Sexual Abuse: Increasing Awareness and Understanding
Clearly, most of us were completely taken back by the allegations, testimony, television reports, the firing of Joe Paterno, and everything else related to the Jerry Sandusky case. Now that he has been convicted of 45 of the 48 charges and is incarcerated, we are probably asking ourselves “How did this happen?” or “Why didn’t […]
Family Vacations: Tips for More Fun and Less Stress
Does traveling with kids seem nearly impossible? Are you tempted to forget the trip and stay home? If these thoughts have crossed your mind, you’re not alone. Most parents feel this way at some point in time. However, if you take some time to prepare, and include your children in the plans, your next […]
Could My Child Be Depressed?
At any given point in time, approximately one in five children or adolescents is affected by depression, but many of these children go undiagnosed and untreated for this illness. Childhood depression has been associated with failure in school, conduct disorders and delinquency, eating disorders, school phobia, panic attacks, and a higher risk of suicide among […]
Childhood Obesity: A Growing Concern
According to the Centers for Disease Control, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the last 30 years, with one-third of all U.S. children now considered to be overweight or obese. Although there are some medical conditions that can contribute to excess body weight, most overweight or obese children simply eat too much and move […]
Children and Competition
Children are bound to compete in many ways—for playground space, toys—even for attention from the adults in their life. We live in a world where competition is inevitable and a natural part of life. That said, it’s a parent’s job to channel their child’s competitive urge in ways that benefit the child’s development into […]
Helping Your Child Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a School Shooting
As a parent, you may be struggling with how to talk with your children about a shooting rampage. It is important to remember that children look to their parents to make them feel safe. This is true no matter what age your children are—toddlers, adolescents, or even young adults. Consider the following tips for helping […]
What’s Eating You? – Understanding Eating Disorders
This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week–a time to focus on a group of illnesses that currently affects approximately 8 million Americans from all walks of life. Although eating disorders are more prevalent among women, men and children can also suffer from these debilitating illnesses. Eating disorders relate to eating habits or attitudes […]
It’s Valentine’s Day: What’s the temperature of your relationship?
How can you make Valentine’s Day more meaningful than just another Hallmark holiday? While it’s always fun to exchange cards and share the typical chocolate, gift or romantic dinner, we believe the day can be used more consciously than that. We propose using Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to assess the temperature of your love […]
Long-Term Effects of Bullying: Part 2
The physical and emotional consequences for the victims of bullying can be severe. Children who are bullied are: At greater risk of depression and lower self-esteem later in life More likely to report migraine and non-migraine headaches Prone to missing more school because of excused and unexcused absences At higher risk for running away from home […]
Long-Term Effects of Bullying
Today we know that bullying can have long-term effects on both the victim—and the bully. As an adult, the bully has a greater risk of being involved in criminal behavior, and both the bully and the victim may suffer from future health and mental health problems. In fact, years after the bullying occurred, adults who […]
