parenting

Fantasy Bond 101

This month, I’ve been working on creating a whiteboard explaining the fantasy bond and I’ve come to realize that it is a complex concept to get across in only a few words and with simple drawings. A while ago, I did a whiteboard about the critical inner voice, which was also challenging to describe. What… Read more »

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Why Do Kids Get Stuck on Certain Tasks?

When we focus on our kids’ learning process over their final product, we can take steps to help them overcome hurdles. In our daily lives, there is a premium on product or getting things done. Whether it is chores, homework, or getting to places on time, executing tasks is highly prized. In the immediate, there… Read more »

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3 Essential Steps to Take Before Getting Angry at Your Kids

For parents, there is a better way to handle your own anger before you act. Many moments in parenting prompt us to move into action. We act urgently when there is clear danger: a child running into the street or one child hitting another.  However, we often come to regret reactions motivated by an urge… Read more »

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The Key to Raising Independent, Capable Kids

Am I being nurturing or neglectful? As parents, it can be challenging to find the line between caring for our children and doing too much for them. It can be equally tricky to know when encouraging them to do something on their own has crossed the line into not supporting them when they need us…. Read more »

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How to Help Your Child Get Things Done (Without a Fight)

Many parents struggle with repeated conflicts with their kids. One moment may be about getting homework done, and the next may be about picking up clothes off the floor or getting off the computer. While the subject changes, the struggles are the same. Simply put, the topic has changed, but the process repeats. Your child… Read more »

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From Struggles to Super-Powers: Helping Your Child Grow

As parents, we have many goals for our child. Overall, these goals are about managing the challenges in their lives, so they can ultimately be happy and successful. These can sound like: “I want him to turn in his homework.” I want her to clean up her room.” “I want her to have friends.” “I want him… Read more »

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Experts at Home: Dr. Risa Ryger on Helping Families Cope During Covid-19

  In this Experts at Home conversation, Dr. Risa Ryger joins Dr. Lisa Firestone to discuss the struggles parents and children are facing during Covid-19 and strategies to help families handle tough times. Watch Now: Subscribe to PsychAlive (it’s free!) to see more Experts at Home.  

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It’s Time for a Hero Story

While it is true life has been disrupted, how do we make sense of it for our kids?  Their routines are changed; relationships are now managed with social distancing and pods.  We told them tech has its place and now it is where they are getting their schooling.  Social unrest is challenging the questions of… Read more »

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Is it the grouch monster?

Long ago when my daughter was young, we noticed moments when her personality seemed to shift on a dime.  She would flip from cooperative to irritable at a speed that left us bewildered. As we tried to make sense of it we became aware that this was occurring between meals and often when we went… Read more »

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An Apple (computer) For the Teacher: Navigating Homeschool, While Keeping Your Social Distance and Sanity

“You can’t always know the end from the beginning.” This is advice that my mom has been giving me for years. My inclination, as a planner, has always been to shrug it off and roll my eyes…until I had to start telling my college sophomore and rising high school senior the same, in preparation for… Read more »

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