Raising Resilient Children

Maximizing their strengths, coping with adversity and developing a social mindset.

Family Dynamics
The Birth Order Hoax

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on January 12, 2026

Science shows birth order doesn’t shape personality. Our traits come from genes, peers, and experience, not our place in the family lineup.

Science shows birth order doesn’t shape personality. Our traits come from genes, peers, and experience, not our place in the family lineup.

Child Development
What the 6-7 Craze Reveals About Kids Today

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on January 2, 2026

Personal Perspective: A playful viral craze shows how kids use humor and fast-forming language to connect, cope, and build their own culture in a rapidly moving digital world.

Personal Perspective: A playful viral craze shows how kids use humor and fast-forming language to connect, cope, and build their own culture in a rapidly moving digital world.

Sleep
When Childhood Meets the Glow of a Phone

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on December 5, 2025

New research links earlier smartphone access to higher risks of depression, poor sleep, and obesity in kids, underscoring why families may want to delay the first phone.

New research links earlier smartphone access to higher risks of depression, poor sleep, and obesity in kids, underscoring why families may want to delay the first phone.

ADHD
The Unintended Consequences of Quick Fixes in Kids

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on November 30, 2025

How early ADHD treatment escalates into polypharmacy, why skills matter more than pills, and what must change to protect children’s mental health and long-term development.

How early ADHD treatment escalates into polypharmacy, why skills matter more than pills, and what must change to protect children’s mental health and long-term development.

Autism
Autism Research Shows Many Intertwined Causes

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on November 25, 2025

How a decade of autism evidence led to a change the public barely noticed. Mirroring decades of evidence that genetics, environment, and cognition shape autism’s diverse pathways.

How a decade of autism evidence led to a change the public barely noticed. Mirroring decades of evidence that genetics, environment, and cognition shape autism’s diverse pathways.

Autism
Mapping the Genetic Landscape of Autism

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on November 15, 2025

Genetics research and cognitive theory together are revealing autism’s biological depth and cognitive richness, shaping a future of personalized understanding.

Genetics research and cognitive theory together are revealing autism’s biological depth and cognitive richness, shaping a future of personalized understanding.

Education
The Street That Taught the World

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on November 12, 2025

From PBS to streaming, 'Sesame Street' remains a beacon of kindness and learning, proving that empathy and education still belong together in every child’s story.

From PBS to streaming, 'Sesame Street' remains a beacon of kindness and learning, proving that empathy and education still belong together in every child’s story.

Sleep
The Silent Sleep Crisis in Kids and Teens

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on October 24, 2025

Chronic sleep deprivation is harming kids’ brains, bodies, and mental health. Fixing it requires bold action from parents, schools, doctors, and policymakers, starting now.

Chronic sleep deprivation is harming kids’ brains, bodies, and mental health. Fixing it requires bold action from parents, schools, doctors, and policymakers, starting now.

Child Development
The Cost of Growing Up Too Soon

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on October 13, 2025

Childhood anxiety is rising as playtime vanishes. Giving kids time to play may be the most powerful and natural way to restore joy and mental well-being.

Childhood anxiety is rising as playtime vanishes. Giving kids time to play may be the most powerful and natural way to restore joy and mental well-being.

Loneliness
Welcome to the Loneliness Economy

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on October 10, 2025

In an age of digital overload and emotional void, loneliness has become profitable. The loneliness economy offers solutions, but are they helping or making us feel more alone?

In an age of digital overload and emotional void, loneliness has become profitable. The loneliness economy offers solutions, but are they helping or making us feel more alone?

Identity
The Remix Effect: How We Build Ourselves From What We Love

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on October 8, 2025

We are remixes of the books, songs, films, and passions we love. Each layer shapes identity, making us unique while connecting us to others through shared culture.

We are remixes of the books, songs, films, and passions we love. Each layer shapes identity, making us unique while connecting us to others through shared culture.

Education
The Case for Gifted Education

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on October 5, 2025

Ending gifted education hurts equity. True fairness means expanding opportunity and access, not removing it, so every child’s potential, gifted or not, can thrive.

Ending gifted education hurts equity. True fairness means expanding opportunity and access, not removing it, so every child’s potential, gifted or not, can thrive.

Relationships
The Invisible Middle

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on October 1, 2025

Not everyone wants to change the world, and that’s okay. There’s quiet courage in showing up daily, living with integrity, and supporting the community from the middle.

Not everyone wants to change the world, and that’s okay. There’s quiet courage in showing up daily, living with integrity, and supporting the community from the middle.

Personal Perspectives
The Power of the Almost

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on September 28, 2025

History glorifies winners, but those who nearly made it often spark more profound change. It's time to value the resilience and impact of the world’s “almosts.”

History glorifies winners, but those who nearly made it often spark more profound change. It's time to value the resilience and impact of the world’s “almosts.”

Relationships
You Don’t Need to Be Interesting, Just Interested

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on September 23, 2025

You don’t have to dazzle to connect. Real influence and connection come from curiosity, not charisma. Be the one who listens hardest, not the one who talks most.

You don’t have to dazzle to connect. Real influence and connection come from curiosity, not charisma. Be the one who listens hardest, not the one who talks most.

Parenting
The Key to Accepting Children for Who They Are

Robert Brooks Ph.D. on September 22, 2025

Kids aren't always who their parents expect—or want—them to be. Accepting them anyway, unconditionally, is the foundation of effective parenting.

Kids aren't always who their parents expect—or want—them to be. Accepting them anyway, unconditionally, is the foundation of effective parenting.

Jealousy
Can Jealousy Work for You?

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on September 17, 2025

Jealousy’s universal roots are shaped by culture. Managed well, it can fuel growth, trust, and connection rather than resentment and destruction.

Jealousy’s universal roots are shaped by culture. Managed well, it can fuel growth, trust, and connection rather than resentment and destruction.

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Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

Self Assessments
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