With Father’s Day coming up this Sunday, it’s a good time to look at the important role fathers play in the lives of their children. In our culture, as in most, we tend to focus on the mother-child bond as primary, but fathers play just as important a role in the emotional well-being of their offspring. Sociologist Dr. David Popenoe, one of the pioneers in the field of research into...
June 1st marked the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season. Although it’s been nearly six years since Hurricane Sandy devastated many coastal areas of Long Island, the possibility is very real that we could face another similar crisis. Being prepared is essential—not only with enough batteries and food supplies, but also with the wisdom of how to help young people deal with the fear and trauma they may experience after...
A few years ago, in an effort to better understand where sex and social media intersect with respect to attitudes and behavior, The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy conducted a survey of teens and young adults. The study measured the proportion of them who are posting sexually suggestive text and images. There were a total of 1,280 respondents— 653 teens (ages 13-19) and 627 young adults (ages...
Last weekend’s royal wedding went off without a hitch. It was a beautiful day filled with many touching moments, and it will also be known as the most inclusive and diverse wedding in the history of the royal family. In the weeks and months to come, Prince Harry and Princess Meghan will likely be defining the role that they plan to take in terms of philanthropic efforts. But it’s clear that...
Memorial Day is a wonderful time to honor our veterans, and it also marks the beginning of the summer season. More cars are expected to be on the road this coming Memorial Day than ever, according to the American Automobile Association. The newest drivers on the road at any time of year are teenagers, and it’s your responsibility as a parent to teach them the rules of the road. First and...
While all kids benefit from their relationships with animals, animal-assisted therapy is an especially important tool for children and teens who are on the autism spectrum or who have other special needs or emotional issues such as depression, anxiety or social isolation. Pets help youngsters not only to feel loved, but also to help them open up, learn to bond and decrease their level of stress. When Bideawee visited North Shore...
It’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and one thing that has come a long way in recent years involves research on the brain’s development. Once upon a time, there was widespread belief that the human brain was fully developed by the time a child reached five or six years old. We know, for example, that the amygdala, the part of the brain that is responsible for instinctual reactions such as fear...
Most babies start to show an interest in the world and the people around them at a very young age. By their first birthday, typical toddlers look people in the eye, copy words, play games like peek-a-boo and engage in clapping, waving hello and good-bye, and other simple behaviors. But for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, the picture is often very different. According to the Centers for Disease Control and...
The birth of a new baby is a joyous event, but for some mothers, the situation is far more complex. While many women experience some mild mood changes during or after the birth of a child, 15% to 20% of women experience more significant symptoms of postpartum depression and other perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, according to Vanessa McMullan, LCSW, Supervisor at The Marks Family Right From The Start 0-3+ Center,...
When it comes to professional sports, talk is usually focused on performance stats, injuries and other game-related topics. Rarely is emotional well-being part of the discussion. But several NBA stars have opened up about their struggles with issues like depression and anxiety—a brave move in a culture that still tends to stigmatize mental health issues. An article on the NBA’s website focused on three star players: DeMar DeRosen, Kevin Love...