Ask a Child Psychologist

common questions asked by parents

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!”

October 26, 2021

How Can I Help My 6-Year-Old Daughter Deal with Her Intense Fears and the Outbursts They Trigger?

“My 6-year-old has recently started having huge fears of riding in the car once it gets dark. Leading up to this fear were other fears. What can I do to help her navigate them?”

October 19, 2021

Does My Child’s Love of Electronics and Sugar Signal Potential Addictive Behavior or ADHD Risk?

“I’m wondering if I should worry about addiction to electronics and the meltdowns that happen because of it. I’m also noticing what appears to be addictive behavior related to treats and sugar, and wondering if we should be thinking about a possible ADHD early intervention. Any advice?”

October 12, 2021

My 2-Year-Old Daughter Has Extreme Sleep Tantrums. Any Advice?

“My 2-year-old daughter has extreme sleep tantrums. Any advice?”

October 5, 2021

I’m Worried about My 2-Year-Old Son’s Tantrums and Sibling Aggression. Any Advice?

“My two-year-old has tantrums and is sometimes aggressive towards his siblings. When should I worry?”

September 22, 2021

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