Opioids and Teens
Prescription drug misuse, which includes opioid use, is one of the fastest growing drug problems in the United States.1 In 2016, 3.6% of adolescents, ages 12 to 17, reported misusing opioids over the past year.1 Fortunately, opioid use among teens appears to be decreasing but still poses a serious threat.4 According to the 2018 National …
How to Give More Autonomy to Children as They Age
Children begin to declare their independence while they are still infants! They will do all they can to communicate and claim their autonomy as the years fly by. Understanding your child’s need for independence, determining when your child is ready for more independence, or having the parental confidence to raise an independent child can be …
Military Family Appreciation Month
According to the Department of Defense (DoD), there are over 1.3 million active duty Service members serving in the four Military branches and more than 802,000 selected Reservists serving in the six DoD and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components. Serving alongside the active duty and selected Reservists are their families. These families include over …
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
October is National Bullying Prevention Month and is, therefore, dedicated to recognizing the impact and harm that bullying can have on children of all ages. Within the United States, approximately 1 in 3 students say they have been bullied at school.2 Bullying can happen in many locations and contexts.2 Children who experience bullying are likely …
The Importance of Rituals and Routines
Summer is over; fall has arrived, and new schedules and routines are beginning – back to school, back to work – and, in some cases, unfamiliar territory! Transitions can be hard for individuals, especially children, to adapt to, and to ease effects of these changes, some form of predictable structure at home is helpful.2 As …
Sprout Program Now Available Online!
The Thrive Initiative Sprout program is now available online! Sprout is designed for parents of 3- to 5-year-olds and includes six everyday moments: Morning Routine, Bedtime Routine, Shopping, Play Date, Rainy Day, and Dinnertime. During these sessions, you are invited into the homes of families to experience their everyday moments, to see things from the …
Fit Family: Being Active Together
Physical activity should be included in the daily lives of children, and parents should serve as active role models. Research indicates that multiple benefits of mental and overall physical health occur from being active (Moore, 2008). A simple way to incorporate physical activity in our daily routine is to plan activities that include the entire …
Sleep and the Brain
As parents, we know that sleep is essential, and it is a necessary part of our daily lives and, especially, our children’s daily lives. Just like diet and exercise, the amount of sleep one gets can influence how well we and our children function in school, at home, at work, and with others. There are …
