Even though I am based in Pacific Palisades, California, I have many clients in Texas; I have clients who have Texas connections; I have clients whose children go to camp in Texas. My phone has been ringing non-stop; my email is overloaded. How do I talk to my child about the flood in Texas? Whether your child is a Texas camper or knows someone who is, the news is spreading fast. As far away as Texas is, bad news can hit close to home. No person, no child, no parent can imagine losing a … [Read more...] about Talking to Children About the Flood ( and Deaths) in Texas
Sensitive Topics
She MD
I was a guest on a newish and quite good website, SHE MD, with Mary Alice Haney and Rhea Seahorn. For those who are in need or just wonder, I think it's worth the watch! Managing Divorce, Co-Parenting and Blended Family Dynamics to Raise Resilient Children with Betsy Brown Braun and Actress Rhea Seehorn … [Read more...] about She MD
Fire Talk, Part 2. Older children, tweens, and teens
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
Part II of Kids Don’t Understand Money: TEACHING ABOUT MONEY
In Part I of Kids Don't Understand Money I shared a story of a parent whose child had not previously seen or paid attention to paying with cash. (Really!) I addressed the reality that children today don’t know about our legal tender: coins and bills. It’s shocking to think about. And here is the rest of that story: The 7-year-old, upon seeing his dad use green money, asked incredulously, “Do you have more of that?” How do kids learn about money? Where does it comes from? How do we get it? … [Read more...] about Part II of Kids Don’t Understand Money: TEACHING ABOUT MONEY
What DO I Say about the War in Israel
“My child just asked me,” a mother wrote, “ ‘Why do people hate the Jews?’ ” Another parent wrote, “I can explain the cause of the war; I can retell history. I cannot explain these atrocities against the Jewish state of Israel. Help me.” A third came this morning. “Thank you for your blog about the War in Israel. It wasn’t enough.” I spent the day today thinking, researching, pondering, digging for answers, talking to colleagues. I even called Rabbi Steve Leder. Rabbis are teachers, … [Read more...] about What DO I Say about the War in Israel
Talking to Your Children About the War in Israel
I absolutely hate that I have to write this blog. There is a war in Israel, and this is the reality of the world in which we must raise our children. But my job is to help and support parents and children. And so I write...again. Wasn’t it only yesterday that I wrote about talking to your children about the War in Ukraine? Having to explain an act of terror or violence or trauma to a child of any age is just plain daunting. As much as we try to shelter them, our children get exposed … [Read more...] about Talking to Your Children About the War in Israel