Joyful Parenting

Coronavirus Disease 2019

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.

Depression

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.

Depression

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.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

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.

Sleep

Why Not Let Kids Stay Up Late During the Pandemic? This Is Why

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on July 7, 2020

When kids don't get enough sleep, it can be harder for them to manage their emotions.

When kids don't get enough sleep, it can be harder for them to manage their emotions.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

10 Positive Parenting Practices During Coronavirus

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on April 14, 2020

Research has illustrated clear steps toward family happiness. Here are some we can take during COVID-19 restrictions.

Research has illustrated clear steps toward family happiness. Here are some we can take during COVID-19 restrictions.

Stress

A Simple Science-Based Way to Shift Your Family's Mood

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

Ever notice the mood among family members turning angry, anxious, conflictual, or stressed? Science suggests there's a surprisingly simple way to help shift it.

Ever notice the mood among family members turning angry, anxious, conflictual, or stressed? Science suggests there's a surprisingly simple way to help shift it.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

5 Quick Ways to Protect Your Marriage During Coronavirus

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on April 6, 2020

These evidence-based steps prevent couples from experiencing detrimental conflicts, taking their difficult feelings out on each other, or drifting apart during the pandemic.

These evidence-based steps prevent couples from experiencing detrimental conflicts, taking their difficult feelings out on each other, or drifting apart during the pandemic.

Anger

When Anger From Coronavirus is Displaced

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on April 3, 2020

During the coronavirus pandemic, we may feel angry while grieving. We need to be mindful of when we direct it at people or situations with a force that may not be warranted.

During the coronavirus pandemic, we may feel angry while grieving. We need to be mindful of when we direct it at people or situations with a force that may not be warranted.

Depression

Behavioral Activation to Prevent Depression During COVID-19

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on March 29, 2020

We’re all stressed and sad due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some ways the evidence-based strategy of "behavioral activation" can prevent us from becoming depressed.

We’re all stressed and sad due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some ways the evidence-based strategy of "behavioral activation" can prevent us from becoming depressed.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

How to Secure the 4 Feel-Good Chemicals During COVID-19

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on March 22, 2020

Facilitating specific activities to "boost" of each of the feel-good chemicals can help you and your family can stay well during this difficult time.

Facilitating specific activities to "boost" of each of the feel-good chemicals can help you and your family can stay well during this difficult time.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Kids' Sadness About COVID-19 May Not Look Like Sadness

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on March 21, 2020

Kids' sadness about COVID-19 may not look like sadness and may even be mistaken for "naughtiness." Children's sadness is often covered by anger, numbness, or resistance.

Kids' sadness about COVID-19 may not look like sadness and may even be mistaken for "naughtiness." Children's sadness is often covered by anger, numbness, or resistance.

Parenting

10 Daily Rituals That Help Parents Bond with Young Children

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on December 27, 2019

We know from research how important it is to bond with young children, but what should we be doing every day to achieve this?

We know from research how important it is to bond with young children, but what should we be doing every day to achieve this?

Relationships

One Great Thing to Do With a Terminally Ill Relative

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on December 26, 2019

Have you ever been at a loss as to what to say to a terminally ill relative? This strategy can actually help.

Have you ever been at a loss as to what to say to a terminally ill relative? This strategy can actually help.

Grief

7 Practical Ways to Support a Grieving Spouse

Erin Leyba LCSW, Ph.D. on December 26, 2019

Is your spouse grieving? Try these 7 science-backed steps to intentionally show your support.

Is your spouse grieving? Try these 7 science-backed steps to intentionally show your support.