What Happened When I Stopped Ignoring My Body
“When we listen to our body with kindness, we honor the present moment and give ourselves the care we truly need.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh It started back in middle school for me—the need to feel thin in my English riding breeches. I’d compare myself to others at the barn—the ones with the long, slender legs and […]
What Helps Dads in Transitioning to Parenthood?
For expecting fathers, the transition to parenthood can be a transformative period filled with excitement, awe, and pride for fulfilling a meaningful role in the life of their to-be-born baby. It can also entail a great deal of stress, which can lead to strain, despair, and worry. Indeed, research finds that 5% to 15% of […]
Moving Beyond “Right” and “Wrong” in Relationships
Terry Real’s influence in the world of couples therapy is hard to overstate. A bestselling author, renowned social worker, and respected clinician, Real is known for blending emotional depth with clear-eyed pragmatism. He tells the truth, but always with compassion. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Real hosted a virtual gathering for fellow therapists. His message—that […]
How My Mother’s Alcoholism Shaped Me—and How I’m Healing Now
“The journey of the perfect daughter is not about perfection; it’s about finding the courage to be imperfect, to be human.” ~Robert Ackerman, Perfect Daughters Growing up in a home shadowed by addiction is like living in a house with no foundation. The ground beneath you is unstable, the walls feel fragile, and the roof […]
How Social Media Brings Out the Worst in Us
Is social media harming my well-being? This is a question I often ask myself, wondering if I should keep using it or take a deliberate break from it. As someone who follows the science of well-being, I’ve seen its potential for harm and the benefits of not using it. But I also enjoy it and […]
The Ridiculous Trend of Gatekeeping Autism
I’d like you to imagine, just for a moment, what it would look like if English professors gatekept literature the way that some Mental health professionals—and casual members of the general public—gatekeep autism. “I’ve been reading a lot lately. Have you read One Hundred Years of Solitude? That book really moved me. I think it […]
Seven Tips for Talking With Your Kids About Terminal…
Some of the most challenging moments in parenting occur when we need to provide comfort and guidance to our child during a time when we are also hurting. And one of the biggest challenges we may face is when we or a loved one has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. These situations may involve […]
How Social-Emotional Learning Can Foster LGBTQ…
In today’s polarized educational climate, many educators feel caught in a bind: They want to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students and foster inclusivity but fear pushback for engaging with topics some consider “controversial.” Yet what if we’re already holding the tools to bridge this divide—tools that are evidence-based, developmentally appropriate, and […]
Study Reveals That Pets Bring Us $87,500 Worth of Happiness
A recent study published in Social Indicators Research suggests that having a pet can increase life satisfaction by 3 to 4 points on a 7-point scale. Even more eye-catching, the researchers estimate this happiness boost is equivalent to an extra $87,500 in annual income. In other words, they’re putting a dollar value on the joy […]
How Are the Kids Recovering From the Pandemic?
Earlier this spring I got a desperate text from an 18 year old. She’s from one of the families I profiled in The Stolen Year, my 2022 book that documented the impact of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic on children. My young friend told me that she and her nine siblings were experiencing […]