In a recent article published on postpartum.net, Tiffany Lowther, MA, LMHC, PMH-C discusses “How Maternal Near-Misses Result in Trauma and PTSD in Birthing Partners“. “If either partner suffers from a perinatal mental health diagnosis, there is a strong likelihood that the other partner will also have a perinatal mood disorder.”….continue reading

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Surveys of first-year college students’ mental health report that many students feel overwhelmed most of the time, regardless of the school they attend. The Harris Poll revealed that emotional preparedness, defined as, “the ability to take care of oneself, adapt to new environments, control negative emotions or behavior and build positive relationships – is a major factor to students’ success during their first year of college.” – continue reading

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GrownandFlown.com has recently posted an interesting read “Harvard Making Caring Common: How to Support Your Teen’s Mental Health” all about the teenage years and supporting the mental health of our children as they navigate an ever-changing path into adulthood.

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In this article from UNC Families, read about how regularly using social media platforms like Facebook, Tiktok and Snapchat can have an impact on teenagers’ sensitivity to feedback. “The findings suggest that children who grow up checking social media more often are becoming hypersensitive to feedback from their peers,” said Eva Telzer, a professor in Carolina’s psychology and neuroscience department and a corresponding author.”  Continue reading

If your teenager needs help managing their relationship with social media, our therapists in Raleigh and Holly Springs, North Carolina are here to help. Schedule your appointment today!

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HealthyChildren.org has recently published a helpful article Talking with Children about Tragedies and Other Life Events. “After any disaster or crisis, families struggle with what they should say to children and what’s best not to share with them.”

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Mother.ly has a great article posted about helping your children cope with the possible difficulties of celebrating the 2020 holiday season during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to read “10 Phrases to Help Kids Cope with Holiday Disappointment this Year”

If you’re in the Triangle area and interested in speaking to one of our therapists, please contact us or schedule an appointment. We’re experienced therapists in Holly Springs and Raleigh, NC.

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Is there anything parents can do August through September to support themselves and their children with this transition?  We have stepped out some ideas that might be helpful for both the working parent as well as the parent focused on equipping their kid with tools for a successful school year:

It can difficult for a working parent to accommodate a back-to-school schedule. There are meetings, events, and numerous expectations that leave parents feeling overwhelmed or guilty. Asking for support is an important aspect of healthy parenting. This may require expanding your support network and finding creative ways for current supports to become involved. Examples might include:

• Asking another parent to assist with carpool to or from school or related events.
• Sitting down with a partner (or family member) to review the school calendar ahead of time and identifying what you can commit to, instead of shuffling commitments the day of an event.
• Discussing scheduling flexibility options with your employer.
• Introducing yourself to the teacher to establish an open line of communication.
• Ask your child which events they consider important for you to attend. Work with your family to prioritize the most important events.
• Research local after-school programs in your community and identify options that fit for your family and scheduling needs.

These are just a few examples of ways to access supports at various levels, but there may be many options at your fingertips that you have yet to consider. It can be helpful brainstorming new ways to utilize help and consider how you might return the support in order to maintain healthy relationships.

Perhaps you are a parent that is done with hearing “I’m bored,” and ready to get back into a normal routine. While you may have your child’s backpack ready to go, the feelings may not be mutual. Many children struggle to transition back to school for various reasons. Transitions can be a challenge for any developing brain and they often provoke anxiety. Here are a few pointers that may help ease the back-to-school blues:

• Have your child write down his or her concerns and make time to discuss. Rather than trying to “fix” his or her worries, practice empathizing and encourage your child to identify solutions.
• Pay attention to your own mood. Having a positive attitude can help your child feel more positive about the upcoming change. Children often take a parent’s lead, and if you are struggling, your child may as well.
• Plan a fun back to school shopping trip. Make a list you both agree on ahead of time, so you can stay focused and stay on budget. This will help avoid those last-minute negotiations.
• Take a tour of the school and meet the faculty. You can use this time to role model social skills for your child and help your child develop visual expectations.
• Create a coping toolbox. Sit down with your child and identify things that help with nervous energy. This may include deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or identifying a strategy to seek support from the teacher or school counselor.

These are just a few strategies to consider implementing in preparation for the new year. Please feel free to contact Therapeutic Partners if you are wondering how we might support you and your family. Have a great year! [/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]

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School is out for summer, and while this may be a welcome break for some, many parents are all too familiar with the summer boredom struggle. While it may not be realistic or helpful to plan out every minute of your kids’ summer vacation, boredom may lead to various behavior problems. What are some good strategies that you have employed to ensure summer is fun for all? We have added some of ours below:

• Try sitting down with your kids and brainstorming some creative activities. If your child feels some ownership in the planning, it is likely he or she will be excited to participate.
• Check your local parks and recreation department. Neighboring towns offer a wide range of classes at affordable rates.
• Encourage your child to try out a new skill. Summer can be a great time for exploring new interests. Fostering exploration can also help promote self-esteem. Perhaps your child will discover a hidden talent!
• Consider a sleep away camp. Depending on your child’s age, a sleep away camp may be a great option. Sleep away summer camps have been shown to increase self-esteem and promote social skills. In addition, some time away may provide parents with a needed break!
• Sponsor play dates. Rest assured you are not the only one with a kid complaining of boredom. By providing supervised space for your child to socialize, you are building your own network of support with other parents. Your child may need support in setting up the play date. He or she may be intimidated to contact the peer. You may consider role playing with your child to increase his or her confidence.
• Volunteer with your child. Check with local faith communities, the SPCA, food banks, and other local non-profits to see what volunteer opportunities might be available in your area. If you are striking out, consider exploring community needs. Volunteering does not need to be formal. It might be as simple as helping an elderly neighbor with some yard work.
• Maintain a routine throughout the summer. Your child in undoubtedly craving some unstructured downtime after a long school year. However, maintaining some sort of structure can help your child transition back into the school year and help prevent some unnecessary boredom. Start each day with the expectation that your child completes a few tasks. Schedule some exercise or outdoor activity time and discuss an appropriate bedtime as well as a waketime.

What ideas do you have for combating summer boredom? Feel free to leave them here and let us know how we might help![/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]

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