Facing Life's Challenges

Resilience

Parenting Your Child to Build Resilience

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on October 10, 2024

When your child is struggling, rather than always taking it away, you can teach them 3 sayings to encourage them to say what they feel and know hard moments help us to grow.

Parenting

When a Parent Dies Unexpectedly

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on September 11, 2024

Having to tell your child about the death of their parent is a heartbreaking moment in parenting. We will show you ways to do so that build connection,closeness and resilience.

Grief

When a Parent Dies Suddenly and Unexpectedly

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on September 9, 2024

When the parent of your child dies suddenly, you are faced with one of the hardest tasks of parenting. Here are key steps to help you all come through it with a deeper connection.

Parenting

Is Your Child Feeling the End of Summer Blues?

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on August 21, 2024

Many people feel a loss as summer's lighter days are ending. Acknowledging this and the other smaller losses in life engenders connection and helps children learn resilience.

Career

Making a Plan for Your Child's Summer: Some Do's to Follow

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on July 21, 2024

Summer brings parents and children an opportunity for new challenges, family time, and the freedom to do whatever. It also brings out differing opinions that need to be resolved.

Parenting

Why Is It So Hard to Talk With Someone Who Is Grieving?

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on June 6, 2024

Being with someone who is grieving is an inevitable part of life and it is a gift to your child to guide them in navigating this experience.

Parenting

Why Is It So Hard to Hear That Your Child Has Difficulty?

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on May 13, 2024

You might struggle when school says your child should see a therapist. Here are ways to understand yourself and make the most of the consultation process for you and your child.

Parenting

2 Key Sayings to Help a Child in Challenging Times

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on April 4, 2024

When a child has painful times, you can help them find strength and resilience by being with them in their hard feelings and helping them find hope for the future.

Parenting

How Do You Tell a Child That Someone Close Is Very Ill?

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on March 4, 2024

Almost inevitably, you may face having to tell a child that someone they care about is very ill. Here are ways to understand yourself and be truthful, yet empathic and gentle.

Parenting

What to Do When You Aren't Sure What Your Child Is Feeling

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on February 6, 2024

It's upsetting for parents when they don't understand what their child is feeling. Here are some ways to figure it out and connect with your child.

Bullying

Victim or Bully: Talking With Your Child About Prejudice

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on January 11, 2024

Your child may witness, participate in, or be the victim of peer mistreatment. There are ways to talk with them and involve their teacher to create a supportive plan.

Grief

What You Can Do When Your Family Is Not in the Holiday Mood

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on December 11, 2023

If you and your child are not feeling festive this year, you are not alone. Here are six tips to help you identify your family's needs and manage others' expectations.

Parenting

Tips for the Challenges of Parenting During the Holidays

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on November 21, 2023

We all have expectations of the holidays, yet sometimes, our children do not want to participate. Here are ways to talk with your child and help them to find ease.

Parenting

How to Talk With a Child About War

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on October 13, 2023

It's hard to talk to a child about war. Here are tips on taking care of your own feelings and providing a sense of safety for your child.

Parenting

What to Do When Your Child Has Difficulty at School

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on October 2, 2023

The school year has started and some children are having new or ongoing difficulties. Here are six tips for how to handle it with your partner, your child and the school.

Anger

Helping Your Child Name Their Feelings

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on September 10, 2023

It's challenging for a parent when their child enacts feelings in a negative way.

Parenting

Beating the Back-To-School Blues

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on August 14, 2023

Are you and your child having sad or anxious feelings about the end of summer? There are ways to understand this and approaches to help that will make the transition easier.

Parenting

What Parents Can Do When a Child Isn't Who They Expected

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on August 7, 2023

What if your child is not who you envisioned they would be? Start here to understand these disappointments and welcome your child for who they are.

Parenting

Graduation Time: Your Emotions May Not Be What You Expect

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on June 18, 2023

A parent may feel mixed emotions, as a child's graduation marks an ending for them as well as for their child. There are ways to understand and grapple with the changes.

Memory

Mother's Day: Helping a Child at a Time Laden With Memory

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on May 4, 2023

Is a child you know facing a Mother's Day after their mother has died? There are ways to make anticipating the day and the day itself manageable for you and them.