The Child and Family Connection

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Costa Mesa, CA
The Child and Family Connection

The Child and Family Connection is a solutions-oriented group practice focused on strengthening the parent-child relationship.

We provide individual and family therapy to toddlers, children, adolescents and their caregivers with offices in Costa Mesa and Laguna Hills.

11/21/2025

Parenting can be busy, messy, and full of emotion - but small moments of gratitude can give you moments of calm, connection, and perspective.

Here are a few simple ways parents can weave gratitude into daily life:
🩵 Morning pause: Before the day starts, take a breath and name one thing you’re thankful for.
🩵 Gratitude swap: Share something you appreciate with your partner or child each evening.
🩵 Mindful moments: On your commute or while doing chores, reflect on something positive that’s happened recently.
🩵 End the day gently: Ask yourself, “What made me smile today?”

Practicing gratitude is about slowing down and noticing the good, even on hard days.

11/19/2025

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder characterized by obsessions (uncontrollable and recurring thoughts), and compulsions (repetitive and excessive behaviors). Diagnosis can include both obsession and compulsions, or only one.

Symptoms include both obsessive and compulsive behaviors

Obsessive Symptoms:
👉 Fear of contamination
👉 Unwanted, intrusive, and repeated thoughts
👉 Fear of harming self or others
👉 Somatic fixations like pain or fatigue

Compulsive Symptoms:
👉 Washing until skin is raw
👉 Repetitive checking - door locks, light switches
👉 Counting in specific patterns
👉 Silent repetition of a phrase or prayer

Treatments include:
🩵 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
🩵 Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
🩵 Medication (such as SSRIs)

Family involvement with treatment has shown to increase progress at home and reduce stress for both the child and the family.

11/17/2025

As daylight fades during this season, it is natural to experience a shift in mood and energy. Yet some individuals experience more than the “winter blues.” Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can bring lasting changes in mood and energy.

Here are some signs to look out for and approaches that can help navigate the symptoms.

Common signs:
⛅ Low energy
⛅ Increased Irritability
⛅ Decreased interest in favorite activities
⛅ Difficulty concentrating
⛅ Isolating from family and friends

What can help:
🔆 Let in natural light -- spend as much time outside as possible
🔆 Regular routines with sleep, meals, and activities
🔆 Upkeep movement
🔆 Maintain relationships
🔆 Talk openly about feelings
🔆 Seek professional support if symptoms persist or increase

At TCFC, we help families navigate seasonal mood changes with care and understanding. Brighter days are ahead, and you don’t have to face this season alone.

11/14/2025

Did you know? Research shows that regular gratitude practices can boost both mental and physical health — helping lower stress, anxiety, and depression, and even improving sleep.

By helping kids build small gratitude routines each week, we can nurture emotional well-being now and set the foundation for lifelong mental health.

Here are a few fun and simple gratitude activities for kids:

✨Gratitude Scavenger Hunt✨
Find things around your home, school, or outdoors that you’re thankful for — like sunshine, a cozy blanket, or a good friend. Take pictures or draw what you find!

✨Gratitude Jar✨
Decorate a jar together and fill it with small notes of things they’re grateful for. Make it a weekly ritual to read a few out loud together!

✨Read Books About Gratitude✨
Books help kids explore gratitude through storytelling.

✨Gratitude Journal✨
Encourage kids to write or draw three things they’re thankful for each day.

11/11/2025

We take this day to recognize and thank all the brave men and women who have served our country. Your courage, dedication, and sacrifice protect the freedoms we hold dear. 💙

Veterans Day is also a wonderful opportunity to teach children about service, gratitude, and community. Here are a few meaningful, age-appropriate ways families can honor veterans—at home, in school, or in the community:

✨ Send Thank-You Cards or Letters
✨ Make Care Packages
✨ Attend a Veterans Day Event
✨ Donate or Fundraise

To all our veterans — thank you. We honor your service, your strength, and your sacrifices today and every day. ❤️🤍💙

11/07/2025

The Holiday Season is here! While there’s so much to celebrate and look forward to, this time of year can also bring mixed emotions for many families.

One simple and uplifting way to stay grounded is by practicing gratitude together. Here are a few fun ways to bring gratitude into your family’s routine this season:

🍽 Gratitude at the Table
During meals go around and each share one thing you’re grateful for from the day.

✏️ Mini thank you Notes
Keep blank cards or sticky notes around the house, for everyone to write and draw small thank you notes for friends, siblings, teachers, or family.

🗓 Gratitude Countdown
Each day, leading up to holidays or birthdays, draw or name one thing you are thankful for on the calendar.

11/05/2025

🧡 November is National Homelessness and Food Insecurity Awareness Month 🧡

Across our communities, many individuals and families are facing challenges with homelessness and food insecurity. This month is a reminder that even small acts of kindness and support can make a meaningful difference.

Here are a few ways to get involved and help:
🔸 Host a food or Hygiene Drive: Partner with a local shelter, food bank, or mutual aid group.
🔸 Create snack packs or care kits: Assemble kits with items like granola bars, fruit cups, water bottles, socks, and toothbrushes
🔸 Read & Learn Together: Introduce books to help children increase understanding and empathy concerning homelessness and hunger with empathy
🔸 Spread awareness on social media: Share facts, infographics, or personal reflections about homelessness and food insecurity.
🔸 Support organizations making a difference by donating or highlighting: Food banks and mutual aid networks

11/03/2025

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a childhood behavioral disorder marked by ongoing patterns of defiant, disobedient, irritable and hostile behavior toward authority figures. ODD ranges from mild, moderate, and severe.

The symptoms of ODD include:
⚡ frequent temper tantrums
⚡ Seeking revenge/being vindictive
⚡ Questioning and refusal to follow rules
⚡ Blaming others for their misbehaviors
⚡ Consistent arguing with adults
⚡ Refusal to do what an adult asks

ODD Treatment includes:
⭐ Cognitive-behavioral therapy
⭐ Family therapy
⭐ Peer group therapy
⭐ Medicine

Early intervention following an ODD diagnosis can reduce future challenges, improve relationships, and enhance overall quality of life - positively impacting their life long development.

Curious to learn more? Click the Recent Research link in our bio.

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween! As much as this holiday can be exciting, it can also be overwhelming for many kids - and that’s okay!🧡

Here are a few sensory-friendly tips for a happy halloween night for all:
🎃 Choose comfy costumes
🎃 Bring noise-canceling headphones
🎃 Take breaks between houses
🎃 Celebrate in ways that feel right for you & that make the holiday feel special

Wishing everyone a calm, comfortable, creative, and treat-filled Halloween!

10/29/2025

Before we help our kids get dressed in their halloween costumes and fill up our trick or treat candy baskets, here are a few safety reminders to keep in mind this Halloween season!

Trick-or-Treat Safety Tips:
🎃 Travel in groups with a trusted adult.
🎃 Stick to well-lit streets and neighborhoods you know.
🎃 Bring flashlights or glow sticks to help see and be seen
🎃 Only visit homes with porch lights on.
🎃 Never enter a stranger’s home.

Candy Safety Checks:
🍬 Have an adult inspect all candy before eating
🍬 Avoid homemade treats from people you don’t know.
🍬 Check for allergies and expiration dates.

Wishing everyone and their family a spooky, safe, and sweet Halloween!

10/27/2025

A recent study examined the relationship between screen time and academic achievement among children in grades 3 to 6. This study collected data from 3,322 children over a 15 year period - spanning from 2008 to 2023.

The findings indicated that higher levels of early total screen time, including TV and digital media time, were significantly associated with lower performance in reading and mathematics, as measured by standardized tests.

The findings of this study suggest that early interventions to reduce screen time and promote healthy screen use habits is beneficial and can enhance their academic achievement in elementary school as well as contribute to their long-term academic success.

Curious to learn more about this study and its findings? https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2839927

10/24/2025

Some children may not open up easily about their experiences in school, especially when it comes to the social and emotional aspects of their day. As parents it can be challenging to determine how to make them feel comfortable sharing.

Play-based check-ins offer children a safe, familiar space to express themselves.

When we invite connection through play, we meet them where they feel most at ease - where expression for them feels natural, not forced.When we invite connection through play, we meet them where they feel most at ease - where expression for them feels natural, not forced.

Some ideas for Play-based check ins:
🎨 Draw or paint your day: Model first by painting a part of your day and then prompt them to draw a part of their day.
🎭 Lego or doll reenactments: Using lego’s or dolls, you could prompt your child to reenact scenes from their week or give them the freedom to create a storyline.
🧸 Toy “talk shows”: Each of you have a stuffed animal or toy and take turns “interviewing” each other with questions

Address

151 Kalmus Drive, E250
Costa Mesa, CA
92626

Website

http://www.thechildandfamilyconnection.com/

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