Articles In This Section
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Your Child’s Habits
Nail biting, hair twirling, thumb sucking, and nose picking - these childhood habits are common. Here's how to deal with them.
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Sportsmanship
One of the most important goals of kids' sports is helping children develop a sense of good sportsmanship. Here's how to set a good example for your kids.
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Steroids
Get the facts about steroids, their side effects, and why kids and teens might try them.
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Talking to Your Child About Drugs
Help protect kids against drug use by giving them the facts before they're in a risky situation.
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Talking to Your Kids About Alcohol
As much as parents may not like to think about it, the truth is that many kids and teens try alcohol before it is legal for them to drink it. Here's an age-based guide on how to talk to them about it.
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Taming Tempers
Controlling outbursts can be hard for kids - and helping them learn to do so is a tough job for their parents. But just about every child can improve with the right coaching.
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Teaching Kids Not to Bully
Whether bullying is physical or verbal, if it's not stopped it can lead to more aggressive antisocial behavior - and interfere with a child's success in school and ability to form and sustain friendships.
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Teaching Your Child Self-Control
Tantrums and outbursts can rile even the most patient parents. Helping kids learn self-control teaches them how to respond to situations without just acting on impulse.
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Temper Tantrums
Temper tantrums range from whining and crying to screaming, kicking, hitting, and breath holding. Get the facts on managing - and preventing - temper tantrums.
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Toilet Training
Even before your child is ready to try the potty, you can prepare your little one by teaching about the process. Here are some tips.
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Helping Teens Who Self-Harm
Cutting and other forms of self-injury among teens have become more common in recent years. Learn how to help a teen who self-harms.
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Sexting: What Parents Need to Know
Sexting could haunt a teen for the rest of his or her life. Here's what parents need to know.
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Pica
Some young kids have the eating disorder pica, which is characterized by cravings to eat nonfood items.
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Parenting a Teen With ADHD
Parenting is as important as any other part of ADHD treatment. The way parents respond can make ADHD better (or worse). This article has parenting tips to help teens improve and do well.
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Parenting a Child With ADHD
Parenting is as important as any other part of ADHD treatment. The way parents respond can make ADHD better (or worse). This article has parenting tips to help kids improve and do well.
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
OCD causes upsetting thoughts (obsessions) and the urge to do "ritual" behaviors (compulsions). Kids and teens get stuck in a stressful cycle of these thoughts, anxiety, and rituals. OCD can get better with the right attention and care.
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Kids and Smoking
The health risks of smoking are well known, many young people still do it. Here's how to help your kids avoid smoking, vaping, or using chewing tobacco - or quit, if they've already started.
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Helping Your Child Heal After Trauma
Kids can recover after trauma with help from therapy and extra support and comfort from parents.
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Helping Kids Deal With Bullies
Unfortunately, bullying is a common part of childhood. But parents can help kids cope with it and lessen its lasting impact.
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Helping Kids Cope With Cliques
With cliques prevalent in middle and high school, most kids encounter them at some point. Here's how parents can help kids maintain confidence and self-respect while dealing with cliques.
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Disciplining Your Child
It's important to be consistent about discipline. If you don't stick to the rules and consequences, kids aren't likely to either. Find out how to vary your approach to fit your family.
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Delayed Speech or Language Development
Knowing how speech and language develop can help you figure out if you should be concerned or if your child is right on schedule.
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Cutting and Self-Harm
Some teens and even pre-teens hurt themselves on purpose. Find out why some cut or do other types of self-injury and how to help.
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Compulsive Exercise
Even though exercise has many positive benefits, too much can be harmful. Teens who exercise compulsively are at risk for both physical and psychological problems.
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Binge Eating Disorder
Kids who eat unusually large amounts of food - and feel guilty or secretive about it - could be struggling with binge eating disorder.
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ADHD and School
ADHD can affect a child's ability to do well in school and even make friends. This article for parents has tips on working with teachers to help your child succeed.
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About Teen Suicide
When a teen commits suicide, everyone is affected. The reasons behind a suicide or attempted suicide can be complex, but often there are warning signs.
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Biting
There are ways to get to the bottom of your toddler's biting habit. These steps can help.
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Breath-Holding Spells
Kids who have these spells hold their breath until they pass out. Although upsetting to watch, the spells are not harmful and do not pose any serious, long-term health risks.
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Understanding Your Child’s Eating Disorder (Video)
An eating disorder affects the way people think about food and eating. This leads to behaviors that harm physical and mental health. Anyone can develop an eating disorder. Learn more in this video.
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Meal Support for Eating Disorders (Video)
Help your child develop a healthier relationship with food by working with the care team and being supportive during mealtimes.
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Stuttering
Many young kids go through a stage when they stutter. Stuttering usually goes away on its own but in some cases lasts longer.
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Therapy for ADHD
Therapy is part of the treatment for most kids and teens diagnosed with ADHD. This article helps parents learn what to expect and how therapy works.
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ADHD Medicines
Medicine doesn’t cure ADHD. But it does help boost a child's ability to pay attention, slow down, and have more self-control. This article for parents has details on how ADHD medicines help.
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ADHD
ADHD is a common medical condition that can affect kids at school, at home, and in friendships. Learn more about ADHD and how to help kids get the best diagnosis and care.
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Soiling (Encopresis)
If your child has bowel movements in places other than the toilet, you know how frustrating it can be. Many kids who soil beyond the years of toilet teaching have a condition known as encopresis.