Children’s Mental Health Blog
Explore recent articles from Little Otter’s child and family mental health and wellness experts.
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?”
How Parents Can Avoid Passing Their Own Fears onto their Children
Learn how parents can avoid passing on fears to children, and the importance of parent mental health for the whole family’s wellbeing.
At What Age Does Separation Anxiety Typically Peak in Infants and Small Children?
Learn when separation anxiety typically peaks in infants and small children, how to respond to it, and when to worry about separation anxiety in children in this quick blog.
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.
My Daughter Tends to Respond Defensively. Any Tips for Better Communication With Her?
One mom wrote in about her teenage daughter’s defensive responses, and how to communicate more productively.
How Can I Help My 5-Year-Old Son Understand His Emotions and Manage What Appears to Be an Anxious Tic?
“I have two possibly related questions. My 5-year-old son says he’s sad but doesn’t know why. He also seems to have developed an anxious tic. Do you have any advice?”
My Son Has a Speech Delay and Expresses His Frustration By Biting. How Can I Respond to This Behavior?
“My son has a speech delay. He does know some words, but bites and hits me when he’s angry, is told ‘no,’ or is asked to wait for something. Do you have advice for how to respond to this behavior?”
I Think My Daughter Says “I’m Scared” When She Means “I Don’t Want To.” How Can I Handle This While Respecting Her Feelings?
“How do I know for sure if my daughter is scared, and how should I handle it without invalidating her feelings? I feel she uses it as an excuse when she doesn’t want to do something. I don’t know the best way to handle this, please help!”
How to Help Your Kids Go Back-to-School During COVID-19
Are you or your little ones worried about going back to school during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic? You’re not alone. In this article, written in Fall 2021, we offer some guidance and resources to help you navigate the transition.
How Can I Help My 9-Year-Old Manage His Anxiety & Aggression?
“My 9-year-old son experiences anxiety. Lately, as his routines have been disrupted, he’s been having tantrums. What can we do?”