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8 time management tips to make life easier

Learning how to manage time effectively is an important skill for students to master. But many students struggle with finding the time to complete all their assignments, leading to overwhelming feelings of stress and frustration. To help, we’ve created a list of time management strategies for students of all ages to help students (and their parents) put the days of last-minute project panic and school stress behind them.

As a teen, having time management tips and strategies is a critical life skill that can help you feel more confident in your day-to-day decisions. Just think of how you manage your time in any given week, from planning your meals, to scheduling outings with friends, to making time to watch your favorite TV show. […]

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Yes, the CDC saw a 51 percent increase in suicide attempts by adolescent girls during the pandemic.   Yes, emergency department mental health visits were up 31 percent among adolescents during the same period, driven by higher incidents of crises among young girls. Yet, we cannot blame all of this on the COVID-19 pandemic.  Last week, […]

“Man Up!” The phenomenon that affects young men across America

The concept of toxic masculinity is used in academic and media discussions of masculinity to refer to certain cultural norms that are associated with harm to society and men themselves. Traditional stereotypes of men as socially dominant, along with related traits such as misogyny and homophobia, can be considered "toxic" due in part to their promotion of violence, including sexual assault and domestic violence. The socialization of boys in patriarchal societies often normalizes violence, such as in the saying "boys will be boys" about bullying and aggression.

“You aren’t man enough.”  “Man up!”  “Come on, don’t be a ______.” What do these phrases have in common? You guessed it: They all reinforce toxic masculinity. Toxic masculinity is one explanation for male violence and sexism. This term distinguishes “toxic” traits, like aggression and self-entitlement, from “healthy” masculinity. It has grown to the point […]

11 Real Issues that Teens Face Every Day

Growing up isn't easy. It's no wonder that many adolescents face some pretty difficult challenges as they transition from childhood to adulthood, and they may respond by acting out. Parents, teachers, and other adults can help teens by being supportive and setting fair limits. Of course, it's also important to identify the types of issues teens often face. These teen troubles are common, but not inevitable. If you are worried about your child, start by observing their behavior and seeking to identify what's happening.

“What a relief! My teen is back at school, finally, and everything is good again. No more Zoom classes and complaining.” Does this sound familiar? Now that public health officials have deemed it safe to return to school, your teen must unlearn what they were conditioned to believe for almost 270 days — to keep […]

Is Your Teen’s Head on Straight as Schools Open for Fall?

For some, resuming pre-pandemic activities requires a gradual approach. Be open to talking to your younger family members to help find balance. Quiet time after school, and in between playdates and activities, may help children ease back into a normal routine.

All of us as parents are so grateful that our teens will finally be able to go back to school in a few weeks.This means that they may learn in the proper setting, spend time with their friends and do what teens need to be doing to develop and grow.So, this is a good time […]

Independence Day and Your Teen

The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, celebrates the country's separation from the British Empire in 1776 and the founding of the U.S.

Take a moment to step back and think: What were you doing on July 4th, 2020? In our family, I recall we were dealing with a lot of uncertainty. Our twins were living in separate states halfway across the country, the future of our economy was up in the air, and every day, it seemed […]

Eating Disorders: Signs, Symptoms, and Tips for Managing ED

eating disorders can affect adolescents, teens, and young adults

Weight obsession affects millions of teenagers today, especially girls. Gen Z faces an onslaught of body image messages from peers, social media influencers, mass media, and even clothing store mannequins that depict an “ideal” version of what the ideal body should look like.  So, it’s no wonder that according to a 2009 Youth Risk Behavior […]

Father’s Day and Your Teen

advice from Elliot Kallen about how to talk to your teen

This Sunday is Father’s Day. Let me begin by wishing all the dads a terrific day and hope you spend time with your family and friends. This Father’s Day weekend, I urge you to take the time to check in with your teens. Doctors at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek say they have […]

12 Ways to Deal With Loneliness During Social Isolation

young brunette teenage boy with green eyes sitting on green lawn looking into camera

There’s no sugarcoating it: it’s a stressful time to be alive. Every time we glance at the TV, scroll our social media feeds, or even check our emails, we’re seeing constant reminders of the global pandemic. After spending a year in isolation and lockdown, it’s no wonder that everyone’s anxiety is at an all-time high! […]

Avoiding Those Teen Summertime Blues

how teen mental health is impacted by covid 19 pandemic quarantine and lockdown

In just a few weeks, the 2020-2021 school year will end.  Most teens have barely had time to socialize with peers in meaningful ways. Without a doubt, this past school year has been the most difficult for teens in more than a generation. Because of COVID-19… We asked them to stop spending time in person […]