Blog Archives

All Things Social Media!

3/28/2016

Hopefully over the long weekend you were able to spend some priceless quality time with your family. We know that in today's society many things get in the way of this process - a big one being "all things social media". We wanted to follow-up a post from last semester detailing fabulous articles about the different ways to approach and talk about social media in your family. Be sure to check out this blog post from December.

Additionally, we have a couple new posts to add to the list!

Curious if you are addicted to your smart phone otherwise known as Nomophobia? Now there is a quiz to allow you to know where your dependence on your phone lies along with some suggestions for decreasing that dependence!

Research has found that social media IS addictive! In this one study alone "The researchers found resisting temptations to use pages like Twitter, Facebook and other social media was harder to resist than smoking, drinking alcohol and even sleeping."

This article is a "Millennials" take on the effects of smart phones, in particularly how they are making us more socially awkward. Despite millennials being slightly older than our high school population, I think this article makes many excellent points!

Time writes an excellent "think piece" about how Social Media is Disrupting the Lives of American Girl Teenagers. While this article is geared towards females it is also important to think about how young men are playing into this struggle.

With the ever increasing demands on our children both academically and socially, sleep is more important to replenish their brains and bodies than ever before. Check out this article to see what smart phones are doing to our kids' sleep patterns and how to curb this issue.

Stay in the know about the dangers of some of the current "trending" apps for teens - Kik being one of them!

Did you know that selfies have actually lead to an increase in head lice and skin issues? The more you know!

Thanks,
Kristi and Katie

Article Round-Up

3/14/2016

Hopefully you're enjoying some much deserved R&R for Spring Break. Should you find yourself with some free time on your hands to do some reading here is a list of note worthy articles ranging from mindfulness, Social Emotional Learning, Social Media, the way we talk to our children, studying smarter vs. harder, and many great others. I hope you enjoy the articles and enjoy your Spring Break!!

To Get Into College, Harvard Report Advocates for Kindness
Instead of Overachieving

All AP? Not for Me! Why Gifted Students Shouldn't Take the Highest Level Classes

Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection - Ted Talk

The Science of Homework: Why Timing is Everything

Building Emotional Intelligence: What to Say to Children When They Are Anxious

How Mindfulness Changes the Brain

Calming the Teenage Mind in the Classroom

How to Talk to Little Girls (oldie but goodie) and a clever follow-up 7 Things To Talk To Little Girls About Other Than Them Being Cute

The Struggle of Mental Health (7 different Ted Talks)

6 Things I Want My Perfectly Unpopular Middle School Aged Daughter to Know

Take Care,
Kristi Waidhofer

From One Female To All...

3/7/2016

This week we are happy to feature a therapist from the community, Lindsay Camp. While her talk is geared towards females/daughters, I find that this message is equally important for males/sons as well. There is power in ALL of the words we use with both sons and daughters. Hope you enjoy!

-Kristi Waidhofer

Looking at the staggering statistics on eating disorders and body image issues, it is easy to jump on a soapbox and wag our finger at the media, Tumblr, Photoshop, etc. Sadly, I catch myself saying unkind things about my body almost daily. How often am I in the presence of young female ears, hearts, and developing minds? In speaking unkindly about our bodies we are perpetuating messages similar to the ones found in the media and reinforcing that it is permissible, even normal, to speak negatively about our bodies.

Women are subjected to pressures and expectations from both the media and influential females starting in early childhood. The self-deprecating language about our female form has become so ingrained in everyday conversation that we often overlook and underestimate the potential for damage. This vicious cycle is a repetitive one. We try to teach girls to discern, ignore, and even speak out against the media's messages about the female body. These efforts are so important.

Thankfully, healthy resources are growing. Local group GENaustin aims to "support and guide girls as they navigate the unique pressures of girlhood” and many documentaries and ad campaigns have exposed the truth behind media images and messages (for example, Miss Representation and Dove). And yet, in the presence of teens who look up to us, we still find ourselves saying things like "I feel like such a cow today," "Some jerk brought cupcakes to work," "Enjoy eating that now, when you're my age it'll go straight to your hips!," or "Untag! My arm looks so fat in that picture!"

Recently, I was speaking with a teenage female in my life about this paradox. Her response was both unsurprising and saddening: "Yeah! It's much more meaningful and I'm way more impressionable when someone I'm close to speaks negatively about their body than when it comes from social media."

Courageous groups and individuals continue to combat the larger powers that be when it comes to social media. There is a long road ahead but thankfully healthy steps are being taken. So how can we join the efforts? What can we do at home? Regarding our personal social media? In our daily conversations? In our private thoughts? How can we be mindful of the messages we are sending to ourselves and our daughters?

1. Practice self-compassion to stop the negative cycle. When an unkind thought or statement appears try not to chastise yourself for it. Instead, notice it, say "oops!", and try to look for a kinder way to express yourself.

2. Our vibe attracts our tribe. If you often find yourself engaging in conversations with friends about hating yourself for eating too many Girl Scout cookies, maybe it is time to look for others that will lift you up instead of dwelling in negativity.

3. Use it or lose it. If you catch yourself saying something unkind about yourself or your body in front of your teenage daughter, use the opportunity to spark a meaningful conversation about the complexities of being female.

4. Daily affirmations. Place sticky notes with gentle reminders of how amazing you are in places you will be daily reminded- on your mirrors, in your car, on your cellphone.

5. Channel your best friend. Ask yourself, would you say that unkind thing about your best friend, mom, or daughter? If not, take a moment and reword it before saying it about yourself.

6. Take care of yourself. Our words are kinder when we are being kind to ourselves.

7. Reclaim your body. Remember how powerful and capable your body is. Many of you created and nurtured human life into this world - WOW! Challenge yourself to find an activity, big or small, that reconnects you to the physical power of your body through movement.

8. Check your own media exposure. Research shows that there is a strong correlation between low self-esteem and Facebook use due to “social comparison.” Pay attention to how you feel when engaging with various forms of social media; maybe even do some social media “spring cleaning.”

9. Ask for what you need. If you are having a rough day and need a little extra TLC from those around you, ask for it.

10. Eat mindfully. How often do we forget what we have eaten or if we have even eaten at all? Take care of yourself by making intentional choices about what you put into your body. Slow down, pay attention, and be mindful.

-Lindsay Camp
Lindsay Camp, LMFT – Associate (and therapist just down the road) is passionate about working with adolescents and their families. As the daughter of an artist, she finds working with nonverbal means of communication to be powerful and insightful. She balances her clinical trainings with an appreciation for mindfulness and heart-led, intuitive techniques to help young
people find and nurture their voice, process trauma, foster healthy relationships, and improve communication and emotional intelligence skills.

All Things Social Media!

Article Round-Up﻿

From One Female To All...

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