Category: Parenting

Anxiety Disorders, Blog, Childhood Disorders, Parenting, Uncategorized

Dealing with Your Child’s Feelings

How Children Express Themselves and What You Can Do

By Jaclyn Shlisky, Psy.D.

Mr. Rogers once said:

 

“Confronting our feelings and giving them appropriate expression always takes strength, not weakness. It takes strength to acknowledge our anger, and sometimes more strength yet to curb the aggressive urges anger may bring and channel them into nonviolent outlets. It takes strength to face our sadness and to grieve and to let our grief and our anger flow in tears when they need to. It takes strength to talk about feelings and to reach out for help and comfort when we need it.”

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Adolescents, Blog, Family Therapy, Parenting, Uncategorized

The Family System and its Newest Member: Technology

By Stephanie Burstein, MS, LMFT

Technology can drive families crazy!  An avalanche of devices, apps and information is overwhelming. How do you decide what is best for your family? Instead of looking at the ‘problem of technology’, we must create a framework within the family that includes technology as a helpful tool for communication, entertainment and education.

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Blog, Childhood Disorders, Nutrition, Parenting

Is It Just Picky Eating? Understanding ARFID

What Exactly is  Avoidant / Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

By Jestine Argueza, RDN, LDN

Maybe you’ve always known your child was a “picky eater”. But now the list of foods he will eat without a struggle will fit on a small post-it note. His “picky eating” is taking a toll and interfering with family meals, not to mention your concerns about his nutritional needs.

Turns out, it really is a thing and there’s a name for it.  Avoidant / Restrictive Food Intake Disorder or ARFID, is an eating disorder diagnosis, newly and aptly named in 2013.  However, it’s quite different from other forms of eating disorders.

So, what IS it?

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Adolescents, Blog, Newsletter, Parenting

A Smarty Pants Guide to Education

By: Clara Bossie, BA S.Ed, MS. LMFT-S, CEDS

There is an unbound pressure on parents, students and educators to “fit the mold” and “be the best” at the cost of draining joy and wonder from the learning process. Disruptions from the COVID Pandemic gave parents a first-hand look at the strengths and weaknesses of both traditional and homeschool environments. As families struggle to imagine how their child’s education will take shape in the fall, knowing your options is critical. How can you skillfully be involved in the process AND maintain your sanity?

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Blog, Parenting

Anxiety Over School Shootings

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Anxiety over school shootings in America has become a collective fear for children and adults alike.  The recent epidemic of school shootings and threats of school-based violence are shocking events that may prompt strong emotional reactions. When such incidents occur, it is important that parents and caregivers are equipped with information in order to appropriately respond and meet the safety and emotional needs of their children. Anxiety can be thought of as the body’s internal …

Blog, Parenting

Hurricane Survival 101: Helping Your Kids Weather the Storm

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As if preparing for a hurricane isn’t difficult enough, what about preparing your children for a storm? The “unknown” can create stress for families both before and after the storm. Taking the time to prepare your young ones for hazardous weather can save you from unwanted meltdowns. Children who have been prepared and whose parents handle the disaster well have a greater ability to utilize coping strategies.  The following are tips to help you teach, …

Blog, Body Image, Eating Disorders, Nutrition, Parenting

What is Disordered Eating?

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Given the constant emphasis our society places on being thin, it isn’t surprising that many people believe dieting is both a normal and necessary part of life. However, constant attention to weight, calories, fat, and body size can quickly turn into a destructive cycle of body dissatisfaction. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) states that weighing oneself, skipping meals, counting calories, or over exercising may not necessarily mean that you have a diagnosable eating disorder. …

Adolescents, Anxiety Disorders, Blog, Childhood Disorders, Family Therapy, Parenting

Turning Mistakes Into Triumph: Tips for Parents & Caregivers

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My most powerful “Aha! moments” have come from making gut wrenching mistakes and minor faux pas.  As a child, I recall my mom saying, “Do what you think is right.” Argh!  Of course, I knew it wasn’t right!  Even though it was painful at times to feel complete responsibility for my own mistakes, I am now thankful for them. When children get incorrect answers on tests or quizzes, their grades suffer commensurately.  Of course, no …

Adolescents, Blog, Family Therapy, Parenting

Tech Presents for Kids: Tips for Establishing Healthy Boundaries

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The holidays are here and shopping has begun. At the top of everyone’s holiday wish list are electronics. Even our littlest loved ones are enamored with the latest and greatest gadgets. Who could blame them? Our world runs on technology and our kids are part of that world. Whether they are using electronics for school or entertainment, the demand exists. And as every parent knows, finding the right balance for electronics is tricky. How do …

Newsletter, Nurition, Nutrition, Parenting

Students Receive Tips on Fueling Their Creative Selves

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Students in grades 3-12 gathered in West Palm Beach on Saturday, October 24, participating in the year-round enrichment programs offered through the Kravis Center.   Underwritten by the Lawrence J. and Florence A. De George Charitable Trust, the De George Academy for Performing Arts provides instruction and coaching to economically disadvantaged youth interested in the performing arts.  Through these ongoing programs, students learn necessary tools and strategies that enrich their creative lives. Christie Caggiani, RDN, …