Great Kids, Great Parents

Cognition

Introspection Begets Empathy

Paul C Holinger M.D. on March 18, 2026

Introspection and empathy are vital psychological tools. Rooted in early development, our feelings, cognition, and language help us understand ourselves and others more deeply.

Introspection and empathy are vital psychological tools. Rooted in early development, our feelings, cognition, and language help us understand ourselves and others more deeply.

Punishment

How Feelings Lead to Hitting

Paul C Holinger M.D. on February 9, 2026

Human behaviors are caused by their feelings. If we can put words to the feelings (verbalization), we will go a long way toward stopping physical punishment.

Human behaviors are caused by their feelings. If we can put words to the feelings (verbalization), we will go a long way toward stopping physical punishment.

Child Development

How Self-Awareness Starts

Paul C Holinger M.D. on January 7, 2026

When do we first realize who we are? And why does it shape everything that follows?

When do we first realize who we are? And why does it shape everything that follows?

Psychology

Embracing Second Chances

Paul C Holinger M.D. on August 15, 2025

Discover how second chances and the courage to take them can lead to more fulfilling paths, guided by curiosity, emotion, and self-discovery.

Discover how second chances and the courage to take them can lead to more fulfilling paths, guided by curiosity, emotion, and self-discovery.

Cognition

A Deeper Dive: The Power of Introspection

Paul C Holinger M.D. on March 25, 2025

Introspection—looking inward—fuels self-awareness and growth. Explore how it can shape our thoughts, emotions, and understanding of ourselves and others.

Introspection—looking inward—fuels self-awareness and growth. Explore how it can shape our thoughts, emotions, and understanding of ourselves and others.

Punishment

Rethinking Child Discipline

Paul C Holinger M.D. on January 30, 2025

Rethinking discipline to include open communication and positive reinforcement can build trust, teach emotional awareness, and foster healthy growth.

Rethinking discipline to include open communication and positive reinforcement can build trust, teach emotional awareness, and foster healthy growth.

Cognition

Introspection—The Key to Navigating Life Effectively

Paul C Holinger M.D. on September 13, 2024

The better we understand ourselves, the more chance we have of accomplishing what we want.

The better we understand ourselves, the more chance we have of accomplishing what we want.

Punishment

A Curious Question About Physical Punishment of Children

Paul C Holinger M.D. on May 20, 2024

Questioning the paradox of physical punishment: It's legal in schools, criminal outside them.

Questioning the paradox of physical punishment: It's legal in schools, criminal outside them.

Child Development

Wondering About Having Children?

Paul C Holinger M.D. on April 1, 2024

Deliberating about parenthood involves profound considerations: Reflect on motives, childhood experiences, and envisioning the future, while exploring child development.

Deliberating about parenthood involves profound considerations: Reflect on motives, childhood experiences, and envisioning the future, while exploring child development.

Anger

How to Deal wth Your Child's Anger

Paul C Holinger M.D. on September 26, 2023

Unlock the mystery of your child's anger by understanding triggers and fostering self-regulation.

Unlock the mystery of your child's anger by understanding triggers and fostering self-regulation.

Punishment

Ghosts in the Nursery

Paul C Holinger M.D. on April 30, 2023

How we were raised can have a very real impact on how we raise our children.

How we were raised can have a very real impact on how we raise our children.

Bias

How Do People Become Prejudiced?

Paul C Holinger M.D. on December 30, 2022

Social conditions can create fertile soil for nourishing bias, prejudice, and violence.

Social conditions can create fertile soil for nourishing bias, prejudice, and violence.

Bias

The Role of Language in Bias, Prejudice, and Violence

Paul C Holinger M.D. on October 19, 2022

Language can be an instrument of bias, prejudice, and violence at the individual level and in groups.

Language can be an instrument of bias, prejudice, and violence at the individual level and in groups.

Bias

The Role of Cognition in Bias, Prejudice, and Violence

Paul C Holinger M.D. on August 15, 2022

Affects and cognition have both assets and liabilities. Each can impact the other profoundly.

Affects and cognition have both assets and liabilities. Each can impact the other profoundly.

Bias

The Role of Affects in Bias, Prejudice, and Violence

Paul C Holinger M.D. on June 30, 2022

Our earliest feelings, such as fear and shame, can provide the fuel for bias, prejudice, and violence, in individuals and groups.

Our earliest feelings, such as fear and shame, can provide the fuel for bias, prejudice, and violence, in individuals and groups.

Fear

How Do Humans Deal with Differences/Otherness?

Paul C Holinger M.D. on May 17, 2022

The perception of differences allows humans to anticipate, predict, sort out cause and effect, and pursue alternatives.

The perception of differences allows humans to anticipate, predict, sort out cause and effect, and pursue alternatives.

Bias

How Do People Become Prejudiced?

Paul C Holinger M.D. on February 28, 2022

Temperament and capacity to assess differences in stimuli as well as what one is taught and experiences contribute to prejudice.

Temperament and capacity to assess differences in stimuli as well as what one is taught and experiences contribute to prejudice.

Bias

Toward Understanding Bias, Prejudice, and Violence

Paul C Holinger M.D. on January 3, 2022

The issues of “cultism and zealotry” have rarely examined the impact of early development on their germination and expression.

The issues of “cultism and zealotry” have rarely examined the impact of early development on their germination and expression.

Punishment

Why Physical Punishment Persists

Paul C Holinger M.D. on November 30, 2021

Physical punishment is a signal that we need to take early development seriously, We need to understand how feelings work and to be aware of the variables that contribute to violence.

Physical punishment is a signal that we need to take early development seriously, We need to understand how feelings work and to be aware of the variables that contribute to violence.

Anger

We Hit—“Spank”—Infants and Children

Paul C Holinger M.D. on October 5, 2021

Violence will not end until we take seriously what researchers and clinicians tell us about the problems associated with physical punishment.

Violence will not end until we take seriously what researchers and clinicians tell us about the problems associated with physical punishment.