coping

Will Halloween Be Cancelled? Helping Your Child Cope with Big Emotions this Halloween

Posted on by stephen

The burning question asked by parents across the country in September this year was: “when will my child be back in the classroom?” Not far behind was: “will Halloween be canceled!?” Many areas across the US will be expected to celebrate this spooky holiday a little different this year. Some counties and towns have put restrictions on trick-or-treating and are asking families to socialize only with members of their own household. Whether your local guidelines and personal decision involves trick-or-treating, outdoor costume parades, small gatherings, or a scary movie with the members of your household, one thing is for sure – parents are feeling stressed about how to deal with Halloween 2020.

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Bridge in the mist

Dialectics in DBT: The Power of “And”

Posted on by stephen

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The main goals of DBT are to teach people how to live in the moment, regulate their emotions, develop and maintain healthy relationships, and cope with distress. You might remember back in June when we wrote about a communication strategy called DEAR MAN. This is a DBT strategy aimed at helping people set boundaries and ask for what they need in a healthy and balanced way.

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College students preparing for COVID-19

Supporting your Student from High School to College During the Covid-19 Crisis

Posted on by Kelly Foran-Tuller

The transition from high school to college is a significant milestone for many. This summer, students and parents have many more questions than answers when it comes to the upcoming year of higher education. Graduating seniors are coping with a major transition during a time when routine buffers to stress may be harder to access. Despite this challenge, there is a silver lining to this summer which can provide families with an opportunity to give support and information, prioritize mental health and coping, and collaboratively plan for a smoother transition. Here are some ways to support your student before they embark on their next great adventure.

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Preparing your children for summer with COVID-19

(Home) School’s out for Summer: Strategies for a Successful Transition

Posted on by Kelly Foran-Tuller

This year, the transition into summer break is going to look very different. Children and teens are missing the wind down of the academic year that is marked by notable school events such as field day, end of year parties, prom, and moving up ceremonies or graduations. In the past, these events signaled the ending of one chapter and the beginning of summer break. In my own experience with my first grader, the end of the school year just this week lacked any pomp and circumstance at all. The last day of distance learning was similar in format to that of the previous three months; from a zoom call in the morning to google classroom assignments in the afternoon. To make matters more complicated for parents, camp and summer vacation plans may have been canceled, rendering the weeks ahead with fewer opportunities for external structure and pleasant distraction. Without the natural transitions that the end of the academic year provide, parents might find themselves having a difficult time helping their child switch modes from school to summer. Here are some tips to help keep your child on track so that Summer 2020 can be as rewarding as possible for everyone in the family.

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