Navigating the End of the School Year: Supporting Children's and Teens' Mental Health
Deb DePolo Deb DePolo

Navigating the End of the School Year: Supporting Children's and Teens' Mental Health

As the school year comes to a close, children and teens often anticipate the freedom of summer. While this break can bring excitement, it can also trigger unexpected emotional challenges. Without daily routines and the social engagement that school provides, many young people may experience feelings of loneliness, boredom, or anxiety. Understanding these challenges and preparing for them is key to supporting your child’s mental health during this seasonal shift.

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Navigating Mother’s Day with Distant or Toxic Family Relationships
Deb DePolo Deb DePolo

Navigating Mother’s Day with Distant or Toxic Family Relationships

Mother’s Day is often portrayed as a joyful celebration of maternal love, gratitude, and family unity. However, for many people, this holiday can bring up feelings of anxiety, guilt, or emotional distress—especially if they have a strained or toxic relationship with their mother or other family members.  For those navigating complicated family dynamics, the day can feel more like an emotional minefield than a celebration. If you find yourself dreading this day rather than looking forward to it, you’re not alone. Managing Mother’s Day under these circumstances requires intentionality, boundaries, and self-compassion.

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Swimsuit Season is Here: How to Overcome Personal Body Shaming
Deb DePolo Deb DePolo

Swimsuit Season is Here: How to Overcome Personal Body Shaming

With the arrival of swimsuit season there tends to be an uptick in an awareness of our bodies and sometimes, this awareness, leads to shame. Self-shaming begins with thoughts of being: too thin, too boney, too fat, too pale, too many freckles, too many varicose veins, and the list goes on.  The idea of wearing less coverage in the form of a bathing suit creates worry and anxiety as we realize that other people will see our perceived flaws.  This blog post will help you work towards overcoming the shame you have surrounding your body so that you are no longer held back by the thought of wearing a bathing suit.

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Navigating the Parent-Child Relationship as Adults: Boundaries, Communication, and Compassion
Deb DePolo Deb DePolo

Navigating the Parent-Child Relationship as Adults: Boundaries, Communication, and Compassion

As we grow older, the dynamic between us and our parents naturally begins to shift. What was once a clear parent-child hierarchy often transforms into something more complex—especially as parents age, roles reverse, and emotional patterns from decades past resurface. Many adult children find themselves struggling to manage a relationship that feels increasingly difficult, emotionally draining, or just… complicated. Whether it’s dealing with outdated expectations, boundary-pushing behavior, or heightened dependency, it can be tough to know how to balance love with self-preservation. How do you remain connected to your parents without losing yourself?

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How to Overcome a Lack of Motivation
Deb DePolo Deb DePolo

How to Overcome a Lack of Motivation

We all hit those periods when getting out of bed feels like a monumental task, and our to-do lists seem to grow while our energy dwindles. A lack of motivation can stem from various sources—stress, burnout, fear of failure, or simply feeling overwhelmed. The good news? You can break free from that slump with the right strategies.

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Drinking in College: Knowing When Enough is Enough
Deb DePolo Deb DePolo

Drinking in College: Knowing When Enough is Enough

Drinking alcohol is a common social activity in many college settings. With newfound freedom and independence, students often encounter environments where alcohol is readily available. Although drinking can be a part of the college experience, it is crucial to recognize when to stop. Understanding the risks associated with excessive drinking and knowing one’s limits can help students maintain a healthy balance between socializing and personal well-being.

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Maintaining Positive Mental Health During the Long Winter: Tips for Staying Well
Deb DePolo Deb DePolo

Maintaining Positive Mental Health During the Long Winter: Tips for Staying Well

Winter can be beautiful, but it also brings challenges to our mental well-being. The long, cold months and the limited daylight can make it hard to maintain a positive outlook, especially if you're prone to feeling down during this time of year. However, there are several strategies to stay mentally healthy and keep your spirits high throughout the winter months.

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Supporting Children and Teens with Germaphobia During Cold and Flu Season
Deb DePolo Deb DePolo

Supporting Children and Teens with Germaphobia During Cold and Flu Season

As the cold and flu season rolls in, many children and teens are grappling with heightened anxiety about germs and illness. While it’s completely normal for kids to worry about catching a cold or the flu, some may experience a level of fear or obsession about germs that goes beyond the occasional sniffle. This fear, often known as “germaphobia,” can create significant distress and impact daily life, particularly when kids begin avoiding social situations, school, or even touching everyday objects due to fears of contamination.

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Navigating the New Political Climate: Embracing Differing Opinions with Respect and Positivity
Brielle Smith Brielle Smith

Navigating the New Political Climate: Embracing Differing Opinions with Respect and Positivity

In today's increasingly polarized political climate, engaging with differing opinions has become a delicate art. With social media amplifying divisive rhetoric and ideologies becoming more entrenched, finding ways to engage in productive conversations is essential for both personal growth and fostering a healthier society. This blog explores how to deal with differing opinions positively, emphasizing respect, empathy, and active listening.

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Helping Your College Student Navigate Stress During Finals Week
Brielle Smith Brielle Smith

Helping Your College Student Navigate Stress During Finals Week

Finals week can be one of the most stressful times for college students. Between the pressure of exams, final projects, and the constant worry about grades, it's easy for students to feel overwhelmed. As a parent, you may not be able to take the exams for them, but you can provide critical support.

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Understanding and Supporting Children with Emetophobia: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
Yvonne Koons Yvonne Koons

Understanding and Supporting Children with Emetophobia: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

Emetophobia, the intense fear of vomiting or seeing others vomit, can significantly impact a child's quality of life. Though less frequently discussed compared to other anxieties, this phobia is not uncommon and can lead to severe distress. Understanding this condition and knowing how to provide effective support can make a crucial difference in a child's well-being.

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Helping Anxious Children Prepare for a New School Year
Yvonne Koons Yvonne Koons

Helping Anxious Children Prepare for a New School Year

As summer winds down and a new school year approaches, many parents face the challenge of helping their anxious children transition smoothly back into the school routine. For children with anxiety, this transition can be particularly daunting, but with the right strategies, parents can make a significant difference.

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Be Kind...To Yourself!
Yvonne Koons Yvonne Koons

Be Kind...To Yourself!

Google kindness and you will find a plethora of quotes from the greats such as Maya Angelou, Mark Twain and many other recognizable names. My guess is that when you read quotes such as these, or words of wisdom from the Bible, you are thinking about the kindness you would like to show to others.

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Setting Healthy Boundaries in Relationships and Marriages
Yvonne Koons Yvonne Koons

Setting Healthy Boundaries in Relationships and Marriages

Boundaries are the invisible lines that define what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior in a relationship. They serve as guidelines that protect each partner’s emotional, physical, and mental well-being (Russo, Ollier-Malaterre, Kossek, & Ohana, 2018).

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