Thoughts of a Therapist
3 Things You Can Do That Will Instantly Make You Happy
A Tribute to My Nephew Sammy Farkas As I write these words, I'm still completely overwhelmed with grief over the loss of my dear son, Sammy. He died one day before his 16th birthday. This tragedy began when he had gotten locked out of my apartment. As teenagers are...
A Homage to My Nephew: How Death Brings Us Closer to Truly Living Life
I’m on a plane heading back from my 15-year-old nephew’s funeral. He died a day shy of his 16th birthday. I am one of those fortunate individuals who never experienced the death of an immediate family member. I sadly anticipated the passing of my grandmothers in their...
How to Foster Gratitude in Your Children
In today’s world we have easy access to most things. It’s not surprising that kids may feel entitled and assume that they can easily get what they want, thus cultivating gratitude becomes even more important. Studies on gratitude prove its positive impact on many...
A Mindful Meditation for Parents: Coping With This Chaotic World
I have read articles recently describing how we are becoming immune to all the chaos. Although coping by way of cutting off my feelings could come in handy right about now, I’m finding it impossible to ignore or distract from them. Just as an atrocity passes, it seems...
How Our Society Is Creating Anxious Kids: The Challenges for Parents
I was asking my 10-year-old daughter what three wishes she would want if they were granted to her. She said to have a sister, to fly, and for the world to be free of very bad people. When she spoke about flying, I automatically assumed she wanted to fly so that she...
Getting Teens to Exercise: What Deters Them & How Parents Can Directly Help
With their rigorous schedules, teens experience sleep deprivation and rarely if ever get the eight to ten hours recommended by the National Sleep Foundation. They are also prone to gain weight due to the sleep deprivation, a surge in hormones and an increase in...
