WHY DO CHILDREN LIE? UNDERSTANDING THE REASONS BEHIND THEIR DECEPTION

It’s a common frustration for parents when they discover their child has lied. Children often lie for various reasons—whether to avoid punishment, gain attention, or due to their vivid imagination. While this behavior is a normal part of growing up, understanding the underlying motives can help parents respond in the most supportive way. Recognizing why children lie provides insight into their feelings and needs. For example, a child might fib about finishing their homework to avoid parental nagging. By understanding READ MORE

REWARD CHARTS FOR POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT: WHAT NOT TO DO

Imagine your child lighting up with pride as they place a sticker on their reward chart, feeling recognized for a job well done. Reward charts, sometimes called behavior charts, can be fantastic tools for reinforcing positive behaviors in children. When used effectively, these charts help children build habits like tidying up, following routines, or practicing kindness. However, without careful planning, they can lead to frustration for both caregivers and kids, sometimes undermining the very behaviors they’re meant to encourage. This READ MORE

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS DEMYSTIFIED: STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE ORGANIZATION, TASK COMPLETION, AND MORE

Imagine your brain as an orchestra, and the executive functions as the conductor sitting at the very front of the brain (behind your forehead). Just as a conductor directs and coordinates every musician in an orchestra to play harmoniously together, your executive functions oversee and manage various mental processes in your brain.

HOW OUR MINDS FILTER INFORMATION: UNDERSTANDING INATTENTION

Imagine that your brain’s capacity to pay attention is like a camping headlight. When you’re focused, that headlight shines bright on what you’re doing. But for some people, this headlight flickers or doesn’t stay on one thing for long. In other words, inattention is difficulty keeping that mental headlight steady and on the task at hand. Inattention can also be conceptualized as a filter problem. You brain needs to ignore and suppress thousands of pieces of information (called stimuli) throughout READ MORE

BACK TO SCHOOL ISSUES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AFTER-SCHOOL MELTDOWNS

All you need to know about after-school restraint collapse! It’s 3:30 p.m. Your child(ren) or teen(s) are coming off the bus or being picked up at school. Although your child or teen is usually all smiles and laughs, they look sullen or downcast. They ignore you. Within minutes of getting home, the peace is shattered by crying, screaming, and fighting. What is after-school restraint collapse? After a long day of learning, it’s only natural for kids and teens to want READ MORE

WORRIED ABOUT JEALOUSY TOWARDS THE NEW BABY? A GUIDE TO PREPARING YOUR TODDLER FOR A NEW SIBLING

Expecting a second (or third, or fourth!) baby? Congrats! Here are a few tips on how to prepare and manage your eldest’s jealousy. You are excited about the new life growing inside your belly, but also a bit apprehensive. How will my eldest react? Will they play together? Will my oldest feel neglected during the first few months? Will they get jealous? Sibling jealousy is a common concern. Let’s discuss what steps you can take for the transition to be READ MORE

TROUBLESHOOTING POTTY TRAINING ISSUES: 5 COMMON PROBLEMS AND HOW TO ADDRESS THEM

Potty training can be very easy but only if your child is ready! Children differ in how fast they walk and talk and same goes for potty training. Some children are ready to potty train earlier than others; some can be potty trained before 2 years of age some after 4. When children are ready and parents are consistent, most children can be daytime potty trained within a week or two. For other children, it can take longer. In this READ MORE

PARENTAL BURNOUT: PUTTING SELF-CARE AT THE HEART OF PARENTING

Simple yet effective ways for parents to care for themselves in order to prevent parental burnout. Raising kids can be one of the most life-changing and rewarding periods of your life, but it can also be exhausting and overwhelming. Parents typically make their kids their top priority, sometimes even putting them above their own needs. But parents need to make time for themselves so they can continue to be at their best. If they don’t, they run the risk of READ MORE

5 EMOTIONAL REGULATION STRATEGIES FOR CHILDREN & TEENS

Learn effective emotional regulation strategies for children and teens. Help them navigate their emotions and develop valuable coping skills for life. Emotional regulation is an important part of a child’s development. As parents, it’s our responsibility to help our kids learn how to manage their difficult emotions and feelings. Ultimately, we want them to develop self-regulation skills for dealing with difficult emotions on their own.  In this article, we’ll explore five effective strategies that parents and caregivers can use for READ MORE

ADHD IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: 10 TIPS FOR REACHING THEIR FULL POTENTIAL

Unlock your child’s true potential with expert guidance on navigating ADHD in children. Discover effective strategies for helping your child thrive. Raising kids and teens can be quite an adventure, filled with ups, downs, and everything in between. But when your child has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the journey can come with unique challenges. That’s why I created this guide for parents on navigating ADHD in children and helping them reach their full potential. ADHD is more than just READ MORE