Our psychologists have provided counselling for thousands of children, teenagers and parents in the last several years. Here are 20 things parents should know before booking any counselling sessions for a child or teenager:
Relationships
New Year Resolutions for Parents — Part 1: Supporting Childhood Mental Wellness
New Year’s Resolutions tend not to last very long…
But maybe that’s because you’re not doing them right.
This year, why not resolve to put practical, productive and achievable plans into action…
To promote mental wellbeing for your children (and yourself).
The combination of each of these small acts will help you to help your children have a prosperous year.
And happy and healthy children make for happy and healthy parents!
7 Behaviour Management Tips for Every Parent
Kids will be kids!
And the notion of a perfectly behaved child — for most parents — is unrealistic.
But if your child’s behaviour is making things difficult for you or your family…
You may want to consider implementing some changes.
And the best place to start is at home.
There are many reasons a child may misbehave (which we’ll get to further on in this post), but for a start — start small.
Below are some easy ways you can try to regain some ‘law and order’ in your household, and improve the behaviour of your kids.
9 Ways Our Psychologists Help Children Reach Their Full Potential
Did you know that, according to research conducted in 2015, around half of all mental health issues start by age 14?
That’s why early intervention is so important.
And it’s why our main focus is on helping kids develop the practical skills they need to tackle their daily challenges…
And most importantly, these skills are not “quick-fixes”.
Rather, they are “life skills” that remain relevant and beneficial through adolescence and adulthood.
Here are 9 ways our psychologists can help:
Tips for Raising Moral Children — From Harvard Psychologists
We’ve talked about how to raise motivated children children on the blog…
How to help them develop good habits, how to be happy, how to thrive in school, how to avoid becoming too materialistic…
But the question of how to raise moral children is a different ball game.
Just like these other positive qualities and habits we hope to encourage in our kids, morality isn’t something we’re born with — it’s learnt.
And the fact of the matter is that sometimes, teaching our children moral lessons will get in the way of their immediate happiness.
Questions to Ask Your Kids Today, and Everyday!
Talking often and openly with your children is — quite obviously — incredibly important.
It strengthens your bond, gives you insight into their feelings, keeps you on top of any struggles they may be dealing with, and significantly, it lets them know you’re there for them when they need you.
Plus, we’ve discussed how important family time is on several occasions, and how speaking with your children in certain moments will keep them engaged, help them to focus, and even to be less reliant on technology.
Car trips and meal times are perfect opportunities to spark up meaningful and productive conversations with your kids.
But particularly for young kids, sometimes getting more than a one-word answer can be like pulling teeth!
So how do we engage with children in a way that will benefit you both?
Why We Should Avoid Asking ‘Why?’
When children exhibit behaviour we disapprove of or don’t understand, one thing often comes to mind (and from our mouths)…
Why?
‘Why haven’t you done your homework?’
‘Why did you leave your clothes on the floor?’
‘Why aren’t you playing with your friends today?’
The list of curiosities and questions goes on and on, likely on a daily basis.
But there’s a good reason why we should avoid asking why, says our staff psychologist Christina Rigoli, and it’s all about clarity of communication.
How to Become a Better Listener
A concept that comes up a lot on this blog and in our dealings with children and parents is the importance of listening.
Really listening to your children is an integral way to build or maintain a healthy and mutually respectful relationship.
And especially for adolescents, having someone to talk to openly and honestly about the challenges you are facing can make all the difference…
For parents, actively listening to your children helps you to understand where they’re coming from in all matter of issues, from bullying to problematic behaviour or depression and anxiety…
And this can help you to make better choices in your interactions with them going forward.
But how do we know if we’re being good listeners?
And how can we become better listeners?
Believing in Santa Claus: Harmless or Hurtful?
So the Christmas period is well and truly over…
But various media outlets have begged the question:
Should the Santa myth be over too?
6 Things to Do if You Don’t Like Your Children’s Friends
We just posted on the blog some Dos and Don’ts of getting involved in your children’s friendships…
But what do you do if you just really don’t like one of their friends?
As a parent, there is a strong likelihood that your feelings are coming from a gut instinct that the friend in question is not a good influence on your child, in one way or another.
But as we discussed in the last post, the best thing you can do for your child is to help them navigate their friendships, rather than taking control over them.
The latter would not only be detrimental to your child’s social life and skills, but also to your relationship with them.
So then how do we deal with our own feelings towards our child’s friends?