Every long-term relationship involves a certain amount of conflict. No two people agree on everything, so it’s normal for couples to occasionally argue over matters related to money, personal values, or plans for the future. Indeed, many experts believe that conflict can play an important role in maintaining a healthy relationship, provided that it doesn’t get out of ...
Self-discovery is one of the hallmarks of adolescence. By age 12, young people begin the process of separating themselves from their parents and defining who they are as individuals. As they undertake this journey, they’re shaped by many different factors, including their familial and cultural values, the expectations of society, and their peers. Nonetheless, teens are active participants in their ...
Throughout many areas of our lives, balance is key to success. Whether it’s achieving an optimal work-life balance or eating a more balanced diet, happiness can often be found in the middle ground between extremes. Cultivating a parenting style that reflects this wisdom has been shown to be similarly fruitful: Teens who are raised with a careful blend of ...
Though many things change when our children cross the threshold into adolescence, our desire to protect them remains the same. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing—teens still need our support and guidance, after all—but you’ll need to be prepared to let go of some of the control you’re used to. Taking measured risks and confronting ...
For parents, even the little white lies that children sometimes tell - e.g., claiming to have completed their homework ...
As a psychologist living and working in Toronto, where 51% of residents were born outside Canada, I deal with immigration related ...
You may have been approached by your child’s teacher or you may have noticed yourself that your child is ...
Many parents are reluctant to set limits because they don’t want to upset their children or incite power struggles. However, not establishing clear boundaries is proven to create emotional difficulties for children and make them more challenging to parent. Kids need limits to help them learn how to self-regulate. Without rules, they have no framework for coping with intense ...
Watching your child discover his (or her) traits, skills, and preferences is one of the most rewarding parts of being a parent. As your child learns and grows, you have a unique opportunity to experience the world with a fresh perspective and challenge long-held assumptions and beliefs. Nowhere is this more truthful than when learning about your teen’s gender ...
Like adults, kids often feel overwhelmed by the many commitments, choices, and interpersonal situations they must manage each day. Research suggests that school-aged children also experience significant anxiety resulting from global crises, such as the pandemic and climate change. Unfortunately, kids have far fewer tools for dealing with chronic stress than adults. Likewise, their still-developing brains are highly susceptible to ...
Handling sadness, whether it’s normal situational sadness or chronic depression, is especially challenging for teens. Adolescents are mature enough to experience profound and complex emotions, but they struggle to put their experiences into perspective. The areas of the brain associated with reasoning are still actively developing throughout the teen years, so young adults are prone to handling sadness in ...
