“Hold Your PeePee!” 12 Tips to Help Your Child Manage Impulsivity
All kids struggle with impulse control from time to time. But if your child seems to really have a hard time putting the “mental brakes” on before they lose their cool, this blog’s for you! Check out this week’s blog to learn 12 tried and true ways to boost your child’s impulse control.
Take the Stress Out of Tests! 11 Ways to Manage Test Anxiety
Though no obituary has ever read, “Cause of Death: Flunking the SAT,” the stress of high-stakes testing can feel make a student feel like they are in a life or death situation. Without effective coping skills, test anxiety can negatively impact students’ physical, emotional, and mental health. For tips on helping students manage test anxiety, check out this week’s blog.
I Can’t Spell Dyslexia – Do I Have It?!
Did you know that people with dyslexia tend to be fast and creative thinkers? Sadly, many students and employees with dyslexia get left behind because they don’t have the support in place to manage their struggles with reading. Check out this week’s blog to learn how children and adults with dyslexia can overcome challenges to achieve their potential.
8 Tips to Create a Mentally Healthy Classroom
It’s common for teachers to have students with challenges that impact their learning such as ADHD, autism, anxiety, and depression just to name a few. With so many different obstacles, what can teachers do to ensure their classroom supports the needs of all of their students? Our Specialists at Variations Psychology compiled 8 classroom strategies for teachers to use to support the mental health of every student. Check it out before you head back-to-school!
Should I Let My Teen Get a Job? 10 Things Parents Should Know
“If you want to be treated like an adult you better start acting like one!” Us parents say that, but do we really want our teens to run out and get a job? If you’re wondering if your teen is ready for the workforce, check out this week’s blog and find out!
The Parent’s Survival Guide: Explaining Puberty to Your Daughter
Training bras, tampons, and mood swings, oh my! Parents of girls might be a bit nervous about their little girls entering puberty, but with the right type of communication and support, these transitional years can be a great time for parents and daughters to connect. Check out this week’s blog with 11 tips for talking to your daughter about puberty.
How to Care for Aging Parents while Raising a Family: 8 Tips for the Sandwich Generation
Modern medicine has meant that many adults are living longer – a fact that brings comfort to all of us. However, this increased life expectancy has also created another phenomenon called, “The Sandwich Generation,” – a group of adults responsible for the caregiving demands of both their children and aging parents. Becoming a “sandwiched” caregiver can feel intimidating as the physical, emotional and sometimes, financial demands are overwhelming. After spending your childhood under your parents’ care, this role reversal can feel painful and confusing for both of you.
Should My Child Have an Emotional Support Animal? 10 Things You Should Know
Throughout history, animals have been documented as companions, messengers, and heroes of mankind. Animals have an intangible quality that just makes people feel good and this special bond is especially strong in children. It’s commonly known that animals can support children with medical conditions such as blindness, epilepsy, or hearing impairment, but did you know many children qualify for a support animal to help them through emotional challenges?
If you think your child might benefit from the comfort of an emotional support animal, here are some things you should know:
“Is My Child Addicted to Video Games?” How to Know and What to Do About It
Since their debut in the early 1970’s, video games have been an iconic form of entertainment. While most people can enjoy gaming as an occasional diversion, a growing number of youth seem to be pushing aside family, friends, and activities to spend more time in front of computer screens. Nicknamed “digital heroin,” video game addiction is a growing concern and has recently been classified as a mental health disorder by The World Health Organization.
So how do parents know if their child’s fantasy world is starting to take over their real life?
Should I Get My Kid Tested?
All parents want their children to learn in a fair and enriching environment, but that doesn’t look the same for every child. Students struggling with academic, social, or emotional challenges may require additional support to help them reach their potential. In most cases, however, students can only receive special accommodations if they’ve been tested for eligibility by a licensed specialist.
But all students face challenges in one way or another – how does a parent know if their child should see a specialist?
Co-parenting over Summer: 10 Tips for a Drama Free Vacay
Summer is a challenging time for all parents, but especially for those who are no longer together. During the school year, the kids are on a pretty set schedule and co-parents generally know what their responsibilities are from month to month. Then summer rolls around and throws a wrench into visitation, childcare, and transportation arrangements. Add the drama of your ex-relationship to the mix, and your family’s summer fun is at serious risk.
So what can co-parents do to plan a summer that works for everyone?
6 Tips to Prepare for your Teen’s Independence
Independence Day – the anniversary of America’s founding fathers declaring liberation from England’s governance. When it comes to governing one’s household, nearly every parent anticipates the day that their child will give their own, “declaration of independence.” Parents expect that as their teens emerge into their 20’s, they’ll soon be moving out and establishing themselves as self-sufficient adults. To many parents’ dismay, however, more and more young adults are having trouble meeting the milestones that lead to independence.
Is “Failure to Launch Syndrome” a thing?
5 Tips for Raising Emotionally Intelligent Children
From the time a baby is born until they establish themselves as adults, most parents are at least a little concerned with how intelligent their child will be. They may get a little worried if their best friend’s kid started talking earlier or if their teen didn’t make the honor roll.
But what about the type of intelligence that doesn’t impact a kid’s ability to solve math equations or memorize state capitols?
“Yay it’s summer! Mom I’m bored.” 9 Easy Tips for a Stimulating Summer
Ahhh summer… the freedom, the sunshine, the world of opportunity. The kids look forward to it all year.
Notice we said “the kids.”
Parents on the other hand, tend to be a little wary of the school-free season. While all parents love spending time with their children, summer means 3 whole months without the time consumption and mental stimulation that school provides. It means having to come up with activities for the kids yourself, which often translates to spending a lot more money. If both parents work, it can also mean having to find reliable child care and camps that aren’t exactly in the budget. So what’s a parent to do?
The PRIDE of Fatherhood: 5 Ways That Great Dads Shape Our Mental Health
Dads are our first superheroes, and it’s for good reason. Fathers have a unique paternal instinct to protect, care, and provide for their children. In turn, children look up to their fathers as an almost mythical role model, with an inborn drive to make their father proud and live up to his expectations. As Father’s Day approaches, we reflect on the impact that dads have on our lives. We know that their love encourages us and their guidance directs us, but have you ever wondered how a father’s pride impacts the long-term mental health of his children?
Coping With the Shock of Suicide
When a person dies by suicide, it sends a devastating shock wave through the world around them. Whether they were your personal friend or a celebrity that you admired, being connected with a person who dies by suicide can make you feel overwhelmed with confusion and despair. The relationships and role models we build throughout life have a tremendous impact on our mental health, and having that connection severed by suicide is incredibly traumatic.
While there’s no easy road through the grieving process, knowing what to expect can help.If someone you know or admired died by suicide, here are a few things you should know:
Parent’s Guide: What to do When Your Child’s Friend Dies by Suicide
Most parents try to avoid having their kids deal with difficult adult issues whenever possible. However, there are times in life where parents are forced to discuss tough topics with their kids. There are few topics less disturbing and heart wrenching than having your child’s friend die by suicide. If your child has lost a friend to suicide, here are some things you should know.
Will discussing suicide give my child ideas?
Words of Wisdom from Famous Mothers: A Celebration of Mom’s Impact on Mental Health
It’s no secret that mothers have an immeasurable impact on our psychological development. While psychology has only been widely studied since the late 1800’s, mothers have been guided by meaningful wisdom and instincts since the dawn of time. In honor of Mother’s Day, here are some quotes from famous moms over the past few centuries, illustrating the many ways a mother’s wisdom shapes our mental health.
The Final Semester Survival Guide: 13 Tips for College Students Who Just Want it to be Over The final countdown
Whether you’re in your first year of college or finishing up the home stretch, the last semester of each year can be a stressful time. finals seemed so far away, and day-to-day assignments didn’t feel like they held so much weight. But before you know it, the end of the term is upon you, and you’ve only got a few short weeks or months to achieve your academic goals for the year.