3 Things to Do if You're Raising an Anxious Child

March 16, 2022 Madeleine Vieira

The past couple of years have been hard on all of us. But if you’re a parent, you’re a real hero. Working and parenting from home—all while tackling crippling pandemic anxiety—has become the new norm for many people.

And your children are likely feeling anxious too. They may not use the exact phrase “I’m anxious,” but the pandemic hasn’t been easy on anyone. And they probably don’t even have the words to describe exactly what they’re feeling.

So it’s up to you to notice and tackle the issue head on.

Is the question, “Mom, what if…?” followed by the disaster of the day on repeat in your household?

How To Handle Separation Anxiety Disorder In Your Child: 3 Practical Tips and Strategies

March 16, 2022 Madeleine Vieira

Girl anxious to separate from her mother

For some children and parents, the drop-off at daycare or school is the worst part of the day. Every. Single. Day.

There are even children that struggle with their parents or caregivers leaving the room or being out of eyesight.

This level of separation anxiety can be mentally and emotionally for both parties.

If this is you, take a deep breath. I’m here to tell you that there are ways to help your child gain a sense of security and be more comfortable. Let’s walk through the signs, causes, and treatments of separation anxiety disorder together. You can do this!

Infant Development: 7 to 9 Month Old Milestones and How to Support Your Child's Development

March 1, 2022 Madeleine Vieira

And just like that, your baby is 7 months old and already more than halfway to his first birthday! Gone are the days where you could introduce him to strangers without much of a fuss—you may find he’s clingier than you’re used to and doesn’t like to be separated from you. 7 months also marks a more mobile and inquisitive time—say goodbye to letting him play quietly in one spot while you go about your day. Baby proofing the house becomes a must at this stage if you haven’t already. Pro tip: get on your hands and knees to see things from the baby’s vantage point to make your home as safe as possible for your little one.

Mental Illness in Children: Is It Just a Phase or Something More?

February 22, 2022 Madeleine Vieira

When you hear the phrase “mental illness” what comes to mind? If you think about managing your own mental health or the psychological issues other adults in your life are navigating, you’re not alone.

Often mental health—and on the flipside, mental illness—are seen as things only adults have to manage. But the truth is, one in six children will experience a mental health disorder in any given year.1

The number of children and teens battling mental health issues without proper treatment is staggering.

The teenage years are hard enough as it is—on both teens and parents. What with the raging hormones, the increased importance of friends over family, and the pressures to perform well in school—it’s easy to chalk up mood swings or changes in behavior to growing up.

The Winter Blues: How Seasonal Affective Disorder Can Affect Children

February 21, 2022 Madeleine Vieira

Small boy reaching for a leaf in the snow

Winter. The days are shorter. It gets dark before dinner is finished. It’s hard to get outside. There are so many dreary, overcast, no-sunshine-in-sight days.

Winter also contains some of the most fun activities of the year. Building snowmen and drinking hot cocoa to warm up afterwards. Enjoying holiday traditions and seeing your child’s face light up as they open gifts. The list could go on and on.

Many people, though, find the weather and darkness of winter to be a difficult time of year. Even children can struggle with the changing of the seasons. But when sadness in winter becomes severe, the person may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.

Infant Development: 0 to 6 Month Old Milestones and How to Support Development as a Parent

February 14, 2022 Madeleine Vieira

If you’re a parent or caregiver, you’ve probably heard about childhood developmental milestones from doctors and teachers or other professionals who work with kids. Everyone who spends time with young children on a regular basis is looking for evidence that their development is on track.

Maybe you’ve already spent a lot of time reading about infant and early childhood development. Or maybe the idea of age-appropriate milestones is new to you. Keeping track of milestones—when there are so many of them to look out for—can feel overwhelming. But monitoring your child’s development—and engaging with them in ways that contribute to their learning and growth—is so important.

Children’s Mental Health Week Empowers Growth and Reflection On Your Child’s Mental Health Journey

February 9, 2022 Madeleine Vieira

Mental health can often feel like a topic that is hard to tackle. And it can feel especially difficult to discuss with children.

It’s hard to know what terms to use, how to make the conversation developmentally appropriate, and how to not overwhelm them with information.

But we know that it is so important to have conversations on mental health. We know that approximately one in six children between the ages of two and eight have a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder (1).

Childhood Anxiety vs. Adult Anxiety: How Anxiety in Children Looks Different

February 1, 2022 Madeleine Vieira

Socially anxious child covering their face

Anxiety disorders are some of the most common mental health conditions today.

7.1% of children aged 3-17 years have an anxiety diagnosis.(1) And it's estimated that 30% of children and adolescents will have an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.(2)

Anxiety disorders can develop at any age, though we know that half of mental health disorders begin in childhood. While both children and adults can struggle with an anxiety disorder, there are some key differences in how these disorders present themselves.

5 Tips for Meeting the Emotional Needs of a Child and Helping Them Thrive

January 17, 2022 Madeleine Vieira

Are you a parent and sometimes unsure how to meet the emotional needs of your child?

You’re not alone.

It’s often easier to provide our little ones with clothes, food, education and a place to rest their heads than to tend to their feelings.

Because let’s be honest, buying your child ice cream is way more straightforward.

So, here are 5 tips to help you meet the emotional needs of children in a way that supports their growth…

How to Best Handle Toddler Tantrums and Help Your Child Regulate Their Emotions

January 17, 2022 Madeleine Vieira

What Is a Temper Tantrum?

You’re a parent—you’ve seen it all. The arched back, the flailing fits, clenched fists, screaming, crying—toddler temper tantrums can be brutal, even though they are extremely common in kids age 1-3. They can also be embarrassing for you as a parent.

But temper tantrums are actually an opportunity for you to understand your child better and help them learn emotional regulation…

Infant Attachment: Understanding Your Baby’s Needs, Emotions, and Behavior

January 17, 2022 Madeleine Vieira

“He’s a mama’s boy.”

“She just loves her Nana.”

“She is attached to her daddy’s side as soon as he’s home.”

I’m sure you’ve heard parents say each of these phrases. Some just think we’re talking about a baby’s favorite person. But in psychology, those statements are talking about attachment. Attachment is the bond and relationship between infants and their caregivers. Positive attachment is absolutely essential to healthy development in infants and children.

But what exactly are attachment styles and how can you foster healthy attachment in your baby? Read on to find out!