Teenage Self-Care: Making It Through the Adolescent Years
(this blog post is one in a series of posts contributed by students in my graduate family therapy course at Virginia Tech. Please take a moment to comment) “I hate my life.” These are the words of...
View Article5 Tips for Young Guys Who Want to Dress Better
(this blog post is one in a series of posts contributed by students in my graduate family therapy course at Virginia Tech. Please take a moment to comment) Erica’s posts can be found on her site: E in...
View ArticleWoman’s World – Ask America’s Ultimate Expert!
I was fortunate enough to be interviewed for Woman’s World Magazine’s “Ask America’s Ultimate Experts!”Woman’s World – Ask America’s Ultimate Expert!
View ArticleParent Leadership – Being The Supporter
Here’s an excerpt from my book: “Homework.” In each of the next few posts I will share information about he three top ways we can lead our children: The Supporter, The Consultant, and The Boss. This...
View ArticleThe Next Big Thing Project
Last week, my friend Lori Lowe tagged me in a fantastic project called The Next Big Thing Online Event. The Next Big Thing is a way for authors and bloggers to share the news about their most exciting...
View ArticleRewards vs. Punishments – When to Use Which?
What is the hardest thing to consistently do well? Most of us who have had children will quickly answer with: “Being a good parent.” Parenting falls into the Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love category. But...
View ArticleHelping vs. Leading – A Parent’s Dilemma
There are many things about being a parent that come natural to us. The basics of taking care of our little ones are an instinctive part of being a parent. We make sure they have a good place to live,...
View ArticleThe Report Card Conversation
by Neil McNerney, M.Ed., LPC It’s that time of year again. If you haven’t received your child’s report card yet, it will soon be on its way. There will be lots of different emotions in Purcellville...
View ArticleBet On Your Baby Reality TV Show – Can It Get Any Worse? Probably…
I just came across this press release from ABC announcing a new game/reality show called “Bet On Your Baby.” Here’s the release: …“Bet On Your Baby,” is a new primetime game show in which parents try...
View ArticleDealing With The Athletic Industrial Complex
In a recent article I focused on being the best parent when it comes to our children’s sports. I think I struck a chord with that article. Or maybe I hit a nerve. The number of comments via email and...
View ArticleSummer Tips to Sneak In Learning Without Your Kids Knowing!
Now that school is finally over and the kids are at home, how do you keep them from losing all the learning that has happened in the last year? Sure, there are lots of materials at teacher stores, but...
View ArticleThe Art of the Apology
My apologies if I offend your intelligence, but this post is about a simple act that many of us mess up: The apology, especially the parental apology. I can count on one hand (OK, one finger), the...
View ArticleStart the School Year on the Right Foot – New Study Skills Ideas
Now that the new school year has started and you are frantically getting the second round of school supplies, I thought I would share some ideas that might actually reduce your stress when it comes to...
View ArticleDon’t Tell Your Kids They are Smart
In my counseling practice, I work with many kids who have been told they are smart, but are not perform-ing anywhere near their intelligence. They have been told they are smart because, well, they are...
View Article4 Simple Strategies to Improve Study Skills
We have all heard the typical study strategies for students. How about some new ideas that can make studying fun…or at least not so boring. Neil McNerney, M.ED., a Licensed Counselor, Certified Parent...
View ArticleGo To Bed!
If there is one simple thing we can do for our kids to help them out in a number of ways, it is this: Have a consistent bedtime with plenty of sleep. Yes, I know what you are thinking: “Another...
View ArticleDo’s and Don’ts
Last weekend, I was chatting with a friend I have known since our kids were two years old. He mentioned something that he told his boys early on in their life: “You can do a whole bunch of good things...
View ArticleThe Kids Are Alright
Has anyone noticed how quickly we have turned into our parents, especially when talking about the next generation? We have become just as alarmed as previous generations about “kids these days.” It’s...
View ArticlePraising With Purpose
In my book Homework – A Parent’s Guide To Helping Out Without Freaking Out! I discuss the idea that there are three ways that we can lead our children. Most, if not all, of the ways we lead as parents...
View ArticleCool in Middle School Might Mean Trouble Later
I breathed a sigh of relief a couple of weeks ago. We, as a family, survived middle school. We now have two high school students getting closer and closer to becoming adults. Although we loved our...
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