Understanding Children’s Grieving Children’s grief and grieving process is not well understood or supported even though there is some research and information on the subject. (An overview of evidence-based interventions for children and young people experiencing bereavement, loss and grief August 2020 DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.28840.08961) However between research completed, accepted children’s social emotional development theories, and children’s…

The Impact of Violence of Children
The Impact of Violence of Children Children are being raised in a number of violent situations from domestic violence in the home to street/gang violence in the neighborhood, to violence on the television and war around the world. All types of violence, whether watched on television or experienced first- hand, has damaging long term impact…

School Success and Mental Health
School Success and Mental Health We all know we perform better when we feel better; physically or mentally. Now research is supporting our natural instinct with studies documenting children/youth success in school with positive mental health. But what does that mean? What is positive mental health for children? Based on definitions by the leading mental…

The Importance of Dads
The Importance of Dads “I need a Daddy to be a Child” states 4 year old Tara. Tara lived with her mother and did not know about Daddies in a home until she visited a friend with two parents in the home. What did you do with my Daddy? Tara asked her Mother. Children know…

Have a Heart: Teaching and Cultivating Compassion
Have a Heart: Teaching and Cultivating Compassion When we show kindness, caring, and a willingness to help others, we are showing compassion. While often used interchangeable with sympathy being compassionate brings with it a desire to to assist someone else in a challenging situation rather than just feeling “pity”. We are all in need of compassion…

Helping Your Children Recover from a Catastrophic Event
Helping Your Children Recover from a Catastrophic Event by Paulina Rael Jaramillo As adults we have a history of loss, grief and recovery. We often use information based on past experiences to make determinations about the present situation and use logic to help us remain calm and resolve problems. Whereas, children lack experience and tend…

Redirecting “Bullying” Behavior through Family Connections
Redirecting “Bullying” Behavior through Family Connections It is in our human nature to seek out and thrive on connections with our families. Even in the most challenging family and living situations we draw on moments of positive, loving connections to sustain us. We crave and long for strong bonds with both our family of origin…

Family Separation: Is It Ever Justified?
Family Separation: Is It Ever Justified? Family members have been separated from each other for centuries and for various reasons. In past times Fathers have left to find work or fight wars. Adult children have left to seek new experiences and lives. Parents and/or children have died due to illness or living conditions. Political situations…

Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences
Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs is the most current exploration regarding the impact of trauma on children’s physical and mental health as well as the impact into adulthood. In Brief: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study assesses the effects of child abuse and related adverse childhood experiences as a public health…

A Time for Respect and Justice
A Time for Respect and Justice Much attention is being paid to the ideals of respect and justice for individuals and groups in the USA and around the world as our world, as we have known it, is changing with the onset of both natural and man directed events. Millions of people are being displaced…