By Dr. Amanda Craig, LMFT

The best and worst advancement of modern society, ‘the screen’… It allows us to work faster, to be more productive, think bigger, and communicate instantly while having dinner, driving a car, and spending time with others. No longer able to leave the office behind at the end of the day, we are always ‘on’.

By Abby Crews, LMFT

When confronted with a temper tantrum in the produce isle or a teenager’s sass at a family function, few (very few!) are likely to think “Yay! Here’s a teaching moment!” Most just try to get through the situation with minimal losses and get back to the hustle and bustle of life.

By Baine Beckerich, MA, LMFT

The transition back to school is hard on everyone. As summer comes to an end both parents and kids alike are forced to get back into the structured school schedule and busy long weeks.

For many families this change brings about a host of problems that lead to conflict not just between parents and kids, but couples as well.
 

By Sarah Trance, MS, LMFT

When you are a parent, worry is a given. Where are they?  How are they?  How do I handle this? Is this normal? Am I doing a good job? 

These questions are ever-present whether we are new parents or seasoned vets. They often come with feelings of anxiousness or uncertainty, which generally subside when we get validation and reassurance from a partner, friend, or even internet.

But, what if they don't?

By Amanda Craig, PhD, LMFT

I’m waiting for my son to get home from school.  It’s a beautiful day and I know he is going to want to play soccer, then football, and then play hockey with lacrosse sticks and a soccer ball.  Brutally honest, I am thinking about the couple of e-mails I would like to send and loose ends I’d like to wrap up before the end of business day.

Divorces are difficult under any circumstances, but they can be especially painful and challenging when there are children involved. The transition usually takes over a year and requires for all family members to find their new ‘normal’. 
 
For parents, figuring out how to ensure that the kids are secure and least impacted during the transition is usually a major source of anxiety and fear.

By Dr. Amanda Craig, LMFT

How’s school going? Are you back in the saddle and comfortable in the new routine or were you thrown off the course by unexpected challenges? If you are part of the latter group, don’t despair – you are not alone!

The lengthy summer break is long enough to form new habits in your kids that now might take just as long to change again. You may also notice that now that school is underway, your kids are changing! The strategies that worked so well last year may be a flop this September, while newly-learned and unexpected behaviors might present themselves just as you thought you had things under control! To make matters worse, September has a number of school holidays, which can throw off the newly-established schedule.

All this makes for a hard adjustment for both parents and kids.

By Dr. Amanda Craig, LMFT

You’ve probably heard or said it 1,000 times in the last week:

I can’t believe the summer is over…It went so fast…The kids are starting school. 

Well, ready or not, school is coming for most of local kids this week, and with that many parents and kids can experience a gamut of emotions.

May be there’s a tinge of disappointment or regret at things we didn’t get to do, dread over the summer fun coming to an end, anxiety about the upcoming school year or a sense of overwhelm.