Shedding the Stress of Black Friday
As the holiday season quickly approaches, many people feel overwhelmed by the mountain of tasks that pile up—scheduling trips, finding the perfect presents for the kids (or the in-laws), holding on to favorite traditions—all while trying to keep up with work and other daily commitments. Lately, it all begins with Black Friday, the official start […]
What Discipline Really Means – 3 Methods of Instructing Our Children
Thanks to news coverage of occurrences like the Adrian Peterson case, child discipline and corporal punishment are at the forefront of national conversation lately. To be clear, the abuse that Peterson leveled on his four-year-old son in no way fits the definition of ‘discipline.’ But as more people discuss spanking and child discipline, a consideration […]
Haunted Houses and Zombie Parades
The other day I watched a segment on The Today Show about inappropriate Halloween costumes for children. It featured everything from a baby dressed as a cigarette to an older child in a pimp outfit. I like to think most parents are making better decisions than that when it comes to selecting Halloween gear for […]
A Case of the Blues Could Mean Different Things for Men and Women
You’ve heard the saying: Men are from Mars, and women are from Venus. When author John Gray first introduced this idea, we learned about the differences between men and women and how these differences can affect our relationships. Some of these same traits may also reveal a great deal about how men and women experience […]
Depression In Teens – What You Need To Know
In a recent post, I talked about ways to help a friend or loved one who may be suffering from depression. When that loved one is a teenager or young adult, however, the warning signs, diagnosis and treatment options are often different. It is estimated that depression affects roughly 11 percent of teenagers. Although […]
New School Year, New Problems
In a recent interview, I discussed some of the issues associated with back-to-school anxiety. Now that the new school year is upon us, many parents are witnessing this anxiety as their children adjust to new surroundings. It’s not uncommon for any child, regardless of his grade level, academic ability or social demeanor, to experience challenges […]
How To Help When Someone You Love Is Depressed
In the wake of the sudden and tragic death of comedian and actor Robin Williams, the topic of depression once again rises to the surface. And rightfully so. It is a disease that affects millions of people each year. Yet while the sheer number of people who suffer from depression is alarming, the amount […]
Talking To Your Child About Tragedy
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are […]
Eating Disorders 101 – What To Look For and When To Seek Help
According to a recent study, nearly 25 million Americans suffer from eating disorders. While it’s tempting to place all the blame on our society’s infatuation with celebrities, super models and fad diets, there are many other factors, such as depression and mental illness, that can play a role in the development and furthering of […]
Fantasy or Reality: Do Teens Always Know the Difference?
In a recent interview about the Slenderman controversy, I talked about how the media can impact teens. In case you’re not familiar with this scenario, Slenderman is a fictitious character that was created in 2009 as part of an online contest seeking paranormal images. The original creator of Slenderman submitted a black-and-white picture that […]
