Ask the Child Psychologist
Spoil Check
by Lisa Medoff
October 6, 2008
No parent wants to raise a child that is spoiled. All parents would like to know that their children are self-sufficient, polite, and appreciate what they have. However, it is difficult to avoid spoiling your children in a world where temptations (both for your child and for you) lurk everywhere you turn. Temptations that exist in the form of countless advertisements for “must-have” products, the desire to prevent your child from feeling left out or neglected, and the immediate ...
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Lisa Medoff, Ph.D holds a B.A. in psychology, a master's degree in school counseling, and a Ph.D. in child and adolescent development. Although she’s worked with all types of children, for the past eight years, she has worked with students with special needs, such as ADHD, learning disabilities, depression and anxiety. She has taught courses in psychology and child/adolescent development at Stanford University, Santa Clara University, San Jose State University, and DeAnza College. She currently works as a resilience consultant for the non-profit Cleo Eulau Center, helping teachers at a low-performing elementary school understand issues of connectedness, special needs, and cultural sensitivity in order to build resilience in their students.
Column Archive
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Following the Rules
by Lisa Medoff
September 29, 2008, 12:00 amNina posted some questions about her 10-year-old daughter lying. Nina wants to know how she can tell if her daughter is deliberately lying or simply forgetful, as her daughter was a micro-preemie, and Nina is worried that her premature birth has affected her behavior and memory. Read More
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Nail Biting
by Lisa Medoff
September 22, 2008, 12:00 amCamille posted a question about her four-year-old boy who started to bite his nails. She wants to know what is going on in his mind when he bites his nails, as well as how to get him to stop doing it. Read More
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Nephew With ADHD
by Lisa Medoff
September 15, 2008, 12:00 amMelissa posted a question about her 10-year-old nephew, whom she has been raising for five years. Her nephew has been diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and takes medication to help him get through the day. Read More
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Angry Around My Kids
by Lisa Medoff
September 8, 2008, 12:00 amVera posted a comment about her three kids. They irritate her at most times, and she thinks that they hate her. She says that she loves them, but whenever they come near her, she gets angry. This problem is affecting her marriage. Vera wants to know how she can build a successful relationship with them. Read More
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Long Day of School?
by Lisa Medoff
September 1, 2008, 12:00 amAsha K. posted a question regarding her three-year-old daughter. She wants to know if it is advisable to put a child of that age into a preschool that runs from 8 am to 5:30 pm. Asha feels that she has no other alternative, as she just moved to a small town and there is no other school available. Read More
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Dealing With Disasters
by Lisa Medoff
August 25, 2008, 12:00 amDear Dr. Medoff, A lot of people in our area have lost their homes due to the wildfires this summer. We had to evacuate for a few days, but are now safely back in our house. What can I do to help my children deal with what happened to our community? Read More
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Worries About Sexual Abuse
by Lisa Medoff
August 18, 2008, 12:00 amDear Dr. Medoff, I have two daughters, one in preschool and one in elementary school. How can I protect them from sexual abuse without scaring them too much? Read More
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Is There Such A Thing As Overparenting?
by Lisa Medoff
August 11, 2008, 12:00 amI would like to address a problem that I see more and more with every year that I teach at the college level. Students have a difficult time handling the frustration of a low grade or tough assignments, are easily overwhelmed by stress, and don't seem to have the skills to cope with minor setbacks. What's going on? Read More
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I Want To Stop Fighting With My Sister
by Lisa Medoff
August 4, 2008, 12:00 amNicole posted a question on the discussion forum about fighting with her sister. She is concerned that she and her sister are always fighting, and she wants to know what to do. Read More
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Picky Eater
by Lisa Medoff
July 28, 2008, 12:00 amDear Dr. Medoff, My first-grader is a very picky eater, but I want to make sure that he learns healthy habits. What can I do to make sure this happens? Read More
