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There is no doubt that growing through primary and high school years is a rite of passage for parents all over the world. Where there appears to be an outburst of emotion coming from a child, more often than not, there will be an inner struggle which seems to not know the words to express it.

By putting even more emphasis on the proactive support and the why behind their behavior, you can help provide a peaceful home where they can flourish.

Why Behaviour Happens

A helpful mantra is that all behavior is communication. This means that when a child has slammed a door shut or is not wishing to commence their homework, we should not think that they are being difficult. The important matter is that children often communicate needs that have not been met, huge feelings, or demands that feel beyond their abilities.

According to The Behaviour Support People, some of the drivers for these behaviors might come from being overwhelmed by too much going on, seeking attention, or even trying to avoid a task that may be quite overwhelming for them. At other times, their environment may just be too noisy for their energy level.

By changing our emphasis from “fixing” the child and looking instead at the underlying message of the behavior, we can prevent the meltdown before it actually starts. Prevention, particularly before the fit actually starts, has much greater long-term benefits than intervening during the heat of the moment.

The 3-Step Framework for Prevention

Preventing challenging moments doesn’t require a magic wand; it requires a consistent, structured approach that values the child’s perspective.

Step 1: Observe and Understand Behaviour

The first step is to be a “behaviour detective.” Note what happens immediately before the flare-up. Does the flare-up always seem to happen just before dinner? Does the flare-up always seem to happen when a transition from the iPad to the shower happens?

By noting these triggers, which could be environmental, or types of demands, you become aware of patterns. This means you can modify the environment or your time to minimize friction before it even begins.

Step 2: Teach Skills Before They’re Needed

We often ask children to “calm down,” but we do not instruct them on how to do this. It is essential to teach communication skills to children, like using a visual timer, especially when the child is already calm.

You can model how emotional regulation is possible by being calm yourself. This also teaches them that big emotions are manageable without yelling. Instructing the child how to politely ask for a break or state “this is too hard” is an incredibly useful tool for problem prevention.

Step 3: Reinforce Positive Behaviour

In such situations, consistency is the best ally. If you observe that your child is behaving well, even on small issues such as waiting for your undivided attention for thirty seconds, you let your child know that he or she is doing the right thing. For example, “Thank you very much for waiting so patiently while I finish my phone call,” and not “job well done.”

If given small rewards and routines pertaining to mealtimes, school, etc., the child will feel secure. When the world is predictable, the urge to misbehave in order to have control over things is reduced significantly.

Backing It Up: Evidence-Based Prevention Strategies

The science of positive behaviour support has moved away from outdated punishment models. Modern frameworks focus on large measures on prevention, teaching, and reinforcement. Data from PBS Together states, the best way to encourage a child to do something another way is by understanding the root cause or function of the behavior.

Accordingly, when families try to address challenging behaviors positively, they make a shift in the direction of person-centered support. That is, there is more focus on enhancing quality lifestyle for the child and teaching alternative ways of getting needs met.

For instance, practicing a tough conversation with social scripts or using a positive reinforcement chart can give the child the needed external structure while he develops internal self-discipline. It is proven that these strategies, early and consistently enforced, have much greater and longer-lasting effects on the development of the child than punitive ones. Punishments tend to suppress behavior with little temporary gain rather than solve the problem at hand.

Practical Parent Toolkit: At-Home Prevention Techniques

Being prepared is helpful in making chaotic Monday through Thursday afternoons much more manageable. One of the most helpful tools to facilitate transitions is a type of visual schedule. Children, particularly neurodiverse children, like to have a sense of what is coming next.

A simple board with the words “Snack, Homework, Play, Dinner” can relieve the anxiety that causes rebellion. Another tool is having an emotional vocabulary. If the child can identify what it is that he or she is feeling, whether it is frustration or something else aside from anger, then that child can overcome it.

You might also think about establishing a ‘calm down place’ in your home, which isn’t a time-out type of space for punishment, but is a soothing space for the child, perhaps with pillows, a place for reading, or fidget toys. A family behavior contract might also be a useful strategy for your older child, whereby children are able to take ownership and responsibility for the rules and the positive behaviors associated with those rules.

When to Get Extra Support

While at-home methods are extremely useful, at other times a more organized approach is warranted. In a situation where a person feels the problem includes behaviors that are too frequent or too intense and is now impacting the ability of the child to learn and/or make friends, professional advice may be warranted.

As defined by National PBS, “ultimate support is about collaboration. It is not about ‘fixing’ your child in a clinic. Instead, it is about helping you and your educator create an environment that promotes your child’s positive development, across all of life’s domains.”

“Early intervention is vital, as the right help at an early stage can make a great difference to your child’s long-term outcomes, preparing your child to deal with the pressures of school life.” Attesting to your commitment to your child’s well-being and your family’s harmony, it is indeed a step forward to seek help.

Watching a furry friend grow older can bring up a lot of emotions. One day, they are eager to greet you at the door, and the next, they take a moment before standing or moving across the room. If you have noticed stiffness, slower walks, or hesitation before jumping onto the couch, you are not alone.

Joint discomfort, often linked to arthritis, is very common in senior dogs, and it can be difficult to see a pet you love move more cautiously. The reassuring part is that comfort is still within reach. With a few gentle adjustments, daily life can feel easier for your dog. Here, we share simple, practical tips the whole family can take part in, all focused on helping your dog feel supported, confident, and comfortable again.

Keep reading!

Use Red Light Therapy for Gentle Joint Support

Joint pain treatments for canines have come a long way, offering many ways to reduce inflammation and manage discomfort caused by arthritis. Still, not every option feels right for every dog. Some approaches can feel intrusive, especially for senior dogs who are already sensitive or anxious. And when your furry friend is already hurting, the last thing you want is a solution that adds stress or discomfort. This is where red light therapy comes in.

It is increasingly explored as an Alternative treatment for arthritis in dogs because it works in a calm, non-invasive way. The therapy delivers specific wavelengths of light that penetrate the skin and reach affected joints, supporting healthy circulation and helping calm inflammation below the surface. MedcoVet, a company known for developing veterinary-guided red light therapy devices, notes that the therapy is designed to be calming rather than stimulating. This means:

• No heat applied to the area
• No physical pressure on sensitive joints
• No sudden or startling sensations

Most dogs simply lie down and relax during sessions. Another reassuring aspect is that many reliable devices are now made for home use. This allows families to support joint care in a familiar, peaceful setting where canines already feel safe.

Maintain a Healthy Weight to Ease Joint Pressure

Extra weight may not seem like much at first, but for a senior dog, even a small gain can place added pressure on already sensitive joints. Over time, that extra strain can worsen arthritis symptoms, making simple actions like standing up or walking across the room feel harder than they should. So, supporting a healthy weight is one of the most effective and gentle ways to protect joint comfort as your furry friend ages.

This does not mean strict diets or sudden changes. In many households, weight gain happens quietly. Portions slowly increase, treats are shared out of love, and routines vary depending on who is feeding the dog that day. Bringing consistency back into the picture often makes the biggest difference.

Some more practical ways families can support a healthy weight include:

• Measuring meals instead of guessing portions
• Using small, low-calorie treats during training or bonding time
• Making sure everyone in the household follows the same feeding routine

When weight is managed with care and patience, many canines move more freely, tire less easily, and seem more comfortable during everyday activities.

Make the Home Easier on Aging Joints

Your dog’s surroundings play a much bigger role in joint comfort than many people realize. Everyday things like slippery floors, hard sleeping surfaces, or repeated jumping can place quiet strain on aging joints. Over time, that strain adds up. The goal is not to restrict movement or change your furry friend’s habits, but to make each step feel safer and more supported.

Simple, joint and arthritis-friendly changes include:

• Placing non-slip rugs or mats in areas your pup walks through often
• Using ramps or low steps for couches and beds
• Choosing supportive, cushioned bedding that relieves pressure on joints

These changes quietly protect joints and help canines move with more confidence, especially during moments like getting up from rest or settling down for sleep.

Support Joint Health Through Thoughtful Nutrition

Nutrition plays a steady, behind-the-scenes role in joint health and supporting arthritis. A balanced diet supports cartilage, helps manage inflammation, and contributes to a healthy weight. For senior canines, consistency matters just as much as food quality, especially as their bodies become less adaptable to sudden changes.

Many veterinarians recommend diets designed for joint support or carefully chosen supplements based on individual needs. Any adjustment should be slow and intentional to avoid digestive upset. Nutrition tends to work best when it becomes part of a long-term routine rather than a quick fix.

If you are unsure what changes make sense, a veterinarian can help guide decisions based on factors such as:

• Your furry friend’s age and stage of joint wear
• Body size and current weight
• Existing health conditions that affect digestion or mobility

Thoughtful nutrition may not show dramatic results overnight, but over time, it quietly supports joint comfort and overall wellbeing in a way that truly adds up.

Closing Lines

Caring for a senior dog’s joints is not about rushing to fix everything at once. It is about slowing down, paying attention, and making thoughtful choices that support comfort day by day. Gentle therapies, steady movement, a supportive home, and mindful nutrition all work together over time to help dogs live more comfortably with arthritis. With patience and consistency, your furry friend can continue to move, rest, and enjoy life with greater ease.

Heading off to college is a giant, exciting step; however, money questions always seem to pop up as students and families try to map out what’s ahead. Knowing how tuition, housing, meals, books, and student loans fit together helps smooth the jump from high school to higher education.

A little planning upfront reduces stress and frees the student to focus on learning, growth, and new experiences.  While academics might be the core of school education, most graduates leave campus without a clear-cut plan on how to handle personal finance responsibilities.

In the modern world, personal finance is almost as important as studying for exams. Building money-management skills early lays a foundation that benefits students through college and beyond.

Understanding the Real Price of Higher Education

When families start looking at options, it’s all too easy to zero in on tuition and overlook the other costs that add up fast. Rent, meals, textbooks, transportation, and activities all add up to the total price of higher education. Seeing the full picture from the start helps students choose where to enroll, decide how much to borrow, and budget wisely.

Estimating the cost of each alternative is an important first step. Advance planning reduces the likelihood of unexpected financial stress, while it also allows consideration of scholarship, grant, or work-study options, which could decrease the amount that must be borrowed.

Borrowing with Intent

While loans might be a common tool to fund college, there’s an art to borrowing smartly. Borrowing without understanding the repayment terms could put students behind for years to come, in everything from credit to financial flexibility and career choices. Knowing how different loans work and what repayment looks like helps students know how much to borrow and manage money responsibly. Even small shifts in interest rates or repayment timelines can add up over years.

Planning Made Easy Tools

Technology now makes it easier than ever to understand borrowing options and plan ahead. Online resources let you model repayment scenarios and see what future obligations could look like, helping you make informed choices. Some students also like to experiment and see how the loan amounts affect their budgets by playing around with a student loan calculator. This is useful for the students as they can get a glimpse of different facets of the loan situation before things get complicated. This will also give the students more confidence as they will not face any surprises.

Budgeting Beyond Tuition

Borrowing, while sometimes necessary, is just part of the overall picture. There are everyday expenses, food, etc., and some entertainment. A simple budget will help keep costs in check, making sure that the essentials are paid before any of the non-essentials. Establishing solid budgetary habits early on not only ensures a smooth college experience, but it can also provide a foundation for future success in financially managing resources. Not only will a student budgeting skills ensure a less stressful college experience, but it will also keep future debt at bay.

Mixing Scholarships and Savings

Majority of the families cannot manage to finance everything through a single source. Earning scholarships and grants is essential, as it is not required to pay it back to the bank, and it will reduce the total burden of loans. Families also should encourage students to save early, even if it is a little amount from their part-time jobs. This amount may add up over the years, providing students with financial leeway and flexibility in managing tuition fees and living expenses.

Planning for the Unexpected

The fact of the matter is that life is full of uncertainties and unexpected happenings, which may impact a student’s ability to pay for college. However, with astute planning and using various online assists and calculators available today, a student can always save and be prepared for any unexpected incidents. This approach also helps ensure that any financial problems do not interfere with individual and academic success.

Understanding Repayment and Responsibility

After obtaining the loan, it becomes crucial to be able to pay it. This can lead to anxiety and consequences if neglecting to pay or miscalculating the payment amounts. Being responsible in keeping track of deadlines and effectively budgeting will enable students to develop good financial practices that will bear fruit even after college.

Conclusion

Going to college is not just about studying; it is an opportunity for individuals to learn life skills, particularly financial literacy. Being able to budget, forecast, and borrow keeps them independent and brave enough to make informed decisions. Preparing for higher education with ambition and financially responsible planning has allowed for not only economic opportunity, but personal freedom and security.

When your teenager is struggling with anxiety or depression, you want to help in every way possible. And if they’ve started medication, you might be wondering: Is there more we can do?

Many parents feel uneasy about psychiatric medications for teens. The side effects, the trial-and-error process, and the worry about long-term effects. These concerns are valid.

While medication can be life-changing for many young people, it’s natural to look for ways to support your teen’s mental health beyond a prescription. The good news is that several evidence-based approaches can complement professional treatment, and some might even help medication work better.

Why “Natural” Doesn’t Mean “Instead Of”

Before diving in, let’s be clear: natural approaches work best alongside professional care, not as replacements for it.

Depression and anxiety in teens are real medical conditions. When moderate to severe, they typically require professional treatment. The strategies below are about optimizing your teen’s overall mental health and potentially enhancing how well their treatment works, not about avoiding necessary care.

Think of it like managing diabetes. Medication might be essential, but diet, exercise, and lifestyle still matter enormously. Mental health works the same way.

The Foundation: Sleep, Movement, and Nutrition

These three factors affect brain chemistry directly, and teens are often deficient in all of them.

Sleep is non-negotiable for mental health. Teen brains need 8-10 hours per night, but most get far less. Sleep deprivation worsens anxiety and depression symptoms and can make medications less effective. Establishing consistent sleep and wake times, even on weekends, helps regulate mood-controlling neurotransmitters.

Physical activity is one of the most evidence-backed natural interventions for depression and anxiety. According to research published by the CDC, regular physical activity is strongly associated with reduced depressive symptoms among high school students. Exercise increases endorphins, reduces cortisol, and promotes neuroplasticity. It doesn’t need to be intense; regular walks, swimming, or any movement your teen enjoys can help. The key is consistency rather than intensity.

Nutrition directly impacts brain function. The gut-brain connection means that what your teen eats affects their mood and mental clarity. Focus on reducing processed foods and increasing omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish, walnuts, and flaxseed), complex carbohydrates, and foods rich in B vitamins and folate.

These aren’t quick fixes. But over weeks and months, they create a foundation that supports everything else.

The Role of Vitamins and Supplements

Some supplements have genuine research supporting their use in mental health. Others are mostly marketing. Here’s what the evidence actually shows:

• Omega-3 fatty acids have modest but real evidence for supporting mood. Most teens don’t get enough through diet alone. Fish oil supplements can help fill the gap.

• Vitamin D deficiency is linked to depression, and many teens, especially those who spend most of their time indoors, are deficient. A simple blood test can check levels, and supplementation is safe when needed.

• B vitamins, particularly B12 and folate, play crucial roles in producing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Deficiencies can contribute to depression and may reduce how well antidepressants work.

This last point, about B vitamins and medication effectiveness, is where things get interesting.

When Medication Isn’t Working: The Genetic Factor

Here’s something many parents don’t know genetics can affect how well psychiatric medications work.

Approximately 40-70% of the population has variations in a gene called MTHFR. This gene controls how your body processes folate, a B vitamin essential for producing neurotransmitters. When this gene doesn’t work efficiently, your body may struggle to create adequate serotonin and dopamine, even with antidepressant support. Research from the National Institutes of Health has found that MTHFR gene polymorphisms are associated with increased risk of depression and reduced antidepressant effectiveness.

The result? Medications that should work simply don’t work as well. Or they require higher doses. Or your teen experiences more side effects than expected.

This is one reason why some teens cycle through multiple medications without finding relief. The medications aren’t flawed; the underlying nutritional pathway is compromised.

The solution isn’t to abandon medication. It’s to support that pathway directly.

Folate: Not All Forms Are Equal

If your teen has an MTHFR variation, standard folic acid supplements won’t help much. Their body can’t convert it efficiently; that’s the whole problem.

What can help is an active form of folate that bypasses the broken pathway. Leucovorin is a prescription-grade form of active folate that’s been studied specifically for treatment-resistant depression. It works alongside antidepressants to support neurotransmitter production directly.

This isn’t a fringe treatment. Research published in peer-reviewed journals has shown that adding active folate to antidepressant regimens can improve response rates in patients who weren’t getting adequate relief from medication alone.

It’s also not a replacement for psychiatric care; it’s a targeted addition based on your teen’s specific genetics.

How to Know If This Applies to Your Teen

If your teen’s medication isn’t working as expected, or if they’re experiencing significant side effects, genetic factors might be involved.

Genetic testing can identify MTHFR variations and other genes that affect medication metabolism. Many psychiatrists now offer pharmacogenomic testing to guide treatment decisions. This takes some of the guesswork out of the trial-and-error process that frustrates so many families.

Signs that genetic factors might be at play include:

• Multiple medications were tried without adequate response
• Unexpected side effects at normal doses
• Family history of depression or anxiety that’s been hard to treat
• Slow response to medications that should work faster

If this sounds familiar, it’s worth asking your teen’s provider about genetic testing and whether active folate might be appropriate.

Building a Complete Support System

 Supporting your teen’s mental health isn’t about finding one magic solution. It’s about building layers of support that work together.

Start with the foundations: sleep, movement, nutrition. Make sure your teen has access to professional care, therapy, psychiatry, or both. Investigate whether supplements like omega-3s or vitamin D might help.

And if standard treatment isn’t producing the results you’d hoped for, don’t assume your teen is just “hard to treat.” Ask about genetic testing. Ask whether their folate pathway might need targeted support.

Building strong self-esteem in teens also plays a crucial role in recovery. While biological factors matter, so does the emotional environment. Teens who feel supported, accepted, and capable are better positioned to benefit from treatment.

Mental health challenges in adolescence are difficult for the whole family. But with the right combination of professional care, lifestyle support, and targeted interventions, most teens can find significant relief.

Your instinct to look for additional ways to help? That’s exactly the right instinct. Just make sure those additional approaches complement professional treatment rather than replace it.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your teen’s healthcare provider before starting any supplements or making changes to their treatment plan.