site search

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