“Just tell me how much screen time my kids should have!” This is often the sentiment of parents I meet who are tired of conflicting advice about kids and technology. I get it. Our risk-assessment capacity is fried, news headlines give us constant whiplash, and we all could use some certainty right now. That’s why… Read More →
“My son is on Discord,” a parent recently wrote in an email immediately following the racist killing spree in Buffalo, NY. “Should I be concerned?” I took a deep breath because I knew these conversations were complicated. In the wake of this kind of violence, everyone is left searching for healing, action, answers and prevention… Read More →
“All of this talk of modeling always feels like so much pressure!” a parent recently shared with me. “What do you mean?” I responded. “I just feel like the knowledge that my kids are watching and listening all the time means that I really need to have things together. Which… I definitely don’t feel like… Read More →
“The data are out!” I said aloud while scrolling through the feeds on my laptop. “What data?” my older son asked, briefly looking up from his school issued Chromebook. “Dataaaa! Dataaaa!” my youngest sang enthusiastically, clearly not tracking the conversation but willing to be a part of it. He continued swiping through activities on his… Read More →
“Is there such a thing as being too connected?” A parent recently asked. “What do you mean?” I responded. “Well,” she went on, “Obviously I spent a lot of time with our eighth grader in the past two years. We stayed really close and overall did well managing distance learning and all that. But now… Read More →
Unfortunately, mass shootings, school shootings, racialized violence, and political violence are not uncommon. Even if tragedies don’t occur in their own communities, children and teens often hear about them from friends, see images on social media, and read about them in the news. These events may cause children to fear that an event like this… Read More →
“Seems like we should just take 2022 one day at a time,” my son remarked when we gathered to do some New Year’s family rituals. My first thought was, “Wow, a ten year old committed to staying in the present? What a master of mindfulness!” I quickly realized as I looked at his face that… Read More →
Unlike this time last year, many of us are moving into this winter with our core routines modified but intact. Most kids are back in school, work expectations are back on full tilt, and we are more likely to be participating in activities and community events. In other words, we are back, in the words… Read More →
I had just said goodbye to my kids as they headed into school when I heard a familiar voice behind me doing the same. I turned around to see a parent I hadn’t seen since our kids had been in class together before the pandemic. Without thinking, I greeted her with the usual “How are… Read More →
Whether it is with our toddlers or teens, we all know what it is like to witness big feelings completely overwhelm our kids. This isn’t just because life can be overwhelming and stressful (though it certainly can be). It is also because the cortex, the part of our kids’ brains that helps them manage big… Read More →
