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Most people have heard the saying “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Well, that is a big LIE! Words are being used more than ever to hurt people in the world today. Have you ever said something that you wish you could take back? We all have. In fact, there have been times when that little voice in my head has advised me, “Don’t say it, you’re going to regret it…” and I still spoke those words. Usually, an argument begins when I could have avoided i …

If you have noticed an increased level of anxiety in your child, you are not alone. The past two years have been unlike anything we’ve experienced before. There were so many unknowns as we entered the pandemic, which created fear and anxiety. Even now, we continue to learn more about this disease and the vaccines, so this period of uncertainty is not over. The abrupt change to our routines increased the level of fear in children and their families. Children were asked to stay home and learn …

Back-to-school time can be filled with excitement, anxiety, and all kinds of emotions! Use the tips below to help set your children - and yourself - up for a successful new school year! Set a school-year bedtime sleep schedule and begin the transition today! During the summer months kids often don’t have a set bedtime and awake time, so it is important to re-establish a bedtime and morning routine for your child. Starting early can help you and your child be ready for the first …

MinecraftAnimal CrossingAmong UsAside from being amusing adventures in gaming, can you guess what all of these have in common?Actually, let me make that question a little harder! Can you guess what all of these have in common with…The last show you watched.The last interesting thing you’ve heard.The earliest experience that you can remember in your life.All of these things involve stories! Think about it…Stories are all around us. In games, you follow characters and build stories as you go …

"It’s not fair!” If you work with children, you probably hear this statement on a daily basis. Young people seem to have an innate sense of what constitutes fairness and can react strongly when they feel this has been violated (and adults are definitely not immune!). In the world of schools, 504 plans and individualized education programs (IEPs) often provide students with accommodations to facilitate their learning. Unfortunately, this leads some students who don’t receive accomm …

When I was a graduate student, I spent a number of hours observing other school counselors conducting classroom guidance lessons. One memorable lesson involved a counselor who used the idiom, “Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes.” The lesson was designed to introduce the concept of empathy to first graders. While the students seemed to enjoy the lesson, there was still some confusion regarding the concept. Some even took the idiom literally. I can only imagine the interest …

It’s so hard to be perfect. In fact, it’s impossible to be perfect. Yet that seems to be exactly what many of us are seeking. Where did we get this idea that it was possible to do everything well? Was it when we were in elementary school, and got our papers back? We looked to see if we got a star or if we missed any. We looked to see if we were worthy or worthless. No matter the origin, I feel like many of us missed out on the lessons and teachings we are working to pass down to our chi …

"You need to be more patient!" Six words that I have heard ALL of my life. To me, patience means waiting…and waiting is really hard! Personally, I think that a lack of patience is and always has been one of my biggest faults. When I was little, my grandma would give me candy corn in two small plastic bags. She’d say, “This bag is to eat now, and you can save this bag for later, because good things come to those who wait.” Let’s just say that my later bag never made it to later. When I was se …

We’ve all had those evenings where there just doesn’t seem to be enough time to do everything we’d like to get done. Many kids rush from school straight to extracurricular activities, and dinner becomes an afterthought as families scramble to make time for schoolwork and getting ready for the next day. With multiple children in a family, everything is multiplied. Enter Opal Octopus, whose busy schedule and inability to say no have her juggling too much on her plate. Opal uses these tips …

Children and teenagers have been spending more time online during the COVID-19 pandemic to attend classes, connect with their peers, and entertain themselves. As a result, a lot of kids and teens are more active on social media and apps. This allows them to connect to a wide network of people, which unfortunately, may also expose them to cyberbullies. According to a report on cyberbullying published by Verywell Family, cases of cyberbullying have increased by 70% since the pandemi …