* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Many of us struggle with anxiety. We worry about our kids, our finances, our schedules, events, our kids’ school, and a whole lot more. Part of being a mom […]
Strategies for Coping with Back-to-School Anxiety
Thomas is entering second grade this year and is definitely experiencing Back-to-School Anxiety about it because it is “hard” and “Zack won’t be there” to help him out if there are any problems. Plus, he is going to have to ride the bus by himself every day this year! When kids experience anxiety about going […]
Are My Child’s Fears Normal?
A Teachable Moment: August 2014 Dr. Susan Bartell National Clown Week is the first week in August, which for some people is a cause for celebration. For others (especially kids) clowns cause fear and even panic. Many kids have had a celebration ruined for them by the appearance of a clown. No-one knows for sure […]
Little Orphan Annie is Better than Chocolate
For many of us, our four-legged friends hold a unique place in the family dynamic and Annie is no exception. She greats me, with unmatched enthusiasm! If I am down in the dumps, she will snuggle her little warm body up to me. While she isn’t a Therapy Dog, Annie is my own little slice […]
Childhood Fears and Anxiety: What Can Parents Do?
A certain amount of fear and anxiety is a natural part of life. It is what drives us to take precautions and to keep ourselves and our families safe. In children, while fear and anxiety are often illogical, they are in many respects an important part of growing up. But in some children these feelings […]
Dealing with Baby’s Separation Anxiety
The second half of a baby’s first year is a time of much joy and relief for new parents. The baby becomes more regular in her patterns, she begins to learn how to communicate her needs, and she no longer cries for seemingly no reason. But even though things tend to be relatively smooth in […]
Math Anxiety: A Real Problem or Just an Excuse?
The thought of a math test can make even the most confident student stressed out, but for some, the feelings associated with math go far beyond garden-variety stress. For these students, a feeling of intense anxiety develops to the point where they are no longer able to think clearly. Are these emotions a real problem or […]
When Perfection and Homework Collide
Does your child erase and redo homework over and over again until it’s just right? Is anything less than 100% not good enough? Welcome to the world of perfectionism, where unrealistic expectations are daily and unrelenting. Perfectionists engage in frequent hypercritical self-talk, bringing themselves down and creating a whole lot of stress within the family. […]