It is impossible to imagine a human who has not been profoundly affected by the catastrophic fires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, California. Those who lost their houses, all their possessions, and their physical mementos holding their family memories, are overwhelmed, are in pain, and are numb. Those who did not take a direct hit are suffering, too. In writing this blog, my goal is to offer support to parents of children, young and old, in dealing with their children. Parents need to … [Read more...] about Fire Talk, Part 2. Older children, tweens, and teens
Learning
Teaching Civility: What the Queen’s Funeral Taught Me About Raising Kids
I was transfixed by the coverage of Queen Elizabeth’s death and funeral proceedings. The pageantry, the ritual, the lock steps, the salutes, the uniforms…I was mesmerized. The English loved their queen. Her passing marked the end of a 70 year relationship, and so many were really sad. Children watched their parents weep, curtsy, and bow their heads in silence. Their parents’ motions were the language of their feelings as they demonstrated their respect for the crown. While the … [Read more...] about Teaching Civility: What the Queen’s Funeral Taught Me About Raising Kids
Your Children and the War in Ukraine
When something “big” happens—a current or natural event-- I always write a blog, sharing with parents how to talk to their children about it. My website is filled with blog responses from over the last twenty years. I came very close to not writing a blog about the war in Ukraine, feeling like I have said it all. But I haven’t. My job is to help you help your children. This war in Ukraine is not going away quickly, as I prayed it would. The whole world is reacting. Children, elementary … [Read more...] about Your Children and the War in Ukraine
How Do You Know When You’re in Love?
“How do you know when you are in love, I mean in love for real?” my daughter asked when she was about 13 years old. I have never forgotten the question nor my answer. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, what better time to discuss? Over the years in my practice (and through my own kids’ growing years,) the questions of how children learn about love and relationships and what it’s all about have come up many times in many ways. Nothing is new. Parents have been teaching kids this … [Read more...] about How Do You Know When You’re in Love?
The Lessons of the Baseball Wildcard Playoffs
The camera slowly panned the faces of the St. Louis Cardinals, just moments after the Dodgers squashed their dream of being the baseball champions going to the Playoffs. Their faces reflected shock, disbelief, sadness, deep disappointment… just all of it. Back and forth, from the elated winning Dodger players to the dejected losing Cardinals, we saw "big feelings" on faces. What a great lesson this is going to be for so many kids, I thought, especially for those who are just plain old sore … [Read more...] about The Lessons of the Baseball Wildcard Playoffs
A Master Class: The Summer Olympics
The Goat, Simone Biles, took herself off of her USA Olympic team this morning, The news swept over me in a wave of disappointment. Like so many Americans, I was looking forward to watching Simone mine for Gold and hit the jackpot. Instead of gold, I got let down. Disappointment is a part of the Olympics and of life. While Olympic fever is hardly over 98.6 degrees this year, there are so many reasons, beyond the sports, to watch the events with your children. (In fact, there are enough … [Read more...] about A Master Class: The Summer Olympics