Articles on Teens & Related Issues from Firefly Therapy in Austin, Texas.
It’s 2 AM. Your six-year-old is standing next to your bed again, crying about monsters in her closet. This is the third time this week. You’re exhausted. She’s exhausted. And you’re starting to wonder if you’re doing something wrong. You’re not. Nightmares and sleep struggles are common in childhood. Research shows that up to 50%…
Why Positive Affirmations Matter Children are constantly forming beliefs about themselves and the world around them. The way they think about themselves shapes their confidence, resilience, and overall well-being. Positive affirmations—simple, encouraging statements—help reinforce a child’s self-worth, promoting a strong mindset that supports growth and emotional health. At first, repeating phrases like “I am strong”…
Forgiveness is a crucial life skill that helps children develop empathy, compassion, and emotional resilience. It’s not about excusing hurtful behavior, but rather letting go of negative emotions and moving forward positively. Here are some strategies to help teach your children about forgiveness: Lead by Example Children learn best by observing adults. Model forgiveness in…
Divorce changes more than your relationship status. It changes the rhythm of daily life for everyone involved, especially your kids. Children often do not have the words to describe their feelings, so those emotions may show up as acting out at school, becoming unusually quiet, or clinging to you more than usual. Many kids do…
Your seven-year-old asks at breakfast, “Is Grandma coming back?” You’ve answered this question three times already. Your coffee’s gone cold while you search for new words that might make the reality stick this time. Later that afternoon, you find him building a Lego spaceship, laughing at something funny on TV, as if nothing happened. That…
Social media is everywhere—it can feel like a rite of passage for kids. As a parent, it’s tough to navigate this digital world. On one hand, social media helps kids connect with friends, explore interests, and learn about the world. On the other, it opens the door to risks like cyberbullying, screen overuse, and unrealistic…
Social exclusion can be common for adolescents in middle and high school. Whether not being chosen for games or purposefully excluding kids in numerous situations, the consequences are extremely harmful. Salmivalli states, “Bullying can be direct, such as physical or verbal attacks, indirect (also referred to as relational bullying), such as social exclusion and rumor-spreading,…