“I’m ugly.” “Everyone hates me.” “I’m going to fail—I’m too stupid to pass this test.” Why are teens and pre–teens often insecure, anxious and over–sensitive? Adolescence is a risky, dangerous time of life. Your child is attempting to figure out who he is, how he wants to be in the world and how others perceive him.... Read more »
Imagine this scene: Your 7–year–old won’t stop teasing his little sister. You give him a 10 minute time out, but he refuses to comply and has a total meltdown. Or suppose you tell your 13–year–old to do her homework and stop texting her friend or else she will lose TV privileges for the week. She... Read more »
This is part one of a two-part series on anxiety in children by James Lehman, MSW. In the first article, James will discuss how to understand and identify anxiety in children. Next week, he'll give you some constructive advice on how to help children manage anxiety successfully. For many children, riding the school bus, taking a... Read more »
The start of every school year brings all sorts of images to mind: shopping for clothes and school supplies, getting back into a routine of dinner and bedtimes that may have become relaxed during summer, and relief from arguing siblings who have been stuck together 24/7 for the past three months. Many parents are relieved... Read more »
Are you a parent who feels like you’ve tried everything—and failed—in an attempt to manage your oppositional, defiant child? You’re not alone. Parenting an ODD kid can be one of the most frustrating things any parent faces. The good news is that there is hope. You may be thinking, “Yeah right, nothing can help my kid!” While it’s... Read more »
I often joke that kids with ADHD would make great politicians or lawyers, because they never give up a fight! Trying to cope with a child who argues at the drop of a hat can test the patience of any sane person. Not surprisingly, over the years many parents have asked me what they can... Read more »
"If I didn't put his homework in his folder, put the folder in his backpack, and ask the teacher to get him to take it out, he would never turn in any homework," says a mother of a son with ADHD. "I have to sit right with her to get her to do her homework. It... Read more »
Part one of a two part series by James Lehman, MSW, on kids and episodic depression. Note from James: In our culture, sadness and depression have become almost interchangeable terms. In this article, we’re going to use the term “episodic depression” when referring to a level of sadness that children experience that interferes with their functioning. Almost... Read more »
A diagnosis is an important piece of the puzzle we are trying to solve when we try to help kids with disabilities learn how to function. Many parents are relieved when they get a diagnosis for their acting-out, “problem child” because they see it as a guideline for the future. They think, “Now we’ll know... Read more »
Homework can be difficult for most kids during the school year, but it can become a major challenge when you have a child with ADHD. But here’s some good news for exhausted parents: if you take the right steps now, at the beginning of the school year, homework hassles can be kept to a minimum.... Read more »
