by Staff Family time plays a vital role in building strong emotional connections and creating a sense of belonging. Spending quality time together allows family members to communicate openly, share experiences, and support one another through challenges. It helps children develop confidence, social skills, and a feeling of security, knowing they are valued and loved. …
By Alexis Molineux Gibbons, M.A., CCC-SLP Today’s world is filled with screens. Most homes contain a variety of smartphones, tablets, laptops, video game consoles and televisions. On average, American households have 17 screened internet connected devices, making them increasingly accessible to children of all ages. Screen time is not inherently bad, and can support education, …
By Melissa Wilson, LCSW One afternoon I received a slightly startled phone call from a neighbor. She explained that there were a kid and a dog in the field between our houses, wearing a backpack and carrying what looked like a homemade bow. “Oh yes,” I told her. “That’s my son. He’s out practicing with …
by Jason C. Peccia, MSC, LCPC No one signs up to be an inadequate parent. Parents face unforeseen challenges in their lives and in the lives of their children, all the while nagged with the thought, “Am I doing this right?” At the end of most days, parents are just trying to keep up with …
By Barbara Bessette, CPS Underage alcohol use is a serious health concern that affects millions of young people each year. Despite laws that set the legal drinking age at 21 in the United States, many adolescents still experiment with alcohol. This early exposure can lead to a range of negative consequences that impact physical health, …
by Susan Sheridan Tucker Gambling may not be the first risk that comes to mind when parents think about threats to their children’s well-being. Concerns such as alcohol, vaping or drug use often top the list. Yet youth gambling is a growing public health issue that often flies under the radar. While it may look …
<p><em>By Barbara Bessette, CPS</em></p> <p>Driving marks an important step toward independence for your child, but it also exposes teens to serious risks, one of the most dangerous being texting while driving. Despite widespread awareness campaigns, texting and driving remains a leading cause of accidents among young drivers. Understanding why teens take this risk, the actual …
By Alexis Molineaux Gibbons, M.A., CCC-SLP Even for the most skilled of us, navigating the social world can be difficult. As adults, we sometimes find ourselves “putting a foot in our mouth” or making a social “faux pas” or misstep. Social interaction requires that we not only understand what someone has said, but that we …
Read More “Navigating the “Hidden” Divide: Social Communication Disorders”
by Barbara Bessette, CPS Talking to your children about substances, whether it is alcohol, tobacco, vaping, cannabis, prescription medications, or illegal drugs, can feel overwhelming. You may worry about saying the wrong thing, making your child curious, or triggering defensiveness. According to SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), kids who have open, ongoing …
I dread this time of year. As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, my kids experience what I call the “winter blues.” While not as severe as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), these mild mood shifts—lower energy, irritability, decreased motivation, and a dip in enthusiasm— I found are surprisingly common. I researched some ways to …
