Levon and My Kids
I think about the loss of Levon Helm almost every day. But this is not because I was a fanatic about The Band. Don’t get me wrong. As a child of the '60s, I love the Band. Who didn’t? But I had mixed...
View ArticleTis the Season
Let’s just paint a little picture. It is a picture we already know pretty well, but still every year this picture seems to take many of us by irritable surprise. read more
View ArticleCoping With the Recent School Shooting
Many of the surviving children will have witnessed bloodshed and others around the nation may see images and videos of it on television. Here are some guidelines for parents struggling with the issue...
View ArticleViolent Video Games and Movies Causing Violent Behavior
December 21, 2012 the National Rifle Association (NRA) blamed the media for promoting violent video games and movies and then cited these phenomena as the primary causes of mass violence. The biggest...
View ArticleHelping Children Cope After the Boston Maraton Bombing
We all went through 9/11. More recently the horrifying shooting in Newtown. And now we are all struggling to help our kids understand the events at the Boston Marathon. While the advice is similar, we...
View ArticleReactions to the Boston Marathon Bombing
It has only been a few days since the bombing at the Boston Marathon. Many parents are worried about persistent problems their children may endure. Here are some symptoms to look for and ideas for...
View ArticleTips for Parents in the Boston Lockdown
It is no fun stuck at home in a lock down. Frankly, for families it poses a strange combination of fear and boredom. What can parents and kids do when stranded at home? read more
View ArticleHow Adults Cope Under Boston Marathon Lockdown Stress
Who would have expected that Boston would be locked down? The scene is eerie -- empty streets, closed business and restaurants, very few cars other than police and armored vehicles. And countless are...
View ArticleLessons for Parents From the Horrific Cleveland Kidnappings
The horrifying events of the kidnappings in Cleveland shocked us all. As parents we all appreciate the need for kids to be wary of strangers. But the alleged perpetrator was a well-known neighbor and...
View ArticleMemories of a Veteran's Son
My dad served in the 77th Division in the Pacific Front in World War II. He volunteered for the Army one year out of dental school and served as a medic. He won the Bronze star in the Battle of Leyte...
View ArticleHome For The Holidays, Facing Empty Chairs At The Table
In this holiday season we join together with friends and family. Yet there is always someone missing at the table.We take this time to reflect on our nostalgic feelings, memories and celebrate those...
View ArticleThe Power of Resilience
Resilience is a process that combines one's innate biology, engagement with important individuals in one's life and developing self-awareness. It is best understood as an ongoing developmental...
View ArticleWhat Science Tells Us About Treatment of Addiction
In a recent NPR show, Radio Boston, on WBUR in Boston, Dr. Lance Dodes talked about his new book and stated that 12-Step programs not only don't work, but are not backed by scientific evidence. This...
View ArticleCan Guys Really Understand What It's Like to Be a Mother?
Being a mother is something special and unique. Though as boys and men we can imagine what this experience is like, it cannot be replicated. We might find an an approximation as boys with our pets and...
View ArticleCoping with ADHD
Living and coping with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is no fun for the child or the parent. In this blog and podcast at www.mghclaycenter.org, we hear the story of a a 20 year old...
View ArticleStaying Connected With Robin Williams
The loss of Robin Williams is gone. We have all heard about the death of celebrities and felt the loss. But what was it about him, in particular, that moved us to tears? Robin Williams had the special...
View ArticleWhen a Teenager is Talking About Suicide
In the wake of the loss of Robin Williams, suicide has come front and center for most of us. Yet suicide is unique and a special case in teenagers. Many parents feel at a loss talking with their kids...
View ArticleContaining Hysteria About Infectious Disease
The first case of Ebola in the United States was just reported. Many parents are frightened, despite the minimal risks to their children and families. In this blog we try to curb emotional hysteria,...
View ArticleHow to Talk With Your Kids About the Ferguson Incident
Children and teenagers are viewing media reports of the tragic incident in Ferguson. Some are confused about the reasons for the demonstrations. Many are hearing commentaries about whom they can and...
View ArticleWhy Watch the Holiday Classics This Season?
Holiday films captivate us and draw the family together. The classics can be watched year after year, and maintain their magical quality, in large part because they tap into the emotions that connect...
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