Featured Resources
Engaging Children in Difficult Conversations
When done with real intent and thoughtfulness, talking about current events provides the opportunity to help children develop critical thinking skills, as well as provides the chance to educate and encourage appropriate action in terms of diversity, ending racism and supporting community.
Helping Youth Navigate Election Stress
As the school year is now in full swing, the typical stressors that come up for kids and every 4 years, a new challenge is occurring in lunchrooms, hallways and even on the playgrounds - the U.S. presidential election. We expect children are hearing all sorts of spirited opinions about this presidential race, leading to a new set of emotional stressors for our kids. So, how do we help our youth navigate this newly elevated issue and learn how to handle conversations that can become uncomfortable?
Hope Notes for Back-to-School
With school in full swing, let your child know that you are thinking of them with our hope notes down below, which can be cut out and placed in their lunch box, backpack, book, or wherever you think seeing it will brighten their day!Additional Resources
Gossip From Other Parents Is Affecting My Daughter and Her Friends
My ten-year-old daughter hangs out with a group of girls whose parents I actually don’t care for. I think we just have different values in our family. With this parent group, there is a lot of gossiping, worrying about what others think or getting into their business, or talking down about other families. I am hearing the girls have the same kind of conversations and it is starting to worry me. What do I do as a parent? These are her friends.
Worry Buddies
These handy little helpers can remind your child they are not alone. Worry Buddies can go with your child anywhere they go, always there to help them cope and take on your child's worries so they can move forward.
Navigating Power Struggles
Power struggles are not enjoyable – when two people or parties are competing for control or influence, it makes for a very uncomfortable and frustrating experience. The more we can self-regulate the better we will be at dealing with difficult situations. Check out four strategies that will help guide you to avoid power struggles.
Your Child and Virtual Learning
As summer ends the reality (whether parents, students, or school systems like it or not), is that most students are headed toward a mostly or entirely virtual fall.
Fishing for Health
Sport fishing is the lifeblood of the Mille Lacs Lake area in Minnesota where one of our youth residential treatment facilities, Nexus-Mille Lacs calls home. The simple joys of fishing are apparent – fresh air, the simple beauty of nature, the thrill of “fish on,” and a little peace and quiet to name a few. But what about some of the deeper benefits that the sport of fishing has to offer? Things like relationship building, the importance of self-care – allowing one’s mind and body the opportunity to relax and develop positive coping techniques. Spending time in nature can reduce stress and anxiety and elevate your mood.
How to Talk to Children about Difficult Topics
Our first instinct as adults is to protect children from information that contains violence, depicts the suffering of others or is deemed as “too difficult to understand.” While this is true when the information serves no purpose, when the information is fake (like TV shows and movies) or when it doesn’t have applicable meaning, you do not want to shield children from difficult conversations when they are already being exposed to real-life situations. Under these circumstances, children need to discuss life events so they can appropriately make sense out of what is happening.
A Time to Manage Expectations
One of the most important things we can do to manage our emotional and mental health is to be realistic - it’s all about managing expectations. Because of this pandemic, none of us are living the same life we were just 4 weeks ago. This means there is no guide book, expert advice, or model to lead us through. Remember, nobody has ever done what we are all doing right now.
Help Calm Your Child’s COVID-19 Fears
Is your child concerned that they, you or another loved one will contract COVID-19? One activity that may help alleviate that fear is to create a Prevention Poster. Work with your child to identify their greatest fear related to the COVID-19 virus. Then, together, create a Prevention Poster with steps you can take. Doing such an activity can be fun and help give your child a sense of control and purpose in this unsure situation.