TIPS AND GUIDANCE

I'm excited to use this space to share ideas with you. I hope it feels relevant and helpful. If there is something specific you would like me to address, let me know!

Tips for having uncomfortable conversations with your kids

Dr. Jacqueline Cahalan

Jan 9
2 min

Tips for having uncomfortable conversations with your kids

Tricky conversations with your kids can be…tricky. Here are a few tips to help take some of the pressure off: Most conversations don’t need to be one big, monumental discussion. Often, you can introduce a topic and lay the groundwork to start an ongoing discussion. For example, you can say something like “I’ve been thinking about (X) and wanting to talk to you about it. Have you heard anything about this?” Listen to what they say and then give a general overview with a few m

Dr. Jacqueline Cahalan

Jan 6
1 min

Applying Compassionate Parenting to Ourselves First

When we think about “Compassionate Parenting,” what if we expanded our mindset to apply it to ourselves first? It can be really hard to show up and be calm and present with your children when they are having big feelings and needs. What if we first tried to offer ourselves gentleness for wherever we are at, and then tried to show up for our kids as our imperfect selves the best that we can? If this is a struggle for you, reach out to me and let’s chat. You can’t pour from an

Dr. Jacqueline Cahalan

Dec 6, 2022
1 min

Managing Tricky Child Requests

Parents: You don’t need to respond to every request or demand or question the instant your child brings it to you. You are allowed to take your time and respond in a way that you feel comfortable with and that is consistent with the values that you want to instill in your kids. You are allowed to say “I need to think about that” or “I need more information” or “I’m not really sure- let me get back to you.” We often feel pressure to respond to things right away and sometimes

Dr. Jacqueline Cahalan

Nov 18, 2022
1 min

Holidays can be complicated

The holidays can be filled with festivities, excitement, and love, but for many people they are also a time for more complicated feelings

New Things Can Be Uncomfortable- That is Normal and Okay

Dr. Jacqueline Cahalan

Nov 14, 2022
1 min

New Things Can Be Uncomfortable- That is Normal and Okay

If you are trying to do something new or different and it feels really uncomfortable, that is okay.

Dr. Jacqueline Cahalan

Sep 29, 2022
1 min

Parenting Adolescents as they Separate from the Nest

This post is for the parents of adolescents who might be really missing their kids these days. One normal, healthy component of adolescent development is separating from caregivers and becoming more independent. This likely means that they spend less time with you. As a parent, your role typically shifts from one that involves a lot of direct caretaking to one where you play more of a consultant role. And with all of this, you might find that you really miss them. This i

Dr. Jacqueline Cahalan

Sep 20, 2022
1 min

Parents: It’s okay to feel uncertain!

Parents: It is okay and normal to feel like sometimes you have no idea what you are doing.

Don’t Panic if Your Kids Don’t Want to Share Every Detail About School!

Dr. Jacqueline Cahalan

Sep 9, 2022
1 min

Don’t Panic if Your Kids Don’t Want to Share Every Detail About School!

it is perfectly normal for your child to not rush out of school and tell you every detail about their day.

Supporting the Transition Back to School

Dr. Jacqueline Cahalan

Sep 1, 2022
1 min

Supporting the Transition Back to School

Back to school transition can be exciting and scary for kids and parents. Here are some tips on how to help support it!

Dr. Jacqueline Cahalan

Aug 4, 2022
1 min

Choose your battles

Reminder: You don’t need to engage in every struggle that is presented to you. One way to help avoid a power struggle or confrontation when your child says something provocative or fresh or antagonistic is to say “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.” This tells your child that you did, in fact, hear exactly what they said, but you are choosing not to engage on that issue. You don’t need to fight every battle and you are generally better off when you are selective on what

Dr. Jacqueline Cahalan

Jul 29, 2022
1 min

Parenting tip! When things go awry, try a re-do!

Parents: When a conversation with your kids seems to go off the rails or become unwieldy for whatever reason, one option is to simply say “Let’s try this again.” Then you can pause, take a second to collect your thoughts, and start again in a more focused and intentional way. Remember that there always room for re-dos, second chances, or repair when things go awry or we make a mistake. #childdevelopment #childmentalhealth #childwellness #parenting #parenttips #momlife #dadlif

Dr. Jacqueline Cahalan

Oct 20, 2021
1 min

Make (Lots of) Space for Play

“Play is the work of childhood.”- Jean Piaget Don’t minimize the value or importance of play! It is essential to kids’ well being and fosters development of: Emotional regulation Socialization and social skills Cognitive development Creativity Problem-solving skills Self-competence Self-confidence Autonomy Resilience And don’t feel like you need to micromanage play. Give kids the space to figure it out on their own. There may be times where a little structure or support ca

Dr. Jacqueline Cahalan

Jan 7, 2021
1 min

January Reflection and Resolution

January. The dark, cold, murky time of year where we exit the holiday pandemonium and enter a period often marked by reflection and resolutions. We focus on self-improvement and setting goals and organizing our lives. This year, as we dive into this phase, we need to remember to be exceptionally gentle with ourselves and our loved ones. Regardless of specific circumstances, the past year has been a hard one for everyone. Congratulate yourself for doing the best you could.

Allowing Space for Contradictory Feelings

Dr. Jacqueline Cahalan

Dec 18, 2020
1 min

Allowing Space for Contradictory Feelings

It is okay to look forward to the holidays but also be sad about all the things that are missing this year. It is okay to be anxious about the pandemic but also hopeful about the future. It is okay to be angry about all the sacrifices that this year has required while also being grateful for unanticipated silver linings. All of these feelings are valid. And finding ways to hold space for the myriad of things that you may be thinking and feeling allows you to honor all the

Dr. Jacqueline Cahalan

Dec 3, 2020
3 min

The Holidays, Covid, and Grief

Everything is different right now, but the holiday season makes these differences especially pronounced. This time of year is typically marked by traditions and time with loved ones and ideas of magic and unmitigated joy. There is often a gap between our holiday expectations and the reality (How many parents have spent 45 minutes getting their kids dressed for the first snowfall with ideas of a picturesque afternoon building snowmen and sledding only to have kids start crying

You Are Your Child’s Most Valuable Advocate

Dr. Jacqueline Cahalan

Oct 26, 2020
2 min

You Are Your Child’s Most Valuable Advocate

When your child is having a hard time or is struggling with a challenge (such as in school, relationships, or another in his or her life), a parent or other person close to the child may be the first to notice that something seems “off.” You know your child- his or her general preferences, behaviors, and ways of interacting with others and with the world. And this attunement means that you may be able to identify shifts or changes in his or her well-being before anyone else

Dr. Jacqueline Cahalan

Licensed Psychologist
Online Parent Consultation and Psychotherapy in New York State

TIPS AND GUIDANCE

jcahalan@drjacquelinecahalan.com

(516)670-5628

©2022 Jacqueline Cahalan, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, PLLC Proudly created with Wix.com