10 Lessons From the Happiest People In the World

/ Thrive Therapy/
10 Lessons From the Happiest People In the World

Last month’s release of The Blue Zones of Happiness, by Dan Buettner, and this month’s cover article in National Geographic, “These Are The World’s Happiest Places”, by the same author, have sparked an international conversation about the effect of location on happiness.

Could moving somewhere else be enough to make me happy?

Is the secret to happiness actually location, location, location?

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Understanding Millennials Part 2– What Are The Differences Between Older and Younger Millennials, and Who Are The Xennials?

/ Thrive Therapy/
Understanding Millennials Part 2– What Are The Differences Between Older and Younger Millennials, and Who Are The Xennials?

Millennials are getting a lot of bad press lately. They’ve been labeled The Narcissistic Generation. Generation Me. The Snowflakes.

Everyone seems to have an opinion about Millennials, and the older they are, the less they can distinguish among Gen X, Older Millennials, younger Millennials, and the youngest generation, iGen, or Generation Z. And who are these "Xennials"?

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5 Reasons Why Your Millennial Children are Struggling with Adulthood– Understanding Millennials Part 1

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5 Reasons Why Your Millennial Children are Struggling with Adulthood– Understanding Millennials Part 1

Millennials are shaping our culture today. They have outpaced the Baby Boomers in population, and as their buying power continues to grow, they will increasingly become the driving force behind technology and marketing... If you are a Baby Boomer, you need to understand what is going on with these young people. What are the unique challenges they face, and how are they affecting our culture? If you are a parent of a Millennial, you need to know the reasons why their young adulthood is so different from the way yours was.

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Why Won't My Teenager Talk to Me?

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Why Won't My Teenager Talk to Me?

One reason– they're tired! Not what you thought I'd say? Ha! Read on...When do teens want to talk to their parents? 10:00 pm. That’s right. Just when you are ready to collapse, exhausted, into bed, your teen will knock on your bedroom door with an innocuous question. If you are coherent enough to carry on a conversation, and can stay calm, the best thing you can do is respond with an attitude of “tell me more”. This late hour (late for you, it’s still early for them) is your best time to get them to open up.

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Should I Let My Teenager Watch 13 Reasons Why?

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Should I Let My Teenager Watch 13 Reasons Why?

Well, the better question probably is, "How do I talk to my teenager about the show 13 Reasons Why?"... I will give you resources in this blog, and there are many other resources available depending on your specific mental health concern. You can be fully prepared to deal with the questions and feelings that may be triggered in your teenager by this show.

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5 Reasons Why Your Teenagers Tell Me Everything

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5 Reasons Why Your Teenagers Tell Me Everything

Teenagers routinely open their hearts to me, and I am honored to hold their secrets and dreams, their disappointments and their fears. Parents often ask me, “How do you get my kid to talk to you? They won’t tell me anything!” I tell them not to worry, it’s always easier to talk to an adult who is not your parent. But why is that, really? Here are 5 reasons why teenagers talk to me. If you are a parent, maybe this can help you get your teenager to talk to you, too!

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The 5 Most Effective Ways for Dads to Communicate with Their Teenage Daughters

/ Thrive Therapy/
The 5 Most Effective Ways for Dads to Communicate with Their Teenage Daughters

Now that your daughter is a teenager, she wants to solve her own problems...Though it’s hard to imagine, she actually does want your approval and even your help. It’s just that what makes her feel safe is different, now that she is a teenager. Here’s how to be her hero, now that she is a teenager and has teenage problems.

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How Do I Get My Teenager to Stop Arguing About the Rules?

/ Thrive Therapy/
How Do I Get My Teenager to Stop Arguing About the Rules?

It’s a trick- they won’t stop! In fact, teenagers get a buzz from arguing with you. The good news is that teenage brains are wired to challenge authority, so if your teenager is arguing with you, you know their brain is working and developing just like it is supposed to do... But your brain is probably exhausted! Here are some ways you can get your teenager to stop arguing and start following the rules.

 

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Back-to-School - 5 Ways to Save Your Sanity and Support Your Millennial When They Head to College or Grad School.

/ Thrive Therapy/
Back-to-School - 5 Ways to Save Your Sanity and Support Your Millennial When They Head to College or Grad School.

I just spent the past 10 days driving across the country and setting up my second-born in her apartment in Connecticut as she gets ready to begin grad school. Hayley is one of four kids, so this is not my first rodeo. Nonetheless, as we said our tearful good-byes, I was reminded of how parenting is a job that remains complicated long after the kids leave home.

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What’s Wrong With the Media Response to Logic’s Powerful Anthem to Suicide Prevention, “1-800-273-8255”?

/ Thrive Therapy/
What’s Wrong With the Media Response to Logic’s Powerful Anthem to Suicide Prevention, “1-800-273-8255”?

The subject of suicide is again a hot topic in the media and in our high schools.

Sunday night featured the MTV Video Music Awards, and the song called “1-800-273-8255”, by the rapper Logic, blew up the show. The song is about someone who is having thoughts about suicide, and calls the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.This song sends a vital message about suicide, and its tremendous popularity is testament to the fact that it strikes a chord with many people.

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Back-To-School Part 4 – Is Instagram Bad For My Teenager?

/ Thrive Therapy/
Back-To-School Part 4 – Is Instagram Bad For My Teenager?

When your teenager hears the ping of an incoming message, they are metaphorically “salivating” for the social connection that is their deepest desire.

Given that our teenagers are undoubtedly going to use social media, what can we do to teach them about the healthiest ways to use Instagram and other media and apps on their phones?

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Back-To School Part 3 – How Do I Get My Teenager To Talk To Me? – 50 Conversation Starters for Parents of Teens

/ Thrive Therapy/
Back-To School Part 3 – How Do I Get My Teenager To Talk To Me? – 50 Conversation Starters for Parents of Teens

Getting a teenager to talk to you can be tough! “What did you do today, Honey?” “Nothing”. “How did your day go?” “Fine”. Sometimes teen conversation can just sound like a series of grunts! And yet…they talk and text to their friends practically all night long…

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Back To School Part 2 – How Do I Get My Teenager To Get Up In The Morning?

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Back To School Part 2 – How Do I Get My Teenager To Get Up In The Morning?

Making sure your teenager gets enough sleep is one of the most important things you can do to help them succeed.

Teenagers typically get far too little sleep during the school year. If your teenager is like most, they only get about 7 hours of sleep a night. This is typical, but not healthy!

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How To Get Enough Sleep This Holiday Season

/ Thrive Therapy/
How To Get Enough Sleep This Holiday Season

The weather is getting cooler, holiday music is playing everywhere, and Christmas decorations are up in all the stores. Most people are beginning to worry about (umm, cough, prepare for) all the celebrating and family togetherness that comes along this time of year.

One thing you can do to make sure the next two months go as smoothly as possible is to get enough sleep.

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How Can We "Arm" Teachers to Best Help Our Children?

/ Thrive Therapy/
How Can We "Arm" Teachers to Best Help Our Children?

As a therapist married to a teacher, I have been asked about, and certainly been thinking about, the issue of arming our teachers. Every way you turn right now there is angry debate about guns. Many children and parents feel both helpless and afraid.

One way to combat this feeling of helplessness is to get involved with your child’s school and advocate for programs that provide Social Emotional Learning (SEL).

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