Children’s Mental Health Blog

Explore recent articles from Little Otter’s child and family mental health and wellness experts.

How Can I Help Improve Communication Between My Daughter and Her Stepfather?

How Can I Help Improve Communication Between My Daughter and Her Stepfather?

“My 9-year-old daughter recently started behaving defiantly toward my husband, her stepfather. She puts her father on a pedestal and will not give her stepdad a chance to even be a friend. Do you have any advice for how to communicate with her better and reduce the tension in our home?”

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My 3-Year-Old Grandson is Behaving Aggressively Toward Other Children. What Can I Do?

My 3-Year-Old Grandson is Behaving Aggressively Toward Other Children. What Can I Do?

“My 3-year-old grandson, who I have custody of, is hitting other children and hurting them by throwing toys at their heads. He won’t follow any rules or sit still. This has been happening at daycare since the end of August. Currently, he’s suspended from daycare and may soon be expelled. I just don’t know what to do. Can you help?”

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How Can I Help My Daughter Deal with the Recent Absence of Her Father?

How Can I Help My Daughter Deal with the Recent Absence of Her Father?

“How can I help my daughter cope with her father leaving and abandoning us? She misses him quite often, and I do my best to explain to her what happened but I know it’s a tough concept for her to grasp. I just want to know what else I can do to help her deal with everything.”

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My 10-Year-Old Son Struggles to Express His Anger and Anxiety Constructively. Any Advice?

My 10-Year-Old Son Struggles to Express His Anger and Anxiety Constructively. Any Advice?

One mom asked us for tips for how to help her child express anger, and wondering whether it was related to anxiety or a recent parental separation. Here’s some advice from our child mental health experts.

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My Prepubescent Daughter is Expressing Newly Defiant Behavior. Any Tips for Talking to Her In a Way She’ll Hear?

My Prepubescent Daughter is Expressing Newly Defiant Behavior. Any Tips for Talking to Her In a Way She’ll Hear?

One mom wrote to us about her pre-pubescent daughter’s defiant behavior, asking for help in how to communicate more effectively. See the expert guidance from our mental health professionals here.

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I’m Worried That My Postpartum Depression Negatively Impacted My Children. Any Guidance?

I’m Worried That My Postpartum Depression Negatively Impacted My Children. Any Guidance?

One mother wrote in asking about the potential impact of postpartum depression on her children. Below is her question, and a response from our child mental health experts.

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