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Coping with Empty Nest Syndrome: Finding New Purpose as Parents

2023-08-29T03:34:06+00:00

Coping with Empty Nest Syndrome: Finding New Purpose as Parents Transitioning into the "empty nest" phase of life as parents is a significant rite of passage. As your children leave home (often for college), a whirlwind of emotions can ensue. The empty space where there was once laughter, chatter, and occasional teenage drama in the home is suddenly filled with silence. That’s a lot for many parents to handle, and it's normal to feel sadness, loss, and even anxiety about this new chapter. However, it's essential to remember that this unavoidable phase of life also offers parents opportunities for personal [...]

Coping with Empty Nest Syndrome: Finding New Purpose as Parents2023-08-29T03:34:06+00:00

Teenagers and Cannabis: Understanding the Far-reaching Impact

2023-06-19T15:46:19+00:00

Teenagers and Cannabis: Understanding the Far-reaching Impact Cannabis became fully legal on July 1st, 2021 in Virginia for adults 21 years and older.  Cannabis is legal medicinally and recreationally, however, a final date for recreational or commercial sales has yet to be determined by the state.  Currently, 38 states, three territories and DC allow the medical use of cannabis, and 23 states, three territories and DC permit commercial sales.  As parents, whether we like it or not, cannabis is here to stay in Virginia, and we’re going to be seeing a heck of a lot more of it once commercial [...]

Teenagers and Cannabis: Understanding the Far-reaching Impact2023-06-19T15:46:19+00:00

Nurturing Soft Skills: A Guide for Today’s Teenagers

2023-05-24T03:47:14+00:00

Nurturing Soft Skills: A Guide for Today's Teenagers In our ever-evolving world, the emphasis on soft skills is increasing in all spheres of life. These personal attributes, which enable individuals to interact effectively, productively and harmoniously with others, are as valuable as technical skills -- for teenagers especially, soft skills lay the foundation for future success. To understand how well developed your teen’s soft skills are, ponder these questions.  How well does your teen handle social situations?  Is he or she polite and well-mannered?  Does he or she treat others with respect?  Is your teen an effective communicator?  Is he [...]

Nurturing Soft Skills: A Guide for Today’s Teenagers2023-05-24T03:47:14+00:00

Does Social Media Cause ADHD in Children and Adults?

2023-04-22T03:46:48+00:00

Does Social Media Cause ADHD in Children and Adults? The Impact of Social Media on ADHD: Separating Fact from Fiction Social media is ubiquitous, and while it’s a great way to stay connected to important others, to get news and to learn about what’s going on in the world, overusing or over relying on social media has become a problem for many people.  As a psychologist, I am often asked about the impact of social media overuse and whether or not it can cause ADHD.  With the rise of social media and technology, it's important to separate fact from fiction [...]

Does Social Media Cause ADHD in Children and Adults?2023-04-22T03:46:48+00:00

Navigating the path to independence in young adults

2023-03-24T01:19:46+00:00

Navigating the path to independence in young adults By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. The phenomenon of young adults struggling to transition into the next stage of life has become increasingly common in recent years, and this “failure to launch" or "failure to thrive" can have profound consequences. As a psychologist, I frequently work with parents who are concerned about their adult children's inability to mature and become independent. These parents frequently ask, “What did we do wrong?” or “How did we get here?” There can be multiple factors that contribute to young adults being delayed or off track developmentally. First identifying [...]

Navigating the path to independence in young adults2023-03-24T01:19:46+00:00

What is the Best Parenting Time Schedule for Special Needs Children?

2023-01-10T01:41:41+00:00

What is the Best Parenting Time Schedule for Special Needs Children? Divorce is difficult for children, and there is no question that it is especially hard on children with special needs; children who require additional assistance, supports and accommodations for disabilities that could be medical/physical, developmental or psychological.  At school, special needs children usually have an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) – a plan and/or program that is designed and implemented to support a disabled child’s specific elementary and secondary learning needs.  However, when it comes to divorce, there isn’t a universally agreed upon parenting time plan or program that attorneys [...]

What is the Best Parenting Time Schedule for Special Needs Children?2023-01-10T01:41:41+00:00

If You Want To Live A Better 2023, Change Your Mindset

2022-12-29T01:58:37+00:00

If You Want To Live A Better 2023, Change Your Mindset There are several reasons why New Year’s Resolutions fail – the resolutions are too vague or grand, the approach lacks planning, structure and accountability, and essential things are missing (e.g., motivation, time, resources).  So, what can you do differently this year to maximize your success?  I recommend that you try focusing more on how you think about yourself in relation to a given goal over the actual desired results you’re wanting to achieve.  If you really want to change something meaningful about yourself, the best place to start is [...]

If You Want To Live A Better 2023, Change Your Mindset2022-12-29T01:58:37+00:00

The Psychology of Your Child’s Halloween Costume

2022-10-27T17:58:57+00:00

The Psychology of Your Child’s Halloween Costume Hero, monster, princess or something sexy? A costume can say a lot about a child's development Halloween is one of the most fun times of the year for children. The meaning of Halloween runs deep in our culture — it’s a time to celebrate, a time for treats, a time for being spooky or silly, a time for costumes, and it’s a time to enjoy family and friends. When we think back to some of our fondest childhood memories, most of us have at least one or two Halloween moments. And what costume [...]

The Psychology of Your Child’s Halloween Costume2022-10-27T17:58:57+00:00

Four tips to surviving summer with kids back from college

2022-06-05T01:14:32+00:00

Four tips to surviving summer with kids back from college Sharing the nest again and navigating how to function as a family when your son or daughter returns home from college can be challenging. Sure, your child will always be your child, and you may believe that you still know what’s best for them as mom and dad, but with every semester or quarter that passes they’re aging and separating from you. From freshman year to senior year of college, your kids are taking the steps they need to take to become more independent as they enter young adulthood. At [...]

Four tips to surviving summer with kids back from college2022-06-05T01:14:32+00:00
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