August brings the reminder of new beginnings and transitions. Although you may be feeling lethargic from the heat and still cleaning sand left over from June and July’s vacations, your children are very aware their life is about to change. Transitions are a challenge no matter what age you are; getting up earlier, completing homework, and getting back into a routine is something many families struggle with the week before school. Since school hasn’t started yet, there is stil

The majority of children like going to school. They anticipate seeing their friends and teachers again and enjoy participating in school activities. School encompasses a large proportion of your child’s life so their excitement and eagerness is a welcomed sign to most parents. However, about 5 percent of children refuse to go to school or create reasons why they shouldn’t go. With the recent school violence, parents and teachers understand older children’s reluctance to retur

Beginning school is a time of excitement and anxiety for children; for parents, it can bring worry and concern about their little ones. Minor separation anxiety is normal in children, whether the child is a few months old or is leaving for college. However, strong separation anxiety can stunt child development. In young children, there are several factors that influence separation anxiety, including the child's temperament and how the parent responds to the child. Here's how

This week, two teens ran away after school and did not come home that evening. Although they were found the next day, one of the teenagers cited overwhelming stress as the reason she ran away. Like many, my heart was grateful that they were safe, but the teenagers remind us of the important role parents play in helping their children deal with stress. Stress is part of life; though it seems to be hitting kids younger and younger, there is no way to eliminate it completely. Re

Preparing for the school year begins at home prior to the first day of school. Kids get excited to shop for new clothes and meet up with friends, but their worries and concerns often go unnoticed in the excitement. Parents are a powerful influence on their child’s school year experience because a parent’s attitude directly affects their child’s. It’s important to talk with your child about their concerns prior to the first day of school and work as a team to help them feel co