Savvy Parenting

Stress

Use the Four Ps to Combat COVID-19 Stress

Kate Roberts Ph.D. on March 23, 2020

Implementing the four Ps can make your life during this pandemic not only survivable, but successful and productive. Find out what they are and how they will help you.

Implementing the four Ps can make your life during this pandemic not only survivable, but successful and productive. Find out what they are and how they will help you.

Suicide

When it Comes to Suicide, Celebrities are People, too

Kate Roberts Ph.D. on June 9, 2018

Are you confused about why celebrities who seem to have it all would want to kill themselves? A few unseen factors may answer those questions.

Are you confused about why celebrities who seem to have it all would want to kill themselves? A few unseen factors may answer those questions.

Fear

The Movie "Spotlight" Exposes the Power of Denial

Kate Roberts Ph.D. on February 19, 2016

Are you aware of your tendency to deny the things that are hard to face? The Spotlight Movie shows us how we are all vulnerable to denial.

Are you aware of your tendency to deny the things that are hard to face? The Spotlight Movie shows us how we are all vulnerable to denial.

Motivation

How to Motivate Children Through Purpose

Kate Roberts Ph.D. on November 8, 2015

Is it difficult to know how to motivate your child to try harder and perform better? An understanding of the why is the key to improving motivation.

Is it difficult to know how to motivate your child to try harder and perform better? An understanding of the why is the key to improving motivation.

Disney/Pixar's Inside Out teaches us the importance of processing and understanding a child's emotions.

Sport and Competition

10 Lessons I Learned from Little League Baseball

Kate Roberts Ph.D. on July 15, 2015

Most baseball players strike out 7 of 10 times at bat. Baseball is great preparation for achieving life goals in that it requires perseverance, commitment, determination and frustration tolerance in order to be a great player.Baseball is fantastic way to learn those life skills while having fun.

Most baseball players strike out 7 of 10 times at bat. Baseball is great preparation for achieving life goals in that it requires perseverance, commitment, determination and frustration tolerance in order to be a great player.Baseball is fantastic way to learn those life skills while having fun.

Mother's Day is much more than what advertisers make it. It's a chance to celebrate mom, while teaching children some very valuable skills and life lessons.

Parenting

10 Essential Parenting Tips From the New England Patriots

Kate Roberts Ph.D. on February 6, 2015

The New England Patriots' behavior during the pre-Superbowl deflategate scandal can be applauded and emulated. How people respond under the pressure of scrutiny and stress often defines true character. 10 ten take aways for parents will help them guide their children to a better outcome when the stress is unavoidable.

The New England Patriots' behavior during the pre-Superbowl deflategate scandal can be applauded and emulated. How people respond under the pressure of scrutiny and stress often defines true character. 10 ten take aways for parents will help them guide their children to a better outcome when the stress is unavoidable.

Parenting

Six Parenting Tips to Promote Heroism in Your Child Today

Kate Roberts Ph.D. on November 14, 2014

Most parents would like to instill heroic-like qualities in their children. The social psychology research indicates that character traits that bring heroism to the forefront in people are formed by factors beyond temperament. People are not born heroes, they are made that way and early in life is a time to instill traits associated with heroism.

Most parents would like to instill heroic-like qualities in their children. The social psychology research indicates that character traits that bring heroism to the forefront in people are formed by factors beyond temperament. People are not born heroes, they are made that way and early in life is a time to instill traits associated with heroism.

Education

How to Teach Football Players to Control The Violence

Kate Roberts Ph.D. on September 22, 2014

The NFL must make right on all that is wrong and put the well being of the players and their families before the game and insist on non-violent off-field behavior. If children learn when they are young in explicit terms that off-field violence is not tolerated, they may very well act accordingly for the duration and early training by coaches can help this process.

The NFL must make right on all that is wrong and put the well being of the players and their families before the game and insist on non-violent off-field behavior. If children learn when they are young in explicit terms that off-field violence is not tolerated, they may very well act accordingly for the duration and early training by coaches can help this process.

Gender

Leaning Into Parenting Breaks Down Gender Stereotypes

Kate Roberts Ph.D. on July 30, 2014

For children who are raised in gender role specific environments, gender stereotypes are more difficult to break. Studies have shown that parents’ teach most effectively through modeling and therefore those who model behaviors that are non-gender specific will raise children with less gender biases.

For children who are raised in gender role specific environments, gender stereotypes are more difficult to break. Studies have shown that parents’ teach most effectively through modeling and therefore those who model behaviors that are non-gender specific will raise children with less gender biases.

Sex

6 Strategies to Help Parents Communicate About Sex

Kate Roberts Ph.D. on July 8, 2014

There's no longer the one big talk when communicating about sexuality with children.
The one time birds and the bees discussion is a thing of the past. Research indicates that parents who talk to their children at younger ages about sexuality de-stigmatize the topic and have more influence over children’s sexual behavior as they get older.

There's no longer the one big talk when communicating about sexuality with children.
The one time birds and the bees discussion is a thing of the past. Research indicates that parents who talk to their children at younger ages about sexuality de-stigmatize the topic and have more influence over children’s sexual behavior as they get older.

Adolescence

4 Areas of Challenge for All Teens Today

Kate Roberts Ph.D. on July 7, 2014

Teenager pressures have increased during the past two decades and yet their brain development is not increasing at the same pace. Regardless of how much is thrown at teens, their brains will not be fully developed on average until age 25. Teenagers are pros at masking their difficulties and when parents have blinders on, this can make for a dangerous combination.

Teenager pressures have increased during the past two decades and yet their brain development is not increasing at the same pace. Regardless of how much is thrown at teens, their brains will not be fully developed on average until age 25. Teenagers are pros at masking their difficulties and when parents have blinders on, this can make for a dangerous combination.

The Fourth of July is a celebration of America, and the ideals and values that are her foundation. However, are parents today instilling these traditional values in their children? Has our society, built on a hard worth ethic and responsibility of self, eroded to one rooted in materialism and celebrity?

Gratitude

10 Parenting Tips for Inspiring an Attitude of Gratitude

Kate Roberts Ph.D. on June 26, 2014

Studies have shown that people who are grateful are considerably happier, 25% or more, than those that are not grateful. This fact alone inspires me to teach an attitude of gratitude to my children. The concept of gratitude can be abstract for many children and teens. The challenge for parents is making gratitude a concrete, everyday experience.

Studies have shown that people who are grateful are considerably happier, 25% or more, than those that are not grateful. This fact alone inspires me to teach an attitude of gratitude to my children. The concept of gratitude can be abstract for many children and teens. The challenge for parents is making gratitude a concrete, everyday experience.

Relationships

Advice for Parents of Competitive Athletes

Kate Roberts Ph.D. on June 25, 2014

As a society and culture, we are undecided as to whether coaches need to be bullies in order to motivate athletes.When an overly zealous coach threatens a child’s love for a sport, parents can intervene and support their child in several ways including listening and helping them make sound decisions.

As a society and culture, we are undecided as to whether coaches need to be bullies in order to motivate athletes.When an overly zealous coach threatens a child’s love for a sport, parents can intervene and support their child in several ways including listening and helping them make sound decisions.

Jealousy

6 Taboo Thoughts That Parents Have

Kate Roberts Ph.D. on June 21, 2014

Parents love their children and yet they sometimes confuse their child’s needs with their own needs in order to fulfill unmet wishes in their lives. When parents are able to grieve and accept their disappointments and resolve their inner conflicts, they can build strong connections to their children.

Parents love their children and yet they sometimes confuse their child’s needs with their own needs in order to fulfill unmet wishes in their lives. When parents are able to grieve and accept their disappointments and resolve their inner conflicts, they can build strong connections to their children.

Researchers at MIT have found that kids can sense when their parents are lying to them, making them distrust the very people who are their caretakers.

Cognition

Five Parent Behaviors That Role-Model Effort and Luck

Kate Roberts Ph.D. on March 16, 2014

How parents communicate the concept of "luck" factors into whether children view their successes as attributable to luck or effort. Although luck may play some role, parents need to emphasize the relationship between a strong effort and a positive outcome and downplay the impact of luck when parenting children who naturally gravitate towards magical thinking.

How parents communicate the concept of "luck" factors into whether children view their successes as attributable to luck or effort. Although luck may play some role, parents need to emphasize the relationship between a strong effort and a positive outcome and downplay the impact of luck when parenting children who naturally gravitate towards magical thinking.

Memory

Knowing a Child’s Learning Style Improves Memory Skills

Kate Roberts Ph.D. on March 8, 2014

When parents understand and can accommodate a child's learning style, their memory skills and abilities will improve. A child's ability to recall and feel competent at memory tasks and rote learning will boost self-esteem and enhance their self-image as a successful student and learner.

When parents understand and can accommodate a child's learning style, their memory skills and abilities will improve. A child's ability to recall and feel competent at memory tasks and rote learning will boost self-esteem and enhance their self-image as a successful student and learner.