Join our next emotional regulation conversation where we share real life case studies!
Join our next emotional regulation conversation where we share real life case studies!
Where does self-confidence come from? According to researchers, confidence is built from both external elements, like a positive family environment, and internal elements, like a strong sense of self. To develop a strong sense of self, tweens and teens need opportunities for self-discovery: learning about their unique character, beliefs, abilities,…
Where does self-confidence come from? According to researchers, confidence is built from both external elements, like a positive family environment, and internal elements, like a strong sense of self. To develop a strong sense of self, tweens and teens need opportunities for self-discovery: learning about their unique character, beliefs, abilities,…
Self-discovery is the mission of every adolescent’s journey from childhood to adulthood. A strong identity helps tweens and teens develop self-awareness, self-regulation skills and confidence, and it guides them to make healthier choices and to grow into resilient adults. How can parents and caregivers make sure young people get the…
Imagine the average adolescent. What qualities come to mind? You might think about big emotions, sensitivity, defiance, impulsivity, and maybe, just maybe, a hint of self-absorption. While there’s no such thing as a “typical” teen, research tells us that these traits show up for a good reason: they’re part of…
Self-love includes “radical honesty, positive habit building, and unconditional self-acceptance,” writes poet and author Yung Pueblo. If a single quality could ensure teens’ lifelong mental, physical and emotional well-being, it just might just be the ability to love themselves. That’s because self-love gives teens tools to conquer self-doubt, practice self-acceptance…
Rates of adolescent loneliness are on the rise, and it’s a cause for major concern among mental health experts. Loneliness, according to Stanford University researchers, is “the state of distress or discomfort that results when we perceive a gap between our desire for social connection and our actual experience of…
The confidence of almost every tween and teen takes a hit in adolescence. Kids who were spunky, sassy and carefree a few years ago may suddenly seem unsure and anxious. The transition is tough for parents to process. “…A confident child does not automatically become a confident adolescent,” says psychologist…
Did you know that one of the top causes of teen stress is negative thoughts and feelings about themselves? Neurological, biological and social changes during adolescence make teens more self-conscious, and that can quickly lead to self-judgment and self-criticism. To stop the cycle, teach your teen how to practice self-compassion.…
Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is a secret superpower. In the book Emotional Intelligence, author and psychologist Daniel Goleman suggests that EQ may be even more important in life than IQ. Goleman and other researchers believe the full spectrum of human intelligence includes the ability to understand, express and regulate one’s…
Curiosity is one of the top qualities we should help our teens cultivate, according to researcher Elyse Salek. Why? “Because rapid brain growth during adolescence results in even greater potential benefits to memory and learning,” Salek says. “Teens are developing the capacity to think critically and reason thoughtfully. The underlying…
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the mental health of people of all ages, but teens were hit especially hard. According to the CDC, more than a third of high school students (37%) reported they experienced poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 44% reported persistent feelings…
When parents are asked what qualities we hope for in our teens, we use words like kindness, courage, resilience, and purpose. Vulnerability probably doesn’t make it onto many lists, but maybe it should. According to clinical social worker and researcher Dr. Brené Brown, embracing vulnerability – including our imperfections, mistakes,…
We call it instinct, a hunch, or a gut feeling: intuition is when we “just know” something without knowing why. It’s often considered mysterious, but intuition is actually a higher-level thinking skill that can be cultivated. According to author and Intuition Lab founder Kim Chestney, intuition is “our built-in guide,…
Here’s a cool, little-known fact about the word confidence: it comes from the Latin fidere, which means “to trust.” If you’ve used the Lucero App, you might have seen this word before. Hint: It’s the title of Island 2 because the 28-day experience is designed to help improve your sense…
Butterflies in your stomach. Sweaty palms. The unshakeable feeling of worry or dread. Everyone has some experience with anxiety, but statistics are skyrocketing among teens. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in three adolescents between the ages of 13-18 will experience an anxiety disorder. If you think…
From the time your teen was born, you’ve been building their self-confidence with unconditional love, support and validation. But to take that confidence to the next level, teens need challenges, too. The right kind of challenges help teens learn valuable life skills and get comfortable making decisions, speaking up for…
The teen years are a time of nonstop changes and challenges for both teens and their parents. Resilience helps teens navigate the ups and downs of adolescence and bounce back from adversity. Lucky for parents, it’s a skill that can be learned, and researchers have identified the seven strengths that…
As parents, we all want to raise confident kids. We want them to bravely speak their minds, stand up for what they believe in, go for their goals, and embrace whatever makes them special and unique. But the teen years bring changes that can challenge kids’ confidence and even lead…
Ask any teenager about their dreams for the future and you’re likely to be inspired. Teens are passionate, creative, and full of big ideas. But goal setting – breaking those ideas down into organized, manageable steps – is a skill they have to learn. As writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said,…
If you’re the parent of a teenager, chances are that just a few years ago, they were running around in a Spider Man suit or Wonder Woman bracelets, saving the world while you cheered them on. Whatever their age, we want our kids to recognize and embrace the unique superhero…
“I can’t believe I missed that goal. I suck at hockey.” “I’m so fat. Nobody will ever like me.” “I’m going to bomb my algebra test… and probably the whole semester.” If you\’re the parent of a teenager, chances are, you hear more than your fair share of negative self-talk.…
One evening, at the dinner table, we were discussing the topic of fear. Everyone was sharing what they were afraid of, and our boys were taking advantage of my being vulnerable and confessing a fear of owls. The man they see as strong and confident, yields to the presence of…
When we say “I just want my child to be happy,” what we’re wishing for them is passion. We want them to live a life full of joy and meaning, to be motivated by what they love, and for their passion to be a touchstone that helps them get through…
What happens when a high-achieving teen’s drive and dedication crosses over into perfectionism? Recent research confirms that teen perfectionism is on the rise, and it’s linked to increasing levels of anxiety and depression. One study found that nearly a third of children develop “maladaptive perfectionism” by the time they reach…
Oprah was fired from one of her first television anchor jobs. Albert Einstein was labeled “mentally slow” in school. Lady Gaga was fired from her record label after three months, and Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. Stories of famous failures can be a source of…
If you want to be inspired, take a look at what teenagers are up to these days. Creative teens are starting global movements and trends. They are becoming inventors, artists, authors, activists, and entrepreneurs.Teens are redefining the world as we know it, and they’re just getting started! What makes these…
Give them the tools to develop healthy habits that last a lifetime in a way in which they enjoy.
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