Joyful Parenting

Coronavirus Disease 2019

10 Positive Parenting Practices During Coronavirus

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on April 14, 2020

Research has illustrated clear steps toward family happiness. Here are some we can take during COVID-19 restrictions.

Research has illustrated clear steps toward family happiness. Here are some we can take during COVID-19 restrictions.

Stress

A Simple Science-Based Way to Shift Your Family's Mood

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on April 9, 2020

Ever notice the mood among family members turning angry, anxious, conflictual, or stressed? Science suggests there's a surprisingly simple way to help shift it.

Ever notice the mood among family members turning angry, anxious, conflictual, or stressed? Science suggests there's a surprisingly simple way to help shift it.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

5 Quick Ways to Protect Your Marriage During Coronavirus

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on April 6, 2020

These evidence-based steps prevent couples from experiencing detrimental conflicts, taking their difficult feelings out on each other, or drifting apart during the pandemic.

These evidence-based steps prevent couples from experiencing detrimental conflicts, taking their difficult feelings out on each other, or drifting apart during the pandemic.

Anger

When Anger From Coronavirus is Displaced

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on April 3, 2020

During the coronavirus pandemic, we may feel angry while grieving. We need to be mindful of when we direct it at people or situations with a force that may not be warranted.

During the coronavirus pandemic, we may feel angry while grieving. We need to be mindful of when we direct it at people or situations with a force that may not be warranted.

Depression

Behavioral Activation to Prevent Depression During COVID-19

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on March 29, 2020

We’re all stressed and sad due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some ways the evidence-based strategy of "behavioral activation" can prevent us from becoming depressed.

We’re all stressed and sad due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some ways the evidence-based strategy of "behavioral activation" can prevent us from becoming depressed.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

How to Secure the 4 Feel-Good Chemicals During COVID-19

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on March 22, 2020

Facilitating specific activities to "boost" of each of the feel-good chemicals can help you and your family can stay well during this difficult time.

Facilitating specific activities to "boost" of each of the feel-good chemicals can help you and your family can stay well during this difficult time.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Kids' Sadness About COVID-19 May Not Look Like Sadness

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on March 21, 2020

Kids' sadness about COVID-19 may not look like sadness and may even be mistaken for "naughtiness." Children's sadness is often covered by anger, numbness, or resistance.

Kids' sadness about COVID-19 may not look like sadness and may even be mistaken for "naughtiness." Children's sadness is often covered by anger, numbness, or resistance.

Play

10 Daily Rituals That Help Parents Bond with Young Children

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on December 27, 2019

We know from research how important it is to bond with young children, but what should we be doing every day to achieve this?

We know from research how important it is to bond with young children, but what should we be doing every day to achieve this?

Relationships

One Great Thing to Do With a Terminally Ill Relative

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on December 26, 2019

Have you ever been at a loss as to what to say to a terminally ill relative? This strategy can actually help.

Have you ever been at a loss as to what to say to a terminally ill relative? This strategy can actually help.

Grief

7 Practical Ways to Support a Grieving Spouse

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on December 26, 2019

Is your spouse grieving? Try these 7 science-backed steps to intentionally show your support.

Is your spouse grieving? Try these 7 science-backed steps to intentionally show your support.

Happiness

Journaling Can Boost Happiness in Five Minutes or Less

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on April 1, 2019

Just a few focused minutes of journaling can help you see things in a new way, attend to your deeper feelings, connect with loved ones, and savor your life.

Just a few focused minutes of journaling can help you see things in a new way, attend to your deeper feelings, connect with loved ones, and savor your life.

Adolescence

4 Simple Texts That Can Boost Your Bond With Your Teen

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on March 31, 2019

Science suggests that sending your teen these four types of text messages is one way to boost your bond and establish lasting positive communication patterns.

Science suggests that sending your teen these four types of text messages is one way to boost your bond and establish lasting positive communication patterns.

Anxiety

10 Better Ways to Help an Anxious Child Calm Down

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on March 24, 2019

Brain research suggests that telling anxious kids to "calm down," "stop crying," or "buck up" just doesn't work. However, these surprising strategies do.

Brain research suggests that telling anxious kids to "calm down," "stop crying," or "buck up" just doesn't work. However, these surprising strategies do.

Gratitude

Mindfulness Hacks for Busy Parents

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on February 25, 2018

Feeling stressed? These creative shortcuts help parents stay mindful, happy, present, grateful, and positive without taking more time out of their packed days.

Feeling stressed? These creative shortcuts help parents stay mindful, happy, present, grateful, and positive without taking more time out of their packed days.

Motivation

3 Sweet Ways to Catch Your Kids Being Good

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on February 10, 2018

Acknowledging your kids' positive behaviors spreads joy, creates warmth, reinforces positive behaviors, and models sweetness.

Acknowledging your kids' positive behaviors spreads joy, creates warmth, reinforces positive behaviors, and models sweetness.

Stress

The Overlooked Factor that Helps You Bond With Your Kids

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on February 3, 2018

Science suggests that family routines calm stress and promote bonding. Adding rituals, or “the sweetness, fun, or warmth that accompany routines” makes them even better.

Science suggests that family routines calm stress and promote bonding. Adding rituals, or “the sweetness, fun, or warmth that accompany routines” makes them even better.

Stress

5 Great Ways to Respond to Kids' Whining

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on December 29, 2017

While it's easy to react to whining, deemed "the most annoying sound in the world," with frustration or anger, research provides insight into some of the most effective responses.

While it's easy to react to whining, deemed "the most annoying sound in the world," with frustration or anger, research provides insight into some of the most effective responses.

Gratitude

5 Powerful Winter Solstice Practices for Parents

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on December 16, 2017

The more you clear space and work toward closure, the more you make space for all the good waiting for you around the corner of the new year.

The more you clear space and work toward closure, the more you make space for all the good waiting for you around the corner of the new year.

Car rides can be great opportunities to engage with toddlers and young kids. They can help strengthen a playful bond and grow their vocabulary and skills.

Relationships

25 Simple Self-Care Tools for Parents

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on August 18, 2017

Many parents are exhausted and overworked. These ideas offer ways to engage in self-care, renew your energy, tune into feelings, and strengthen relationships in 10 minutes or less.

Many parents are exhausted and overworked. These ideas offer ways to engage in self-care, renew your energy, tune into feelings, and strengthen relationships in 10 minutes or less.