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We all have busy lives. Between sports practice, running errands or finally taking that road trip, it often feels like there isn’t time for everything. Something has to give. Usually, that something is the extra social skills practice or speech homework. However, don’t work harder, work smarter. Language and social skills are actually some of the easiest pieces to incorporate when you are on the go. In fact, you’re probably already doing it to an extent without knowing it. Here are fo …

What’s your superpower?I’m not talking about reading minds, flying, or - my personal favorite - teleportation. The power that all of us have, and that we can choose to use, is the power to help.When I was a school counselor giving guidance lessons for elementary-school children, this was a fun lesson to give. My office walls would be filled with paper superheroes that the students colored and cut out. We would talk about how we all have personal power, and we choose whether we want to help …

In The Good, the Bad, and the Backstory, we learn about how Ryan’s mom dealt with an abusive relationship and how she finally was able to leave. Another character in the book, Andrew, has a volatile relationship with his father. He never knows what to expect - what’s going to set his dad off - and he regularly witnesses his father treating his mother poorly. For Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, let’s look at intimate partner violence: some statistics, red flags, the …

We all want our children to become successful and reach their fullest potential. Accomplishing this goal is going to require help from endless amounts of people along the way. A parent, coach, or neighbor are just a few of the people who may support your child. As much as I wish I could read my boys’ minds to help know what they need, that isn’t possible. This is why it is so important to teach the skill of being a self-advocate to children. As a father of two boys, there h …

Most people have heard the saying “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Well, that is a big LIE! Words are being used more than ever to hurt people in the world today. Have you ever said something that you wish you could take back? We all have. In fact, there have been times when that little voice in my head has advised me, “Don’t say it, you’re going to regret it…” and I still spoke those words. Usually, an argument begi …

If you have noticed an increased level of anxiety in your child, you are not alone. The past two years have been unlike anything we’ve experienced before. There were so many unknowns as we entered the pandemic, which created fear and anxiety. Even now, we continue to learn more about this disease and the vaccines, so this period of uncertainty is not over. The abrupt change to our routines increased the level of fear in children and their families. Children were asked to stay home and lea …

Back-to-school time can be filled with excitement, anxiety, and all kinds of emotions! Use the tips below to help set your children - and yourself - up for a successful new school year! Set a school-year bedtime sleep schedule and begin the transition today! During the summer months kids often don’t have a set bedtime and awake time, so it is important to re-establish a bedtime and morning routine for your child. Starting early can help you and your child be ready for the first …

MinecraftAnimal CrossingAmong UsAside from being amusing adventures in gaming, can you guess what all of these have in common?Actually, let me make that question a little harder! Can you guess what all of these have in common with…The last show you watched.The last interesting thing you’ve heard.The earliest experience that you can remember in your life.All of these things involve stories! Think about it…Stories are all around us. In games, you follow characters and build stories as you go …

"It’s not fair!” If you work with children, you probably hear this statement on a daily basis. Young people seem to have an innate sense of what constitutes fairness and can react strongly when they feel this has been violated (and adults are definitely not immune!). In the world of schools, 504 plans and individualized education programs (IEPs) often provide students with accommodations to facilitate their learning. Unfortunately, this leads some students who don’t receive accomm …

When I was a graduate student, I spent a number of hours observing other school counselors conducting classroom guidance lessons. One memorable lesson involved a counselor who used the idiom, “Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes.” The lesson was designed to introduce the concept of empathy to first graders. While the students seemed to enjoy the lesson, there was still some confusion regarding the concept. Some even took the idiom literally. I can only imagine the intere …