3 Ways to Develop your Child’s Healthy Independence

As your child seeks independence, you may be asking yourself "What's the right balance?" Creating more independence is often a topic in family therapy and in therapy with teens. For parents, the struggle lies in giving your children enough space to make mistakes that they can learn from AND not so much space that it risks your child getting seriously hurt. It’s not easy to find middle ground between your child’s needs to be independent and venture out and your need to keep your child forever safe and close. So how do you strike a balance? Where is the line between creating independence and promoting safety? Here are 3 tips on how to approach this topic in your family discussions…

Setting Healthy Boundaries

We all have boundaries, or limits that we establish for ourselves. Setting boundaries is the way we communicate what is okay and what is not okay in our relationships and friendships. Knowing what your boundaries are and what you are comfortable with in your life is very important for your safety and your self-respect. If you know what you are okay with, then you know to speak your mind when you don’t want to engage in something or with someone that creates uncertainty. You can assert your boundaries in a number of different ways. Here are a few examples…

3 Tips for Avoiding Burn Out

If you are not intentional about taking care of yourself, you may end up feeling burned out. Burnout can be defined as “exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation, usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration” (Merriam Webster).

Some of the signs of burn out include: poor concentration, exhaustion, insomnia, irritability, fatigue, anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, and lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed. Read on for some helpful tips for avoiding burn out...

Helpful Tips