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I do not know what I have done wrong. Upset teenage boy trying to make his behavior clear to a professional therapist during a psychotherapeutic session.

Did you know that May 1-7 is Children’s Mental Health Week, and the month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month?

Mental health is just as crucial as physical health, not only for adults but for children as well. Mental health has been receiving a lot more attention lately than in previous years, with the pandemic exacerbating mental health concerns and illnesses for many people. There’s been a lot of talk about ending the stigma around mental health and creating safe places for people, including children to talk about it and get their concerns addressed.

Talking to your child’s doctor about your child’s mental health can be a source of anxiety for many parents who may not know how to address these issues. Other parents may feel as though it’s their fault their child is struggling with mental illness or they may not know what is developmentally appropriate for their children in terms of mental health and may not know how to approach the issue. Starting the conversation with your child’s doctor can feel overwhelming.

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If there were a list of the most common complaints adults have about children, surely, not listening would be near the top. "He just doesn't listen" may be one of the most common things I hear parents say. I've been there too: what parent hasn't felt the frustration of seeing their child still barefoot after asking multiple times to get ready to leave? But what we call "not listening" is often a matter of not cooperating. It is a rare child that doesn't listen when you ask who wants dessert. Instead, what we often mean is that children are not complying with our requests.

Difficulties with following directions often stem from three general, overlapping sources: matching our expectations to our child's developmental readiness, giving directions effectively, and connecting with our child. Let's consider each of these, in turn.

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The benefits of playing with and connecting with your child through play cannot be overstated. As children learn how to interact with and thrive in their environment, playing is an important way that exercises children mentally, emotionally, and physically. Children who have parents and caregivers that play with them and connect with them through play are often happier, more confident, and more resilient in times of hardship.

You don’t have to be a super parent to play with your child or come up with complicated lesson plans, or a constant stream of things for them to do to qualify as play. In fact, children respond well to simple activities that are often driven by their own sense of play and games.

Part of connecting with your child through play is being present. Put away your phone, turn off the TV or tablet, and have fun! Keep reading below for some tips!

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Many people have positive experiences surrounding summer camp and all the fun that comes with it, but it can be a stressful time for kids who have never attended summer camp or first-time parents who haven’t signed their children up for camp yet.

Summer camp is often a wonderful experience for those who go to one, but it’s not without its challenges. Below are some tips for choosing a summer camp for your kids and some tips to help them prepare for a fun time at camp!

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