Did you know that over 6 million men across the nation suffer from depression every year? Depression is actually often undiagnosable in men but men are likely to report loss of interest, fatigue and/or irritability rather than feelings of sadness or worthlessness. One of the risk factors for male depression is substance abuse and about…
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Did you know that taking a moment of silence in between statements is actually an important skill to mindful communication? Children (and adults) who don’t have the skills to control their impulsive behaviors tend to be more reactive (immediate and without conscious thought) than responsive (longer, thoughtful action) in a stressful situation. So when kids…
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Whenever you are spending time with your child, whether you are doing a craft together or taking a stroll around the park, do you ever stop and wonder what your kid might be thinking in that moment? We all do it, too. Children are use to giving us quick answers when we ask them “did…
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This summer, we are inviting you and your family to join us in the 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge! In this challenge, children are motivated to complete a gratitude task everyday for 30 days. Not only does it teaches them the various ways of practicing gratitude, it also teaches them how to reflect on the…
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Over the last few decades, children’s opportunities for free play (play where a child’s actions aren’t directed by an adult) have declined. Many child experts believe that free play is where children learn and develop a sense of self-determination. Self-determination, or having some belief in one’s ability to direct the course of one’s own life,…
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When the community experiences racial violence, just like other types of traumatic events, it can cause PTSD symptoms and other forms of emotional pain. Violence perpetrated on the basis of one’s membership in a minority group exposes the threats to safety for all members of that same group. We know feeling unsafe can easily negatively…
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With all of the changes and transitions everyone has experienced in the last several months, not to mention the social distancing, bullying may not be top of mind. This weekend, however, is a good time to check in with your child if they have access to any form of electronic or digital communication. Bullying behavior…
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In this charming interview with Grover from Sesame Street, Grover explains his coping skills for COVID-19. Some kids may be asking “when will the pandemic be over?”. Experts recommend honesty about the uncertainty of this time, but also making a list of things your child does have control over. Teaching kids to focus on what…
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The Disaster Media Intervention (DMI) Toolkit can help parents or teachers discuss media coverage of traumatic events including racial injustice and police violence, pandemics, natural disasters, shootings, and more. There are three primary goals for discussion with young people: Encourage Dialogue: Encourage students to talk about their feelings and concerns with a trusted adult. Establish a…
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We usually post bite-size tips and tools for busy parents, often with the opportunity to “Deep Dive” (look for the pineapple!) for people who want to learn more. Today, however, we are posting this broadcast from Life Kit for Parents as part of NPR.org. This listen is a little more time-consuming than our normal posts…
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