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For many families, the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year - a magical season filled with bright lights, fun music, and lots of sweet treats. As wonderful as the holiday season is, it can also be overwhelming. For some families, the holiday season brings financial hardship, missing loved ones, or changes in routine that disrupt stability. Additionally, the hustle and bustle of holiday activities can be overstimulating. For children, the excitement and anticipation can be hard to reg …

Anxiety is one of the most common emotional challenges children face, and it can show up in many ways—from avoidance and irritability to physical symptoms like stomachaches. Fortunately, books can be powerful tools to help children understand and cope with anxious feelings. Here are five titles from Boys Town Press that support emotional regulation and resilience in young readers. Stress Stinks by Bryan Smith Amelia feels overwhelmed by the pressures of school, sports, and responsibilities …

​​The following ​is a Q&A with Boys Town Behavioral expert, Dr. Patricia Gisbert, on some of the most common questions parents have about using praise with their younger children. Q: What is Praise? A: More than anything else, children want and need the attention of ​their parents and they will do anything to get it. Praise is the positive attention and approval children crave from their parents. Unfortunately, we often tend to give children negative attention only when they are doing s …

From grief to puberty and everything in between, parents and teachers are bound to face tough conversations with their children. As school counselors, we’re often the ones helping to guide these moments, whether we’re supporting families, talking to teachers, or navigating difficult conversations ourselves.  Here are a few go-to strategies I use myself, as well as tips I frequently share with families and staff to help support making tough conversations easier. Tips for Parents …

Back-to-school season can stir up a lot of emotions for kids, especially for Generation Alpha. These are the first kids to grow up fully in the digital age. Their brains are constantly absorbing information, sounds, and screens, which keeps their nervous systems more activated than ever. That’s why understanding what’s happening underneath their behavior matters. Big emotions aren’t random; they’re part of how the brain and body work together. Here’s the simple vers …

How would you feel if you were dropped off in the middle of a big city in a foreign country and told, “Have a great day! I’ll pick you up in 6 hours”?  Would you be scared? Excited? Anxious? Confused?   The first day of kindergarten is a lot like that scenario, and many 5-year-olds will feel a mix of all those emotions. Starting school is a big step for little ones – and for those who love them! The first time you drop your child off at school can be extremely h …

The topic of Taylor Swift’s artistic merit seems to be as divisive as the great cilantro debate (a flavor to be savored, or a soapy abomination to the herb world?), yet critics and fans alike have praised the inspired verses of her latest album “The Tortured Poets Department” (TTPD).Celebrated for their vulnerability and relatability, her latest lyrics, capture many of the current mental health struggles felt by today’s youth. Her words speak to numerous and seemingly unrelated struggles …

Fail? For the win?Who in their right mind would ever want to fail? And how can it be considered a win? Whether we like it or not (and trust me…we don’t like it!), somewhere along the road to adulthood and maturity, our kids will experience setbacks, disappointments, and failure. They won’t make the team. They’ll flub a word in the spelling bee. They’ll lose out on the lead in the spring musical. They won’t get admitted to their first-choice college. They’ll be sad or angry or disappointed, …

As a mom, I wanted to instill confidence in my three children, but I always feared that if they became overly confident, they would struggle. Confidence is an attribute that will serve a child for life. However, overconfidence can keep kids from growing, learning, and reaching their ultimate potential. At the same time, if children care too much about the opinions of others, they may start to question or doubt their own intrinsic self-worth. As parents, embracing our children for wh …

This article was originally shared on momaha.com.Depression affects kids in a variety of ways and can be situational or a constant in their life.There are a few things parents can do to help keep depression at bay and help their kids through this challenging time. Here are a few tips:1. Implement routine and schedules for your kids throughout the day.For example, try to eat meals and snacks at similar times during the day. If your kids are school-age, implement a study hour at the same time each …