Emotional & Mental Health
My teen is so moody…what should I do?
Adolescents almost all go through a period of moodiness–this is a normal part of development and for the majority of teens it will pass after a couple of years. Mood changes result from increased production of sex hormones during puberty. Changes also occur due to brain growth and social and environmental factors that your teen […]
I think my child has ADHD. What should I do?
Your teen is not paying attention in class. Their grades have been getting worse and you notice other changes as well – they are moody and irritable, can’t seem to stick to a schedule, and is missing deadlines. You’ve spoken with your school psychologist and she thinks your son may have ADHD. But, what is […]
Blue Light and Sleep
These days, it’s hard to escape from screens – we’re on phones, laptops, tablets, or watching TV all hours of the day and night. But what happens when we bring these screens into the bedroom? The effects of TVs on sleep for teens have been well documented – the light from the screen can prevent […]
Adolescent Development & Changing Relationships
As children grow into teens and young adults, parents often struggle with their changing relationship. It may seem like teens start to distance themselves for no reason, but it’s actually an important developmental stage. During childhood, children rely on their parents for almost everything, including social support. However, as teens gain a sense of independence, […]
Opening lines of communication with your teen
Teens don’t easily open about what is going on in their lives. However, open communication with teens is a vital part of their relationship with you and is a key factor in your ability to support them. Here are some tips adapted from Time Magazine about improving parent-child communication. Create talking rituals: Pay attention to […]
Video Games and Aggressive Behavior
For years, parents have worried that violent video games could be a problem for teens. Some people think that video games promote criminal violence in young people. While possible, recent research did not find enough evidence to show a link to criminal violence. There was, however, a clear link to aggressive behavior. Aggressive behavior is […]
My teen is obsessed with video games…what should I do?
Video games are a popular pastime for millions of teenagers. Most teens play for a few hours per week, when they have free time after homework or sports practice. For some, however, video games grow into much more than an occasional source of entertainment. Teenagers can become obsessed with gaming, spending four or more hours […]
How to have Effective Communication with Teens
It’s often said that communication is the key to a healthy relationship. While it might sound like tired advice, it’s a skill worth learning that will help us do better in all our relationships. As your teen grows up, the way you communicate with them will need to change to reflect the new boundaries in […]
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
We love a chance to talk about mental health, and this is mental health awareness month! Mental Health America created a calendar with one simple thing you can do each day of the month to improve your mental health. Some of the challenges include: May 4th: Do something with friends and family – have a […]
Teaching Your Teen to Stand Up For Themselves
Many times teens will have to deal with situations and people that do not agree with their beliefs, values, and morals. It is important that in these situations, they are able to speak up for ourselves. Doing so is called being assertive. By being assertive, they are letting those around them know exactly how they […]
Challenging The Confidence Gap
Confidence can be an issue at any age, but as a teenage girl it can be especially difficult to fight back against inner negativity. Surveys have shown that between the ages of 8 and 14, confidence in young girls falls by 30 percent. This article shows parents how they can encourage young girls to be […]
My child is so moody…what’s going on and what should I do ?
Almost all teenagers go through a period of moodiness, where they get cranky and irritable. Sometimes they withdraw and just prefer to be left alone. This is a normal part of development. For the majority of teens it will pass after a couple of years. Thankfully! But what’s going on and how can parents and […]
Actress Wendy Davis Talks About Her (and Her Daughter’s) ADHD Diagnosis
Actress Wendy Davis of Lifetime’s Army Wives partnered with Understood to discuss her daughter’s ADHD diagnosis, and how it led to her own ADHD testing as well. For more in this series with Wendy, check out this Understood playlist where Wendy talks about parenting kids with ADHD, the link between ADHD and creativity, building confidence for […]
I think my son/daughter has ADHD. What should I do?
Your son is not paying attention in class. His grades have been getting worse and you notice other changes as well–he is moody and irritable, can’t seem to stick to a schedule, and is missing deadlines. You’ve spoken with your school psychologist and she thinks your son may have ADHD. But, what is ADHD, exactly, […]
Family Conflict and Teens
Conflict is a normal part of family life and can often escalate during the years your children are teenagers. About 1 in 5 young people say they are concerned about family conflict in their home. Family conflict or issues can be caused by many different situations. There are simple tools parents can use to help […]
Helping Your Teen With Eating and Body Image
People of all ages can struggle with negative body image, and it can be hard to know what to say if your teen is going through this. Read this article by Andrea Wachter, who battled negative body image herself and now works with people who struggle with food and weight. We love that Andrea explains […]
Work Through Problems With Your Teenager
Spending time on working through problems with your child is a really important way of teaching them problem solving and conflict resolution skills. Going through the steps of solving a problem will help them see how to break it down and figure out how to tackle it. Hopefully they will remember these skills later when […]
Understanding Depression: Just The Facts
Understanding depression can be very difficult. We have compiled a list of some symptoms and facts about depression to help you understand a bit more. Symptoms of Depression: Loss of Interest in activities, like hobbies Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or suicide Increased use of drugs and/or alcohol Trouble concentrating, memory, and making decisions Isolating yourself […]
It’s Ok to Ask for Help
Did you know that… – Four million children and adolescents in this country struggle with a serious mental health issues that can cause them to have conflicts at home, at school, and with peers. -Approximately 50 percent of students with a mental illness age 14 and older drop out of high school – Suicide is […]