Fostering connections with our adult children starts when they are infants! If we give our children the message throughout their lives that they are loved and lovable, that we are interested in their thoughts and feelings, that we’re curious about their interests, and that we accept them for who they are, we have a great foundation to continue building a lifelong relationship. 

Family life can be troublesome. Yes, blood is thicker than water, but, boy, can they make your blood boil! If you find that your family struggles to communicate and you disagree on everything, then you’re going to need to work on your communication skills as a unit. 

There are all kinds of ways to make parenting work, but “bean counting” to make sure things are 50/50 is a recipe for resentment and may poison the relationship.

Challenge parental anxiety by celebrating what you're doing well. Lean into your successes and consider these ways of celebrating your parental wins every day.

You may not be ready for the answer, but let’s begin with a question: what is the most common form of family violence?

If the connection you’ve heard about, or even expected, is not instantaneous, it's okay. There is no reason to feel ashamed or guilty. It also does not mean anything in terms of your long-term bond with your child. The most helpful response going forward is acceptance and patience. Whether it takes days or weeks, it will be well worth the wait.

As a parent, you must exert a certain amount of helpful authority. You can’t just let your teen withdraw into the ether. During these difficult years, they need support — and so do you. This process may begin by normalizing the act of asking for help.

If you are raising or responsible for a BIPOC kid, you know that racial stress and trauma are an ever-present threat. Your child's ability to thrive at home, at school, and in social settings requires your steady support.

Selecting a college is rarely easy. Do not hesitate to get help for your child or try sessions together. Working with a skilled counselor is a powerful step toward easing this emotional transition.

Every child will tell a few lies at some point. Generally speaking, this is not something to panic about. Still, it’s also not something to ignore.

Among the countless challenges of the past year or so, parenting obligations are certainly high on the list. It’s not as if things were simple before the lockdowns.

In the age of social media, gestures are often mistaken for progress. For example, consider the recent discussions about racism. Sustainable social change is not created by profile pictures or memes.

Your teenaged child could be hurting badly. They may even be struggling with depression. You want to help, of course. This begins with identifying symptoms and providing the support your teen desperately needs.

There have been plenty of conversations about parenting during the pandemic. But what about the challenges of being a single parent in the age of lockdowns, economic crises, and social strife?

Social media is an excellent trickster. Every single day, it tells you tall tales. These deceptions are carefully designed to keep you wanting, comparing, and chasing. Who could be responsible for this conspiracy?

We’re heading into spring 2021. As we progress into this year, we can now see that 2020 was not an anomaly. The many crises of last year either linger or have transformed into something new. Of course, this very much relates to the pandemic and the related mitigation tactics. But, as you know, there’s much more going on.

Imagine working on a jigsaw puzzle in which the pieces keep changing size and color. Being the parent of a teen is often such a challenge. And in 2020, it’s more like working on that same jigsaw puzzle while running on a treadmill!

Is it better to be your child’s parent or their friend? There are many parenting lessons in the movie "Eighth Grade," comedian Bo Burnham’s directorial film debut, which is a squirm-fest tour de force.

Modern parenting can seem more like a sprint than a marathon—but a sprint where the finish line keeps moving!You and your spouse are trying to balance work responsibilities and responsibilities to your children, and then there’s your relationship.