Being able to cross the midline is crucial for development. It helps to establish a dominant hand, and makes everyday tasks like writing, holding objects, or throwing a ball much easier. There are plenty of different exercises and techniques specifically designed to help children to cross the midline.

Families are itching to get out and have some fun this summer, and packing everyone up and hitting the highway is a great way to do it. But, when you have kids, a road trip can be more of a challenge. So, what can you do to ensure road-trip success when you’re on the open road with your kids? Let’s go over a few helpful tips to make the trip easier for everyone.

While experiencing a bit of cabin fever during the winter season isn’t necessarily a problem, if you’re already dealing with anxiety, it can make things worse.  So, how can your anxiety actually contribute to cabin fever? More importantly – what can you do to cope when it hits again?

Children aren’t always able to have the kind of dialogue necessary to get to the root of a problem. Play therapy meets them at their level. It’s a developmentally-appropriate way to connect with them and learn more about what they’re dealing with by interacting with them in their comfort zone.

Your relationship with your teenager doesn’t have to be contentious. By picking your battles wisely and letting them make more choices, you could build a better bond and empower them all at once. 

The best thing you can do to help your child is to recognize the signs of anxiety. When you have a better understanding of what an anxious child looks like, you can take the proper steps toward getting them the help they need. 

Performance anxiety impacts more people than you might think. At its most basic level, it’s fear about your ability to perform a specific task. You might experience it at work, in unexpected everyday situations, or even in your relationships. 

Couples counseling can get to the roots of your relationship issues and serve as a neutral space for you to work things out with your partner. You’ll learn better communication skills, how to handle arguments, and how to show more vulnerability. 

Raising a resilient kid means raising a child that will get back up again when life knocks them down. They will be able to face obstacles with strength and determination, rather than giving up on themselves when things get hard.

Talking isn’t always enough when it comes to keeping your family safe. Setting rules and boundaries for how your teen uses their phone and specific apps can be what makes the biggest difference.  Will they always be happy about it? No. Can you have peace of mind knowing you’re doing your part to protect them?  Absolutely. 

Whether you’re at work and feeling unmotivated or you want to get things done in your home life or personal life, anxiety is often a productivity killer. You’re not going to be as driven to “keep going” and do things when your anxiety is running wild.

But, it can also make it hard to “parent” in a way that appeases everyone. You might need to communicate differently with each child or work with them in different ways to make sure they’re developing properly. Kids with different personalities can also butt heads more often. So, what can you do, as a parent, to raise kids with opposite personalities in an effective way? 

No one seems to want to go play outside (adults included!) but no one has any ideas for indoor activities, either. And here it comes: The dreaded “I’m bored” declaration from the kids. Thankfully, there are plenty of indoor adventures you can have with your kids during these “bad weather days” that will keep them occupied and entertained.

While positive parenting can help your child with anxiety, there isn’t always a lot of focus on how your own anxiety might negatively impact it.

According to a widespread survey, most American children stop believing in Santa Claus around age 8. But, that doesn’t mean there’s an “ideal” age to tell your kids the truth about the man in red. You might be struggling with how to tell them, or even if it’s the right time.

But, most perfectionists also hold unrealistic expectations for themselves and the rest of the world. When reality falls short of those expectations, it’s not uncommon for anxiety to kick in.

Almost everyone understands what PTSD is, but it can be difficult to truly know how it impacts your life unless you’re going through it.

When you’re in a relationship with someone who has PTSD, you might feel overwhelmed, frustrated, guilty, or even heartbroken sometimes over the fact that you can’t help them with their disorder.

Unfortunately, nobody wins when there’s a power struggle. It’s exhausting, emotionally draining, and can cause lasting struggles between you and your child even as they get older.  Thankfully, you don’t have to deal with constant power struggles with your preteen or wonder about it getting worse. But, you may need to make changes to how you and your preteen relate to each other.

Are you constantly feeling pressure from friends to be more outgoing? Do you feel obligated to spend time doing things you don’t want to do? Do you fear missing out (FOMO)?  You aren’t alone, introverts can get a sense that their natural need for solitude is a negative thing. Worse, many people even feel ashamed for being introverted. 

When you adopt a child (or multiple siblings), you understand that they have a past. No matter what they share with you, you’ll never fully know the things they’ve experienced.

The same rings true for step-parents, though in a different way.