Targeted Parenting

Breaking the cycles that almost broke us, parenting through and with trauma.

Are you helicoptering, or just plain scared? How to tell the difference, and what to do about it.
Trauma
Maybe You’re Not a Helicopter Parent. Maybe It’s Your Trauma

Robyn Koslowitz Ph.D. on September 10, 2025

Sometimes, what appears as helicopter parenting isn't due to an effort to control, but an effort to protect. Here’s how trauma distorts our instincts, and what to do instead.

Sometimes, what appears as helicopter parenting isn't due to an effort to control, but an effort to protect. Here’s how trauma distorts our instincts, and what to do instead.

The real story isn't the COVID kindergartners—it's their parents we should be worried about.
Parenting
The Real Back-to-School Story Isn’t the COVID Kindergartners

Robyn Koslowitz Ph.D. on September 2, 2025

This year’s big back-to-school story isn’t “COVID kindergartners,” it’s their parents. Parental stress affects kids, so let's focus our intervention where it belongs.

This year’s big back-to-school story isn’t “COVID kindergartners,” it’s their parents. Parental stress affects kids, so let's focus our intervention where it belongs.

Dreading back to school? Maybe it's the Back-to-School Scaries. Here's what to do about them.
Parenting
August Feeling Overwhelming? It May Be Back-to-School Scaries

Robyn Koslowitz Ph.D. on August 29, 2025

The Back-to-School Scaries are a thing. For post-traumatic parents, the return to school routines brings overwhelm. Here’s what’s happening inside your brain and how to calm it.

The Back-to-School Scaries are a thing. For post-traumatic parents, the return to school routines brings overwhelm. Here’s what’s happening inside your brain and how to calm it.

Grief
Cindy Crawford Gets Childhood Grief Exactly Right

Robyn Koslowitz Ph.D. on July 27, 2025

Cindy Crawford recalled returning to school after her brother’s death to an uneasy silence. Here’s why that silence hurts grieving kids—and how to give them the words they need.

Cindy Crawford recalled returning to school after her brother’s death to an uneasy silence. Here’s why that silence hurts grieving kids—and how to give them the words they need.

Let's face it - they really are pretty creepy. But your teen is not a budding psychopath for wanting one.
Parenting
Yes, Labubu Dolls Are Ugly, Your Tween Will Want One Anyway

Robyn Koslowitz Ph.D. on June 13, 2025

Labubu dolls may be weird, but your child’s obsession is pretty normal. Here’s why creepy toys and social fads help teens build social identity and navigate their inner world.

Labubu dolls may be weird, but your child’s obsession is pretty normal. Here’s why creepy toys and social fads help teens build social identity and navigate their inner world.

It's the narrative, adult support, and sense of agency that make the difference between a child being traumatized and a child developing resilience after a traumatic event.
Trauma
Toddler Saves Dad! TikTok Says She's Traumatized. Is She?

Robyn Koslowitz Ph.D. on June 12, 2025

A toddler goes viral for saving her dad during a diabetic emergency. Will she be traumatized? Here's what child psychology and trauma science say about fear, safety, and resilience.

A toddler goes viral for saving her dad during a diabetic emergency. Will she be traumatized? Here's what child psychology and trauma science say about fear, safety, and resilience.

Mother's Day can be triggering for Post-Traumatic Parents. That's OK. Here's how to reclaim the day.
Trauma
Yes, Mother's Day Can Trigger You: Here's How to Reclaim It

Robyn Koslowitz Ph.D. on May 10, 2025

Mother’s Day can be a trigger for post-traumatic parents. Here’s how to reclaim it by honoring yourself, your inner child, your love for your kids, and your cycle-breaking.

Mother’s Day can be a trigger for post-traumatic parents. Here’s how to reclaim it by honoring yourself, your inner child, your love for your kids, and your cycle-breaking.

"Mom rage can feel overwhelming and shameful, but it doesn’t mean you're a bad parent. If no one taught you how to regulate big emotions, it’s not your fault—but you can learn. Healing starts with awareness, self-compassion, and the right tools to break the cycle."
Anger
Maybe It's Not "Mom Rage." Maybe it's a Trauma Response

Robyn Koslowitz Ph.D. on March 3, 2025

If you're a parent who experienced trauma and now struggles with "mom rage," you’re not broken or bad. Here's how you can start to heal, break the cycle, and parent with more calm.

If you're a parent who experienced trauma and now struggles with "mom rage," you’re not broken or bad. Here's how you can start to heal, break the cycle, and parent with more calm.

Toxic family systems make themselves the aribters of reality - and that can make recovery difficult.
Trauma
What Every Survivor Desperately Wants But Rarely Gets

Robyn Koslowitz Ph.D. on February 16, 2025

Shari Franke never has to wonder if her past was real—her abusers were exposed. Most survivors don't get that. Here’s why that validation is so powerful.

Shari Franke never has to wonder if her past was real—her abusers were exposed. Most survivors don't get that. Here’s why that validation is so powerful.

Think your childhood loss makes you a poor attachment figure? Research shows that the opposite is true. You may be more capable of bonding, and more motivated to do so.
Parenting
Your Trauma May Be a Parenting Superpower

Robyn Koslowitz Ph.D. on February 13, 2025

Think childhood trauma makes you a less capable parent? Science says otherwise. Your past may have shaped you into a more attuned, resilient, and connected caregiver.

Think childhood trauma makes you a less capable parent? Science says otherwise. Your past may have shaped you into a more attuned, resilient, and connected caregiver.

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