With Valentine's Day upon us, I'm thinking about the importance of connection -- to ourselves, to our kids, to our partners. How wonderful if we could allow our hearts to blend with the people we love more of the time. Too often, our busy mind and what we think we...

Recently there was a fabulous video touting the accolades of imagery and mental visualization in the Washington Post. Not surprisingly, the feature was with Michael Phelps -- the most decorated Olympian ever with 22 medals -- and his long-term coach Bob Bowman.

As the school year is...

TEDxStudioCityED was a powerful event with a select group of top leaders on blending self-regulation, technology, and education. The organizers did a masterful job pulling together the conference. I was thrilled and touched to be included in the line-up of speakers, and delighted to tie everything together in my talk.

I love New Year's. "Regular" New Year, Chinese New Year, Jewish New Year, Indian New Year, whatever New Year tradition there is, count me in. Any reason to start fresh and be given a second chance. How many of us could use a do-over when we mess up? How comforting...

A mom and her 17-year-old son hugged and couldn't let go. Tears were streaming down both their faces. They had been estranged from each other the past two years and came to see me because they wanted to reconnect. They terribly missed their past loving relationship, but so much had...

Although holiday time means presents and no school for most American kids, it can also be a stressful time -- particularly in families facing financial challenges, in split or blended families, and in families where a loved one has recently passed away.

One of the first steps for parents is...

With the holidays upon us, there's likely going to be a lot of family gatherings -- meals included. It brings up the question of how essential these rituals are to you -- not just at holiday time, but all the time.

Family dinners can be a loving, predictable routine that...

Halloween is supposed to be a fun time for kids of all ages. And for many it is. Dress up, hang out with friends or family, and collect candy. What could be bad? Plenty, if you ask 11-year-old Louise. Halloween is absolutely no fun at all for her. She knows...

It's just the beginning of the school year, already the test grades are pouring in -- and not always with the best results. Does your child have a learning style that sometimes gets in the way of his success at school? Is he often labeled slow, lazy or disruptive? Without...

Sweet 6-year-old Sasha lamented, "I don't want to be bossed around so much," when I asked her how she felt about returning to school. Normally quiet 9-year-old Alec stood up, hands over his ears, shouting, "I hate homework!" in our recent counseling session. And 11-year-old Deb drew a picture of...

Many years ago I happened upon a magical island in the Mediterranean where families from all parts of Europe took their holidays. The beaches have the warmest, clearest aqua waters, there are fascinating prehistoric "taula" ruins, a bit like Stonehenge, sprinkled about, and the old towns take me back to...

"Instead of having headaches, I learned to feel my feelings. My feelings are okay."
-Jones, age eight

10-year-old Ethan described his headaches as either "pounding cannonballs" on the top of his head or "humongous pliers" gripping his temples. He created a character for them: a muscular hard-hat construction worker...

Eleven-year-old Grace had always been a challenge, but during the last two years, everything had become a struggle with her parents. Grace wanted more freedom; Mom needed to keep a watchful eye. Grace thought Dad was overbearing; Dad found Grace inconsiderate. Explosions erupted constantly, and no one knew how to...

May has just begun, and Mother's Day is already next weekend! What a great opportunity to "check in" with the kids in your life -- whether you work with them or have them -- and enjoy some creative play together.

According to various studies, mothers' time spent with children benefits...

The state of the world has been on the mind of so many of the families I work with. Too many wars, too much aggression, too much not caring about each other and the planet. It's created an underlying anxiety even for the youngest kids who are exposed to the...

It's finally spring. The kids are out playing ball -- baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis -- anything to have fun and move. How would you like to help your child feel as successful as an Olympic athlete? Your child's love of a sport can motivate him to learn the same positive...

Spring is a time of new beginnings: flowers blooming and seeds blossoming into lush plants that we've nurtured and cultivated earlier. Spring can also be a time of renewal for our children, to open their hearts, to share their hopes, and to expand their dreams. We can guide our children...

First it was this monster earthquake, followed quickly by the tsunami. Now there's the possibility of nuclear disaster. Normally the effects of a trauma are related to how far away one is. But with TV bringing intense images right into our homes 24/7, we are all affected -- our children,...

Be kind to other people and they will treat you like you want.
-- Andy, age six

I'm getting a lot of flack about friends lately. Kids are complaining that they don't have any. Parents are concerned that their children don't have enough, or have too many disagreements with...

What better way to help a child find happiness than to start within -- being her own best friend. When your child has a best friend inside, she can be happy no matter what storms of life are outside. With a strong foundation of self-love and self-acceptance, kids learn to...