Children’s Mental Health Blog
Explore recent articles from Little Otter’s child and family mental health and wellness experts.
How Can I Navigate My Addiction While Co-Parenting Daughter?
One parent wrote to us, asking about how to navigate his drug addiction while co-parenting his daughter. Here’s our response from a team of child mental health experts.
Why is My 11-Year-Old Daughter So Rude and Defiant? How Should I Respond?
One parent wrote to us, asking about how to respond to their daughter’s rude and defiant behavior. Here’s a response from our team of child mental health experts.
My Stepson Has ADHD and Struggles with School. Any Advice?
“My 8-year-old stepson was diagnosed with ADHD, ODD and anxiety at age 4 by his school district after being kicked out of daycare. He’s now in 2nd grade, and his school continues to have problems with him in the classroom. Do you have any tips for how I can help him be more successful at school?”
How Quickly Should a Child Receive a Diagnosis in Child Therapy?
One parent recently wrote in asking about whether their child should receive a diagnosis within 4-5 sessions of starting child therapy. Here’s the feedback from our team of mental health professionals.
Any Advice for Dealing with An Extreme Picky Eater?
“My son can eat everything, but he’s an extremely picky eater. Lately, it’s become worse. He eats so slowly; it takes 1-2 hours to eat even things he loves! He takes small bird bites. For example, he can take a bite of a chocolate fudge cookie and ask me to save the rest for later - but he won’t finish it later. I have no idea what to do. Eating/meals have become unbearable for the whole family. He’s also one of the smallest in his class. Any advice?”
How Can I Help My 12-Year-Old Manage His Anxiety?
“My 12-year-old son has been diagnosed with moderate anxiety by his doctor, and school work seems to trigger his anxiety. He’s often so emotionally overwhelmed that he’s unable to do school work…I often don't know how hard to push with school work, because he’s clearly in lots of distress. How can I support my son in his school work and help him feel calm at the same time?”
Is It Okay for Parents to Take a Vacation Without Their Child?
“My husband and I have a trip planned in a few weeks. We’ll be leaving my 23 month old daughter with her grandparents for 6 days. I’m worried she might hate us when we get back, or feel abandoned or detached…Can a 2-year-old get detached from her parents over 6 days if spent with family?”
My Daughters Stopped Sharing a Room & Now My 8-Year-Old Cries Herself to Sleep. Help!
“My 8-year-old daughter and her 15-year-old sister just stopped sharing a room, and now my younger daughter cries herself to sleep at night. What can I do to help her?”
Why Won’t My Child Say Sorry?
“Our almost 4-year-old son finds it very difficult to apologize. How do we teach him to say ‘I’m sorry’?”
How Should I Handle My 4 Year Old’s Tantrums?
“My 4-year-old daughter (soon to be 5!) throws major tantrums, and finds it difficult to listen or complete a task. She has started wetting herself and the bed. She has a younger one-year-old sibling. How should I handle these tantrums? Should I be worried?””