Cozy Fall Activities for Your Mental Health
The swift approach of Autumn and the ending of summer can be a brutal adjustment. Days are short and cold, evenings are dark and long, and these changes in the weather can bring on symptoms of Seasonal Depressive Disorder. Because of this, it’s important to find enjoyable ways to combat these symptoms and protect your mental health. Here are a few suggestions to help you get excited for the changing season, all while supporting your mental health.Read More
How to Have Genuine Conversations With Your Teen
Getting your teen to open up and participate in a genuine conversation can be difficult. So, how do you foster a genuine conversation based on truth, mutual respect, and understanding?Read More
Suicide Prevention Parenting Tips
Suicide is and has been for the last decade, the second leading cause of death for adolescents in the United States. The reasons why suicide occurs are often not well understood, leaving family and friends wondering what could have been done differently. Here are some things you can do as a parent to help your child if there is a concern about suicidal thoughts or actions.Read More
Back to School: Bubbling Excitement or Anxiety Provoking?
As parents, caregivers, or guardians, the aspect of going back to school is often exciting. While this can be exciting for students, too, anxiety often rears its ugly head. There are simple things parents, caregivers, and/or guardians can do to minimize the anxiety students feel about going back to school.Read More
Understanding Collective Grief and Mutual Aid
Tragedies are an unfortunate inevitability of life. Grief is the aftermath. It’s the fear and sadness and impending sense of doom as we look into a future where something we loved is missing forever. While collective grief happens to large groups of people, each person’s experience or ability to cope is unique. However you feel about the tragedy, it’s important to take care of yourself and the people you care for. You are not alone in your grief.Read More
How to Build a Balanced Family Summer Schedule (Without Losing Your Mind)
Mid-summer chaos is real. Your house is a mess, your kids are bouncing between activities or begging for more screen time, and the packed schedule you hoped would help is only adding stress. So, how do you create a summer that’s structured but not overwhelming? Focus on connections, fun, rest, and each child's unique needs.Read More
There Is No Right Way to Grieve
Last summer my mom passed away. She was sick with cancer for a long time, so in theory, I had plenty of time to prepare for her passing. And yet, I will tell you now, there is no way you can ever prepare for the loss of a parent. While I grieve, I have learned that the stages of grief don’t always apply to every instance of grief or loss, and I will explain why.Read More
How to Support Your Loved One in Their Gender Expression
It’s important to understand that someone’s gender identity and sexual identity are two different concepts. Gender identity is the personal sense of one’s own gender, while sexual identity is a person’s conception of their sexuality and who they are attracted to. You may feel uncomfortable about the way your loved one is choosing to express their gender, or maybe you don’t understand it. You may worry about the struggles they will face or worry about them being bullied or harassed by others. Here’s some tips on how you can support your loved one.Read More
The Power of Empathy in Making Meaningful Connections
Empathy is a critical part in what makes us human: the ability to understand things from another person’s point of view helps us to better understand each other. It’s vital in creating safe spaces for our friends and loved ones to feel understood, making it an essential part of mental health care.Read More
8 Reasons to Foster Teens
A common misconception of teenagers in foster care is they did something bad or wrong to end up there, but many teens end up in foster care at no fault of their own. Just like any other age group, teens in foster care want a secure, loving family. There are several benefits of becoming a foster parent that are unique to this age group.Read More