Thanks to the Delta variant and others that have started to follow, it’s clear that we’re not out of the pandemic woods just yet. But, it’s hard to know what’s “okay” and what’s not. Information seems to change on a regular basis, along with restrictions.

Social media is a force that is here to stay. It’s next to impossible to keep teenagers away from it. So, what can you do if you see your teen struggling because of it? Or, how can you talk to them if you’re worried about it becoming a menace in their world?

With EMDR, you don’t necessarily have to talk about the things that cause you to feel anxious. Instead, the process allows you to go from a place of anxiety in your mind to a place of peace and tranquility. It provides a wonderful alternative for anyone who might have trouble verbalizing things they’ve gone through or things that worry them on a regular basis.

Do you ever feel like you’re alone in your family’s challenges?  Do you feel stuck and isolated when you can’t figure out what to do next? 

Parent counseling gives you the tools and resources you need to feel more confident in your parenting abilities. Again, you don’t have to have every answer. You don’t have to do everything perfectly. 

While there are many benefits to smartphones, tablets, computers, and technology in general, it’s hard to deny that our kids are spending too much time in front of these devices. With summer just around the corner, it’s a perfect time to “unplug.”

Summer is finally here. This year, perhaps more than ever, creating a summer full of fun memories is at the top of everyone’s list!

But, if you’re a parent, you might already be anticipating some of the questions and comments that come along every summer: 

“I’m bored.” 

“Can I watch TV?”

“There’s nothing to do.” 

There’s a difference between the classic “teen drama” and something more serious going on. If your teen won’t talk to you and you’re worried they might be struggling with anxiety, it’s important to get to the bottom of it.

You can let go of that pursuit of perfection by practicing mindfulness whenever those thoughts occur. When you choose to be mindful, you’re only focusing on the present. Any thoughts that come need to be let go immediately, and not attached to anything.

When you have social anxiety, connecting with others can feel overwhelming and nearly impossible. You want to develop friendships and relationships, and nurture the ones you have, but sometimes you just feel stuck.

It is worth taking a more intentional approach to your parenting, acknowledging that your kids may have different needs than you did, and that they might respond to parenting styles in different ways.  We don’t have to fall comfortably back into the parenting style from our childhoods. We can change or improve on the approaches our own parents used. Each family is unique and our kids deserve a more tailored approach that reflects their needs, their strengths, and their environment.

A traumatic experience, even in childhood, can have lasting results. Whether you experienced consistent trauma at a young age or went through a one-time event that hasn’t left you, past trauma doesn’t always stay in the past.

They say opposites attract. But when it comes to parenting styles, opposite (or differing) approaches can add to the tension in your home and in your relationship with your partner. When families experience stressful events, or kids have additional needs that can make connecting with everyone more complicated, clashing parenting styles tend to muddy the water even more.

But, when your expectations as a parent and your teenager’s aspirations start to clash, it can lead to bigger issues. If you’re a teenager, it’s easy to feel like your parents don’t understand what you want for your future. As a parent, you might be assuming your teen doesn’t truly know what they want.

Thankfully, there are things you can do at home to support your young sensory seeker. From creative DIY activities to effective communication, you can make things easier for them with just a bit of time and effort.

Let’s face it, activities that were considered “risky behaviors” in the past are often seen in a different light today. When it comes to smoking, vaping, and drinking, it often feels like there are lots of blurred lines to work through.

It’s not uncommon for parents to wonder if their child is handling their emotions in a healthy, effective way. Kids act out from time to time, and that’s normal.

But, if you feel as though your child’s behaviors or responses to their own emotions aren’t adding up, you might want to look deeper.

You know what those on the outside looking in may not: your child often wants to follow your direction, but they just struggle to figure out how.

So the challenge remains: How to support and guide your child while creating a compassionate, encouraging environment that allows you both to overcome daily challenges well.

Why do you suddenly feel anxious and upset? What’s happening that your brain feels increasingly “foggy” and you just can’t seem to get clear and motivated?

You guessed it, your executive functioning skills are compromised. Your brain is cluing you into the impact of the stress you’re under.

In fact, with all of this facing them, teens need their parents to support some key growth and life skills. How can you prepare them for a successful leap from your nest? Consider the following as a guide.

The teens years are always a challenge (for teens, too). The teen years during a pandemic, are something else entirely.

So what’s a parent to do when safety is paramount but teen pushback is real? Consider the following ideas…