Lea Ray, LCSW

https://www.edweek.org/leadership/teen-brains-aged-prematurely-during-the-pandemic-schools-should-take-note/2022/12

Teen Brains Aged Prematurely During the Pandemic. Schools Should Take Note Researchers cite chronic stress during the pandemic for the phenomenon, which can affect mental health among youth.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVl-Rw1tqm1/

😱 Is there anything scarier than not feeling safe, respected, and having control over your own body?!? 👻 🗣 You’ve heard us say time and time again that CONSENT isn’t just about sex—it comes up in everyday situations all the time! You can use these moments to teach your child about consent throughout their childhood, and Halloween is no exception! 🎃 Whether you’re at home passing out candy or out trick-or-treating, make sure the message you’re sending to your kiddo is that *they* get to decide what happens with their own body and boundaries! ––– ParentsTogether is a parent-led nonprofit dedicated to helping families thrive. We help millions of families with our PARENTING TIPS AND EXPLAINERS while fighting for the issues that matter to families most like COVID RELIEF, EDUCATIONAL EQUITY, ONLINE SAFETY, and PARENTAL LEAVE. But, as a non-profit, we can’t do it without you. Please donate to ParentsTogether today! Your small contribution can make a huge difference. 💙 #parentstogether #consentmatters #consentculture #halloweenready #parentingtips #boundarie #kidsactivities #halloween #parentsofinstagram #parentingadvice #mindfulparenting #positiveparenting #raisingkids #consent #youthempowerment #halloweenfun

https://www.instagram.com/p/CfcL9OHu89f/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Has your child ever been bullied, or witnessed bullying? It can be heartbreaking for parents and kids alike, and it’s often difficult for kids to know how to respond. First, you can give them some basic tips for dealing with bullies, like: - Make sure they know that ignoring it or walking away is NOT weak, it signals that your child is unbothered. If it’s hard for them to stay composed, you can tell them to picture the bully’s words bouncing off them like a ball, or to count backwards from 100 while they walk. - Make eye contact if you speak to them. If that’s too uncomfortable, your child can look at the bully’s nose—they won’t be able to tell the difference. - Don’t insult the bully to try to “get back” at them, which will just rile them up more. - They can also do things like ask a teacher for help, or enlist a few friends to walk with them at times when the bully is usually around. In addition, if your child chooses to respond to the bully, it can help to practice some phrases with you at home until they feel comfortable—check out the ones we’ve shared here, and let us know what you’d add! Were you bullied as a child? Has your kiddo been bullied or teased? How did you handle it? --- #parentstogether #bullyingprevention #reparenting #respectfulparenting #parentingtips #empower #stopbullying #mindsetshift #parentsofinstagram #mindfulparenting #childdevelopment #raisingkids #consciousparenting #gentleparenting #antibullying #mindsetreset

https://www.learaylcsw.com/post/helping-your-child-handle-big-feelings-part-4-is-this-normal

Helping your child handle big feelings Part 4: Is this normal? I’ve established in my previous three blog posts that all children have big feelings. Developmentally, this is completely normal. Learning to calm down when you’re excited or upset is a developmental process just like gaining fine motor skills. But some children continue to have emotional meltdo...

https://www.learaylcsw.com/post/for-white-parents-how-to-talk-with-your-kids-about-racism

For white parents: how to talk with your kids about racism I am writing this blog for white parents because, as a white parent and white therapist, I know (some) about how white parents should approach this conversation. Black parents, and other parents of color, have very different conversations with their children and know far more about that topic than I...

https://www.learaylcsw.com/post/helping-your-child-handle-big-feelings-part-3-regulation-strategies

https://www.learaylcsw.com/post/helping-your-child-handle-big-feelings-part-2-temper-tantrums

https://www.learaylcsw.com/post/helping-your-child-handle-big-feelings-part-1

https://www.learaylcsw.com/post/the-national-emergency-in-children-s-mental-health

The national emergency in children's mental health In October, the American Academy of Pediatrics, along with the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Children’s Hospital Association, declared a state of national emergency in children’s mental health. In the declaration, they point out that mental health problems in childr...

https://www.learaylcsw.com/post/why-your-child-doesn-t-need-a-perfect-parent

https://www.learaylcsw.com/post/mindfulness-for-those-of-us-who-don-t-like-to-meditate

Mindfulness for those of us who don't like to meditate Mindfulness has gotten a lot of press in recent years. Celebrities are talking about it, classrooms and daycares are teaching it. It’s become an important component of many types of therapy. What is it, exactly? Here is a better overview than I can give. The super short version though, is that min...

https://www.learaylcsw.com/post/how-to-handle-child-behavior-problems-part-2

How to handle child behavior problems: Part 2 Last week, we talked about some positive strategies to address children’s behavior problems. As I mentioned last week, those strategies are the foundation of your parenting strategy. Discipline and consequences won’t be effective without the warm fuzzies. But consequences are also a necessary pi...