See below for some quick tips to make your instructions as powerful as possible!
Recently, many parents have asked me how to know if their young child is ready for potty training. While this is unique to every child, keep reading for a few important questions to ask yourself before jumping in.
As we prepare to celebrate Valentine’s Day, check out this month’s quick tip to share the love with your children and let them know how much you appreciate what they do! As you go about your day, talk to your child’s stuffed animals or other family members about all of the wonderful things they do. While praising your child directly - such as, “you did a great job staying calm” - is always beneficial, speaking positively about them to others can be equally powerful. As you are helping them get ready in the morning, you could say “wow, I am so proud of Alex for starting to brush his teeth all by himself!” While supervising your children playing, you could say “Olivia and Emma are such thoughtful sisters. I love watching them problem-solve and work together!” As you and your partner prepare for the bedtime routine, you can playfully “fight over” who gets to put your child to bed. For example, “I want to do it!” and “I also want to do it - I just love spending time together!” The words your child hears you speak about them to others can become part of their internal monologue. Make the most of the little moments and share the love with everyone (and everything) around you!
One of the most under-utilized parenting strategies for young children is behavior modeling. So often, we are focused on teaching academic skills and forget that we must also expressly model the behaviors we want our kids to emulate.
Parents spend weeks thoughtfully collecting gifts and checking items off each child’s wish list, eager to see excited reactions. However, the magic of the season can be interrupted by claims like “that’s not fair” and “he got more than me!” as children navigate jealousy over their sibling’s presents.
As we enter the holiday season, parents often ask how to foster gratitude in their children. We want our children to be appreciative and not take things for granted, as learning to be grateful can improve their relationships, ability to empathize, and overall happiness. However, this can be easier said than done.
October is ADHD Awareness Month! Learn about the importance of early ADHD assessments, executive function skill-building, and how understanding and supporting individuals with ADHD can make a difference.
As hard as it is to imagine with temperatures still so high, the holiday season is upon us! Starting with Halloween this month, we are entering a truly wonderful season with our little ones.
While starting another school year can be exciting, the transition comes with lots of feelings for our little ones. These big emotions can be daunting and even scary for adults to manage. We want to know how to respond in a way that helps them overcome those back-to-school jitters and enter the year feeling confident and enthusiastic. Read on for some simple tips to make this happen! 1. Plan ahead Before meeting the teacher, the first day of school, and any other milestones, talk with your child about what to expect. For children who have attended daycare or school before, talk about what will be the same as last year and what will be different. Help them to remember that, while many things will be different, many things will be familiar, too! When possible, tour or look at pictures of the school, classroom, teacher, and any friends that will be in the new class. 2. Listen Offer a non-judgmental space for your child to express their nerves, concerns, and hopes for these next few weeks. Try not to jump in too quickly by saying things like “don’t worry about that” or “stop it, it will be great!” While such statements come from a good place, they can feel dismissive to your child. Instead, work to validate their feelings and address their concerns together. 3. Reflect One way to help guide your child through glass-half-empty statements such as, “I’m not going to have any friends in my class...it’s going to be the worst year ever!” is to play the “maybe game.” You could say, “That sounds really tough. I hear you; maybe that will happen...OR...maybe you will find a new friend and really like how your new teacher does things!” By validating their concerns, instead of dismissing them, you offer space for both things to be true at the same time. 4. Re-frame Help your child to re-frame their worries as reflections of the care you have for each other and the trust that you will be there for them at the end of the day- no matter what. For example, if you think your little one might cry at drop off, you could say, “It’s okay to cry and miss me at school after I leave. I will miss you too! That is because we love each other. I will be there to pick you up and can’t wait to hear all about your day. What toy do you think you will play with first?” 5. Empower Remember – your child is looking to you to gauge if they should be worried. Work to communicate confidence, instill bravery, and let them know that you know they can do it. If your little one thinks you are scared, they will have a much harder time pushing through. A brave parent is the most helpful way to ensure a brave child! Katherine Cohn, PhD Licensed Child Clinical Psychologist Licensed Specialist in School Psychology
As our summer begins and you prepare to send your kid to college, this transition is both exciting and daunting, filled with opportunities and challenges. To ensure a smooth transition and to support your child effectively, it's important to be aware of common mistakes and learn how to avoid them. Here are some common pitfalls and tips to help you navigate this journey with confidence. Underestimating College Challenges Many parents underestimate the range of challenges their children will face in college, assuming that academic issues will be their primary concern. However, college students encounter a variety of challenges, including social adjustments, mental health struggles like anxiety and depression, and time management issues. Being informed about these potential hurdles can help you better support your child as they navigate this new environment. Ineffective Communication and Not Allowing Kids to Fail It's easy to fall into patterns of either over-communicating or under-communicating with your college student, both of which can create tension and misunderstandings. Striking a balance is crucial. Make sure to maintain open lines of communication that encourage your child to share their experiences and feelings without feeling overwhelmed or pressured. At the same time, it's natural to want to protect your child from failure but shielding them from every mistake can prevent them from learning valuable life lessons. Allow your child to experience challenges and figure out solutions on their own. This helps build resilience and problem-solving skills. Avoid texting or calling them all the time; show them that you trust them to handle their own issues. This trust is crucial for their confidence and independence. Ignoring Available Resources Parents often overlook the numerous resources available to college students, which can provide crucial support. Colleges offer a wide range of services, including academic support, mental health resources, and student organizations. Familiarize yourself with these resources so you can guide your child to the help they need when they encounter difficulties. Over-Involvement or Under-Involvement Finding the right balance between being involved and allowing your child to grow independently can be challenging. Too much involvement can hinder their development, while too little can leave them feeling unsupported. Provide guidance and support, but also encourage your child to make their own decisions and learn from their experiences. Not Recognizing Their Adulthood It's important to remember that your child is now an adult. They need to learn to advocate for themselves. Schools, clinics, and other institutions are not obligated to communicate with you anymore unless your child gives explicit permission. Encourage your child to come to you when they need help, but don't always step in to figure things out for them. Allow them the space to handle their own issues and come to you for guidance when necessary. Supporting Students with ADHD, ADD, Anxiety, Depression, or Learning Plans For students with ADHD, ADD, anxiety, depression, or learning plans, the transition to college can be particularly challenging. Ensure that all necessary accommodations and support services are set up before they start college. Encourage your child to familiarize themselves with available mental health resources on campus, such as counseling services. Discuss the importance of seeking help when they feel overwhelmed and make sure they know where to go for support. Teach your child how to advocate for themselves in academic and mental health settings, empowering them to take charge of their own needs. For help with this and other parenting concerns, we are here to support you as you prepare your child. Join Our Parent Workshop Series! Prepare to support your college-bound child with confidence. Our workshop series will help you understand the challenges they face, teach effective communication strategies, and introduce you to essential resources. Learn how to balance guidance with independence, ensuring your child succeeds both academically and personally. Don’t miss this chance to empower your child's college journey and strengthen your relationship! When: Wednesdays, 5:30-7pm Cost: $260 for a 4-week session Facilitator: Dr. Jeanie McCusker, LPC, CSC, Certified College Access Counselor Location: 2700 Research Forest Dr. #130, The Woodlands, Texas 77381 New Clients: Please call 281-528-4226 to schedule a complimentary consultation to see if our group would be a good fit. Current Clients: Use the QR code to register. Sending your child off to college is a significant milestone. By avoiding these common mistakes and learning how to support them effectively, you can help ensure their success and well-being during this transformative time. Join our workshop series to equip yourself with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate this journey with confidence. We specialize in supporting students with ADHD, ADD, anxiety, and depression through individual, family, and group therapy. Our experienced counselors provide comprehensive assessments and personalized therapy plans to help your child succeed in their college journey.