Tips for single moms to live well, manage stress, and give their children a sense of self-worth and stability.
Kids & Families
“Me-Time” for Moms and Fun Time for Kids
By Bette J. Freedson, LCSW, LICSW Moms need time to replenish their energies and enthusiasm. Children benefit from learning to spend independent time. In training the kids to play alone, and give Mom time she needs for herself, keep these guidelines in mind: Age 1:...
Sexual Abuse Q&A
The most important thing I tell parents is: Believe your child! Red flags that I look for if I suspect abuse are: sudden changes in behavior such as nightmares or extreme fears without obvious explanations.
Five Most Common Parenting Mistakes and Their Fixes
By Bette J. Freedson, LCSW, LICSW Introduction The most important pothole mistake is expecting yourself to be perfect. You will fall into these from time to time. Every parent does. Not to worry. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and use the fixes most of the time....
Three Questions about Child and Adolescent Resilience
By Elizabeth K. Anthony, PhD, MSW, MA Introduction Dr. Elizabeth K. Anthony is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Arizona State University and holds an M.S.W. and Ph.D. in Social Work and an M.A. in Counseling. She has been working with...
11 Tips for Single Parents
By Bette J. Freedson, LCSW, LICSW Being a parent might be the most important job in the world; and being a single parent is even tougher! As a single mother who successfully raised two daughters, and as a social worker helping single moms and dads every day, I can...
Help for Spouses of Combat Veterans With PTSD
War is a bad thing and terrible things happen. That doesn’t make your vet bad. Listen if he talks about the war.
The Needs of Families of Fallen Iraq Veterans
By L.B (LeslieBeth) Wish, EdD, MSS Sally had been a soldier's wife for all twelve years of their marriage. She endured separations while her husband, Tom, was called to duty, and she toughed out raising twin boys alone. Sally said Tom loved her because, in his words,...
Adolescent Cancer Survivors and Substance Abuse Risk
By Barbara Jones, PhD, Jessica Parker-Raley, MA, and Elizabeth C. Pomeroy, PhD, LCSW Introduction Adolescent Cancer Survivors Face Physical and Psychological Challenges Adolescent Cancer Suvivors and Substance Use Research Findings Implications for Social...
How to Manage Interfaith Holidays
By L.B. (LeslieBeth) Wish, Ed.D, MSS Introduction It's that time of year again. She wants a Christmas tree, he says, "Not in my house." There are many variations on these differences in holiday rituals, but the source of the problem is the same—the couple's...
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Recent Articles
How to Cope with Race-Based Stress
By Crystal Mullens-Johnson, LCSW Systemic racism, social injustice, oppression, voter suppression and police brutality have negatively impacted the mental health of people who are Black and other races for generations. Trauma witnessed and experienced is very personal...
Self-Care and Mindfulness in Trying Times
Self-care, when practiced daily, can improve the health of individuals, families and communities. What is self-care, and how do we fit it into an already busy life? Self-care falls into several categories: Self-care at work enable a person to work at a consistently...
Preparing Your Family for a Pandemic
By Lynn Hagan, PsyD, LCSW Disasters, including pandemics, can be frightening. When a pandemic occurs, anticipate that families’ routines may not only be interrupted but the family will experience isolation to prevent spread of the disease. Preparing, both mentally,...