Psychological
Association.
August 7, 2014
ADHD - 12 Steps to Smarter School Accommodations
How to create, implement, and maintain an IEP or 504 Plan
that secures school accommodations for your child with ADHD
or LD.
July 9, 2014
13 Ways to Boost Your Daughter's Self-Esteem
In a culture saturated with digitally altered images of
impossibly thin women, raising girls with high self-esteem
can be daunting indeed. But as parents, you have great
influence—both by what you say and what you do.
June 22, 2014
8 Apps Parents Should Watch For According To An Investigator
Of Crimes Against Children
Is it really a friend or is it a predator? Unless you are
actively monitoring your child's smartphone and tablet apps,
you are not getting a complete picture of who they're
talking to.
June 10, 2014
Great Apps To Help Kids Cope With Depression
For children with symptoms of depression, finding motivation
to make lifestyle changes or pursue activities that can
improve moods over time can be difficult. LearningWorks for
Kids has combed through hundreds of apps to put together a
list of the best apps to help kids cope with depression.
May 17, 2014
What Is Cyberbullying?
By Dr.
Skipper
If you’re reading
this article you already know that being a parent is one of
the most challenging and, at the same time, most rewarding
jobs in the world. Parenting is by nature an undertaking
that requires continuous involvement, constant decision
making, and can often leave you feeling like you’re on a
roller coaster ride at the nearest theme park. Combine this
with the fact that you are frequently competing for your
child’s attention with environmental factors such as
technology and the online community, also known as social
media.
May 4, 2014
Learn About ADHD: Focus on Hyperfocus
It's no secret that children and adults with attention
deficit disorder (ADD ADHD) often struggle to focus on tasks
they find uninteresting. High distractibility -- in children
with ADHD who are unable to stay focused on a classroom
lecture or in adults with ADD who never get around to doing
their paperwork -- is a key ADHD symptom and diagnosis
criterion.
April 3, 2014
Be Comfortable In Your Own Skin
A common saying notes that beauty is in the eye of
the beholder, but there are certain factors that affect how
the beholder sees beauty. When it comes to the beauty of
others and oneself, one's perception is often influenced by
outside sources such as the media.
February 15, 2014
2014 Stress in America survey addresses teen stress levels
American teens report experiences with stress that follow a
similar pattern as adults, according to a new survey
released Feb. 11 by the American Psychological Association.
In fact, during the school year, teens say their stress
level is higher than levels reported by adults in the same
time period.
January 17, 2014
What Are We Missing in the Rush
to ADHD Diagnoses
Of all the people worrying in print lately about
overdiagnosis of ADHD, I think Daniela Drake, writing on
Salon, has the most important thing to say. A doctor and the
mother of a son who was wrongly diagnosed with ADHD, she
admits to being credulous when she was told that her son had
the disorder, and, frankly, seeing a lot of other kids who
looked like they had it, too.
January 9, 2014
What Are The Symptoms Of
Depression In Children?
By Dr. Skipper
For a parent, childhood depression can be
difficult to recognize because symptoms of depression in
children often look different than symptoms in adults.
Children who suffer from depression frequently present with
symptoms of sadness and/or irritability beyond what is
typical given a child’s stage of development or presenting
situation.
January 6, 2014
Many Anxieties And Fears Are Normal
Everyone, from the youngest child to the oldest adult,
experiences anxieties and fears at one time or another.
Feeling anxious in a particularly uncomfortable situation
never feels very good.
December 26, 2013
Screen Time Linked To Behavior
Problems In Children
Tablet computers are so
easy to use that even a 3-year-old can master them.
And that has some pediatricians and other health experts
worried. Since navigating a tablet generally doesn't require
the ability to type or read, children as young as toddlers
can quickly learn how to stream movies, scroll through
family photos or play simple games.
December 18, 2013
Handling Tantrums and Meltdowns -
What's a Parent to Do?
The first thing we have to do to manage tantrums is
to understand them. That is not always as easy as it sounds,
since tantrums and meltdowns are generated by a lot of
different things: fear, frustration, anger, sensory
overload, to name a few. And since a tantrum isn't a very
clear way to communicate (even though it may be a powerful
way to get attention), parents are often in the dark about
what's driving the behavior.
December 17, 2013
Six Tips For Successful Parenting
By Dr. Skipper
It’s no secret that being a parent is one of the toughest
jobs in the world! While the role of a parent can be
incredibly rewarding, it can also be incredibly challenging.
It truly often feels like a roller coaster ride. Following
are six tips to help make your parenting job a little easier
and more rewarding.
December 8, 2013
Divorced For The Holidays: What To Give The Kids
Show your love by cooperating, not competing.
At holiday time we're inundated with media images of happy
families experiencing the holidays together. But the truth
is that about 50% of marriages end in divorce; and of the
ones that are intact, at least some of them are unhappy.
November 20, 2013
Parenting Your Strong-Willed Child
Have a strong-willed child? You're lucky! Strong willed
children can be a challenge to parent when they’re young,
but if sensitively parented, they become terrific teens and
young adults.
October 5, 2013
By Dr. Skipper
Does My Child Have ADHD?
Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of
the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders in
children and adolescents. Numerous studies show that the
number of children being diagnosed with ADHD is on the rise.
Symptoms of this disorder can cause extreme distress for
suffering children and the adults who interact with them in
home, school, and other environments.
.
December 14, 2015
4 Ways to Make the Holidays Better for Kids
Tips for keeping kids happy and able to enjoy the
fun.
December 1, 2015
5 Ways to Raise a Grateful Child
Life won't always gift your child with exactly his
heart's desire. But there are ways you can make sure that,
underneath it all, he learns to appreciate what he has.
November 18, 2015
Three Common Parenting Traps - And Tips for Avoiding Them
Despite generations of passed-down knowledge and
experience, it seems like it always comes down to a
situation where it's after bedtime, you're sleep-deprived
and running on leftover mac and cheese, and you will do just
about anything to get your kid into the bath.
November 10, 2015
7 Things Never To Say To Someone Who's Suffering From
Anxiety
When I was plagued by choronic anxiety, I woke up
every day with a weight on my chest. I had trouble
breathing, broke into cold sweats constantly, and would
burst into tears with no warning. To make it through the day
was truly a challenge.
November 02, 2015
Grade School - Specific Phobias
All of us have fears. It’s a basic part of our
wiring. Humans are built for survival—hence the fight,
flight, or freeze response. And it’s our fear that tips us
off.
October 20, 2015
11 sleep solutions for kids from the real experts, parents
Sleeeeeeeeeeeep. Boy, do we need it — but so many
of us don't get enough of it, especially when we have young
kids at home.
October 12, 2015
Social Media and Self-Doubt
How parents can help kids resist the pressure
created by artfully curated social feeds
October 12, 2015
"My Child's Behavior Is So Bad, Where Do I Begin?" How to
Coach Your Child Forward
“Start where your child is and coach them forward.”
In other words, build on your child’s strengths and keep
your expectations reasonable.
October 02, 2015
How to Help Your Depressed Teenager
When kids are young, parents are used to swooping
in and rescuing them whenever they need help. As your kids
get older and their problems become more complex, you have
to transition into more of a supporting role, and that can
be difficult.
September 22, 2015
No More Meltdowns! 6 ADHD-Friendly Calming Strategies
The afternoon is often the toughest time of day for
hungry, tired kids — especially those who struggle with
transitions. Here’s how parents can defuse meltdowns before
they begin.
September 10, 2015
Helping Resistant Teens Into Treatment
It can be hard to get kids to agree to see a
psychologist or a psychiatrist. In fact this is a common
stumbling block for many parents of teenagers struggling
with anything from anxiety to ADHD, depression, or an eating
disorder.
September 3, 2015
Media Guidlines For Kids Of All Ages
Parents used to just worry about kids watching too
much TV, or playing too many video games. We still worry
about those things, but now the list has gotten much longer.
August 22, 2015
Are You Engaged In A Silent Mommy War?
Today’s mothers are all too familiar with the
so-called “Mommy Wars,” an expression used to stereotype the
struggles and challenges faced by stay-at-home mothers
versus those of working or career mothers.
August 10, 2015
3 Back-to-School Assignments for Parents
3 Back-to-School Assignments for ParentsA
successful school year often hinges on parent collaboration
with the school. Here are three ways to start off the new
school year prepared, informed, and involved.
July 25, 2015
Teen Moodiness: Is It Normal or Is It Depression?
Your teen prefers to sleep till 11:00am, is crabby
when she wakes up, would rather talk to the dog than you,
and isolates herself for hours at a time in her room, glued
to her laptop. Is she depressed? Or just being a normal
teenager?
July 19, 2015
Tips for Going Places With Sensory-Challenged Kids. Planning
outings and activities to maximize fun and minimize
meltdowns
One of the challenges of raising kids with sensory
processing issues is that outings, even ones that promise a
lot of fun, can easily turn into nightmares if kids find
themselves in surprising or overwhelming situations.
July 12, 2015
10 Tips To Raise A Child With Resilience & Self-Esteem
Although there are many ways of defining the concept of
self-esteem, in general the term encompasses the way we
think and feel about ourselves, and the way we evaluate
ourselves. Children with healthy self-esteem believe that
they are deserving of love, and they possess a willingness
to face challenges in which they may not succeed.
June 23, 2015
Your Child’s Secret Life Online: 7 Ways to Manage It as a
Parent
Your teen needed a laptop for school, so you bought
it. He needed a phone to keep in touch with you, so after a
half-hour argument with him at the wireless store, a “phone”
became an iPhone 6. He has an iPad Air because, after you
told him it wasn’t in the budget, he spent the weekend with
his dad, and voila! He has an iPad.
June 8 2015
Helping Resistant Teens into Treatment. And why there's more
to getting better than just showing up
May 12, 2015
Intro by Dr. Skipper
Stress seems to not only be in many facets of adult
daily life, but is often a factor in the daily lives of our
teens. The National PTA and The American Psychological
Association partnered to highlight findings from the APA's
2013 Stress in America Survey. The survey found that
13-17-year-olds are experiencing stress levels higher than
they consider to be healthy with more than a quarter of
teens reporting the following symptoms: neglecting
responsibilities, feeling overwhelmed, having negative
thoughts or changes in sleeping habits. In addition, more
than a third reported feeling tired, feeling nervous or
anxious, or experiencing irritability or anger. Click below
to watch “Talking to Teens about Stress Management,” a
collaborative webinar that offers strategies to help you
help your teen stay healthy and manage life stressors.
Video - Talking To Teens About Stress
April 28, 2015
Are Smartphones Making Our Children Mentally Ill?
Julie Lynn Evans has been a child psychotherapist
for 25 years, working in hospitals, schools and with
families, and she says she has never been so busy. “In the
1990s, I would have had one or two attempted suicides a year
– mainly teenaged girls taking overdoses, the things that
don’t get reported. Now, I could have as many as four a
month.”
March 31, 2015
The Trap of the “Dysfunctional Family.” How to Get Out of It
Now
Child behavior problems can quickly feed into a
perception of yourself as having a dysfunctional family. If
you see yourself and your family that way—or if you’ve been
labeled as one of those dysfunctional families—you’re not
alone.
March 22, 2015
Setting Limits for Difficult Kids: Are You Too Strict?
Do your kids make you feel like an ogre when you set limits?
Does the word “no” kick off whining, yelling and protests?
March 10, 2015
How To Avoid Passing Anxiety On To Your Kids
Help yourself, and them, by learning techniques to
manage stress in a healthy way.
February 24, 2015
Teen Temper Tantrums: 3 Steps to Stop the Screaming
You thought “The Terrible Twos” were bad. Now
you’re dealing with “The Terrible Thirteens,” and it’s just
as bad, if not worse.
January 24, 2015
Childhood Guilt, Adult Depression?
Nicholas Thomas remembers a coat rack. "We were at
a family gathering," Thomas said. "I think it was Christmas
or something, and we were playing hide-and-go-seek. I
knocked over a coat rack and I felt like I had done
something terribly wrong." That was when he was 12.
January 12, 2015
The 5 Best Ways To Prevent Depression Naturally
Believe it or not, the best antidepressants on
Earth don’t come from a pill bottle. From getting more sleep
to taking up a hobby, making these simple changes in your
life can help boost your mood and prevent depression.
December 30, 2014
Speaking Of Psychology: The Mental Price Of Affluence
American teens from upper-middle class families are
more likely to have higher rates of depression, anxiety and
substance abuse than any other socioeconomic group of young
people, says psychologist Suniya Luthar, PhD.
December 9, 2014
Avoid Holiday Havoc: Help for ADHD Children - Six ways
for parents to help their ADHD children enjoy holiday
celebrations without behavior problems, family conflict, or
ADD symptom flare-ups.
The holidays can be stressful for attention deficit
children. Traveling and visiting relatives may disrupt their
day-to-day routines, and all the excitement can be
overwhelming. Follow these real-family strategies to prevent
holiday havoc, keep your ADHD kids feeling good, and create
happier memories.
November 27, 2014
The 6 Secrets of a Happy Household
Is everyone singing the same song -- or does it sometimes
feel like you're all out of tune? How to get in sync with
one another to create a happier, more connected household.
November 12, 2014
Teen Temper Tantrums - 3 Steps To
Stop The Screaming
“Why can’t I get my kids to get their homework done
and off to bed without the constant screaming, bickering,
and crying?” If you’ve asked yourself this question
regularly, you’re not alone.
October 29, 2014
Homework and Bedtime Arguments: 8 Tips for Calmer
Nights with Kids
“Why can’t I get my kids to get their homework done
and off to bed without the constant screaming, bickering,
and crying?” If you’ve asked yourself this question
regularly, you’re not alone.
October 9, 2014
Child Behavior
Disorders
By Dr.
Skipper
Let’s face it… all kids misbehave sometimes. One of the
questions that we frequently ask ourselves when our children
are engaging in unwanted behavior is, “Why?” Sometimes our
children act out as the result of an unfilled need and we
can often determine this need by the way we feel when the
behavior occurs.
September 28, 2014
The Power of Praise: ADHD Parenting Done Right
If you’re raising a child who has attention deficit
disorder (ADD ADHD), you probably spend a lot of time
pointing out his weak points — and looking for ways to shore
them up.
September 17, 2014
Adolescent Concerns
By Dr. Skipper
Adolescence is a time of active growth and
development – physical, sexual, social, and emotional. While
some teens present with few difficulties during this stage
of their life, others struggle.
August 27, 2014
Back To School Survival Guide
Summer's winding down and there's still so much to get done
before school starts in the next few weeks. Between
scheduling physicals, buying supplies and new clothes for
the new school year, this is a very busy time.
August 7, 2014
Home From Camp: How to Help Your Kids With the Reentry -
What to expect and what to do about it
With the bulk of campers homeward bound over the next
several weeks, it's worth noting that while many kids who
enjoyed stretching their wings will have a relatively smooth
reentry to the nest, others will have a bumpier landing.
July 9, 2014
Teens and Social Media
Teens are masters at keeping themselves occupied in the
hours after school until way past bedtime. When they're not
doing their homework (and when they are) they're online and
on their phones, texting, sharing, trolling, scrolling, you
name it.
June 22, 2014
10 Tips For Parenting Anxious Kids
Many well-meaning parents try to protect anxious kids from
their fears, but
overprotecting can actually make anxiety worse. Here are
pointers for helping kids
cope with anxiety without reinforcing it.
June 10, 2014
Handling Tantrums And Meltdowns - What's A Parent To Do?
The first thing we have to do to manage tantrums is to
understand them. That is not always as easy as it sounds,
since tantrums and meltdowns are generated by a lot of
different things: fear, frustration, anger, sensory
overload, to name a few.
June 2, 2014
How Sensory Processing Issues Affect Kids In School
(And how they can be confused with ADHD)
Some kids seem to have trouble handling the information
their senses take in—things like sound, touch, taste, sight,
and smell. There are also two other less well-known senses
that can be affected—the first is a sense of body awareness,
while the second involves movement, balance, and
coordination. Also, kids with sensory issues can be
oversensitive to input, undersensitive to input, or both.
May 22, 2014
Sideline Side Effects for Your ADHD Child
Medication may relieve your child's
most troubling symptoms, but it can present new
difficulties: side effects. These strategies will alleviate
common problems with meds.
May 4, 2014
Angry Kids: Dealing With Explosive Behavior
It's not uncommon for kids who have trouble handling their
emotions to lose control and direct their distress at a
caregiver, screaming and cursing, throwing dangerous
objects, or hitting and biting. It can be a scary, stressful
experience for you and your child, too. Children often feel
sorry after they've worn themselves out and calmed down.
April 3, 2014
Handling Tantrums and Meltdowns: What's a Parent to Do?
The first thing we have to do to manage tantrums is to
understand them. That is not always as easy as it sounds,
since tantrums and meltdowns are generated by a lot of
different things: fear, frustration, anger, sensory
overload, to name a few.
March 6, 2014
Parenting style linked to kids' Internet addiction
Recollections of strict, unaffectionate parents
were more common among young adults with an unhealthy
attachment to Internet use, compared to their peers, in a
new Greek study.
Young adults who recall their parents being tough or
demanding without showing affection tend to be sad or to
have trouble making friends, and those personality traits
raise their risk of Internet addiction, the researchers say.
February 16, 2014
Parent the Child You Have, Not the Child You Wish You Had
As soon as you knew you were having children, you probably
began to dream about who they were going to be, how they
might be like you, and hoped they would be successful in
life.
February 5, 2014
No-Shout, No Tears Discipline
Spanking and yelling don't help kids with attention deficit
learn better behavior — so try these calm, collected ways to
deal with discipline instead.
January 17, 2014
Is Technology Creating a Family
Divide?
Nowhere is the impact of popular culture and technology on
children's relationships more noticeable than in families.
Both influences have contributed to a growing divide between
the traditional roles that children and their parents play
while, at the same time, blurring those same lines between
parents and children.
December 14, 2013
What Is Adjustment Disorder?
By Dr. Skipper
Adjustment Disorder is an abnormal and extreme reaction to a
life stressor that can significantly impact a child’s
social, emotional, behavioral, and academic functioning.
Stressful events may include moving to a new home, attending
a new school, divorce, or a death in the family.
December 9, 2013
What Is Self-Injury?
By Dr. Skipper
One of the most frightening moments in a parent’s life is
when they discover that their child has been intentionally
engaging in acts of self-harm. This can cause a parent to be
instantly overwhelmed with feelings of confusion, fear, and
guilt. In addition, many parents are suddenly at a loss in
regard to the cause of their child’s behavior and how to
help.
October 25, 2013
Hyperfocus: The Flip Side Of ADHD
Mark had trouble believing his son could have ADHD. Sure, he
was unusually active, and his pre-school teachers complained
that he fluttered around the room like a butterfly when
other kids were engaged in activities. But there was also
Andy's ability to focus intensely on certain activities,
like fishing or watching a movie. How could his 5-year-old
be so single-minded for three hours at a stretch if he had
an attention disorder?
October 1, 2013
Best Apps & Products to Prevent Cyberbullying
Did
you know that October is Cyberbullying Awareness Month?
Cyberbullying happens way more often than it should and can
have a devastating impact on your child’s overall
functioning. Here are some applications and programs that
you can use to keep your child safe…
September 15, 2013
How To Be A Good Mother When You Didn't Have One
My mother was powerfully insecure and self-absorbed with an
insatiable need for admiration and a grandiose sense of her
own importance. She constantly criticized me and undermined
my confidence in order to build her own self-esteem.
I tried hard to please her but I could never do enough.
July 22, 2013
Scientist Discover Brain's Misery
Molecule
which effects stress, anxiety, and depression, via a protien
called CRF1 in the pituitary gland that triggers cells to
release hormones linked with stress and anxiety.
September 12, 2013
How To Resolve Arguments With Your Children
When it comes to having her way, your child probably knows
exactly how to work the system. She may have little trouble
convincing you to go along with her request for ten more
minutes at bedtime or one more game of ball before coming
inside for dinner. "If I do this, can I have that?" is
probably one of her favorite tactics. And when you tell her
"no," she tries to wear you down by asking again and again.
December 14, 2015
10 Lessons In Happiness We Should Teach Girls
Who are the young women you want to influence? I’ve
created this list to make it easy for you to talk to the
young women in your life about what it really takes to be
happy in today’s world.
December 1, 2015
7 Habits Of Great Parents
You’re allowed to get angry. Really. What actually
matters is how you display that emotion.
November 18, 2015
11 Meals to Fuel the ADHD Brain
These easy-to-make meals, for any time of day,
contain the protein and ADHD-friendly vitamins and minerals
needed to optimize brain power.
November 10, 2015
Why Do Kids Have Tantrums and Meltdowns
Like a fever, these behaviors may have many triggers
November 02, 2015
What to Do When the IEP Isn't Working
ADDitude looks at the most common problems parents
face with their child's IEP or 504 Plan, along with
straightforward solutions.
October 20, 2015
The shocking 'text neck' X-rays that show how children as
young as SEVEN are becoming hunch backs because of their
addiction to smart phones
A leading Australian chiropractor has warned that
'text neck' - a condition often brought on by bending over
phones and tablets for several hours at a time - is becoming
an epidemic.
October 02, 2015
ADHD Behavior: Banishing Bad Moods
Some children need medical intervention to combat
depression or anxiety, so it’s important to consult with
your child’s doctor. But most children can be taught to
regulate their bad moods and ADHD behavior problems with
some simple cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques.
September 22, 2015
How to Help Kids Worried About 'Bad Thoughts'
A mom writes to ask how to help her 10-year-old
daughter, who is worrying a lot about "bad thoughts."
Sometimes these thoughts are bad because they are mean: A
family friend is "fat" or "wrinkly."
September 10, 2015
The Nag-Free Tool For Better Behavior
The Million Dollar Question is: How can we make it
easier for our children to cooperate the first time we ask
and to make it harder for them to forget or to ignore us or
to argue back?
September 3, 2015
Free-Range Parenting: Balancing Protection With The Dignity
Of Risk
What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “free-range”
parenting? Many people picture extremely lenient parents who
impose few rules and fewer consequences.
August 22, 2015
3 Things Introverted Parents Can Teach Their Kids About Life
3 Things Introverted Parents Can Teach Their Kids
About LifeMost people thrive in a wide circle of friends.
According to Psychology Today, about 60% of the population
is comprised of extroverts —meaning they are energized,
rather than depleted, by constant companionship.
August 10, 2015
Recognizing SPD: Is Your Child Out of Sync?
Sensory processing disorder, or SPD, can often be
missed — particularly when ADHD is involved. Here's how you
can recognize and treat SPD in your child.
July 25, 2015
When Should You Get Your Kid a Phone?
It's not just a question of the right age.
It's a rite of passage for parents of tweens: By
the time your child is 10 or 12, she decides that she must
have a cell phone, because if she can't text and talk to her
friends her social life will be "ruined."
July 25, 2015
10 Talks to Have at the Start of the School Year
Set your child up for a successful school year by
having these important conversations with your child, your
teacher, your doctor, other parents, your family -- and
yourself.
July 19, 2015
How to Cut Children’s Screen Time? Say No to Yourself First.
Parents are often at fault, directly or indirectly, when
children and teenagers become hooked on electronic media,
playing video games or sending texts many hours a day
instead of interacting with the real world and the people in
it.
July 12, 2015
Will ADHD Medication Change My Child's Brain?
If you have a child who's been diagnosed with ADHD,
you may be facing a decision whether to try medication.
June 15 2015
A 5-Step Plan To Calm Down When You’re Upset
Whenever I get upset, I wonder if it's just me, since it
often seems like everyone else is so cool and collected. But
other people must freak out sometimes, right? I mean, how
could I be the only one out there who occasionally reaches
my limit of patience, trust, and inner peace and just feels
like screaming?
June 8, 2015
The Shame Game and ADHD. And why people with ADHD struggle
with feelings of shame and how they can overcome them.
Shame is one of the oldest known English words that
originally meant to “hide or cover up.” As such, shame is
the hardest thing to deal with since it tends to be hidden
and never addressed.
May 3, 2015
Food Therapy: The Right Diet for ADHD Symptoms
Medication isn't everything — when it comes to treating ADHD
symptoms, the right diet can be among the most effective
forms of therapy.
April 20, 2015
Keeping Kids Safe From Predators Online And Offline
Talking about predators can be scary, especially
for younger kids. So before you talk to your child, think
about what you want to say, and how you want to say it. What
do you want your child to learn? How will you help them
learn that? How might your child react?
April 7, 2015
9 Ways To Nourish Your Picky Eater
Most children initially turn up their noses at new,
healthy foods — and children with ADHD are no exception. In
fact, sensory issues or ODD can make our kids even pickier
than average.
March 31, 2015
10 Ways to Improve Your Relationship With Your Adolescent
Caught your attention didn't I? Yes, it's possible, even if
your teenager frequently behaves as if your existence on
this earth is intolerably irritating. And you never know
when your next word or action will be a terrible mistake.
March 22, 2015
Raising Kids Who REALLY Listen
When it comes to your kids, is it in one ear and
out the other? Want to raise kids who really listen? Chances
are you do and we’ve got a few tips that can help with this
goal in mind.
March 10, 2015
Help for Hypervigilant Parents
As a recovering, card-carrying hypervigilant mom, I
have vast experience with the associated behaviors. I was
constantly on the lookout for any potential danger and
jumped in to ensure that my children were spared from any
discomfort.
February 24, 2015
What Are the Symptoms of Depression in Teenagers? Signs your
child might be more than moody
Since adolescents are often moody, it can be
difficult to recognize when your son or daughter has become
depressed, and might need help. The thing people tend to
notice first is withdrawal, or when the teenager stops doing
things she usually likes to do.
February 3, 2015
What To Do If Your Child Is Bullying
No parent wants to hear that her child is a bully.
It's painful to think of your child inflicting harm on other
kids. But bullying is also a serious issue for the
aggressor.
January 24, 2015
How To Talk To Your Child About Lying
When your child lies to you, it stirs up a potent
mix of emotions. You might feel angry, hurt and offended all
at once. Lying is extremely upsetting for parents because it
shakes the foundation of trust we have in our child.
January 12, 2015
28 Internet Acronyms Every Parent Should Know
If you think you are tech savvy all because you
know what "LOL" means, let me test your coolness. Any idea
what "IWSN" stands for in Internet slang? It's a declarative
statement: I want sex now.
December 21, 2014
Avoid Holiday Havoc: Help For ADHD Children
The holidays can be stressful for attention deficit
children. Traveling and visiting relatives may disrupt their
day-to-day routines, and all the excitement can be
overwhelming. Follow these real-family strategies to prevent
holiday havoc, keep your ADHD kids feeling good, and create
happier memories.
December 9, 2014
Tips for Traveling With Challenging Children - How to
minimize stress and maximize fun for everyone
Traveling with children who are anxious, wary of
change, or otherwise challenging can be daunting, precisely
because it does what we expect vacations to do—take us away
from the routine of home and expose us to new sights and
sounds.
November 12, 2014
ADHD Parenting Strategies That
Work!
Most parents are good parents. But if your son or
daughter has ADHD, "good" may not be enough. To ensure that
your child is happy and well-adjusted now and in the
future—and to create a tranquil home environment—you've got
to be a great parent.
November 2, 2014
Helping Children With Grief and Loss
By Dr. Skipper
As a loving parent, it’s important to realize that
all children are unique in their understanding of death and
dying. And, more often than not, a child’s reaction to death
will be different from that of adults.
October 28, 2014
Sleep and Children with ADHD
DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE TROUBLE SLEEPING? Studies
indicate that up to sixty percent of children and
adolescents with ADHD do. Lack of sleep impacts a child’s
behavior and school performance, as well as overall
development and health.
October 8, 2014
How To Make Time-Outs Work
Time outs are one of the most popular disciplinary tools for
parents. They can be a great way to let kids know when their
behavior is unacceptable without escalating the situation,
which can distract kids from what you want them to learn.
September 28, 2014
Ask Once And Your Kid Does It: 5 Ways To Make It Happen
Is your child just being obstinate and willful?
Maybe. But the bigger reasons for her non-compliance might
surprise you.
August 27, 2014
10 Apps To Train Your ADHD Brain
For the ADHD brain, focus is like a muscle that
needs routine exercise to grow stronger. Thankfully, some of
the best brain workouts are right at your fingertips —
mobile apps designed to improve memory, concentration, and
organization skills for ADHD adults.
August 7, 2014
Preparing for a New School Year: Adjusting to School
Children spend half of their waking hours in school or
school-related activities. Studies show that children whose
parents are involved in their education do better in school
than children whose parents are not involved.
July 17, 2014
Do
You Have an Angry Child or Teen?
By Dr. Skipper
Anger is a normal emotion that we all experience as
part of being human. It is also an emotion that is very
powerful and when not managed effectively can result in
extreme consequences.
June 22, 2014
Why Are Teens So Sleep Deprived?
In studies conducted by Carskadon, half the teens
she evaluated were so tired in the morning that they showed
the same symptoms as patients with narcolepsy, a major sleep
disorder in which the patient nods off and falls directly
into REM sleep.
June 2, 2014
This Is Your Body On Anxiety (Infographic)
Anxiety can be brutal. Sleepless nights, racing heart, cold
sweats -- all are hallmarks of a condition that afflicts
approximately 40 million Americans. Even on a level that
doesn't get classified as a clinical condition, anxiety
affects nearly everyone at one point or another. But what it
does to your physical and mental health is more difficult to
define, and may surprise many of you.
May 22, 2014
Understanding Depression
Depression is the most common mental health problem
in the United States. Each year it affects 17 million people
of all age groups, races, and economic backgrounds. As many
as 1 in every 33 children may have depression; in teens,
that number may be as high as 1 in 8.
May 4, 2014
Digital Safety Tips To Help Protect Your Children
As the end of school approaches, kids are looking forward to
their summer free time, but with that comes more time on
phones, tablets and computers. That added time leaves a
bigger window for danger if parents aren't armed with the
right tools to keep kids safe.
April 3, 2014
Understanding Depression
Depression is the most common mental health problem in the
United States. Each year it affects 17 million people of all
age groups, races, and economic backgrounds. As many as 1 in
every 33 children may have depression; in teens, that number
may be as high as 1 in 8.
March 6, 2014
6 Major Parenting Mistakes to Avoid
Let’s face it—we are all imperfect parents in one
way or another. Even though we realize that no one gets it
right all the time, it’s still easy to judge and label
yourself a “good parent” or “bad parent” depending upon how
you handle a given situation.
February 6, 2014
ODD and ADHD: Parenting Your Defiant Child
ADHD behavior issues often partner with oppositional defiant
disorder (ODD), making discipline a challenge. Try these
strategies for managing and treating an angry, defiant
child.
January 25, 2014
Self-Esteem
in Children and Teens
By Dr.
Skipper
Self-esteem is defined as a confidence and satisfaction in
oneself. It is basically an individual’s core belief that is
reflected in their actions. Although self-esteem can
fluctuate from time to time depending on happenings in one’s
life, there is an overall consistent pattern of either a
healthy or unhealthy view of oneself the majority of the
time.
January 6, 2014
Autistic Children Need Consistent Routine
Unlike other children, autistic children need a regular and
consistent routine as it is very important for them to know
what to expect and when to expect it.
January 6, 2014
ADHD and Pharma Advertising
A major story in the New York
Times over the weekend offers a riveting look at
pharmaceutical advertising and other spending to promote
ADHD medication to parents, teachers and doctors.
December 18, 2013
When Good Parents Have Difficult
Children: It's Not Your Fault
It’s virtually impossible to reach the parenting
finish line in today’s world without some feelings of guilt:
guilt for yelling; guilt for not providing things we want to
give our child or for spoiling by giving too much; guilt for
being too hard on our child; guilt for being too easy.
December 19, 2013
Anxiety Disorders and Children
By Dr. Skipper
We can all remember a time in our childhood
when we were anxious about something (first day of school,
move to a new neighborhood, divorce). For most of us, the
feelings of anxiety were typically short lived and we were
free to go about with the demands of being a kid.
December 8, 2013
Teens and Social Media
Experts: Kids are growing up with more anxiety and less
self-esteem.
- Many parents worry about how exposure
to technology might affect toddlersdevelopmentally.
We know our preschoolers are picking up new social and
cognitive skills at a stunning pace, and we don't want hours
spent glued to an iPad to impede that.
December 3, 2013
Creating Memories - 50 Great
Holiday Traditions
The holiday season is a time to build lifelong memories with
your family. Traditions also help you bond and reconnect
with loved ones, friends, and neighbors.
November 1, 2013
VIDEO News
How Does Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy Work?
Dr. Joan Kaufman explains the four stages of the best
evidence-based treatment for PTSD in children.
October 16, 2013
Divorce
and Children - Seven Tips For Helping Your Child Cope
By Dr. Skipper
In today’s world it comes as no surprise that each year
thousands of children will experience the impact of divorce.
However, contrary to popular belief, research suggests that
it is not divorce in itself that is most harmful to
children.
September 15, 2013
Managing ADHD Without Meds
Psychologist are using research-based behavioral
interventions that effectively treat children
with ADHD.
September 04, 2013
Young Kids at School: 4 Top Issues That Cause a Rocky Start
The beginning of a new school year can be a mixed blessing
for parents: you might be relieved that your child is back
in a routine and you no longer are organizing all that down
time, as well as dread if you have a child who struggles in
school.
August 12, 2013
Strategies to Make Homework Go More Smoothly
- Routines and Incentive Systems to Help Kids Succeed.
With the start of a new school year comes another beginning
parents sometimes dread: homework. Here is the best guide to
helping kids do homework successfully that we've seen.
June 25, 2013
Teens Trained To Spot Drama
Teens trained to spot drama
before it turns to violence. Some schools are teaching
kids to rethink relationships, roles as bystanders.
August 5, 2013
Battling The Butterflies
August is back to school month, and that means a
lot of things... Both parents and children feel
a variety real stress factors from this time of
year...
September 24, 2013
The
Single Parent Juggling Act: 5 Tips To Help You Manage
There’s a famous quote about Ginger Rogers that says, “She
did everything that Fred Astaire did, only backwards.” In
some ways, being a single parent is similar, except you’re
doing everything other parents do, only solo