Blog

With the whirlwind of distractions pulling your teen in different directions, it's more crucial than ever to establish a nurturing and supportive atmosphere at home. As trends in technology, social norms, and parenting styles evolve, it's up to you to define your...

In this guest post from a member of the Strength in Numbers club located at several local high schools in South Orange County, a student explores the topic of why teens often find themselves caught in the web of comparison. From the pervasive influence of social media...

This year, more than 2 million Americans will apply to college. The college admissions landscape has gotten more competitive as the number of applications rose by 30% between 2019-2020 to the current cycle according to a recent data release by the Common Application....

Thanksgiving is in the rearview mirror and the holiday break is right around the corner. That means two weeks of no school and a lot more at-home time with your teen. Their first instinct might be to hang on the couch on their phone all day, which is understandable....

Perfectionism, often celebrated in today's society, exacts a toll on teens' mental well-being. As a parent navigating their increasing independence, it's crucial to combat external pressures from classmates, celebrities, and social media. Amidst these influences, you...

In our increasingly interconnected world, young people have unprecedented access to news and information concerning global conflicts, including those from the ongoing conflict in Gaza. These graphic images and videos can make these events feel closer and more real...

Unused and unwanted prescription drugs can easily end up in the wrong hands, posing significant dangers and potentially leading to tragic consequences. Clearing out your medicine cabinet of unwanted and unused medications is a simple and effective way to keep your...

 What is Red Ribbon Week? Red Ribbon Week is an annual nationwide campaign educating young people about the risks of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. This is a week designated to make children and teens aware of the damage alcohol and other drugs (AOD) can cause to...

LAGUNA BEACH, CALIF. (September 14, 2023) – To further expand its outreach to families in South Orange County, Providence Mission Hospital recently launched a new website – Crianza Positiva – to provide Spanish-speaking parents with the most up-to-date information...

So. Much. Stress. You work hard all week, juggle your child’s school and extracurricular activities, and try to be a good parent and partner. It’s exhausting. Add to that a national teen mental health crisis at the tail end of a two-year pandemic. It’s enough to crush...

Transitions are hard. Making the move to middle school or high school can be particularly daunting for both kids and parents. To help you navigate these brave new worlds, we have some tips to help you prepare your child for the rigors of each transition so they can...

Sometimes the temperature outdoors is relatively cool compared to the heat inside your household. Giving our children roots and wings, according to the saying, is the greatest gift a parent can give. Though, at times, attaching those wings is difficult for all...

Anxious teens are different from anxious children. Young kids worry about external things like monsters and the dark. (Remember when you had to leave the light on for your toddler to fall asleep?) Teens, on the other hand, worry more about themselves: their...

Have you ever wondered if your child’s behavior is more than a teenage phase? They seem extra moody and anxious–so much so that you’re worried about a mental health disorder. Or perhaps drug use. Or both.  Sometimes it’s hard to figure out a drastic change in...

Spring is finally here, and as parents of tweens and teens, we have a lot to look forward to, as well as some challenges to navigate. We want our kids to have a fun and safe Spring Break, learn about 4/20 Day, and enjoy prom without any issues. That's why it's...

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...

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 to turn out less-than-perfect. This fear...

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 family gatherings? As much as we wish we...

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....

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 in...

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. As a...

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...

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 to ease their child’s...

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 of physical and emotional...

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...

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 for older...

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 out...

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...

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 there’s no...

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 sound like an adult once they get...

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 child's...

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 States. It allows kids to begin exploring...

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 from...

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...

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...

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 child...

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 us know...

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 have...

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 need to make space for their...

  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 baseball coach, he...

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...

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 from their friends,...

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...

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 than ever to protect...

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...

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 practice has...

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 so only increased...

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 all of our...

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 actually need...

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 children in these...