Ask the Child Psychologist
School Avoidance
by Lisa Medoff
February 23, 2009
Dear Dr. Medoff,
It is becoming more and more difficult to get my eleven-year-old son to school in the morning. He will hide under the covers or throw a tantrum, and he even threw up last week when I was trying to get him dressed. What can I do? From, K.
Dear K.,
You and your son are definitely not alone in your struggle about getting to school; most parents will agree that getting their children out of bed and out the door in the morning is not the most pleasant part ...
Read More
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
-
Conformity
October 15, 2007, 12:00 am
Dear Dr. Medoff, My wife and I have always raised our 14-year-old son to think for himself and express his individuality. Lately, we are concerned because we see him conforming to his friends in a very extreme way. Everything that he does, from his clothes, hairstyle, music, and even the way he talks, has to be exactly like his friends. Read More
-
The Death of a Pet
October 1, 2007, 12:00 am
Dear Dr. Medoff, Our dog is eleven years old and has been quite ill lately. The vet recently told us that we should begin to prepare for his death. We have three children under the age of 12. How can we help them through this time? From, Elizabeth, New York Read More
-
Fighting Siblings
September 26, 2007, 12:00 am
There is no way to stop siblings from fighting. It is a natural occurrence that takes place in all homes, to some degree. Negotiating conflict with siblings is a great way for kids to learn skills for coping with problems that occur outside the home. Read More
-
Talking in Class
September 24, 2007, 12:00 am
Dear Dr. Medoff, I have a grandson, age 14, who talks incessantly in class. All his teachers complain about it in his reports. Do you have any suggestions about what I can do? From, Zora Read More
-
Homework
September 17, 2007, 12:00 am
Dear Dr. Medoff, My son just started 6th grade, and homework has become a nightly struggle for us. We are always fighting about getting him to sit down to do it. By the time he does, it is often late, he is too tired to concentrate, and we are too burnt out to force the issue. What can I do to make this process easier? From, Robert Read More
-
Children and Chores
September 10, 2007, 12:00 am
Dear Dr. Medoff, At what age should my children start doing chores? My husband and I are always debating about whether the kids should be helping out around the house, or whether we should just let them enjoy their childhood without any responsibilities. What do you recommend? From, Gina, Ohio Read More
-
Managing Money
September 3, 2007, 12:00 am
Dear Dr. Medoff, I worry about my child growing up in a society that is so materialistic. I feel that my parents taught me how to appreciate the value of money, and I want to pass that on to my child. How can I do that? From, Flora, Illinois. Read More
-
Dealing with Stress
August 27, 2007, 12:00 am
Dear Readers, In the previous column, I discussed helping your child deal with minor anxiety. Stress is understandable. Our lives can be overwhelmingly busy, and we seem to keep on adding activities into the schedule. Plus the pressure to excel, not just in academics, but in multiple arenas, start at increasingly younger ages, and as you know it never stops! You can help your child, and yourself, if you learn how to bring yourself into a calmer state. Read More
-
Anxiety
August 20, 2007, 12:00 am
Dear Dr. Medoff, My daughter is in 5th grade. I have noticed that lately she seems to be getting anxious and worried about minor things. It is not a major problem, but I don’t want it to get worse. What can I do to help her? From, Cynthia G., Arizona. Read More
-
Getting a Boy to Read
August 13, 2007, 12:00 am
Dear Dr. Medoff, I am concerned about my son’s reading ability. My daughter carries a book around everywhere she goes, but my son always says he hates reading. He is very smart, but I am afraid that his distaste for reading will hurt him as he goes through school. Am I worrying too much? Is there anything I can do? From, Eileen C., Pittsburgh, PA Read More
‹ previous ... 12345678910next ›
