Resources
Here’s how witnessing violence harms children’s mental health
Witnessing violence can have a real affect on kids. Learn more and what we can do to protect our kids!
Many children rely on the emergency room for psychiatric care
Spectrum - October 26, 2016 On any given day, pediatrician Lindsay Irvin estimates a quarter of her patients need psychiatric help. She sees teens who say they are suicidal, and elementary school children who suffer chest pains stemming from bullying anxiety....
What to tell your daughter when she faces a mean girl
Very Well Family - Sherri Gordon The teen years are filled with all types of mean girls. From frenemies and fake friends to toxic friendships and controlling girls, their mean girl behavior from often leaves other girls feeling hurt, puzzled and distraught. This is...
The year my brain broke
The Sydney Morning Herald - Ariane Beeston I was a newly registered psychologist when my brain broke. On maternity leave from my job in child protection I had what my psychiatrist later explained as a "break from reality" - a psychotic depression. It was a softer way...
Back-Talk Boot Camp: Stop the Sass
Parents Magazine - Vicki Glembocki Listening to my three kids' fresh talk was getting stale in a hurry. I was ready to try anything—and did. Find out which methods worked best. It started with a reasonable, motherly request: I asked my 7-year-old daughter, Drew, to...
The Cost of Budget Cuts Affecting Montana’s Most Vulnerable
It is easy to dismiss the budget cuts being considered by the Department of Public Health and Human Services as an easy way to save money. However, the latest round of proposed cuts to home support services and therapeutic foster care create a potentially serious...
How Anxiety Leads to Disruptive Behavior
Kids who seem oppositional are often severely anxious Child Mind Institute- January 22, 2018 by Caroline Miller A 10-year-old boy named James has an outburst in school. Upset by something a classmate says to him, he pushes the other boy, and a shoving-match ensues....
Managing Problem Behavior at Home
A guide to more confident, consistent and effective parenting Child Mind Institute - January 22, 2018 One of the biggest challenges parents face is managing difficult or defiant behavior on the part of children. Whether they’re refusing to put on their shoes, or...
Rescuing Julia Twice: Overcoming Reactive Attachment Disorder
Everyday Health - April 29, 2014 by Tina Traster Our pediatrician, Dr. T, couldn't have been more pleased with Julia's progress. At 18 months, my baby was in the 95th percentile for her weight. She was talking, walking, her muscle tone was excellent. All good signs...
Stop Back Talking – 4 Techniques To End Rude Responses
Blessed Beyond a Doubt - January 16, 2018 It happens to just about every kid at some point – back talking. The sassy and negative replies can sneak up on a parent, but you can stop the back talking with these 4 techniques to end rude responses. Quickly defuse the...
When Your Toddler Starts Testing His Limits
Your child desperately wants to declare his independence. And you can let him -- while staying in control. Parents Magazine - January 15, 2018 by Jennifer Benjamin As a baby your child was happy to follow your lead. But now that he's a toddler he realizes that he...
Understanding Teen Suicide: Tips for Prevention
A guide for parents to help prevent teen suicide. Psychology Today - June 13, 2013 by Dr. Earl Turner Suicide related behaviors (e.g., suicidal ideation, self-harm, suicide attempt) are becoming more frequent among adolescents and is a major public health issue. Many...
Teen Depression and Anxiety: What Parents Can Do
Time - October 27, 2016 Are you worried about your teen and don't know what to do next? Below is some advice from Fadi Haddad, MD, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and the author of Helping Kids in Crisis. Talk about the real stuff Sometimes conversations between...
Early Puberty in Girls May Take Mental Health Toll
WebMD - December 26, 2017 by By Serena Gordon HealthDay Reporter TUESDAY, Dec. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- A girl who gets her first menstrual period early in life -- possibly as young as 7 -- has a greater risk for developing depression and antisocial behaviors that...
Is Your Child Acting Out—or Just Acting His Age?
If your child melts down, talks back, or ignores you, it could be because he’s still a little kid! Consider this a reality check. Parents Magazine - January 2, 2018 by Jennifer Benjamin As a work-at-home mom of 4-year-old twins, let me tell you: This past year was...
9 things to know about kids in foster care. Plus an unforgettable view into their lives.
Upworthy - July 17, 2015 by Brandon Weber Zoe's story, "Removed," has been seen by millions of people. It was previously shared by my amazing Upworthy colleague Laura Willard. We got just a tiny taste of what it was like for kids in foster care, right after being...
Exposure to Abuse May Lead to Poor Heart Health in Kids
More interventions needed to treat problem before adulthood. MedPage Today - December 18, 2017 by Molly Walker Children and adolescents who suffer adversity, including abuse, throughout childhood tend to have poorer cardiometabolic health, according to an American...
10 Strange Reasons Why Kids Hate Bath Time & How to Fix It.
Anxious Toddlers - May 29, 2015 by Natasha Daniels Bath time a struggle? Although bath time may be relaxing for some children – there are many kids who go running in the opposite direction when they hear the word “bath.” Kids fight bath time for many...
Common Time-Out Mistakes and How to Solve Them
Could this classic discipline technique actually make the situation worse? Learn what experts recommend, including a new and improved five-step technique for giving time-outs. December 17, 2017 - Parents Magazine By Alisa Bowman Time-out certainly sounds like a...
Bare Necessities: Basic Baby Needs
The Spruce - October 23, 2017 by Heather Corely What does a baby really need in the first weeks at home? The answer is - not much. This basic baby needs checklist will help you choose those baby essentials, often called the layette, that your little one needs to have...
Five Minute Parent Child Bonding Activities
Ideas to Help Promote Bonding Through Activities The Spruce - April 4, 2017 by Carrie Craft These activities are not for every foster or adoptive parent or every foster or adoptive child. Only do what is comfortable for you and your foster/adopted child. Keep in mind:...
What to Teach Your Child to Prepare Them for a Foster or Adopted Sibling
The Spruce - September 15, 2017 by Carrie Craft So, you have decided to add to your family through foster care or adoption, and now you're probably wondering how best to prepare your children for the new addition. There are several things to keep in mind as you...
Why Do Foster Care Disruptions Occur?
Foster Children Endure Multiple Placements Due to Disruptions The Spruce - April 4, 2017 by Carrie Craft It's not something we like to think about as foster parents, but sometimes a placement just doesn’t work out. There are various reasons why foster care placements...
Employee Spotlight: Keara O’Neill
There are so many of us at Youth Dynamics that go above and beyond. We like to take the time to recognize some of the great work all of we do. Each day we touch hundreds of children's lives. Sometimes it's hard to see how much of a difference we make. Each one of us...
When Foster Families Meet Birth Families
The Spruce - April 4, 2017 by Michael Robison Your foster child has moved in, is settled into his room, and learning your home rules. Now comes the time that many foster parents worry the most about - meeting the child's birth parents. For the sake of all concerned,...
Setting up a Bedroom for Foster Care
No Bohns About It - February 4, 2016 When a person decides to become a foster parent, they often wonder the best way of setting up a bedroom for foster care. Waiting for the call is tough, and shopping and painting and all the decorating can be a fun way to pass the...
10 Ways to Give Back as a Family This Holiday Season
Teach your kids the true meaning of compassion and selflessness. U.S. News - December 7, 2014 by Abby Hayes One way to help your kids learn that the holiday season is about giving – not just getting – is to engage them in service projects. Even toddlers can give back...
Moving Out Of Poverty Linked To Kids’ Mental Health (STUDY)
HuffPost - March 5, 2014 by Andrew M. Seaman (Reuters Health) - Moving out of impoverished neighborhoods has different effects on the mental health of boys compared to girls, and those repercussions need to be better understood before tinkering with housing policy,...
Establishing Yourself as a Parent
The Spruce - April 4, 2017 by Carrie Craft Your Role as Mom or Dad So, you've gone from an empty house to a full one. Now what? When it comes to foster and or adopting a child, especially an older child - setting roles, rules, and boundaries can be tough. This is...
Go With The Flow: 10 Ways to Easily Engage Teenagers
As a professional, engaging teens can be hard. Learn some great tips and tricks to make the whole process a little easier.
