Author: Sara Teichman, PsyD

June 29th, 2017

Dear Dr. T,  I’m not sure I have a problem or I am making a mountain out of a molehill. My two boys –ages 10 and 12- share a room. I’ve been noticing that the older brother always gives in to the younger one for the sake of peace: letting him cheat at games, monopolize the room etc. Yet, though the older one seems increasingly resentful, he makes no move to assert himself. Lately, for example, he’s allowed a lethal Le …
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Author: Sara Teichman, PsyD

March 16th, 2017

Tantrums, especially when they are thrown in public, are no fun. Even in private, they frustrate us and make us wonder what has happened to our typically lovable child. No wonder that tantrums are often cited as the most challenging issue that parents face. Common wisdom holds that if you ignore tantrums, they will go away. This is based on the behavioral principle of reinforcement and extinction, which claims that, that which is not reinforced w …
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Author: Sara Teichman, PsyD

January 22nd, 2020

Dear Dr T, How do I get my children – ages two to ten – to sit and co-operate at the Shabbos seuda? They know all about Shabbos,  but they just won’t do what they are supposed to do. The shabbos table is such a struggle, and by the time it is over, everyone is frustrated and out of sorts. Are there behavioral techniques I could use to get everyone on par?   Dr T, Can’t or won’t? Are your children unable, or …
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Author: Sara Teichman, PsyD

December 11th, 2017

Chanukah                              Dear Dr. T, I have always loved Chanukah, especially the look on my children’s faces as they receive their gifts. However, the past few years, I have noticed a change. I find that my children get such an overabundance of ‘stuff’ that they lose their appreciation for each individual gift. I catch their eyes darting aro …
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Author: Sara Teichman, PsyD

November 8th, 2018

Dear Dr. T.,  I read your Chanukah column about the excesses of this holiday in our world today, and I have another Chanukah-related question.  Here’s my issue: on Chanukah and various other occasions, my children receive their “own” money. Some of the children want to go asap to Target  and look for something to blow the money on. Others want to hold on to their money and fear spending even one dollar of it. Beli …
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Author: Sara Teichman, PsyD

June 14th, 2018

Dear Dr. T.,
My situation is a bit unusual, but I bet lots of people are as confused as I am.
Let me explain.
I am the second wife of a much older man whose children are all grown and married. Together, we have two boys – ages eight and ten.
I think the boys are really good kids. They have some spunk and spirit, they love mischief, but don’t give us any real grief- at home or in school.
My husband does not a …
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Author: Sara Teichman, PsyD

July 3rd, 2018

The previous article differentiated between chinuch and control.  Whereas chinuchis long- lasting and emanating from within the child, control is short–lived and external- i.e. we can force our child to behave  but only while he is in our presence. But, as parents, we want more than just learned, automatic, albeit good, behavior. We want our children to choose to do the right thing-in public and in private. Unfortunately, too …
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Author: Sara Teichman, PsyD

January 21st, 2019

                                                               Dear Dr T, I am worried about my youngest daughter who is starting fifth grade this year. She is an above average student who excels in math but has some mild difficulty in reading. What I worry about is the fact that the teach …
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Author: Sara Teichman, PsyD

April 29th, 2020

                        Dear Dr. T., I recently heard someone say, “You are only as happy as your unhappiest child” – and that really hit home for me. You see, my daughter just started high school – a big school, in a big city- and she is miserable. So am I. The work is ok [“It’s school! It’s boring!], the teachers are more-or-less fine -as …
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Author: Sara Teichman, PsyD

March 30th, 2017

                                                         Dear Dr. T, To be totally honest,  Pesach is not my finest hour. The cooking, cleaning, and so many days off from scho …
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