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 […]
I often hear from parents, “Being a parent is the hardest job that I’ve ever had” or “I love my kids, but they drive me crazy.” While being a parent can be very rewarding, it can also be a job that tests your patience, raises your blood pressure and leaves you wondering if you’re handling […]
Nearly every day, we see news headlines with the word or a variation of the word, “bullying.” Most commonly, these reports involve students between the ages of 10 and 17; however, there are many accounts that also feature political figures, workplaces and even professional sport teams. The fact is, bullying can happen anywhere and can […]
October is National Bullying Prevention Month, uniting communities nationwide with activities and dialogue that educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention. To support you during this month, I want to share with you important information about what bullying is and how to help your child overcome bullying. Let’s even talk about how we can empower […]
“Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Not really, actually. I disagree – words can hurt, as can being ignored or shunned or having rumors spread about you. When these things are repeated over time, it is bullying. And we need to make sure that we are addressing it […]
As your child gets older, they require less hands-on from you with their school and friends. By the time they are in middle school, they know the consequences of not doing their homework and/or studying. Playdates have graduated to “drop-offs” at friends and your child is exposed to a broader group of peers, whom you’re […]
It’s not uncommon for kids to experience a wide-range of emotions leading up to and during the first few weeks of a new school year. Who will be in my class and Will I like my teacher are thoughts that cross nearly every child’s mind. But, for those who have been bullied, there are other […]
Summer is an amazing time when your child can escape from the pressures of school: homework and exams, trying to fit into social cliques, and even being a victim (or contributor to) cyberbullying. While cyberbullies don’t take a summer break, they can be less “active” when school’s not in session – giving victims a temporary […]
When bullying occurs, there is a bully and a victim, but there are usually other people who are standing by – witnessing, participating, or standing up against what is happening. These bystanders, depending on how they behave, will either negatively or positively affect how the bully reacts. The bystander will either join with the bully […]
As summer is approaching fast, you have probably started to plan activities for your kids. Some kids will go to camp (click here for a comprehensive list of local summer camps), others may have summer jobs or summer school. It’s important that even during summer activities, we’re aware of any potential bullying situations. When kids […]
There are important risk factors for you to know if you are worried your child may be bullied. There are physical, emotional and relational risk factors as well as other risk factors. All of these play an important role for parents to look at with their children. Physical Risk Factors If your child looks physically […]
I had heard a lot of discussion coming from different groups about the recently released Netflix’s ” 13 Reasons Why.” There seems to be a huge controversy about whether children should be watching this. I believe it is not only necessary, but important that kids watch this show with their parents and not just with […]
In the last 15 to 20 years, there has been a significant increase in social media. The days of calling your friends to talk on the phone are now replaced with text messaging, chatting over video games, Instant Messaging and FaceTime. There are much fewer in-person conversations happening for children. The phone is now considered […]
