They’re bright, colorful, cute–and dangerous. Marijuana edibles are so attractive to kids that their accidental consumption by children under six has skyrocketed. In 2020, pediatric cases of marijuana ingestion accounted for more than 40 percent of all human poison exposures. Yikes! They’re…

An essay written by Ethan Furlong, Junior at San Clemente High School and President of the Strength in Numbers club   I have a confession to make–this article took me a long time to write. I was afraid of the potential for it…

It’s the most wonderful time of year! That means our kids are on school vacation and will have lots of down time to use their tech devices. What’s a parent to do? How do we keep our children “in the moment” during holiday…

A study led by Martin Seligman, known as the father of positive psychology, found that a one-time act of thoughtful gratitude produced an immediate 10 percent increase in happiness and 35 percent reduction in depressive symptoms. That’s the power of gratitude. Gratitude is…

There has been an alarming rise in the cases of injuries and deaths associated with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, which has become part of a growing public health crisis in our community and across the nation.   Deaths from overdoses reached a staggering 100,300…

Red Ribbon Week is a national campaign reminding us of the importance of educating young people about drugs and alcohol. Chances are, they are already learning about them from their friends, social media, and TV, but they may not be getting accurate information….

Developmentally, the years between childhood and adulthood represent a critical period of transition and significant cognitive, mental, emotional, and social change. While adolescence is a time of tremendous growth and potential, navigating new milestones in preparation for adult roles involving education, employment, relationships,…

  Starting a new school year is both exciting and frightening. Thoughts of new teachers and a heavier workload, navigating new friend groups – all with changing bodies and hormones, can be a cause of concern for your child. What can parents do…

You are bound to notice some interesting changes as your child makes the transition from tween to teen. Not only will your child make a mental shift as they begin to view themself as a teenager, but they also will experience a variety…

We have homework for you and your family this summer: practice speaking to yourself more positively and say goodbye to ANTs. Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs), according to renowned brain-health expert Dr. Daniel Amen, “ruin your day, steal your happiness, and prolong grief.” And…

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Managing a teen’s mental health crisis can be challenging for families. It’s often unfamiliar territory that needs to be navigated with the utmost sensitivity. And it can take a toll on parents. Just as those who care…

With 4/20—the unofficial marijuana holiday on April 20th—on the horizon, it’s time to reclaim the day as a chance to help our children understand marijuana’s harmful effects for young people. As parents, our children look to us for help and guidance in working…

Perfection. It’s everyone’s favorite “flaw.” Our admiration of perfection is so pervasive that it’s become an emblem of worth, wealth, and success. “I can’t help it. I’m a perfectionist,” is almost a mantra in the modern workplace. And, sadly, a mantra for many…

Some kids are really struggling and they need our help. The California Healthy Kids Survey 2021 found that one in three students in our community reported experiencing mental health concerns, such as sadness or feelings of hopelessness. Adolescence has never been easy—many of…

As parents, how do we share good values—the stuff of life that really matters—with our teens? We all strive to raise children who are successful, but is there a way to ensure they become decent human beings who are responsible and compassionate? While…

Keeping Your Teen Safe Behind the Wheel After protecting your child from dangers on and off the road, you now face the prospect of handing them the keys to the family car when they’re learning to drive. While your teen may look and…

Red Ribbon Week is a national drug awareness campaign celebrated each year during October. The week is a reminder of the importance of sharing factual information about drugs and alcohol with young people. As a parent, you play a vital role in shaping your…

All parents want their children to be healthy and happy. Beyond that, we want them to be successful as they head into adulthood. The challenges teens face can strengthen—or overwhelm—them. Today, more than ever, teens feel pressure to be the greatest, not just…

Do you remember learning to ride a bike? The feeling of power and speed as your parents let go and realizing you were riding all by yourself? Learning to ride a bicycle has become a rite of passage for children in the United…

Returning to school can be a time of excitement for many students who are eager to reconnect with friends. However, for some teens it can feel like a loss of the freedom and fun they associate with summertime. Still for others, the change in routine and increasing social…

Saying “yes” to drug testing so our children say “no” to their peers If you’re like most parents, completing the back-to-school registration packet can be a bit overwhelming. The packet often includes a permission form for parents allowing their child to participate in…

Thinking About Giving Your Child a Phone? Whether we like it or not, setting and maintaining reasonable boundaries around technology is now a fundamental part of parenting. If your family is similar to mine, one of your biggest questions may be: When is your…

Drinking a Large Amount of Alcohol in a Short Period of Time Has Serious Consequences With summer approaching, and COVID restrictions lifting, teens may have more access to alcohol. As adults, we understand our limits when it comes to drinking alcohol. Most of…

How can we help teens better cope with the pressures they face? Recognize that anxiety and depression are on the rise among school-aged youth. It’s not surprising, with the increasing academic pressure of school and the impact of social media, that young people…

One of the most powerful shifts parents can make when talking to their teen is to LISTEN. While it sounds easy, there’s an art to it. Good listening requires letting go of the need to interrupt or reply too quickly with advice. Parents…

  This question is asked a lot by parents who worry that their child may be tempted to drink in social situations. Many wonder if they should let their teen experiment with alcohol under their watchful eye. In a recent conversation with a…

Young people today face an unprecedented amount of pressure. Even before the effects of COVID-19, rates of teen anxiety and substance use were on the rise. According to the recent Conditions of Children report by the Orange County Health Care Agency, hospitalization rates…

Happy Red Ribbon Week! Red Ribbon Week is a national holiday during the last week of October and serves as a reminder to talk to young people about drugs and alcohol. Because much of the information teens learn about drugs and alcohol comes…

With rising academic pressure, new uncertainties surrounding COVID-19, and distance learning, high school students are facing an unprecedented amount of stress and anxiety. As marijuana use has been growing in popularity following legalization, teens may see marijuana as a way to “self-medicate” and relieve…

Parents and schools have been concerned about the rapid rise in the number of teens in south Orange County who have begun vaping in the past few years. And now, with the compounded risk of respiratory illness with COVID-19, it is more important…

Over the past decade, marijuana has become more legally accessible and therefore more socially prevalent. While marijuana remains illegal for anyone under 21, these changes may have led some of us to underestimate how harmful marijuana can be. Research shows that marijuana use…

A new year, and a new decade, promise a new start for us and our kids. We have the ability to introduce a new practice within ourselves and our families that will boost resilience, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve overall well-being. This…

What constitutes a passion? It’s simple, really. A passion is something – anything – that you discovered, explored, and enjoyed. You enjoyed it so much, in fact, that you decided to dedicate more time and attention to it. And you found that doing…

Family dinner may be the most important thing we can do for our families. But each fall, we return to the daily juggling act of making breakfasts and packing lunches, getting kids to and from school and after-school activities, helping with homework, plus…

Your teenager’s brain and body are in a period of rapid growth and development, making sleep more important than ever. Unfortunately, only 8% of teenagers are getting the sleep they need. On average, they’re getting by with 7 hours of sleep, when they…

Whether your child is just approaching adolescence or fully submerged in it, you may have noticed a difference. Your cuddly baby is now a teenager, and it can be challenging to navigate your relationship. It can be tough to stay connected to our…