Teen couple by David Krasky, Psy.S., Licensed School Psychologist and author of Raising Future Adults Adolescence is a developmental bridge between childhood and adulthood—marked not only by physical maturation, but by profound shifts in identity, emotional regulation, and social awareness. Romantic and platonic relationships become central during this period, serving as a laboratory for learning communication, vulnerability, boundaries, and self-worth. As parents and caregiv

Children playing with toys by David Krasky, Psy.S. Licensed School Psychologist and author of Raising Future Adults Parents today are surrounded by apps, tablets, and “educational” digital toys promising to boost children’s learning and attention. But research increasingly suggests that many traditional toys are actually better for developing children’s emotional regulation, focus, and executive f unctioning . In my work with children and families, I often recommend going b

by David Krasky, Psy.S. licensed school psychologist and author of Raising Future Adults Artificial Intelligence Me: "So how did you pass the class if you never went?" Teenager: "Chat GPT." Me: "But won't you need to know some of this stuff for later on?" Teenager: "Probably." This has become a common conversation that's been taking place in my office. Chances are they'll continue to increase as AI becomes more advanced and schools and parents are less able to set boundaries

by David Krasky, Psy.S., licensed school psychologist and author of Raising Future Adults Child tantruming Every parent knows the scene: a toddler kicking the grocery-store floor, a third grader locked in frustration over homework, or a teen slamming the door after an argument. In each case, the child isn’t being “bad” — they are emotionally overwhelmed and don’t yet have the tools to regulate on their own. That’s where co-regulation  comes in. What Is Co-Regulation? Co-regul

Depressed teen by David Krasky, Psy.S. Licensed School Psychologist and author of Raising Future Adults As a school psychologist, I sit with teens every day who are trying to make sense of the world while managing powerful emotional experiences. Anxiety and depression in adolescents are more common than many parents realize—and they often look different than they did even a decade ago. While parents may think their teenagers have it easier then previous generations, there are

Stressed Teen by David Krasky, Psy.S., Licensed School Psychologist and author of Raising Future Adults As a licensed school psychologist, I often see parents in my office who are heartbroken, saying, "I just didn’t see it coming." The truth is, mental health struggles in children and teens rarely look like a "breakdown." More often, they look like a slow withdrawal, a change in temperature, or a series of "off" days that eventually become the new normal. Because their brain

Motivated child by Licensed School Psychologist and author of Raising Future Adults , David Krasky, Psy.S. Motivation is one of the most misunderstood parts of parenting. Many parents believe motivation is something you give  children — through rewards, pressure, or consequences. Research consistently shows something different: motivation is something children build internally , and parents shape the environment where it either grows or shrinks. When meeting with teens and yo

Child doing chores A Practical, Research-Informed Guide for Parents Who Want Independent, Self-Motivated Kids by David Krasky, Psy.S., Licensed School Psychologist and author of Raising Future Adults If you feel like you repeat the same reminders every day — “Clean your room.” “Did you do your homework?” “Get your stuff ready.”  — you are not failing as a parent. You are experiencing one of the most common parenting traps: over-reminding instead of transferring ownership. In

Self-management by David Krasky, Psy.S., Licensed School Psychologist and author of Raising Future Adults Many parents assume that if their child is doing well academically, they are automatically being prepared for adulthood. But decades of longitudinal research show something more nuanced: academic knowledge matters — yet life skills often predict long-term professional success, relationship quality, mental health, and overall life satisfaction just as much (and sometimes m

by David Krasky, Licensed School Psychologist and author of Raising Future Adults Most parents step in to help because they care deeply. You don’t want your child to feel stressed, fail, or get hurt. That instinct is natural and loving. But there’s an important difference between helping  and over rescuing  — and over time, over rescuing can quietly shape how children see themselves, their abilities, and the world around them. The hard truth? Kids don’t build confidence from

This article focuses on how parents inadvertently reinforce dependence in children and teens

by David Krasky, Psy.S. Licensed School Psychologist and author of Raising Future Adults Parents often ask, “What actually makes kids successful as adults?” The answer isn’t just grades, test scores, or college admissions. Long-term success is built on a set of transferable life skills  — the abilities that help young people function independently, navigate relationships, manage stress, and adapt to change. Many in the business world call these soft skills. But for a teenager

by David Krasky, Psy.S. Licensed School Psychologist and author of Raising Future Adults As a school psychologist—and a parent—I often remind families of a simple but powerful truth: children do best when they know what’s coming . This is especially true during fun activities like vacations, trips to the store, birthday parties, or special outings. Ironically, the moments we expect to be joyful are often the ones that unravel the fastest when expectations are unclear. Excite

Let's Be Friends! by David Krasky, author of Raising Future Adults In a world increasingly shaped by technology, automation, and artificial intelligence, one human skill remains irreplaceable: the ability to form and sustain meaningful relationships. As a school psychologist, I often tell parents that academic achievement may open doors, but interpersonal skills determine how far a child walks through them. Relationships will be the most important commodity of the future, no

Written by Licensed School Psychologist and author of Raising Future Adults , David Krasky, Psy.S. Raising a child with a disability — whether diagnosed or still being understood — opens up important emotional moments with your child. As a school psychologist, I want to help you approach these conversations with clarity, compassion, and confidence . Every child is different, and no single script fits all, but what follows gives you a framework to build on, with practical lang

Parenting is a journey filled with joy, challenges, and countless learning moments. As someone who has spent years exploring effective ways to nurture children, I understand how important it is to adopt approaches that foster growth, respect, and emotional well-being. One of the most impactful ways to achieve this is through positive parenting techniques . These methods not only improve behavior but also strengthen the bond between parent and child, leading to better outcomes

By David Krasky, Psy. S., Licensed School Psychologist and author of Raising Future Adults As a licensed school psychologist, I often remind parents that some of the most powerful learning moments for children don’t come from flashcards, apps, or even direct instruction. They come from observation. One of the most developmentally rich—and increasingly rare—forms of observation is people watching . If you were born before the invention of smart phones, odds are you were once a