Many people underestimate the power of kindness, gratitude, and helping others. While we learn that these are good behaviors, their scientific benefits and positive mental health effects often aren’t realized. It’s more than just doing what’s right and following moral laws. One of the best ways kids, teens, and adults can improve their mental health […]
The pandemic has triggered a variety of mental health symptoms, including bullying. Over the past year and a half, self-esteem and self-identity have taken a big hit, causing more adolescents to become targets or perpetrators of bullying. Bullying is about power. Those who are hurting from a mental or emotional disorder such as low self-worth, […]
For the past year and a half, things haven’t felt okay to many of us. And while some normality has returned, concerns around COVID’s new Delta variant and general global uncertainty have intensified feelings of “all is not well.” As a result, many teens (and adults) are experiencing anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions. While […]
The 2021/2022 school year is very different from prior years. Unlike last year, when many kids struggled with virtual learning, they are now adjusting to being back in the classroom after nearly a year and a half. New to this school year is different rules, mask mandates, pro-vaccine views vs. anti-vaccine views, a new variant […]
Within the next few weeks, millions of U.S. students will be starting a new school year. It will be many students’ first time sharing a classroom with other students in over a year. Different scenarios will also be at play for some kids, like starting a new school, having friends who are not returning and […]
Parents sometimes worry because their teen has become socially withdrawn. They no longer want to leave the house or hang out with their friends. And in some cases, they don’t even want to do things with their own family. So, parents ask, “should I be concerned?” Many things can cause a socially withdrawn teen. Depression […]
Over half of U.S. teens have made a friend online. Many of these online friends live thousands of miles apart, sometimes across the world. Although they may not meet in person, the friendships that they form can seem and become real. Cyberbullying is another thing that gets experienced by close to the same percentage of […]
Perhaps therapy for your child is something that you’ve considered off and on over the years, or maybe you’ve recently seen changes in your teen that have made you wonder if therapy is needed. You might be asking yourself if you should seek a therapist or not, and if you do, where do you start? […]
Over the past year, COVID has taken a toll on mental health. School is an integral part of child and teen’s development and mental health, and up until recently, half of U.S. students had been attending school virtually. As a result, many kids have experienced isolation, delayed development, lower self-esteem and self-confidence, and new levels […]
It has been nearly a year since half of U.S. students have stepped foot on a school campus. While a decrease in academic performance has been one of the adverse effects of long-term distance learning, the lack of social interaction and on-campus instruction has also taken a toll on many students’ mental health. Understandably, several […]
Stress over the past year’s events, including the pandemic, presidential election, and racial tension, has threatened our nation’s mental health, particularly those from Generation Z (born after 1996) – kids, teens, and young adults, according to a recent national survey from the American Psychological Association. After a year of turmoil, you may not be in […]
With COVID-19 cases spiking and more stay-at-home orders imposed, the holidays are likely to look a little different for everyone this year. For some, holiday traditions may need to get altered or skipped altogether, like other celebrations and events from this year. After an exhausting year of letdowns and changes, it may feel like the […]
For many people, 2020 has been a challenging year. So much this year has felt adverse, complicated, and even disappointing. With the fear of the pandemic, the apparent divide in our nation, kids home from school, and the holidays approaching, it can be hard to feel grateful or even happy – especially if you’re feeling […]
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I have recently seen many kids who say they “feel stuck,” bored, “have no place to go or no one to turn to,” and “feel like they’re in a dark cloud and can’t get out.” These are signs of depression. Depression and anxiety are affecting an alarming amount […]
While the COVID-19 pandemic has affected nearly all of us, the adverse effects experienced by children may be the ones with the direst consequences, primarily because those are the ones that are most likely to be overlooked and unaddressed. Media has covered the economic and other hardships that have impacted adults; however, as a therapist, […]
The thing that your kids (and teens) need the most right now is you. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or trusted adult relative or friend to a child or teen, you are more valuable and needed than you may realize. The pandemic has caused significant changes in most of our kids’ and teens’ lives. For […]
Many of us are scrambling to prepare for a school year that will be starting virtually. If you’re a working parent, you may be wondering how you’re going to juggle work and have your kids at home, attending school. Your kids may be wondering how they’re going to stay connected to their friends or how […]
Social interaction and screen time are two topics that often get researched regarding children’s emotional health. In February 2020, as a follow up to a study on teen loneliness, I wrote How Social Media & Digital Technology Can Make Teens Feel Lonely. Since then, came the pandemic, which has increased screen time usage by 500%, […]
After ending a school year cut short by a pandemic, summer break is starting for many. But, these next two months will likely not consist of the same types of vacations, summer camps, and other activities that you had initially planned on. If you’re a parent with school-aged kids, you may be wondering how you […]
Cyberbullying is an ongoing online harassment. It may include texts, social media, emails, and gaming chats. Cyberbullying occurs for many of the same reasons as other forms of bullying, but it can be more dangerous because of its 24/7 convenience and anonymous nature. Another threat of cyberbullying is that the bullies can include people who […]
Within a few weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant changes to our lives and world. Here’s how to replace feelings of anxiety and depression with peace and hope. COVID-19 has drastically affected the lives of nearly everyone. Almost all of us have experienced significant disruptions and changes in our lives. School and business closures, […]
More than 90% of teens use social media daily. Eighty-one percent of these teens use social media to connect with friends, and one-fifth of teen social media users spend four or more hours on it each day [Pew Research Center study]. These stats do not include the amount of time that teens spend on video […]
Self-compassion is an important concept that we don’t hear a lot about, and one that most of us don’t practice enough. Both kids and adults need self-compassion What is self-compassion? Self-compassion means understanding your emotional state in a non-judgmental way, to be able to turn understanding, acceptance, and love inward. Our outlook and goals are […]
Our lives are full of life-changing moments. Many of the choices that we make have domino effects that impact ourselves and others. Some of the outcomes of our actions are obvious, but many will go undetected, especially those that affect other people. Bullying and kindness are two behaviors that often become life-changing moments. The Life-Changing […]
Seventy-five percent of bullied kids and teens have not told their parents. In fact, they haven’t told anyone. Most parents think they’ll know when and if their child becomes a victim of bullying. But the truth is, most don’t. Other parents feel their child is not at risk. The child has a good group of […]
It’s in the news, popular TV shows, and social media. Heavy topics such as bullying, suicide, drugs, vaping, and shootings are inundating our media. Sadly, these topics are realities for many people, especially teens. You may wonder if media affects bullying and other teen issues. The answer is absolutely; however, the effects can vary by […]
Kids who feel like they have no friends or who have been bullied, can feel very lonely. School can be a place where feelings of loneliness intensify – especially when returning to school after summer break. Sadly, with today’s kids and teens, this is a more common issue than many people realize. Cigna’s 2018 U.S. Loneliness […]
Sometimes, a parent may feel like they’re doing everything right but despite their best efforts, their child or teen continues to not listen, has behavioral issues or is still struggling with an issue that the parent has been trying to help him or her resolve. I often hear parents say: “I’m doing everything that I’ve […]
Being friends with two people who don’t get along or with one who bullies another can be tough. This can be especially difficult for kids and teens. A child may become friends with someone who their existing friend doesn’t like. Or, a child may get stuck in the middle of two friends who used to […]
A few months ago, I wrote How to Handle Middle School Bullying, Cliques and Mean Girls. I’ve had many parents reach out after reading that article because their young teens were facing similar issues. Social exclusion, aggression and feeling like you don’t “fit in” are very common among teens. But, really, they can be experienced […]
‘Roasting’ is not a new occurrence. Many of us grew up hearing roasts such as Yo Mama’s so ugly that…… or Yo Mama’s so fat that…. These Yo Mama jokes may be mean and cruel, but they’re an indirect insult vs. direct – and because of that, they usually aren’t used to bully or intentionally […]
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 […]
I’m writing this article because the pain of my childhood bullying experience is what led me to my passion of helping those who have been bullied. In the fourth grade, I was bullied every day. During the following summer, I spent much time in my room crying. And, as summer drew to an end, I […]
No one is immune from bullying (either being the victim, the bully or both). It can happen anywhere and to anyone – even when school is not in session. Bullies don’t take summer breaks. Parents can use summer break as an opportunity to help kids avoid and address bullying that takes place during summer break, […]
Season two of the Netflix series, 13 Reasons Why has just been released. As a therapist and with much hype for this successful and controversial series centering around a teenager’s tragic suicide, I am often asked for my perspective on if and how this series should be watched by families and teens. Before exploring why […]
The types of bullying that are characterized by mean social posts, name-calling or brutal beatings may be the ones that most often make news headlines. But, there is another type of bullying that can be just as painful and devastating. This type of bullying is often the one that happens at schools, camps and other […]
Why Your Teen’s Self-Esteem is Important Good self-esteem can help tweens and teens try new things, be more likely to help and encourage others, take healthy risks and solve problems. It provides a strong foundation for making good decisions, and not being held back by fear or giving into peer pressure. Strong self-confidence can also […]
To say that recent technology has changed the way that many tweens and teens socialize, may be an understatement. For many, social media is a way of life. It’s how they share and communicate with their friends. Although social media may be the norm, parental boundaries and open communication are essential to help your child […]
As kids get older, their friendships may change. It’s not uncommon for parents to hear their kids say, “we’re no longer friends” or to start talking more about new friends. Kids, especially those between the ages of 11 and 14, are the most likely to experience a shift in friendships. Normally, the coming and going […]
As quickly as the holidays come and go, so do school winter breaks. And, like the way many adults feel about going back to work after time off or a vacation, many kids also don’t look forward to returning to school. This is normal. But, some kids also experience anxiety over the thought of leaving […]
The holiday season is a hectic time for many families. Lack of patience and sleep is often the result of overloaded schedules that are full of holiday parties, shopping, baking, traveling, and more. Add busy work and school schedules to that and you can have one stressed out family. But, despite the craziness, this can […]
