When kids feel and express gratitude, they experience more happiness, optimism and trust. Dr. Bilge-Johnson offers 7 ways you can help kids foster more gratitude, appreciation and joy.
Ten ways to teach gratitude in the early years
Gratitude is about focusing on what’s good in our lives and being thankful for the things we have. Gratitude is pausing to notice and appreciate the things we often take for granted. Gratitude is about taking a moment to reflect on how fortunate we are when something good happens — whether big or small. With […]
3 questions to ask kids about their social media accounts
As parents, it’s important to keep an open, honest and nonjudgmental dialogue about important aspects of your teen’s life — and that should include social media. But Laura Markley, MD, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and pediatrician in Akron Children’s Lois and John Orr Family Behavioral Health Center, reminds parents to keep the conversation light […]
New behavioral health centers now serving patients close to home
As we continue to prioritize pediatric mental and behavioral health in the communities we serve, our newest behavioral health centers in Canton and Mansfield are now open. Our first regional behavioral health center opened in Boardman in 2019. These facilities bring most of the pediatric behavioral health services available at our Akron campus close to […]
The “terrible 2s” and tools to survive them
We’ve all heard about — and experienced — the terrible 2s. The frequent meltdowns, temper tantrums and misbehavior at a whim. Kids this age are so eager to explore the world and test their surroundings that when they hit a roadblock, such as mom’s concern for their safety or their inability to score a goal, […]
Grappling with your teen’s phone addiction
The world can be a lonely place without a cellphone. So lonely that some kids have trouble being by themselves or connecting with the world without a screen and touch pad. “With most teens, you can’t separate them from their phones,” said Dr. Sumru Bilge-Johnson, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Akron Children’s. “Children and teens, […]
