Parenting

What is going on with my child!? This is probably the question that you have asked yourself a few hundred times before finally scheduling an appointment. Your teenager has recently been struggling in school , has been exhibiting defiant behavior at home or has been withdrawn lately. The first appointment…

It’s 7am. You haven’t had your coffee. Your three-year-old is clinging to your leg like a Kuala bear because he’s hungry. You make your way to the kitchen, trying to blink away the lack of sleep from your eyes, when a sharp object sinks into the bottom center of your…

The Holidays are upon us. This is the time of year when experimental drinking and drug use happens. This is the time of Holiday parties and Holiday cheer. As parents, we hope our children are safe. We hope we have taught them how to make good decisions. We hope they…

When you think of the word “teenager” what is the first thing that comes to your mind?  Attitude? Defiant? Impossible? It’s no secret that it can be difficult to communicate with adolescents.. Many people assume  their teenagers are overly emotional, impulsive, and sometimes just  mean. All of those statements can…

Understanding Grief & Loss in Adoption; Are You Feeling… Loss, Frustrated, Anxious , Sad, Angry, Jealousy, Denial, Shame, Relationship Stress, Lack of Control? The experience of adoption is often bitter sweet. Adoption can be a new baby for the adoptive parents, a new family for the adoptee and the solution…

My 15 year old daughter, has had three role models in her life: Hannah Montana, Taylor Swift and, now, Lana Del Ray. I say “Hannah Montana” (and not Miley Cyrus) because this was when she was a sweet actress/singer who played a double role similar to the role played by…

Q&A on Firstborn Parenting 1. What are some typical behaviors of the oldest child? Oftentimes, oldest children tend to be driven and ambitious. In addition, they can have a strong sense of responsibility, along with a healthy amount of self-confidence. 2. How does an oldest child tend to interact with…

The Princess Culture Effect As the parent of two girls, I have had my share of princess things in my house. The movies, the dress- up clothes, the dolls, the books, the shoes, pink, pink and more pink, plus countless things with glitter! I was faced with the challenge of…

1. Model inclusive behavior. Until age 7, what kids hear and see from their caretakers is more important to children than what they personally experience. Be careful with your words, even with seemingly innocent jokes or stereotypical references. Let your children see you interact positively with people from a variety…

The Three Most Important Things You Need To Know 1. Start Young — Don’t Underestimate Your Child Raising a child in an environment that consistently models respectful communication is essential. From the moment you bring your precious cherub home from the hospital, it is important to continue to practice and/or…

TRANSCRIPT: Hi, I’m Lisa Shankman, a therapist here at Thriveworks. As a parent and therapist that’s worked with many families, I’ve found one of the most important things for families is building a really positive emotional connection. I’ve identified a few different things that really help facilitate that connection, especially…

My question is: My 23-year-old son has a drug addiction. First it was marijuana and alcohol for many years, and now he seems to be smoking something called chop out of a bong pipe (tobacco and marijuana), but his behavior has changed he’s become more violent and very angry. He recently…