A few years ago, one of my friends had a “going into middle school” pool party for her son the summer before he began 6th grade. She purchased a congratulatory card and asked guests to sign it. My friend’s niece, who was just going into high school, commented that she wasn’t sure what she should […]
As the end of winter break approaches, there are kids who fear returning to school. These are the kids who have been bullied, feel they have no friends, are struggling academically. There are also kids, especially adolescents and young teens, who worry about whether or not they’ll be accepted back in their clique or how […]
Republished from Washington Post’s On Parenting dated November 14, 2018. By Eileen Hoenigman Meyer. My tweens enthusiastically relate particularly clever “roasts,” the zingers that ping back and forth among friends. “You’re what happens when women drink when they’re pregnant.” “You’re so ugly your parents asked the doctor for a refund the day you were born.” “You’re […]
Dear Evan Hansen is a riveting stage musical, based on the book by Steven Levenson. The musical covers common issues faced by today’s teenagers: social anxiety, depression, suicide, disconnection from social media, deception and trying to “fit in.” It tells the story of Evan Hansen, a 17-year old high school senior who has severe social anxiety and finds […]
Bullying. It’s a word that we all know, and that gets described in many ways. It’s an issue that’s frequently talked about and affects nearly 1 in 4 students between the ages of 12-18. It’s a reason for many school absences and can be a trigger, along with other mental health issues, that can lead […]
For National Bully Prevention Month, I was fortunate to have interviewed two incredible teenagers, Benjamin and Matthew Royer, who shared their story of what it was like to be bullied. Benjamin and Matthew Royer shared their feelings, thoughts and words of wisdom on their experiences of being bullied. The information below was from both boys, […]
As a bullying expert who has worked with several children and teens who have been bullied, I am often asked questions such as, “Why do other kids want to hurt me?” and “What motivates kids to be cruel to each other?” There are a few common reasons why children bully: They’ve been bullied themselves. Bullies […]
It seems to happen with a blink of an eye. The daughter who used to beg you to play Barbies with her now wants nothing to do with you. Or, the son who used to come greet you at the door now stays stationed in front of his video game when you get home from […]
The first few weeks of school are an emotionally trying time for nearly all students. A change of routine, new teachers, having different or no friends in class, fear of not fitting in or even being bullied can cause anxiety for many kids and parents. Some short-term nerves and anxiety can be normal. But, anxiety […]
Eighth Grade is one of those years we never forget. It’s a year that adolescents try to navigate from childhood to young adults. I remember myself in eighth grade, as an awkward teenager who felt my own reality was all that mattered. As I was maturing into a young woman, I experienced all the changes […]
