Don’t Rely on Luck: Protect Your Teen’s Mental Health
Every day, whether through face-to-face interactions or podcast conversations, I have the privilege of speaking to hundreds, even thousands, of adults about the reason A Brighter Day Charity exists and the positive impact we are having on families. Our resources on stress and depression for teens and their families, with the ultimate goal of preventing […]
Finding the Perfect Mentor For Your Teen
What does the word “mentor” mean? If you have attended school, played a sport, or were involved in any type of activities that involved a group of people, you have likely heard of the term “mentor.” What does the word “mentor” mean? A mentor is someone who can support, advise and guide you. Typically, this person takes the […]
Is Halloween Increasing Stress and Depression in Your Teen?
It’s hard to fathom that dressing up in costumes, asking for candy, or handing out candy can increase the stress level in our teens. But the shortened daylight hours and longing for one’s younger days when Halloween was innocent and fun can actually cause or increase the level of depression for your teen. Here are […]
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Don’t Become a Statistic!
I am called a “survivor.” My son, Jake, took his life at age 19 by jumping in front of an oncoming truck on a Montana Interstate. Absolutely horrible and our lives will never be the same. Was he on drugs or alcohol? No. Was he on anti-depressant medication? No. Did he share his feelings with […]
It’s Back to School For Your Teens. Are You Ready For Their Anxiety?
Has this felt like the shortest summer on record for your teen? School begins in just a few days almost everywhere. It was only a few years ago that school systems decided to move the starting date of high school from the day after Labor Day to late August, to now the 2nd week of August. […]
Is Your Teen’s Head on Straight as Schools Open for Fall?
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 […]
The 5 Most Important Ways Parents Can Support LGBTQ+ Youth
All teens face issues like academic pressure, personal identity issues, and tricky relationships — friendships, romance, frenemies, parents, siblings. Adolescents and teens who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQ+) face these issues, as well as an added slew of challenges. Unfortunately, LGBTQ+ teens are challenged by concerns like […]
Independence Day and Your Teen
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 […]
Father’s Day and 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 […]
Honor American Heroes With Your Teen This Memorial Day
This Memorial Day weekend, families in Contra Costa County and beyond will enjoy warm weather, backyard grilling, and maybe even a trip to the beach. And for many teens, Memorial Day is just a day off from school. However, I encourage you to use this Memorial Day as an opportunity to ask your teen, “What […]
