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13 Reasons Why Parents Should Pay Close Attention to Their Teen's (Social) Life: Lessons from Netflix Original Series "13 Reasons Why"

4/19/2017

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Number 1. Adolescence is marked by the invincibility syndrome. 
Number 2. Relationships with peers become more important than relationships with parents and family.
Number 3. Sexuality and dating…
Number 4. Risk taking behaviors are developmentally appropriate but still risky. 
Number 5. Teenagers are impulsive.
Number 6. Even though their bodies are becoming more adult, they still think like teenagers.
Number 7. EVERYTHING that peers say or think becomes important.
Number 8. Teenagers are at risk for suicide if struggling with mental health issues that are often escalated by social status and peer relationships. 
Number 9. Girlfriends and boyfriends can influence behavior, sometimes leading to devastating consequences.
Number 10. Teenagers are at risk for substance abuse and sexually acting out at parties and sleepovers.
Number 11. Adolescents begin to pay more attention to problems and issues within the family and often seek an escape in friendships. 
Number 12. The types of friends teens have is usually reflective of their internal emotional and psychological state.
Number 13. An empathic, understanding and authoritative (NOT authoritarian) parent, who is involved in their teen’s life, can provide much needed support, appropriate limits, education and professional help if needed.

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When is the right time to bring your child to a specialist

1/22/2017

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As parents, we want to think that we know best what is good for our children and how to help them when they are struggling.

Yet, we are only human and we are not expected to know everything and be 100% comfortable handling all child-rearing situations and developmental issues. 


So how do you know when is the right time to bring your child to a professional? Here are a some examples of good reasons to get some help:
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  • Your kid is going through a stage in development that was particularly difficult for you when you were younger.
  • You feel out of control in your relationship with your kid(s).
  • You and your partner are not on the same page about discipline and often disagree, creating confusion for the kids. 
  • Your family is going through a major change or challenge (loss, death, illness, divorce, moving, separation, etc.). 
  • Something about your kid is different and you are having a hard time addressing it alone.
  • Your child/teenager is telling you that they want to talk to somebody. 
  • Your kids is acting out at school and/or at home and nothing seems to help make things better. 
  • Your pediatrician recommends that you find a counselor for your kid.
  • Teachers and/or social workers at school are expressing concern for your child's behavior and emotional well-being. 
Do you recognize yourself in any of the above? Email me your concerns to see whether this is the right time for you to get some professional help. 

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Overcoming children's fears: How to make the most of Halloween to support your kids' emotional and psychological development

10/16/2016

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Every year on Halloween, children and adults alike gather together to celebrate the day before the ghosts of the dead return to Earth. Although the tradition of Halloween as we see it today has dramatically shifted from the original Celtic rituals, the symbolism and psychological meaning behind it remain the same - to gain control over all matters unknown and scary.
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     In this article, I want us to take a look at the function of Halloween for the psychological and emotional development of our children, and how to make the most out of this spooky, yet fun time of the year. ​


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Guest Post: Back-to-School: Establishing and Maintaining Healthy Routines That Will Stick

9/13/2016

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Back-to-school means early morning wake-up calls and a mad rush to get everyone ready and out the door in time. Too often, this means a quick but less-than-healthy breakfast, or worse, no breakfast at all. From getting enough rest to waking up in time to have a healthy breakfast, making good dietary choices at breakfast and lunch, and taking care of personal health and hygiene, there are many factors that don’t directly relate to school that have a tremendous impact on how well your children function during the day. 

While healthy behaviors have a big impact on focus, attitude, and more, kids don’t often decide to do these things on their own. It’s up to parents to help their children establish healthy routines that stick all year long. Here are a few important healthy routines to cultivate now for year-long success. 

Adequate Sleep is a Must 
 Making sure your kids get to bed at a reasonable time is one of the most important things you can do to boost their chances for success.


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How to talk to kids about death and loss

6/26/2016

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One of the most common questions that parents in my counseling private practice ask me is “How do I talk to my kids about…?” You can fill in the blank with really anything: divorce, death, loss, bullying, the differences between boys and girls, dating, sex, race, mental illness, terrorism, the list goes on. 
    I am sure we can all relate to losing a loved one, a pet or a favorite toy, and it can be just as hard for the adults if not harder, to cope with the loss as it is for the kids. For this reason, I am going to talk about how do we discuss death and loss with our children and what can we do to overcome it.
    The first and most important thing we need to do when talking to our children about any difficult topic but especially about death and loss is to

  • Name the loss. This is usually the most important, yet sometimes most difficult part for parents and caregivers. We tell ourselves that kids are too young to understand. Or we want to protect them and we tend to spare them the truth. However, it’s essential that we put into words our children’s experiences because words bind the anxiety associated with the unknown and eventually, provide a sense of relief. 


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    Hi, I'm Misha!

    I am a licensed clinical professional counselor and founder of Inside Family Counseling, LLC. 
    I specializes in counseling troubled children and adolescents, who face behavioral and emotional challenges at home and at school. My mission is to empower, support and guide children, adolescents and their parents to a happy and healthy family.  

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Inside Family Counseling, LLC

Professional Counseling For You and Your Family
​
​Mihaela Bernard, MA, LCPC
111 E. First Street, Suite 101
Elmhurst, IL 60126
773-470-3106
info@mishabernard.com 
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