Koy Roberts, Ph.D.

Parents need to watch Being 13: Inside the Secret World of Teens. CNN conducted a study of over 200 8th Graders who allowed child development experts to examine and analyze their social media habits.  Why are teens so anxious about what happens online?  They discovered that it’s largely due to a need to monitor their popularity status and defend themselves against those who challenge it.  It’s an age group that has a lot of anxiety about how they fit in and their status amongst peers.  Teens no longer see a difference between their online world and their real world.  Now I need to ask my soon to be 13 year old if she is checking her phone 100 times per day!

 

Researchers looked at the relationship between exercise frequency, sadness and suicidality in 13,583 adolescents in grades 9-12.  While it’s highly disturbing that 25% of teens report being bullied those who exercise four times per week report report significant reductions in suicidal ideation, suicidal attempts and sadness.  The benefits also extend to teens who have not been bullied.  Exercise significantly improves mood in adolescents, bullied or not!

It’s challenging to help our kids with back to school stress.  Elementary schoolers admit their school anxieties.  Rather than ask direct questions it’s best to observe and listen for signs of anxiety.  As parents we serve our children best by listening rather than talking. Take enough time to empathize then normalize and move to problem solving only after we are sure they feel heard and understood.

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to our local high schools for making Newsweek’s annual list!

Happy first day of school!  Here’s my 3rd and 7th Grader.

The National Education Association and the National Parent-Teacher Association recommend 10 minutes of homework per grade level per night. First Graders should have 10 minutes all the way up to 120 minutes for a Senior in High School.  However, a recent study published in the American Journal of Family Therapy revealed many elementary age students were far exceeding these guidelines. First Graders were spending 28 minutes per night, Second Graders 29 minutes and Kindergartners spent 25 minutes per night on school assignments. There are a number of studies that indicate too much homework is detrimental for a child’s attitude about school, grades, self-confidence, social skills, physical health and overall quality of life.  I guess I’ll be putting the clock on my 3rd Grader and 7th Grader this year!

Summer Newsletter

Hope you and your family are giving yourselves much needed R&R!

 

U.S. Women are World Cup Champions.  Enjoyed hearing Coach Jill Ellis in post game interview say this is a great day to show little girls everywhere to dream big!  I agree.

Here’s my soccer girl dreaming big.

Everyone knows a child benefits tremendously from having an engaged, involved Dad. However, a new report supported by the United Nations Population Fund aggregating hundreds of studies on fatherhood found that involved, engaged fathers also live longer and experience better psychological health. They have fewer physical and mental health problems, report being happier and are more productive at work.  The study notes a decrease in violence and drug abuse among fathers due to the emotional bond they form with their young children.  Fathers who are financial contributing breadwinners were also found to have improved psychological functioning.  Increases in fathers’ financial contributions improved self-esteem, self-efficacy and measures of psychological distress. I’ve found even more motivation to be a good Dad!  Happy Fathers Day!