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

Learning Through Failure: How You Can Help Your Child

When children are very young, parents and caregivers are responsible for their every need. During those early years, you likely developed a routine in which you could anticipate what your child wanted and when they wanted it, and you were usually able to meet their needs. However, as children grow and begin to explore the …

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

How to Help an Adolescent who is a Picky Eater

Everyone has preferences on what foods they enjoy and what foods they don’t like. Children are no different! The American Academy of Pediatrics (2018) suggests that parents should offer a variety of foods to their children when they start introducing solids. (Information on introducing solids can be found here!) But, parents of adolescents, who are …

Parents Professionals Branch Out (10-18 years)

Coordinating and Managing Coparenting Expectations and Goals

Some coparents share the same parenting style while other coparents may use different parenting styles. Some coparents have similar ideas regarding how to reach the goals they have for their themselves, their children, and their family, while other coparents may have very different ideas on how to reach those goals. These differences can create conflicts …

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

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)