Kids tend to express their emotions in actions. Toddlers scream and hit when they don’t get their way. Middle schoolers stomp out of the room when they get angry. Teenagers roll their eyes and slam doors to express frustration or disapproval. As a psychologist and co-author of “Parents Have Feelings, Too,” I’ve worked with hundreds of…
Many parents assume that if they’re close to their child, their child will naturally open up to them. But after years of working with families and studying more than 200 parent-child relationships, I’ve found that closeness alone doesn’t always mean children will feel safe opening up. Children are more likely to open up when they…
Even if you never plan to wrestle a toddler before bedtime, we could all use a little fun-dad energy. There’s a reason the stereotype exists: Dads spend a lot of time playing with their children, and they tend to enjoy it. In fact, dads report feeling happier when interacting with their kids than during most…
Trump Accounts have the potential to build long-term financial security for millions of U.S. children; however, some experts say they may not do much to reduce the wealth gap over time. The tax-deferred investing accounts, which will launch on July 4, include a one-time $1,000 deposit from the U.S. Department of the Treasury for kids born between 2025…
No one is born with perfect people skills. Kids learn people skills — including communication, emotional intelligence, boundary setting, and empathy — by watching their trusted adults and practicing in real-life scenarios in safe environments. As a certified child life specialist and licensed therapist who has supported thousands of kids and families, I’ve seen these…
One of the most rewarding things about being a parent is watching your kid grow from a child into an independent adult. But it can also be one of the hardest transitions. Every parent hopes their adult child will still want to call, still want to come home, and still choose to let them in….
Parents today try to raise their children for good grades, perfect behavior and high achievement. We want them to do well and be able to handle challenges in life. But research shows that confidence and resilience stem from a child’s ability to feel safe being fully themselves. In my work of studying over 200 kids,…
A view of a Sephora beauty product store on May 30, 2025 in Sherman Oaks, California. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images Italian regulators are looking to clamp down on the tween skincare obsession and are investigating the LVMH-owned cosmetic brands Sephora and Benefit over an “insidious” marketing campaign to children. The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM)…
We know that raising emotionally intelligent kids sets them up for future success. The challenge is that many of us were never taught those skills ourselves. Growing up, many of us heard phrases like “stop crying,” “calm down,” or “be good.” Over time, those messages taught us to suppress feelings rather than understand them. As…
The original six American Girl historical characters — Kirsten Larson, Samantha Parkington, Molly McIntire, Felicity Merriman, Addy Walker and Josefina Montoya — are displayed at the brand’s flagship store, Luke Fountain The flagship American Girl Place at Rockefeller Center in New York City feels frozen in time. The air smells faintly of vanilla. Young girls…
