by Kelsey Rasmussen Put bluntly: Safeguards to keep children safe online are inadequate. Dr. Lauren Girouard, an expert in digital literacy and psychology, explains this in her public lecture “Exploring Digital Privacy from a Child’s Perspective,”during the University of Michigan’s Privacy@Michigan series. Despite parents’ eagerness to protect their children online, Dr. Girouard reports 20% don’t […]

by Kelsey Rasmussen I could have been great at chess. Maybe. We’ll never know because I refused to play chess with my brother. If you always lose at something, you tend not to like it. Being three years younger, I never even had a chance. Younger siblings—you know what I mean. You may have had […]

by Kelsey Rasmussen In July, sun-kissed children ride bikes, splash in pools and lakes, and run with the fireflies until it finally gets dark. In July, we don’t bother with a Hallmark holiday to remind us of warmth and love. But this is February, and February is different. We’re doing our best. Sometimes our best […]

by Tiffany Snyder The last time this column focused on creativity (SCN, October 2018 edition), we debunked the myth that creativity is inherited. Practicing a growth mindset, persevering through feelings of incompetence, and investing time in any pursuit will improve skills. Modeling use of our creativity develops self-directed, emotionally regulated, engaged, and connected children.  Using […]

The Art of Repair: Building bridges after conflict by Kelsey Rasmussen  Somewhere along the line, I’ve learned that gratitude is the antidote to anxiety, and curiosity is the antidote to judgment. Drs. John and Julie Gottman describe repair as the secret ingredient for relationships to thrive. In previous months, we’ve shared some research-based wisdom from […]

by Leanne Trapp Let’s face it, raising a teen is not for the weak. With all of the hormonal imbalances, mood swings, social challenges and changes happening in their lives, it can be extremely hard to connect with them. However, that is exactly what they crave. Connection. To feel included, heard, loved. They need real […]

The power of the pause: Taking breaks can strengthen family bonds by Kelsey Rasmussen This month we’ll return to reviewing “And Baby Makes Three” by Drs. John and Julie Gottman. In May, Dr. Erin Clifton explained what the Gottmans call the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, or how toxic communication habits can quietly erode a […]

by Dr. Erin Clifton We live in a world of constant change and hurrying, so we decided to slow down, take a breath, and dive deeper into something mentioned previously in this column. Think about how parenting advice and practices seem ever changing. Think about how you have evolved over the decades. Having a clear […]

by Kelsey Rasmussen Last June, this column was honored to celebrate Father’s Day with a reflection on fatherhood by longtime community member and Stockbridge Jr./Sr. High School social worker John Twining. John was a dedicated family man, a highly regarded and respected peer, and a fatherly role model to countless students. He will be truly missed. […]