Videos
Astrological Overview and Forecast: November 9, 2026
As humanity is called to release old patterns of pride, drama, and self-absorption, the...
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- Written by: Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
Imagine two children growing up side by side. One’s caregivers talked freely about emotions, held them close, and gently encouraged them to feel for others. The other was taught to bury hurt and never let tears show. When both become adults, their empathy toward others will not start from zero—it carries the weight of that upbringing. In quiet ways, how you grow up often decides how fully you can feel for someone else.
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- Written by: Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
Parenting styles do more than guide behavior—they shape brain development itself. Research shows that harsh parenting accelerates brain changes linked to anxiety, while warmth nurtures resilience and healthier mental states. Understanding this connection gives parents tools to raise children with confidence and compassion. Parenting is not just about today’s choices; it’s about how the brain wires for a lifetime.
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- Written by: Alex Jordan, InnerSelf.com
Toxic stress in childhood can lead to long-term health problems, but stability offers powerful protection. Research shows that predictable routines, supportive caregivers, and safe environments foster resilience and lifelong well-being. By addressing toxic stress and prioritizing childhood stability, we can safeguard mental and physical health for generations. Learn why stability matters and how small changes today can create healthier futures.
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- Written by: Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
Many parents unknowingly believe myths about child creativity that actually hold kids back. From over-scheduling to relying too heavily on screens, these habits can stifle imagination instead of nurturing it. By rethinking everyday choices and debunking parenting myths, families can create environments where child creativity thrives, confidence grows, and imagination becomes an empowering tool for lifelong learning and resilience.
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- Written by: Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
Screen time isn’t the villain we sometimes make it out to be. Nor is it a digital babysitter we should blindly trust. Somewhere between fear and freedom is a sweet spot, a space where your child can learn, grow, and even flourish with the right kind of screen time. The key? You. Your presence, your nudges, and your choices shape that relationship.
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- Written by: Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
Positive parenting and fear-free discipline raise emotionally intelligent and secure children. Instead of punishment, the focus shifts to connection, respect, and empathy. By healing our own parenting triggers and embracing neuroscience-backed tools, we raise children who trust rather than fear, and who carry that trust into the world.
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- Written by: Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
It’s just a sip, right? A family celebration, a clink of glasses, and a curious child asking to taste what the grownups are having. Many parents shrug and say yes, thinking it's harmless—or even helpful—to take the mystery out of alcohol. But what if that innocent taste plants a seed? What if that moment sets off a ripple effect that stretches far beyond childhood into adult habits, health, and emotional patterns?
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- Written by: Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
Words can comfort, heal, and inspire—but they can also hurt in ways we don’t always recognize until it’s too late. When it comes to children, the words they hear from the adults in their lives become the building blocks of how they see the world—and themselves. But what happens when those words are filled with criticism, sarcasm, or rage? The bruises aren’t visible, but the pain runs deep and lingers long after the words have been spoken. Let’s talk about verbal abuse, how it shapes a child’s heart and mind, and what we can do—right now—to stop the cycle and begin to heal.
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- Written by: Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
When a new baby joins the family, it can feel like the whole house holds its breath—anticipation, excitement, and, for older children, an undercurrent of confusion or even sorrow. The love you feel for all your children is boundless, but to a child used to being the center of your world, that love can suddenly feel uncertain. This article is here to help you gently navigate those stormy waters.
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- Written by: Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
Making friends isn’t always easy for kids, but with the right guidance, they can develop the social skills they need to connect with others. Learn how to support your child’s confidence and friendships through encouragement and simple strategies that make a lasting impact.
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- Written by: Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
Raising emotionally intelligent kids equips them to handle life’s challenges with empathy, resilience, and confidence. Learn 10 proven tips to nurture your child’s EQ.
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- Written by: Alex Jordan, InnerSelf.com
Child growth standards and 'normal' development often oversimplify the unique journey of childhood. Learn why every child thrives in their own way.
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- Written by: Darlene Taylor
Discover the 4 key rules for successful co-parenting after divorce. From mutual respect to consistency, learn how to navigate the challenges and build a healthy co-parenting relationship.
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- Written by: David W. Berner
I don’t believe I have regrets. But don’t we all regret something? At least one thing? Sure, there is that artistic life I missed, the dangerous and the reclusive. But what if I had embraced that life in some way? What would that have done to my...
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- Written by: Tami Lynn Kent
When conception and pregnancy come with effort, or not at all, the risk is to set oneself up to feel like a failure or, alternately, to try everything in the hopes of being “good enough” to conceive.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Cripps
Before I was a mother, I was a philosopher. As such, I can offer no cut-and-dried answers to every quandary. Rather than adhere to one philosophical worldview, I use a handful of ideas we can treat as a cornerstone of “commonsense morality.”
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- Written by: Thaddeus Hoffmeister, University of Dayton
‘Gross negligence’: why a parent like James Crumbley can be found guilty for their child’s crimes.
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- Written by: Margaret Bensfield Sullivan
For a while after my family returned from a year of travel around the world, it seemed we had ruined sightseeing for my children.
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- Written by: Khara Croswaite Brindle
As a parent of an estranged adult child attempting to repair the rupture and reconcile, what do you need to consider or do to make that happen? What needs to be in place for your reconciliation efforts to be successful?
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- Written by: Kimberly Hillier, University of Windsor
How having conversations with children builds their language — and strengthens family connections
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- Written by: Juliana Zabatiero, Curtin University et al
Many parents worry about how much time their children spend watching screens. While some time on devices is fine for entertainment and education, we also know it is important children do things away from TVs and devices.
