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Blog

A Matrix for Measuring Success

The Success Nebulous  I am always fascinated by the different ways families define and measure success. Just like the words bat and well, success can carry multiple meanings. For some, it might mean achieving Honor Roll status after months of evening homework and study sessions. For others, it could mean earning a spot on the All-Star team. Some may deem the preservation of Family Game Nights as a major success, while others may simply feel that remembering to grab breakfast before rushing …
Mar 4th 2025 Kat McGrady, ED.D., LCPC, NCC. and Boys Town Press Author

Teaching Kids How to Be a Great Friend and Have Great Friends

“In order to get a friend, you have to be a friend. Be ready to be a friend.” This insightful quote from Maya Angelou highlights a valuable truism: The first step to having meaningful and rewarding friendships requires becoming a good friend and being friendly to others. With that in mind, what are the best strategies and tips we can share with our kids to help them be a better friend and enjoy healthier friendships? Here are several that can make a real difference: Use active list …
Feb 5th 2025 Jennifer Licate, Boys Town Press Author and School Counselor

The Treasures You Seek

The week before Christmas, my husband and I filled up our travel mugs with coffee and ventured forth into the dark of night. The classic holiday tunes on the radio, with a little help from our car’s heater, kept us warm as we made our annual trek around town to view all the holiday décor. We were armed with our official 2024 Scavenger Hunt checklist. The list included items we look forward to every year. The old favorites that keep us grounded, but with a hoped-for surprise or two. Some items …
Jan 7th 2025 Gina Prosch, Teacher, Boys Town Press Author, and @ginaproschwrites on Facebook/Instagram

Calling All Members of The Tortured Poets Department: The Rise of Mental Health Concerns in Young People (Part 1)

The topic of Taylor Swift’s artistic merit seems to be as divisive as the great cilantro debate (a flavor to be savored, or a soapy abomination to the herb world?), yet critics and fans alike have praised the inspired verses of her latest album “The Tortured Poets Department” (TTPD).Celebrated for their vulnerability and relatability, her latest lyrics, capture many of the current mental health struggles felt by today’s youth. Her words speak to numerous and seemingly unrelated struggles …
Oct 25th 2024 Kat McGrady, ED.D., LCPC, NCC. and Boys Town Press Author

​You, Too, Can Fail for the Win!

Fail? For the win?Who in their right mind would ever want to fail? And how can it be considered a win? Whether we like it or not (and trust me…we don’t like it!), somewhere along the road to adulthood and maturity, our kids will experience setbacks, disappointments, and failure. They won’t make the team. They’ll flub a word in the spelling bee. They’ll lose out on the lead in the spring musical. They won’t get admitted to their first-choice college. They’ll be sad or angry or disappointed, …
Mar 5th 2024 Gina Prosch, Teacher and Boys Town Press Author

How to Raise a Confident Child

As a mom, I wanted to instill confidence in my three children, but I always feared that if they became overly confident, they would struggle. Confidence is an attribute that will serve a child for life. However, overconfidence can keep kids from growing, learning, and reaching their ultimate potential. At the same time, if children care too much about the opinions of others, they may start to question or doubt their own intrinsic self-worth. As parents, embracing our children for wh …
Jun 8th 2023 Julia Cook, Boys Town Press Author and Former School Counselor

4 Tips for Supporting a Child with Depression

This article was originally shared on momaha.com.Depression affects kids in a variety of ways and can be situational or a constant in their life.There are a few things parents can do to help keep depression at bay and help their kids through this challenging time. Here are a few tips:1. Implement routine and schedules for your kids throughout the day.For example, try to eat meals and snacks at similar times during the day. If your kids are school-age, implement a study hour at the same time each …
May 1st 2023 Jennifer Simpson, Boys Town Family Teacher

Your Child Disagrees with You… Now What?

If your children are anything like mine, you know that from time to time (and some days it definitely feels like ALL THE TIME), they are going to disagree with you. When that happens, how tolerant are you? Do you try to hear them out, or do you immediately shut them down? Can you engage in a give-and-take dialogue, or do you fall into the trap of a lose-lose shout fest? Moms and dads who adhere to a more authoritarian, my-way-or-the-highway parenting philosophy may have little patienc …
Jan 20th 2023 Bryan Smith, Boys Town Press Author and Elementary School Counselor

Presence or Presents? Five Ways to Be More Present During the Holidays

As you reflect on the holiday season, what images, sentiments, or traditions come to mind first? Maybe it’s religious services. Or family meals and tasty sweets. Perhaps it’s traveling near and far to see loved ones. Hosting large celebrations or enjoying more intimate affairs. Exchanging store-bought or homemade gifts, or maybe you forgo gift-giving altogether? Whatever your holiday rituals and customs involve, is there room to explore a new tradition? This year, I encourage everyone to …
Dec 12th 2022 Erin Green, MS, Director of Boys Town Press and Co-Author of Teaching Social Skills to Youth, Fourth Edition

Helping Your Child Deal with Rumors

Your child comes home from school feeling sad, embarrassed, and angry. After probing, you find out your child has been the victim of untrue rumors being spread about him. Why is this happening? How can you support your child through this? How can your child prove something didn’t happen…when it didn’t happen? There are steps to take when dealing with rumors and gossip.First, find out where the rumors started. Ask your child if she knows how the rumors started? Does she know the child/ren wh …
Oct 4th 2022 Jennifer Licate, Boys Town Press Author and School Counselor