Currently Browsing: Beth Long 6 articles
“My Parents Care Too Much About How I Make Them Look.”
In a world full of social media, camera phones, and YouTube it is tempting to be overly concerned with what everyone else is doing and how we compare. However, our constant need to “manage our image” can be detrimental to our children. The danger of this was captured in a heartbreaking statement whispered to me […]
“My Parents Don’t Even Try to Understand Me!”
In 1987, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince recorded a hilarious song that captures the tumultuous relationship between teenagers and their parents called, “Parents Don’t Understand”. I am quite certain that at least one poet of every generation has pinned similar lines, which leads us to the wise kid statement of the month: “My […]
“They Always Take Everything Away From Me! ”
In the typical 21st century American household, children are given free access to most (if not all) of their favorite items. They can freely play with their toys, run around the backyard, gather their own snacks, turn on the TV, get their own drinks, and maintain control of their own electronic devices. As soon as […]
“What’s the Big Deal… I Just Get a Little Mad”
I spend my days hearing concerned parents say, “This child has an anger problem.” That statement is almost always followed by a child saying, “I just get a little mad.” I then proceed to ask the parents several questions. How do they display their anger (crying, tantrums, aggression)? How long does the episode last? Can […]
“Mom, You Worry Too Much”
A mother and her adorable 4-year-old son recently came in for counseling. The mother and I spoke about how to help him transition away from his favorite activities without having tantrums. As we continued talking, I spoke with her about the importance of taking her own thoughts captive. I told her, “Just because he has […]
“My Parents Are Always On Their Phones”
This month’s wise statement comes from children as young as three, as old as 19, and every age in between. This is not a one-time statement from my younger clients, it is a reoccurring cry for attention. The words are simple, but the implication is very telling: “My parents are always on their phones.” I […]