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How can parents build resilience and confidence in their children? When our children experience big emotions, frustration, or setbacks, it’s natural to want to help. You notice your child struggling to tie their shoe? We might quickly do it for them so you can get out the door. Did they come home upset about a disagreement with a friend? We may immediately want to know who hurt them, offer advice, or tell them to stay away from that person. Our instinct to help comes from a good place, but …

Most children begin a new school year feeling hopeful and excited. Okay, maybe “excited” is overstating it just a bit. At least for a few. Perhaps “energized” is more accurate. There are new classrooms, new teachers, new routines, and new opportunities for a fresh start. But like the new-car smell that fades much sooner than we’d prefer, the novelty of a new school year can evaporate quite quickly. For some, it fades after a few weeks. For others, it only takes hour …

Self‑determination plays a huge role in how we set goals, stay motivated, and bounce back when things get hard. You can see it when a student keeps practicing even after failing a test, when a teenager advocates for what they need, or when an adult sticks with a long-term goal despite setbacks. Whether you are supporting students, clients, or your own personal growth, these seven steps can help strengthen self‑determination in practical, meaningful ways. 1. Understand What Self‑Determination Is …

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 …

As the holidays approach, gratitude tends to take center stage. Whether it’s a classroom activity, a dinner table tradition, or a social media post, we’re all encouraged to pause and reflect on what we’re thankful for. But here’s the truth: gratitude isn’t just a seasonal exercise. It’s a skill—one that can be taught, practiced, and strengthened over time. And for kids, it’s a powerful tool that can shape how they see themselves, others, and the wo …

It’s that time of year again! Crisp mornings and earlier sunsets signal more than just the end of summer. They also mean back-to-school shopping, homework help, and the start of fall sports.  In many ways, school is like a team sport. You have players and supportive leaders who work together to create a culture of learning, growth, and success. But just like in sports, not every player follows the rules of good conduct. In fact, bullying, whether verbal, physical, relational, or cyber …

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, …