Showing results for:"parents emotions"
Videos: Real parents, tough topics
Guilt frustration confusion about your childs future. As a parent or caregiver of a child who learns and thinks differently, you may have felt one (or all) of these emotions. In this video series, parents share their experiences. They describe how it affects their relationships, share hopes for th
Resources for parents coping with their own difficult school experiences
In the final episode of our Parenting Problems series, Dr. Monica Johnson reviews what we’ve learned and offers resources to help you continue your journey. Check it out!
Mom’s emotional video about IEP frustration goes viral
Comedian Dena Blizzard tries to approach her daughters learning and thinking differences with a sense of humor. Shes talked about her experiences on Understood and in her comedy work. But after a difficult IEP meeting on Monday, she let her emotions pour out in a Facebook Live video. The video went
Understood Explains Season 3IEPs: Getting emotional at IEP meetings
Watch the episode, listen to the audio, or read the transcript.
Understanding why kids have trouble managing emotions
Its not unusual for preschoolers to burst into tears when they ruin their drawing. Most 10-year-olds wouldnt do that, though. They typically have more ability to manage their emotions. But some kids struggle with managing emotions even as they get older. They might still have outbursts or get overly
My parents’ biggest back-to-school regret (and how they made up for it)
At the end of each summer of my childhood, Id get an aching feeling in the pit of my stomach. It was time to go back to school. Because of my learning differences, I have trouble with writing, organization and processing information. School was like trying to swim in quicksand. I struggled so much i
Opportunity GapNavigating your child’s diagnosis: Self-care tips for parents
When a child is diagnosed, parents often forget their own needs. Learn how to care for your mental health while being there for your child. When a child is diagnosed with a learning and thinking difference, their parents often focus all their energy on helping. Like advocating for their child, or
Download: Feelings wheel
You can use a feelings wheel to teach kids about their emotions. The wheel has basic feelings in the center circle. More specific feelings are in the outer circle. The feelings wheel has both pictures and words to help kids name their emotions. Kids who dont yet have the words for their emotions ca
School was hard for me. Now my child is struggling, and it’s bringing up a lot.
If you had a difficult time in school, seeing your child struggle in similar ways can be tough. It can bring up big feelings, and make it harder for you to help yourself — and your child. Find out why from Dr. Monica Johnson.
In ItWhy we cry in IEP meetings
Anyone whos ever sat in on an IEP meeting can confirm: When parents and teachers meet to discuss the needs of a child whos struggling in school, emotions tend to run high. Anyone whos ever sat in on an IEP meeting can confirm: When parents and teachers meet to discuss the needs of a child whos stru
ADHD Aha!Emotional regulation — and yelling — as a mom with ADHD (Patricia Sung’s story)
Host of the Motherhood in ADHD podcast Patricia Sung shares her ADHD story, and how to manage difficult emotions. Patricia Sung was diagnosed with ADHD in her first year of college. It wasnt until she became a mother, and other people relied on her, that she realized just how much ADHD affected h
How parents can Take N.O.T.E. of signs of learning and thinking differences to help students thrive at school
By Dr. Tracy Packiam Alloway As a psychologist, I have spent over a decade investigating how learning and thinking differences can impact academic progress. Throughout this journey, I have had the privilege of working closely with educators and parents. Now more than ever, it is crucial to accuratel
Everyone Gets a Juice Box: For Parents of Neurodivergent KidsMeltdowns, mysteries, and multiple diagnoses
Parenting a child with ADHD, OCD, and multiple challenges can be a mystery. Follow the twists, meltdowns, and aha moments to find clarity. Parenting can feel like a detective mission, especially when your kid has more than one diagnosis. Mom (and yes, a very insightful therapist) Camila de Onis sh
Parenting Behavior with Dr. Andy Kahn: Your Guide to Getting Through the Hard StuffBehavior: What is it and how can parents affect it?
Behavior might not be exactly what you think it is. Many parents think about behavior as something negative, a problem they dont want to deal with. However, behavior is really a form of communication. On this episode of Parenting Behavior, Dr. Andy Kahn explains the truth behind kids actions. He a
Opportunity GapWhat to do when kids are feeling depressed or anxious
When a child seems sad or anxious, its hard to know what to do. Learn the signs of anxiety and depression in kids and how to support them. When a child seems sad, anxious, or distant, it can be hard to know how to help. But learning how to recognize signs like changes in mood, sleep, or behavior is
Everyone Gets a Juice Box: For Parents of Neurodivergent KidsMom rage: Overwhelm and burnout don’t make you a bad parent
Struggling with mom rage and parenting overwhelm? Remember, losing it sometimes doesnt make you a bad parent. Most of us have been there. Your kids are full tilt. Youre overstimulated, overbooked, and running on empty. Losing it happens and so do the guilt and shame that follow. Today, Jessica sit
Understood Explains Season 1Bonus episode: What I wish I’d known sooner about evaluations for special education
Get evaluation tips from parents who have been through the process at least once and experts who have been through it hundreds of times. Parents, teachers, and psychologists all have something they wish theyd known sooner about how kids are evaluated for special education. This bonus episode of U
Our community weighs In: Crying at IEP meetings
IEP meetings can be stressful, to say the least. When we asked parents how they keep their cool during IEP meetings, parents were quick to share just how emotional these encounters made them to the point of crying during IEP meetings. Many offered explanations about why they didnt feel the need to a
In ItParental burnout? What to do before you lose it
Learn ways to respond to feeling overwhelmed or burned out as a parent or caregiver to a child with learning and thinking differences. Sometimes, parents and caregivers can feel overwhelmed or burned out. Caring for children can feel exhausting and add up without us even realizing it. Whats a par
Parenting Behavior with Dr. Andy Kahn: Your Guide to Getting Through the Hard StuffWhat triggers you as a parent
Watch the episode, listen to the audio, or read the transcript.
Teachers weigh in: What I wish parents asked at parent-teacher conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are a great way to build a partnership with your childs teacher. Open and honest conversations can help you and the teacher connect whats happening at school with whats happening at home. You and your childs teacher may have a lot of topics you want to cover. But time may
What pushes your buttons?
Your child’s school struggles can instantly take you back to the emotions you felt when you were in school. In this video, Dr. Monica Johnson talks about how to spot your “button pushers” or triggers.
How to create a parent report
- Its important to share your insights into your child with the IEP team. - Instead of just talking at the IEP meeting, you can share your thoughts in writing. - A parent report is something you prepare, rather than an official document. When you have your IEP meeting, the team at school will sh
Parenting Behavior with Dr. Andy Kahn: Your Guide to Getting Through the Hard StuffTalking through social struggles
Learn strategies for helping your child deal with the inevitable life experience of embarrassment. Lets face it. Embarrassment is a big part of growing up.And it can impact kids in many ways. They may worry that trying a new outfit will embarrass them in front of their peers, or feel ashamed whe
What your child’s anger might be telling you
What does it mean when your child is angry? Are they frustrated? Or anxious? Learn how understanding what’s behind your child’s anger can help you respond in the best way possible.
How the documentary “2e: Twice Exceptional” made me a more hopeful parent
Im always wary of telling people my sons are twice exceptional, or 2e. It means theyre intellectually gifted and have learning differences. I could explain this to people. But I worry theyll stop listening after I say gifted. Sometimes I feel like people think one E makes up for the other E. As if t
Building self-compassion skills
Parenting is tough. And it can be even tougher when your child’s school struggles trigger your own big emotions. In this video, Dr. Monica Johnson talks about why it’s important to have compassion for yourself.
In ItTantrum...or meltdown?
Weve all seen it a child falling apart in a store or at the park. In these moments, people often assume theyre seeing a tantrum. But it might be a meltdown. Weve all seen it happen a child falling apart in a store or at the park. In these moments, people often assume what theyre seeing is a tantrum
Families weigh in: What I wish teachers knew before parent-teacher conferences
For both families and educators of students who learn and think differently, parent-teacher conferences can feel challenging. As a teacher, you know that partnering with families is important. But you have limited time to meet with the families of the many students in your class. For families, a p
In ItWhen kids and teens have tantrums: How to help
Tantrums and meltdowns are challenges all parents face. Get tips for projecting calm when kids and teens have tantrums. Tantrums and meltdowns are challenges all parents face. But for families of kids who learn and think differently, they can be even more of a struggle. In this episode, hosts Gretc