Thrive Initiative Blog
Posts Referencing Branch Out (10-18 years)

Fact or Fiction: Cold Weather Makes You Sick

As cold weather arrives each year, many parents worry that their children may be at a higher risk for becoming ill. Worries are compounded as parents of toddlers and preschoolers struggle to convince children to keep hats, mittens, and jackets on their bodies while they’re outside. In addition, parents of school-age children and teens may …

Parents Professionals Branch Out (10-18 years) Grow (5-10 years) Sprout (3-5 years) Take Root (0-3 years)

Advocating for Your Child

As a parent, there may be times when you may need to advocate on behalf of your child. Advocating for your child means that you work with other adults in your child’s life to ensure that they are getting the support they need. Cultivating strong and healthy attachments with your child helps you learn about …

Parents Professionals Branch Out (10-18 years) Grow (5-10 years) Sprout (3-5 years) Take Root (0-3 years) Exceptional Families Neurodiversity and Autism

Screen Time and Autism

Screen time – understanding the positives and negatives and regulating your family’s usage of it can be overwhelming. You may feel as though your daily life, and your children’s daily lives, revolve around screens and digital media. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has created screen time recommendations for parents and caregivers of children. The …

Parents Professionals Branch Out (10-18 years) Grow (5-10 years) Sprout (3-5 years) Take Root (0-3 years) Neurodiversity and Autism

Your Child’s Extracurricular Activities: Too Much or Just Right

Piano lessons. Soccer practice. Swimming lessons. Tutoring sessions. After spending a full day in a child care facility or at school, many children also participate in extracurricular activities in the evenings or during the weekends. As a parent, you want to introduce your child to new experiences and opportunities and foster their interests. Extracurricular activities …

Parents Branch Out (10-18 years) Grow (5-10 years)

Adolescent Mental Health: Parenting to Wellness Available Now!

Adolescent Mental Health: Parenting to Wellness is now available! This online supplemental parent-education program offers support to parents and caregivers of adolescents who experience mental health challenges. Parents and caregivers want to see their children grow up to be happy and productive adults. Good mental health is a critical component of reaching this goal, and …

Parents Branch Out (10-18 years)

Healthy Habits

Part of being a parent means that you often put the needs of your child before your own. However, when a parent or caregiver ignores their own needs, they may become overwhelmed, and this situation could negatively impact their health or compromise their ability to care for a child. One way that parents can practice …

Parents Branch Out (10-18 years) Grow (5-10 years) Sprout (3-5 years) Take Root (0-3 years)

Positive Parenting

Having consistent and supportive experiences with your child as they grow can help you create memories together and allow you to form a strong bond. This solid connection between you and your child may encourage open and honest communication and may support your child’s willingness to come to you for help and reassurance as they …

Parents Professionals Branch Out (10-18 years) Grow (5-10 years) Sprout (3-5 years) Take Root (0-3 years)

Establishing an After-School Routine

For many families, the start of the school year can be exciting and challenging. It is a time for a change from the less-structured days of summer to more rigid patterns, including earlier bedtimes and homework sessions. In addition, new faces (e.g., teachers, classmates), new schools (e.g., the move from an elementary school building to …

Parents Professionals Branch Out (10-18 years) Grow (5-10 years)