If you are the parent of an anxious child, you probably find yourself occasionally wondering whether or not you have done something “wrong,” something that made your child develop a perpetually worried mind. While such concerns are normal, you can rest assured that the answer is likely “no”; an elevatedRead More →
Though children are educated about the physical aspects of sex at school, they still rely on their parents to teach them about the emotional and psychological components of sexuality; as such, parents play an essential role in the development of healthy sexuality. Parents model behaviours and espouse views that showRead More →
Middle school is generally believed to be the most troubling transitional period in a child’s life. The abrupt change of moving from one school to another is followed by hormonal shifts, social upheaval, and a sudden driving need for independence that often causes stress at home. It is within thisRead More →
When most people think of a child with ADHD, they imagine a precocious youngster who never stops moving and rarely stops talking—a child who, in other words, embodies extreme extroversion. Nine times out of ten, this mental image depicts a little boy. Indeed, many parents who are not deeply familiarRead More →
Confidence, like education, provides an integral foundation for success, fulfillment, and happiness. A confident child will typically experience better interpersonal relationships, be more open to new opportunities, and have an enhanced sense of well-being. Likewise, children with a healthy self-esteem usually exhibit fewer behavioural problems. As a child psychologist, IRead More →
Having your child sometimes wake up and cry out in fear, or come running into your room desperate for you to protect him from a “monster” is a troubling yet relatively common experience. Though basic parental support and comfort (i.e. the offering of physical affection and assurances of safety), isRead More →
Sugary foods and drinks are tasty treats, but they can cause big problems in your mouth. By now, most of us have heard from parents, teachers, and dentists that snacking on candy and sugary drinks contributes to tooth decay. This is bad news if you have a sweet tooth, butRead More →
Day and night, your children are breathing in toxins, both outside and in your home. Most of us think of outside air when considering air pollution. But the EPA estimates that the level of indoor air pollution may be two to five times higher than the pollution level outdoors, andRead More →
I consider myself a food allergy mom. My oldest child (now 6.5) spent her preschool life being allergic to eggs and shellfish. I have gotten pretty used to my daughter’s epinephrine auto-injector never leaving my side. Last week we celebrated how much smaller her list of current food allergies isRead More →
The message to parents: You play an important role in your child’s motivation to live healthy. Kids need help to stay focused and on track. Research shows that parents who set a healthy and active example tend to have healthy and active kids. The benefits of regular physical activity and aRead More →
