I followed my mother around the mall, transforming hanging lights into spaceships and marble tiles into the surfaces of planets. Shiny reflections were laser beams to be avoided and hurdled. Zoom zoom, the mannequin Martians will be defeated! JOSEPH ALLEN TANNER!!!!! A … Continue reading
Category Archives: children
Teaching kids social skills
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The scenario is common: Kid comes into therapy with attentional or developmental issues and a self esteem hanging by a couple threads (Thread one: class clown; Thread two: the attention he gets when he gets in trouble; Thread three: The … Continue reading
Dear disappointed child (A letter from Santa)
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Santa writes a letter to my 7 year old about the things that really lead to happiness. And, -spoiler- it isn’t more toys and video games. Continue reading
The real reason we yell at our kids.
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“Seriously?!!? I told you to put your name on your homework and put it in your backpack! Why have you just been standing there staring at the wall for the last ten minutes? Are you kidding me!? I asked for … Continue reading
Mental Illness and Young Adults: Why College Campuses are in Crisis
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Let’s talk about the mental health of young adults in the United States. It seems to me, from what I’ve read and observed in my corner of the country, that we are headed for a crisis if something doesn’t change. … Continue reading
Teach your anxious child to be a “thought detective.”
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So I came across this old article on Huff Post about things that a parent can do for an anxious child, and I loved all of it. Especially the part about telling them why it’s good to worry (anxiety can … Continue reading
Reader Asks: My kid says she hates herself! What do I do?
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Question: The other day my six year old fell riding her bike. When I went over to her to comfort her, she was crying because she skinned her knee, but she was also saying she hates herself. I didn’t know … Continue reading
Jimmy’s Secret: Why the Red, Yellow, Green Behavioral System Doesn’t Work.
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Dear Diary, So I’m back to school for the year. The thought of school makes me want to squish my sweaty palm into my sweaty armpit over and over. I’ve been practicing that sound all summer. On the first day … Continue reading
Reader Asks: How can I help my chunky kids slim down?
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By Angelica Shiels, Psy.D. A reader asks, My kids are chunky. Not fat, but pudgy enough to need husky jeans! How do I address this and help them slim down a bit without giving them body image issues? Well, mom-who-wants-to-help, I’m … Continue reading
Obedience is overrated. Parents, try this instead.
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By Angelica Shiels Psy.D. I have received a few requests for “how to get my kid to listen” posts recently (I have a lot of friends die-hard fans who have preschoolers and a few who have teenagers.). But before I … Continue reading
ON THE YELLOW COUCH 