Almost half of women under 44 have never had children. Yet, we still live in a society that equates womanhood with motherhood.  Mature men are supposed to be fathers. Tell someone you have decided to remain childless? Well, then you can practically guarantee a condescending or even disrespectful reaction. It may be unintentionally disrespectful, … [Read more...]

Contrary to pop culture and TV commercials, not all moms immediately bond with their newborns. At least one in five women will take a little longer — and there is nothing “wrong” with that. It's important to recognize that bonding is an emotional attachment. Like all emotional attachments, each mother-child bond is unique and is a process, short or … [Read more...]

You never think it will be your child. But suddenly, you watch as your teen begins to withdraw. They spend more and more time alone in their room. Well, not fully alone. They always have their devices with them. Soon enough, they don’t even want to eat meals together. You want to respect their choices but what if those choices seem … [Read more...]

BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. It’s designed to highlight the unique forms of racial stress and sometimes trauma this demographic may face. The racial trauma experienced by BIPOC kids can result in a vast array of issues and symptoms, e.g. Anxiety Hyper-vigilance Behavioral concerns Loss of concentration and … [Read more...]

Picking a college is hard — under any circumstances. High school seniors all over the country have been dealing with this challenge for a long time. These days, however, there are new factors to consider. It feels like the entire world has changed. College life is certainly not immune to this massive shift. Students are suddenly weighing new … [Read more...]

Every child will tell a few lies at some point. Generally speaking, this is not something to panic about. Still, it’s also not something to ignore. At any age, a child's tendency to play fast and loose with the truth is an opportunity for you to have an important conversation.  Before you react, pay attention. Keep an eye out for new or unusual … [Read more...]

Among the countless challenges of the past year or so, parenting obligations are certainly high on the list. It’s not as if things were simple before the lockdowns. But the last 15 months have certainly raised the stakes. There’s a good chance you’ve been working from home. Then you have the possibility of either having to transition back to the … [Read more...]

In the age of social media, gestures are often mistaken for progress. For example, consider the recent discussions about racism. Sustainable social change is not created by profile pictures or memes. If history teaches us anything it’s that justice is a marathon, not a sprint. Hence, one of the most powerful steps you can take is to plant … [Read more...]

There are many, many forms of grief. When you experience pregnancy loss, it is no less a loss than any death in the family. However, in this case, it is also the loss of innocence, a season of life that once seemed natural and inevitable. Suddenly your potential parenting future is up in the air. All of your plans ripped away. All the sweet moments … [Read more...]

Teenagers can be mighty adaptable — within reason. The events of the past year or so have stretched everyone to their limits. For teens, this has meant the loss of a crucial year of growing, learning, and bonding. Their rhythm has been disrupted. They’ve undergone unexpected adjustments. Life, in many ways, feels like it’s been turned upside down. … [Read more...]