Today’s lifestyle is focused on electronic connections. The amount of screen time has exploded along with the information age. Studies show that teens spend approximately nine hours a day in front of screens. Kids aged 8-12 get about six hours of screen time each day, creating a society that is being raised in a digital environment. [...]
Parenting is an emotional job. We love our children and want to share only good feelings with them. Sometimes, however, we have to choose to be a parent before being friends with our children. This can mean annoyance, anger, or even resentment. When parents are confronted with big emotions, taking a parental time-out can restore [...]
Judgment is the psychological ability to think critically about life experiences. After evaluating events, encounters and other bits of information, we use our judgment to draw conclusions. Good judgment leads to conclusions that encourage continued growth and overall well-being. Questionable judgment skills can lead us into dangerous or unhealthy situations that stunt our ability to live [...]
People of all ages benefit from good interpersonal skills at home, school, in the workplace and any other situation that requires a team effort. Children who lack social skills have a hard time relating to others and might struggle to contribute meaningfully to a group. This can lead to social rejection, which negatively impacts the emotional, [...]
Playtime is just as important as classroom time. Researchers have found that play improves memory and encourages the growth of the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain associated with perception and reasoning. If you find the right summer activities for families, your child will continue to learn while on academic vacation and avoid the [...]
Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify feelings in ourselves and others. It also involves knowing how to manage your emotions and appropriately respond to others. High levels of emotional intelligence enable us to build strong and meaningful relationships. Successful management of emotions has also been linked to improved physical health, better long-term mental health, [...]
The start of a new school year is filled with apprehension, excitement, and the heady possibility of mental and emotional growth. However, this excitement can quickly turn to fear, anxiety, and behavioral issues for some children. When little ones get stressed out, busy parents often find it difficult to find enough energy and emotional restraint [...]
Stress is a fact of modern adult life. The energy needed to maintain a career, home, family, and social life can be difficult to gather some days. When your personal reserves are running low, your relationships suffer. In addition to a number of serious physical symptoms, stress contributes to anxiety, anger, irritability, and depression. When [...]
According to a recent study of 688 university students, over a third of participants reported feelings of fatigue, loss of sleep quality, and increases in anxiety and depression from overuse of smartphones. Younger people whose brains are still developing are at even more risk of negative effects from screen addiction. What signs should parents look [...]
4 Ways to Manage You and Your Child’s Emotions During the Fall Frenzy Autumn is a time of transition. Just as students are getting comfortable with the new school year, Daylight Savings Time disrupts our schedules. Unpredictable weather patterns, special events, and a steady stream of visitors further upset our plans. The constant changes stress [...]
10 Tips on Good Parenting Parenting involves a certain amount of discretion. There is no one standard rule for all children. Different children may need different levels of attention, expressions of love, and toughness. Suppose I was standing in a coconut garden and you asked me, “How much water per plant?” I would say, “At [...]
It’s no secret that American adults are overworked. US workers clock in a whopping 47 hours per week at their jobs, more than any other country in the world. Grown-ups aren’t the only ones putting in overtime. A recent survey found that 41 percent of respondents between the ages of 9 and 13 felt overworked. In [...]
