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Emotions & Behavior

  • 3 Ways to Help When Kids Feel Lonely

    When kids feel lonely, you can help them feel better by building social connection. Here's how.

  • A Parent's Guide to Surviving the Teen Years

    You've lived through 2 AM feedings, toddler temper tantrums, and the back-to-school blues. So why is the word "teenager" causing you so much anxiety?

  • About Teen Suicide

    When a teen commits suicide, everyone is affected. The reasons behind a suicide or attempted suicide can be complex, but often there are warning signs.

  • ADHD

    ADHD is a common medical condition that can affect kids at school, at home, and in friendships. Learn more about ADHD and how to help kids get the best diagnosis and care.

  • ADHD and School

    ADHD can affect a child's ability to do well in school and even make friends. This article for parents has tips on working with teachers to help your child succeed.

  • ADHD Medicines

    Medicine doesn’t cure ADHD. But it does help boost a child's ability to pay attention, slow down, and have more self-control. This article for parents has details on how ADHD medicines help.

  • Binge Eating Disorder

    Kids who eat unusually large amounts of food - and feel guilty or secretive about it - could be struggling with binge eating disorder.

  • Biting

    There are ways to get to the bottom of your toddler's biting habit. These steps can help.

  • Breath-Holding Spells

    Kids who have these spells hold their breath until they pass out. Although upsetting to watch, the spells are not harmful and do not pose any serious, long-term health risks.

  • Compulsive Exercise

    Even though exercise has many positive benefits, too much can be harmful. Teens who exercise compulsively are at risk for both physical and psychological problems.

  • Cutting and Self-Harm

    Some teens and even pre-teens hurt themselves on purpose. Find out why some cut or do other types of self-injury and how to help.

  • Delayed Speech or Language Development

    Knowing how speech and language develop can help you figure out if you should be concerned or if your child is right on schedule.

  • Disciplining Your Child

    It's important to be consistent about discipline. If you don't stick to the rules and consequences, kids aren't likely to either. Find out how to vary your approach to fit your family.

  • Helping Kids Cope With Cliques

    With cliques prevalent in middle and high school, most kids encounter them at some point. Here's how parents can help kids maintain confidence and self-respect while dealing with cliques.

  • Helping Kids Deal With Bullies

    Unfortunately, bullying is a common part of childhood. But parents can help kids cope with it and lessen its lasting impact.

  • Helping Teens Who Self-Harm

    Cutting and other forms of self-injury among teens have become more common in recent years. Learn how to help a teen who self-harms.

  • Helping Your Child Heal After Trauma

    Kids can recover after trauma with help from therapy and extra support and comfort from parents.

  • How Can Social Connection Help Kids & Teens Feel Less Lonely?

    Social connection helps kids feel less lonely. Learn more.

  • Is Head Banging Normal?

    Find out what the experts have to say.

  • Kids and Smoking

    The health risks of smoking are well known, many young people still do it. Here's how to help your kids avoid smoking or quit, if they've already started.

  • Meal Support for Eating Disorders (Video)

    Help your child develop a healthier relationship with food by working with the care team and being supportive during mealtimes.

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

    OCD causes upsetting thoughts (obsessions) and the urge to do "ritual" behaviors (compulsions). Kids and teens get stuck in a stressful cycle of these thoughts, anxiety, and rituals. OCD can get better with the right attention and care.

  • Parenting a Child With ADHD

    Parenting is as important as any other part of ADHD treatment. The way parents respond can make ADHD better (or worse). This article has parenting tips to help kids improve and do well.

  • Parenting a Teen With ADHD

    Parenting is as important as any other part of ADHD treatment. The way parents respond can make ADHD better (or worse). This article has parenting tips to help teens improve and do well.

  • Pica

    Some young kids have the eating disorder pica, which is characterized by cravings to eat nonfood items.

  • Sexting: What Parents Need to Know

    Sexting could haunt a teen for the rest of his or her life. Here's what parents need to know.

  • Soiling (Encopresis)

    If your child has bowel movements in places other than the toilet, you know how frustrating it can be. Many kids who soil beyond the years of toilet teaching have a condition known as encopresis.

  • Steroids

    Get the facts about steroids, their side effects, and why kids and teens might try them.

  • Stuttering

    Many young kids go through a stage when they stutter. Stuttering usually goes away on its own but in some cases lasts longer.

  • Talking to Your Child About Drugs

    Help protect kids against drug use by giving them the facts before they're in a risky situation.

  • Talking to Your Kids About Alcohol

    As much as parents may not like to think about it, the truth is that many kids and teens try alcohol before it is legal for them to drink it. Here's an age-based guide on how to talk to them about it.

  • Taming Tempers

    Controlling outbursts can be hard for kids - and helping them learn to do so is a tough job for their parents. But just about every child can improve with the right coaching.

  • Teaching Kids Not to Bully

    Whether bullying is physical or verbal, if it's not stopped it can lead to more aggressive antisocial behavior - and interfere with a child's success in school and ability to form and sustain friendships.

  • Teaching Your Child Self-Control

    Tantrums and outbursts can rile even the most patient parents. Helping kids learn self-control teaches them how to respond to situations without just acting on impulse.

  • Teaching Your Child to Be a Good Sport

    One of the most important goals of kids' sports is helping children develop a sense of good sportsmanship. Here's how to set a good example for your kids.

  • Temper Tantrums

    Temper tantrums range from whining and crying to screaming, kicking, hitting, and breath holding. Get the facts on managing - and preventing - temper tantrums.

  • Therapy for ADHD

    Therapy is part of the treatment for most kids and teens diagnosed with ADHD. This article helps parents learn what to expect and how therapy works.

  • Toilet Training

    Even before your child is ready to try the potty, you can prepare your little one by teaching about the process. Here are some tips.

  • Understanding Cliques

    Cliques are tight groups that usually have a strict code of membership and ways to act. Most focus on maintaining their status and popularity. Here's what parents should know.

  • Understanding Your Child’s Eating Disorder (Video)

    An eating disorder affects the way people think about food and eating. This leads to behaviors that harm physical and mental health. Anyone can develop an eating disorder. Learn more in this video.

  • Your Child's Habits

    Nail biting, hair twirling, thumb sucking, and nose picking - these childhood habits are common. Here's how to deal with them.

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