Ask yourself: IS THE OTHER KID BEING REPEATEDLY CRUEL? If you answered YES: This is bullying. Empathize calmly, not dramatically. (Don’t emphasize how much of a victim your kid is. Do not inadvertently solidify his identity as helpless or hopeless … Continue reading
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Three Ways Mental Health Diagnoses Can Be Unhelpful
Gallery
The DSM V, or the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual -5th Edition,” just came out last year. In this new edition, many new diagnoses were added, changes were made to the criteria of some of the DSM IV disorders, and some diagnoses … Continue reading
Dear Friend, Sorry But My Mom-Mobile is Too Dirty For You to Enter.
Gallery
This gallery contains 1 photo.
Dear neighbor who recently made the innocent mistake of asking to ride in my car to our mutual destination, I apologize for my deafening and abrupt “NO.” I noticed that my intensity caused you to pause and blink, rightfully bewildered. I’m also sorry if I involuntarily … Continue reading
You set the tone (for your young kid’s sense of fear/tension)
Gallery
This gallery contains 3 photos.
When I first heard that my husband scheduled a work trip the week our youngest was getting minor surgery (ear tubes), this was me: But then, I remembered one of my favorite Dr. Psych Mom articles, and had an … Continue reading
Reader asks: My toddler keeps hitting other kids!! Help!
Reply
Question from a reader. Answered without the fluff.
How to get your kids to repeatedly profess their love for you, yes even the one who is going through a phase where he says he only likes daddy.
Gallery
This gallery contains 1 photo.
Step one: Wait for the first big snow of the year, the one where school is delayed two hours. Step two: Have the kids get dressed and ready for the day as usual. Step three: Secretly pack the car with … Continue reading
Mind-blowingly obvious flowchart for parents, spouses, and anyone with a pulse.
Gallery
Reader Asks: How can I help my chunky kids slim down?
Gallery
This gallery contains 1 photo.
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
9 surprising truths that come up in couples therapy.
Gallery
This gallery contains 4 photos.
1) It’s time to put your big girl/boy panties on. Nothing good will come of blaming the other person or waiting for your partner to change before you make changes. Relationship problems are a cycle where whatever you are doing exacerbates whatever … Continue reading
How to get over an affair in 7 [not at all] easy steps
Gallery
This gallery contains 1 photo.
By, Angelica Shiels Psy.D. Infidelity is something that affects countless couples. The Kinsey Institute sites research that shows that 20-25% of men and 10-15% of women engage in extramarital sex at least once during their marriage. (Laumann, 1994; Wiederman, 1997). So, of course, … Continue reading
ON THE YELLOW COUCH 