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

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

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 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

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

The holiday season is filled with lights, excitement, and—if we’re being honest—an overwhelming number of “I want that!” moments. For children, this time of year is emotionally charged, making it the perfect opportunity to teach one of the most important lifelong skills: delay of gratification (unless you have unlimited money and resources...and even if you do, you should still teach this skill to your children). Delay of gratification is the ability to pause, think, and cho

Building Connection, Healthy Habits, and a Balanced Life In my work with families, one of the most common concerns I hear is this: “My child spends too much time on screens. How do I cut it back without a fight?” The truth is that screens are not inherently harmful—many offer educational value, creativity, and social connection. But when screen time crowds out relationships, physical activity, imaginative play, and real-world experiences , children lose opportunities that are

Parents are often surprised—and sometimes frustrated—to learn that the child who earns praise at school for being respectful, focused, and hardworking can become defiant, emotional, or dysregulated the moment they walk through the front door. This contrast is far more common than many families realize. Understanding why it happens is the first step toward creating a calmer, more cooperative home environment. As a psychologist, I see this pattern frequently, and it typically r

As a school psychologist, one of the most common concerns I hear from parents is, “What do I do when my child gets upset because they don’t get their way—or when they refuse to do something they don’t want to do?”  These everyday struggles are natural parts of parenting, but how we respond in those moments can either escalate the situation or help children learn to regulate themselves. It so happens I recently witnessed this in full effect the other night at a restaurant when

Parenting styles come in many forms, some rooted in decades of research, others born out of cultural trends or personal trial and error. One phrase that has surfaced recently in parenting conversations is the “F Around and Find Out” (FAFO) method . It reflects a parenting philosophy where children are allowed to test boundaries and directly experience the natural consequences of their actions. As a licensed school psychologist working in private practice, I can see why this a

A   report   by the National Center for Health Statistics shows that 50% of teenagers aged 13-17 spend more than 4 hours on the screen connected to the internet, with a significant number of these adolescents experiencing anxiety and depression. In the world of statistics, we learn that correlation does not imply causation, however, we also can’t deny that the increased screen time has negatively impacted time engaging in more meaningful and socially healthy experiences. This