“Sorry” isn’t a word we typically think about critically. After all, it’s used as either a harmless courtesy or a heartfelt gesture of penitence by most of us. For young girls, however, the habit of apologizing too often can become harmful. Think, for example, of the young woman who prefaces her opinions with the words “Sorry, but...” ...
When we’re observing someone else’s behaviour, it’s easy to appreciate the value of self-restraint. When we coach our children to “take a deep breath” or have a time out when they’re upset, for example, the value of emotional management becomes plain to see. Sometimes, however, we don’t recognize our own need for self-regulation strategies. Parenting ...
Failure is a normal part of life, but for a young child encountering it for the first time it can feel absolutely crushing. Most parents are already familiar with just how intensely kids experience defeat: they’ve seen their child refuse to ever ride a bike again after falling off a few times, for example, or heard her call herself “...
For decades, parents have argued over which approach to child-rearing works best: Should parents fill the role of strict disciplinarians, or should they allow their children to learn their own lessons freely? Does authoritarian parenting beget rebellion, or is it overly lenient parenting that really encourages children to act out uncontrollably? If you’re caught in the middle of this ...
Misdiagnosed ADHD is a common issue that parents face when seeking treatment for their children's attention and behavior issues. ...
Too often, the emotional side of giftedness is overlooked; for all that we laud the intellectual complexity of giftedness, seldom ...
Anxiety disorders are found in children much more often than many people realize; ten to twenty percent of all children ...
Though it may seem contradictory, the sudden increase in social awareness that middle schoolers experience makes them more prone to bullying. Children in this age group are so hyper-sensitive to social dynamics that they frequently become highly reactive, competitive, and critical. This isn’t a personality flaw; instead, it’s a sign that the brain’s limbic system is operating ...
Few things about children baffle parents and teachers as much as sudden meltdowns. Sometimes a child is generally caring, gregarious, and insightful, but the moment she becomes frustrated by a task, fireworks begin. If this only happens occasionally, it’s probably nothing to worry about. When it happens frequently, however, it can lead to problems with learning and socialization. If ...
As most parents realize all too well, we’re living in violent times. From gang and terrorist activity to the prevalence of violence in video games and TV shows, everywhere we look today we’re confronted with aggression. Understandably, many parents find themselves worrying that it may not be possible to raise caring, compassionate children within such an environment. While ...
Other than seeing harm come to their children, what’s every parent’s worst nightmare? For most, it’s feeling out of control—that helpless, sickening feeling that arises when a child simply refuses to comply, no matter what you do. The majority of parents only have to deal with defiant behaviour of this caliber occasionally, or as part of ...
