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But there is an important difference between protecting a child from overwhelming distress and helping a child gradually learn that they can tolerate discomfort. That distinction can have profound implications—not only for childhood anxiety and resilience, but also for a child's ability to become an independent young adult.

The most effective consequences are those that are predictable, connected to the behavior, consistently enforced, and paired with warmth and coaching rather than punishment. Research from developmental psychology, behavioral psychology, and parenting science consistently shows that children and adolescents are more likely to change behavior when parents combine high expectations with high emotional support (often referred to as authoritative parenting) rather than harsh punis

Learn how Authoritative Parenting 2.0 combines empathy with clear boundaries to raise confident, resilient, emotionally healthy children.

Data continues to reveal that waiting for children to use social media is often better than allowing them access when they are young

Positive relationships with parents, teachers, and peers provide emotional security and guidance. When children feel understood and supported, they are less likely to engage in risky behaviors.

Summer offers something the school year often cannot: time to practice real-life skills in real-life situations. Skills like social confidence, communication abilities, decision making, emotional regulation, independence, organization, frustration tolerance, problem solving, and responsibility are skills children build through repeated experience — not lectures. Like reading fluency or multiplication, these abilities improve through practice.

Lying is actually a normal part of child development. It often reflects immature impulse control, fear of punishment, wishful thinking, social experimentation or underdeveloped emotional regulation rather than malicious intent. Understanding why children lie is one of the most powerful ways to respond effectively and build long-term honesty.

As a school psychologist, I have seen how understanding a child’s behavior patterns, recognizing triggers, and teaching coping skills before a child becomes overwhelmed can reduce the frequency and intensity of meltdowns. This article offers practical steps, phrases, and coping strategies tailored to different ages and settings to help parents support their children effectively.

If you had to hire someone for your company, would you hire the Harvard grad with poor social skills and an inability to collaborate with others or the community college grade who is relatable, socially mature and flexible? Unless those traits don't matter (think of professions with limited social interactions) you're going to want someone on your team who can get along with others, compromise and read the room.

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

As a school psychologist, I often remind parents that how we talk to children matters just as much as what we say. Difficult topics—behavior problems, mental health, school struggles, peer conflict, screen use, or safety—can quickly trigger defensiveness in children. When children feel judged, blamed, or interrogated, their nervous system shifts into protection mode. At that point, learning, honesty, and connection shut down. The goal of effective communication is not to “w

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

As a private practitioner , one of the most common concerns I hear from parents is, “How can I raise a child who is kind, compassionate, and empathetic in today’s world?” With constant distractions from technology, increasing social pressures, and a culture that often emphasizes achievement over connection, many families feel unsure about how to nurture empathy at home. The good news? Empathy is a skill—it can be modeled, taught, and strengthened with practice. Just like rea