Dr. William Stixrud’s Self-Driven Child approach challenges the traditional, performance-driven parenting style by focusing on fostering unconditional love and self-confidence in kids. He explains that when we tie approval to achievements like grades or sports, kids can feel like they must earn our love.
Instead, expressing confidence in their ability to navigate challenges sends a powerful message: You are loved for who you are, not what you do. This builds trust and resilience, helping kids thrive in their unique way.

Wondering what to get your bright and quirky child this holiday season?
I have fond memories of hunting down the perfect thing depending on my kids’ ages and stages of development, like marble runs, games, things for fort building, Lego sets and more.
This year, community member Morgan Jackson shares some hot-off-the-presses exciting new ideas that you may not have heard about yet.

In the spirit of the season, we wanted to share some simple gratitude practices that can boost your happiness, strengthen your relationships, and even improve your health! Gratitude isn’t just about saying thank you—it’s about seeing the world through a more positive lens. Research shows gratitude can create an upward spiral of well-being, leading to…

Do you ever ask yourself when parenting your bright and quirky child: when should I support them and when should I push them? Occupational therapist Olivia Martinez-Hauge, MTFA, OTR hears that question a lot because our kids are complex! Listen as Olivia shares thoughts about understanding a child’s capacity, creating a just-right challenge, and empowering your child to ask for help when needed.

When anxious thoughts arise in your mind, there’s a part of you that is trying to keep you safe.
The only problem is that often, the reality of the situation is far less dangerous or scary.
Luckily, there’s something you and your child can do to put unhelpful anxious thoughts in their place.
Listen as psychologist Matt Zakreski, PsyD shares this hilarious and helpful tip!

Does your child ever come up against the “wall of awful?” The wall of awful is when we have so much to do, and it’s so overwhelming, that hopelessness and “why bother” start to creep in.  It’s when we see a pattern of incomplete assignments, under-achievement, school resistance, students checking out and shutting down. The…

Is your child or teen highly sensitive, avoidant, or resistant to the everyday demands of home or school? Often it shows up as tantrums or defiance, but under the surface it may have more to do with a hypersensitive threat detection system in the brain. Listen as autistic mother, educator, and advocate Kristy Forbes describes…