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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 …

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 …

Have you ever asked yourself, “How many friends do I have?” Of course, there are many different levels of friendship. You have your “Bestie Super Close” friends that are a part of your soul, your “Kinda Close” friends that bounce in and out of your life often, your “Hi – Bye” friends (called acquaintances), and finally those friends who don’t really fit into any of your categories other than “Friend.” Regardless of the friendship level, one rule stands constant: In order to hav …

Excerpts taken from full article originally featured on boystown.org/parenting.We’ve all heard “Mom, I have this permission slip for a field trip. It’s due today.” If I’m being honest, I hear it several times a year! My daughters struggle to stay organized once they leave school for the day. They’re so excited to come home and watch Netflix or play with the neighbor kids, that they forget I’m supposed to sign them up to go to the zoo.From their teacher’s perspective, it has to be frustr …