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Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Children – What to Look For

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Oppositional Defiant Disorder in ChildrenHas anyone ever said to you “He’s just being a kid,” or “She will grow out of it, don’t worry about it”? In some cases, this can be true. Sometimes, kids are just being kids and sometimes they will grow out of it.

However, sometimes there is something else going on and further intervention may be required. Oppositional defiant disorder often goes undiagnosed because the symptoms are similar to those of a strong-willed child or those exhibited by children who are diagnosed with ADHD.

Other parents are simply told their child’s symptoms are a natural part of development. [Read more…]

Keep Your Sex Life Alive Post-Kids

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sex life kids Sex is more than just a physical act, it is a mental, emotional and for some a spiritual bond as well. Having sex releases hormones that bring us closer together and keeps the chemistry of a healthy couple happy.

When a new baby enters your world it brings much joy, along with fatigue, stress, and general chaos. On average, parents with kids spend just 20 minutes a week being intimate, according to Anne Semans and Cathy Winks, co-authors of The Mother’s Guide to Sex. But there is hope! Here are some tips on how to keep the intimacy alive in your relationship:

[Read more…]

Emotional Regulation in Children

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Children

Emotional regulation is the ability to react in an appropriate manner to a situation. Some kids can find this challenging for varying reasons.

Young children typically have the most difficulty expressing their emotions or being able to regulate their emotions appropriately. They may show signs of depression, cry excessively, have difficulty coping, be anxious, aggressive, withdraw, become angry easily, and/or may demonstrate oppositional behaviours.

When children are young it is important that they learn to use the correct words to express the emotion that they are feeling (e.g., angry, scared, happy, sad). [Read more…]

Does Your Child Really Have ADHD?

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ADHD is one of the most common childhood brain disorders that can continue through adolescence and into adulthood. Some people may assume that if their child is hyper or lacks focus when completing a task, then they must have ADHD. This is not always the case. There are some specific ways to tell if a diagnosis of ADHD may be appropriate.

Here are some typical symptoms of ADHD:Kids

  • Your child is in constant motion
  • They squirm or fidget
  • They do not seem to listen
  • Have trouble playing quietly
  • Often talk excessively
  • Interrupt others
  • Are easily distracted
  • Do not complete tasks

[Read more…]

Is Your Child Struggling With Academic Pressures?

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Academic pressures|BarrieOur world is full of competition and pressure to achieve. This is also true when it comes to school, where your child may feel their worth is measured by their performance. How can you tell that your child is suffering because of academic pressure?

  • Drop in grades
  • Lying about homework
  • Destroying or losing report cards
  • Irritable
  • Withdrawing

It is important to notice these behaviours early and put the proper supports in place.

[Read more…]

First Day Jitters or Separation Anxiety Disorder?

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Back to school

It is normal for your child to have some anxiety before their first day of school or even afterwards. It takes time to adjust to the idea of being away from home and loved ones. This is especially true for those who are entering kindergarten or high school or are changing schools.

However, when do these jitters turn into a problem? How do you know if this goes beyond typical anxiety about change?

Here are some signs and symptoms that will help you know when to seek help:

[Read more…]

Stress Management: How to Regain a Sense of Calm

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Stress management BarrieWe all respond to and manage our stress differently. In today’s society, there is no way to have a stress-free life; there is no secret cure to stress. However, there are ways we can manage our stress and learn to control our reactions to stressful situations.

Stress comes in many different forms. There are the daily stressors like bills, children, schedules, work issues and so on. Then there are stressful major life events such as the death of a loved one, losing a job, moving, and having a child. While these stressors vary in intensity, they can often be managed in similar ways.

Often people will resort to unhealthy coping techniques, such as drinking, doing drugs, binge eating, not eating enough, sleeping too much, or taking their stress out on others. While these techniques may provide temporary relief from the stress, it does not allow you to move forward and manage the stress.

[Read more…]

Holiday Traditions – Creating New Rituals

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Take Comfort in RitualsAre you a step family? A blended family? Or maybe this Christmas is the first one without a loved one. How do you get through the holiday season when these circumstances bring stress, struggle or sorrow?

You may remember past holidays, good and bad memories, people or relationships. These thoughts can bring about feelings of sadness, anger, or even nothingness. Your energy may be low and you just want it all to be over. These feelings and thoughts may lead to a belief that the holidays are going to be difficult.

At Family TLC we have seen the value of rituals and how they can make the holidays more than bearable. We help people create rituals which are a sequence of activities and repetitive behaviours that alleviate emotional distress and either prevent or neutralize anxiety.

Creating rituals is not easy, it might even be painful. However, the ritual will help. Remember, time does not heal; time just allows you to store the pain for another day. In order to heal you need to be intentional in your healing. This means to focus on the pain so you can release it and feel the positivity that is left behind.  [Read more…]

What is Asperger’s Syndrome?

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Asperger'sWhen people hear the word “disabilities,” they immediately think it suggests it is an inability to see, hear, walk or do anything that many people would take for granted.  Think about this for a moment…what if you weren’t able to feel, articulate or manage your feelings in a constructive way? What if you had difficulty forming close strong relationships with others?

For many who have Asperger’s syndrome, this is a part of who they are but they should never be defined by their challenges or shortcomings. They are defined by their unique gifts that their life offers to the world – the love they give and receive in their own way, the art they create, or the sound of their laughter. [Read more…]

ADHD – Coping as a Family

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Determining ADHD in Your ChildHaving a child with ADHD means dedicating time to meeting their special needs and making sure that doesn’t come at the expense of your other children. This was easier said than done. Showing each child that they are equally loved while keeping in mind the needs of the ADHD child requires a delicate balance.

It became apparent early on that my son’s siblings began to feel jealous and acted out if they sensed my attention being shifted away from them.

Like a squeaky wheel, the child who was the loudest often got the most attention and this was usually my son with ADHD. Most of my energy was spent on meeting my child’s special needs, whether it was therapy, extra time helping with homework, or consistent effort in managing disobedience and impulsivity. [Read more…]

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