Joyful Parenting

Parenting

5 Ways to Support Kids After Natural Disasters

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on January 9, 2025

Kids can feel depressed or anxious after a natural disaster. Here are ways parents can help protect kids from negative outcomes.

Kids can feel depressed or anxious after a natural disaster. Here are ways parents can help protect kids from negative outcomes.

Relationships

Why Everyone Should Ask More Questions on Dates

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on February 8, 2024

Cultivating a genuine interest in other people is a critical building block for relationships, especially dating.

Cultivating a genuine interest in other people is a critical building block for relationships, especially dating.

Child Development

Kid Acting Out? They Need to Move

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on January 30, 2024

Research suggests that regular exercise improves children's behavior.

Research suggests that regular exercise improves children's behavior.

Parenting

How Being Wildly Consistent Improves Your Parenting

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on January 29, 2024

Any effort toward being consistent with limits, boundaries, and routines will seriously improve kids' behavior and cooperation. It will also help them feel comforted and loved.

Any effort toward being consistent with limits, boundaries, and routines will seriously improve kids' behavior and cooperation. It will also help them feel comforted and loved.

Child Development

10 Proven Ways to Make a Baby Feel Loved

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on January 24, 2024

The first year of life is crucial for a baby's brain development, healthy attachment, happiness, and more. Here are 10 ways parents can support babies in five minutes or less.

The first year of life is crucial for a baby's brain development, healthy attachment, happiness, and more. Here are 10 ways parents can support babies in five minutes or less.

Parenting

Over Half of Parents Want to Reduce Their Phone Use

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on December 27, 2023

Over half of parents report wanting to reduce phone time. An abundance of research says that's a good idea. Here are some tricks to cut back.

Over half of parents report wanting to reduce phone time. An abundance of research says that's a good idea. Here are some tricks to cut back.

Parenting

The Simple Mindfulness Tool That Boosts Parents' Moods

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on December 15, 2023

Flow experiences with kids are significantly related to parents’ happiness, but focusing on the good stuff can be challenging. Here are a few creative ways to remember.

Flow experiences with kids are significantly related to parents’ happiness, but focusing on the good stuff can be challenging. Here are a few creative ways to remember.

Stress

The Surprising Antidote to Holiday Stress and Loneliness

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on December 5, 2023

While therapy, self-care, or feel-good movies might make you feel better during the holiday season, this research-backed way to improve your mood should not be overlooked.

While therapy, self-care, or feel-good movies might make you feel better during the holiday season, this research-backed way to improve your mood should not be overlooked.

Gratitude

The Powerful Microgesture That Strengthens Relationships

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on December 3, 2023

Sticky notes, a Sunday trio, a weekly alarm, and more.

Sticky notes, a Sunday trio, a weekly alarm, and more.

Relationships

25 Quick Ways to Connect With Teens

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on December 1, 2023

Parental warmth during the adolescent years is associated with a range of positive outcomes in adulthood, including health and optimism. Here are 25 ways to build your bond.

Parental warmth during the adolescent years is associated with a range of positive outcomes in adulthood, including health and optimism. Here are 25 ways to build your bond.

Relationships

Raising Cooperative Kids: Start Conversations Positively

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on November 29, 2023

Are you tired of kids not cooperating? How you start conversations matters.

Are you tired of kids not cooperating? How you start conversations matters.

Stress

Simple Ways to Debrief the Pandemic With Children

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on March 29, 2021

Two-thirds of children feel burdened by the pandemic. Providing space for them to reflect improves coping skills and helps them feel supported. Here are some sample questions.

Two-thirds of children feel burdened by the pandemic. Providing space for them to reflect improves coping skills and helps them feel supported. Here are some sample questions.

Gratitude

Feeling Down? 3 Proven Ways to Build Hope During COVID Times

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on January 10, 2021

As the pandemic wears on and the vaccine rollout feels agonizingly slow, people are struggling with hope. These science-backed strategies can help improve your mindset and mood.

As the pandemic wears on and the vaccine rollout feels agonizingly slow, people are struggling with hope. These science-backed strategies can help improve your mindset and mood.

Stress

Why You Might Have to Fake Self-Care This Winter

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on December 15, 2020

There's a reason we don't feel like doing self-care right now. The good news is there's a way to fake it, and it works.

There's a reason we don't feel like doing self-care right now. The good news is there's a way to fake it, and it works.

Stress

30 Quick Ways to Bond With Kids

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on December 9, 2020

Daily micro-connections bond parents and kids, not grand gestures. With the stress of pandemic lockdowns, tiny bursts of bonding are needed more than ever.

Daily micro-connections bond parents and kids, not grand gestures. With the stress of pandemic lockdowns, tiny bursts of bonding are needed more than ever.

Confidence

3 "Bids" Kids Are Making to Parents During the Pandemic

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on November 20, 2020

Amid the pandemic, kids are craving interaction and attention. Unfortunately, their "bids" to connect are sometimes seen as whining, viewed as behavior problems, or ignored.

Amid the pandemic, kids are craving interaction and attention. Unfortunately, their "bids" to connect are sometimes seen as whining, viewed as behavior problems, or ignored.

Burnout

The "Third Shift" is Burning Out Parents Amid the Pandemic

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on September 17, 2020

Parental burnout may be widespread during the pandemic, but it has the potential to seriously harm kids' development. Here's what helps.

Parental burnout may be widespread during the pandemic, but it has the potential to seriously harm kids' development. Here's what helps.

Education

8 Ways to Protect Kids' Mental Health During E-Learning

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on August 19, 2020

Screen time can be a drag and even make kids depressed. Parents can bring joy to their days through breaks (boosts) like these.

Screen time can be a drag and even make kids depressed. Parents can bring joy to their days through breaks (boosts) like these.

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression Amid the Pandemic? This Can Help.

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on July 15, 2020

Pre- and postpartum women stopped exercising during the pandemic, but this powerful practice has a strong association with decreased anxiety and depression.

Pre- and postpartum women stopped exercising during the pandemic, but this powerful practice has a strong association with decreased anxiety and depression.

Anxiety

Science-Backed Ways to Lower Anxiety During the Pandemic

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on July 9, 2020

Has your anxiety spiked during the pandemic? These evidence-based tools can help.

Has your anxiety spiked during the pandemic? These evidence-based tools can help.