Margo Levi, LCSW

03/28/2023

https://raisingteenstoday.com/3-false-parenting-assumptions-that-push-your-teen-away/?fbclid=IwAR1KSTB1Rv4_XIgLqcujDcalk8ILx5ZXoP-VT1TYBvvMEk3gQxlHSz8fqy4

At a time when we should be drawing our kids closer, it's easy to create a divide. Here are 3 parenting assumptions that push your teen away.

02/21/2023

“Teenagers are organized around the drive toward autonomy. They’d rather not be subjected to an adult’s agenda. When we ask them questions at times that work well for us, we’re asking them to cooperate with our agenda. We need to be open to the possibility that a teenager may be most forthcoming when they are the ones who initiate the conversation.”

The psychologist Lisa Damour shares advice on how to connect, what healthy emotions look like and when to step in.

04/23/2022

This is an excellent article, with many strong points including, “But I think Twenge’s strongest point is misunderstood. Social media isn’t like rat poison, which is toxic to almost everyone. It’s more like alcohol: a mildly addictive substance that can enhance social situations but can also lead to dependency and depression among a minority of users.”

Four forces are propelling the rising rates of depression among young people.

02/23/2022

Listening does not mean giving in or supporting angry behavior. Listening builds connection and emotional regulation skills.

02/04/2022

Teen girls have been especially impacted during the pandemic. “Mean weekly emergency-department visits for suspected su***de attempts rose 50.6% among 12-to-17-year-old girls in the month ended March 20, 2021, compared with the same period in 2019, according to CDC data. “.

New research is uncovering warning signs that might indicate whether a child is more likely to act on those thoughts

01/10/2022

Great message!

12/22/2021

“While concerned adults may feel the temptation to surreptitiously monitor and police their children’s online activity, building trust and setting the example of healthy habits is a more viable route. Research supports that parents’ own use of digital technology (rather than their attitudes) is determinant of how their children will engage with the technology, and increased screen time by children is linked to higher screen use by their parents.”

Social media often gets a bad reputation for its effects on adolescent brains. However, there are upsides to connecting with others, plus opportunities to model digital media literacy, according to this guide.

12/16/2021

How do we get kids to change their behavior? Psychological science tells us that celebrating wins works better than penalizing mistakes.

Here are some no-cost ideas for rewards when kids are getting it right:
- Tell them you think they're terrific.
- Warmly thank kids when they're helpful.
- Consider saying, "I'm so proud of you, and you should feel so proud of yourself."

What other ideas come to mind? Let me know in the comments!

05/25/2021

Hack your brain!

04/11/2021

“The biggest driver of child well-being during Covid is how parents are functioning, according to a survey of nearly 500 parents with children ages 8 to 17, conducted by Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.”

A year of school shutdowns and family trauma leads to social isolation, stress and mental-health issues.

03/31/2021

Find ways to connect with your tween or teen in fun, low-key ways. Goof around, try that new TikTok dance together, share a funny meme. “Spend a lot of time talking with them about nothing,” Duffy advises. “You want to be this soft place where your kids can come to regress a little bit and reorient themselves.”

What you can do to combat the epidemic of anxiety, depression and su***de in teens.