Parenting Archives - Blossom Counseling

How to Help Teens Navigate Depression Without Pushing Them Away

Teenagers are known for mood swings, late-night existential crises, and growing pains—so how do you know when it’s just a tough week versus something deeper like depression? And if your teen is struggling with depression, how do you support them without overwhelming them or making things worse? Here’s the hard part: depression in teens doesn’t […]

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Coping Skills, Depression, How To, Parenting, Teens

5 Practical Ways to Help Kids Cope with Anxiety (That Actually Work)

Anxiety isn’t just an “adult thing.” Kids feel it too—sometimes just as intensely, but without the language or life experience to explain what’s going on. Whether it shows up as a stomachache before school, a meltdown over a seemingly small change, or a refusal to try something new, anxiety in kids can be sneaky and

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Anxiety, Children, Coping Skills, Parenting

Why Young Adults Are Struggling More with Anxiety and Depression Than Ever Before

It’s no secret that anxiety and depression are rising, especially among young adults. If you’re in your twenties or thirties and feeling like life is heavier than it should be, you’re not alone. So many people are trying to make sense of a world that asks for constant productivity, endless optimism, and instant answers. It’s

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Anxiety, Children, College/Students, Depression, Parenting

Parenting in a Tech-Obsessed World: How to Raise Connected (Not Just Plugged-In) Kids

Let’s be real—raising kids in today’s digital world can feel like trying to parent in the middle of a 24/7 light show. Between smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and whatever new gadget dropped last week, it’s easy to feel like you’re competing with screens for your child’s attention. And honestly? You kind of are. But before we

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Children, College/Students, Communication, Connection, Family, How To, Parenting

The Truth About Closure: Why It’s More Complex Than You Think

Closure is one of those concepts we hear about all the time—often in the context of relationships, loss, or life’s messy transitions. The idea sounds comforting, almost like a magic trick: tie up the loose ends, process the experience, and voilà, you’re free to move on. But let’s be real—closure is rarely that simple, and

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Attachment, Challenges, College/Students, Couples, Family, Grief, Parenting, Relationships

How to Recognize Emotional Unavailability in Relationships

Emotional unavailability is one of those relationship roadblocks that can leave you feeling frustrated, unseen, and exhausted. Maybe you’ve been in a dynamic where you keep trying to get closer, only to hit an invisible wall. Or perhaps someone in your life gives mixed signals—warm one moment, distant the next. Whatever the case, emotional unavailability

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Couples, Emotions, Family, How To, Parenting, Relationships

Understanding How ADHD Manifests in Motherhood: Challenges and Insights

Motherhood is a journey filled with joy, challenges, and the never-ending juggling act of meeting your children’s needs while trying to maintain your own sense of self. For mothers with ADHD, this already complex role can come with a unique set of hurdles and strengths that often go unnoticed or misunderstood. Let’s explore the ways

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ADHD, Challenges, Parenting

Teaching Kids to Apologize: Helping Children Say “I’m Sorry” (and Mean It)

Apologies are tricky—even for adults. We’ve all heard (or given) those half-hearted “I’m sorry you feel that way” non-apologies that don’t actually mend relationships. So, if saying sorry is hard for grown-ups, it’s no surprise that kids struggle too. Teaching children to apologize isn’t just about getting them to say the words—it’s about helping them

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Children, Parenting, Tips

How to Stop Parenting Your Parents: Setting Healthy Boundaries with Aging Loved Ones

It can be a tricky dynamic: as our parents age, we might notice them needing more support, advice, or even care. Maybe they call you for help navigating technology or managing their finances, or perhaps they seem to rely on you for emotional reassurance more than you expected. It’s natural to want to help the

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Boundaries, Family, How To, Parenting

Assertiveness Training and How It Can Help You

We all have the right to express ourselves as long as we do it in a respectful way. Assertiveness is a communication style that helps us express ourselves in a direct, honest manner while respecting the rights and dignity of others. Assertive people ask for what they want; they speak up to express their needs

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Anxiety, Couples, Depression, Family, Parenting, Professional/Work, Stress, Teens, Therapy, Treatments

Am I Ready for Therapy? When the Answer is Yes!

The decision to come to therapy can be scary – scary AF, to be honest. It can be difficult to know what to expect, where to start, and whether you’re at a spot in your life where you would truly benefit from attending sessions. Most of us initially feel uncertain when we have the idea

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Anxiety, Children, Couples, Depression, Family, Getting Started, Grief, Parenting, Stress, Teens, Therapy, Wellness

AutPlay Therapy

Certified AutPlay providers treat children and families through a natural, play therapy-based approach that is both therapist-led and parent-led. This collaborative model combines play therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and relationship development to assist children and adolescents in gaining needed skills and abilities. AutPlay Therapy Addresses Improvement in the Following Areas: Emotional Regulation Ability Social Skills

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Anxiety, Children, Depression, Family, Parenting, Stress, Teens, Therapy, Treatments

How to Validate Your Child’s Feelings: Practical Tips for Parents

We’ve all been there—your child is upset, and you just want to fix it. It’s tempting to jump in with advice, logic, or even a distraction to soothe the situation quickly. But what if the most helpful thing you could do was just to listen and validate their feelings? Validating your child’s emotions is about

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Children, Emotions, Parenting, Tips

Navigating the Silent Sorrow: Understanding Perinatal Loss and Grief

Perinatal loss, encompassing miscarriage, stillbirth, and the loss of a newborn, remains one of the most profound yet least discussed heartbreaks a parent can face. This type of loss carries a unique kind of grief, often shrouded in silence, as many outside the experience struggle to comprehend the depth of the emotional turmoil involved. The

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Family, Grief, Parenting, Trauma, Women

How a Good Night’s Sleep Fuels Your Child’s Academic Success

When it comes to ensuring your child excels in school, you might think about hiring tutors, scheduling after-school activities, or fine-tuning that homework schedule. However, one of the most powerful tools for academic success might actually come after your child hits the pillow: a good night’s sleep. Sleep and its profound impact on a child’s

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Children, Parenting, Sleep