Living well with ADHD, Anxiety, and Autistic Stress
Advice from our Maryland Therapists for LGBTQIA+ families, neurodiverse families, and YOU
Coping with the Federal Furlough
This has been a stressful month for many local families. In times of prolonged stress, successful coping includes strategies to manage both the logistical and the emotional components of the problem. Start with strategies that address the part of the problem (logistical/emotional) that feels most urgent to you, but don’t forget to circle back and handle the other half afterward. Here are our tips for making it through without a shutdown meltdown.
Skip the Snow Day Guilt
I wake up on snow days with a mind full of possibilities. I could clean the closet, do my taxes, or spend all day playing with my kids! At the end of the day I usually feel disappointed (in myself) that I didn’t complete any of my grand plans. Here’s my advice for avoiding the same predicament.
Don’t Forget to Connect (with each other) this Holiday Season
The holiday season is in full swing, with all the to-do list tasks it brings. There are big meals to cook, gatherings to attend, shopping and wrapping to do, and so much more! It’s easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle and forget to connect with our children, partners, and other loved ones. Here are a few ideas for staying close this holiday season.
How Do You Feel?
You can use this wheel of emotions in many ways, but today we suggest you use it to expand your emotional vocabulary. Find the most specific word you can for how you’re feeling, and try letting those closest to you know how you feel.
Getting Things Done with ADHD
When someone in your household has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, with or without hyperactivity), it changes the way your family functions. Here are a few ground rules from our ADHD therapists to help you get it all done.
Thankfulness Boosts Our Mental Health
This is the time of year when we talk about thankfulness, a conversation we truly should be having all year. Research has identified gratitude as an antidote to Depression and a booster of sleep, self esteem, and relationships. When we spend a little time each day focusing on what we appreciate, we alter the story of our lives to emphasize the joy.
What is Executive Function?
Executive Function is not a diagnosis or an assessment of whether we have the skills to be a CEO someday. Executive Function is the work our brain does behind the scenes to put our intent into action. I
When There’s a Behavior Problem in Your Child’s Class
As parents we have strong protective instincts. We worry about whether our children will be safe from bullying, get enough of the teacher’s time, and enjoy going to school.
Dating After Divorce: Putting Your Kids First
Dating after divorce can be complicated, especially when children are involved. Parents can and should assuage their children’s fears by giving honest answers to the questions that arise, and taking the process one step at a time.
The To Do List for Managing Stress
Even if we’re practicing excellent self care, some weeks threaten our sanity. When a week like this strikes, I run out of emotional energy. Most of us do. Here are my recommendations for staying strong in the worst of times:
Parenting Book Club/Preschool Playgroup
Join other parents to discuss Parenting from the Inside Out by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Mary Hartzell M.Ed.. This series is free, and space is limited.
Who is Responsible for Your Happiness?
The answer to this question is more complex than it seems. Often we reflexively say “I am,” but become angry at another person for failing to make us happy.
Preparing Your Child for a Successful School Dropoff
It’s that time again: time to return from treasured vacation days and summon the courage to drop our children off at school. It’s natural for both parents and children to feel anxious in this moment.
Managing Your Child’s Video Gaming
Decisions about screen time are one of our generation’s greatest parenting challenges. The rapid changes in children’s use of technology leave us worrying that we might expose our children to something with consequences we don’t yet understand.