When you live with kids, your home is bound to get messy, and the more stuff they have, the more time you have to spend organizing it and cleaning it up. That’s why psychotherapist and mom of two Denaye Barahona prefers a less-is-more approach when it comes to buying and keeping kids’ clothes, toys and gear. When you “pare back on the amount of clutter in your life, you can focus on the most important…
Read More »in Events
There are many May activities for families to enjoy in the Boston area this year. Check out our list of May activities and events happening in the Boston area. Spring Garden Buds (Ages 3-5) at New England Botanic Garden Wed, May 6, 2026 – Wed, May 27, 2026 Geared for preschoolers, this program practices classroom readiness skills such as taking turns, raising hands, sharing, and expressing ideas. Each week explores a different seasonally appropriate theme.…
Read More »Friends and even acquaintances are important to our mental health. Friends increase feelings of happiness and buffer against those feelings of loneliness and social isolation, which are associated with an increased risk of depression. Teaching your child social skills may help them make friends more easily. It’s a skill that they’ll use their entire lives – throughout childhood, the teenage years and adulthood. To help your child build friendship skills, check out these four tips.…
Read More »in High School
From school to extracurricular activities to chores and homework, it’s an understatement to say that teens have a lot on their plates. Although it can be difficult to find the time, teaching practical time management skills is essential if you want them to be able to succeed in our fast-paced, technology-driven society. Here are some ideas for teaching teens time management skills. 1. Break up big tasks. When faced with a major, time-consuming task like…
Read More »in LGBTQ+
Adolescence is rarely easy, and LGBTQ+ youth may benefit from extra resources to thrive. Do you have LGBTQ+ youth in your life that you would like to support? Here are some resources that can help support mental health and overall wellbeing for LGBTQ+ youth. The Baker Center for Children and Families The Baker Center for Children and Families (also known as Judge Baker Children’s Center) promotes the best possible mental health of children and families…
Read More »When teens are disorganized, they can get overwhelmed by school. Multiple classes, deadlines, and projects in middle and high school can be tough to manage. Organization tips and strategies can help teens be more efficient and boost their confidence. Try these organization tips and tools to help your teen get organized — and stay organized. 1. Declutter messy rooms with office supplies. Show your teen how basic supplies can help keep stuff organized and easy…
Read More »in Education
People often mistake charter schools for private schools. In fact, they are public schools that are funded by the local government just like any other traditional public school. Unlike other public schools, they operate under a “charter,” or set of guiding principles, enforced by a governance council. The charter allows the school to be flexible and innovative with teaching methods while still meeting state education standards. Charters have been around since the 1970s, but official…
Read More »Many children struggle with learning disabilities that can hinder their ability to process and understand information. Dyscalculia is a developmental disorder that involves difficulty conceptualizing and performing mathematics. Kids with dyscalculia need extra support to help them stay on track in math class, handle homework, and deal with tests. Here are several practical ways that parents can help a child who struggles with dyscalculia. 1. Use manipulatives. Seeing and handling a tangible object will help…
Read More »There’s little debate among teachers that class size matters. One survey found that nine in ten teachers said that smaller classes would strongly boost student learning. “Huge class sizes are a challenge because it makes it hard to focus on individual students who are struggling or who are ready to go on to the next level,” one high school teacher explained. But some education policymakers and pundits remain skeptical, arguing that reducing class sizes is…
Read More »James Clear’s book, “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Ways to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones,” explores the underlying principles of habit formation and destruction and explains in simple steps how to change them. Intended for readers who have an appetite for altering their own habits, the book also provides tools for parents whose children need help adjusting theirs. If 40 to 50 percent of daily behavior is a function of habits, as…
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