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Category: Blog

8 tips to help working parents manage mental health

The oft-used phrase “work-life balance” sounds good, but the reality can leave working parents mired in guilt. Perhaps a more apt description would be “work-life management.” There will be times when work will demand more of your time, and others when family will. And that’s OK.  With that in mind, here are 8 tips to […]

Routines: The unsung weapon against decision fatigue and stress

Think of the sheer number of decisions you make — for you and your loved ones — before rushing out the door in the morning.  It’s what you eat for breakfast, what you wear, whether you’ll allow screen time, if you’ll remind everyone for the 10th time to brush their teeth, whether you need to get […]

The business case for mental health, at work AND at home

Perhaps you’ve heard the stats: in a given year, 1 in 5 adults will experience a diagnosable mental illness. More than half will go untreated.  Prevalence in adolescents and young adults is even higher. These struggles take a documented toll on businesses in the form of increased absenteeism, higher medical and disability costs, and lower […]

Stop ‘should-ing’ yourself to death and just play (it’s good for you)

The masses of parenting advice out there leave modern parents slugging along under the weight of a million “shoulds” — and their close companion, guilt. But let go of that for a minute. You love your child(ren) desperately. Now take that minute of letting go and spend it just enjoying your child(ren). We advocate playful […]

Big change: Tips for guiding neurodivergent children through major school transitions

Every year means adjusting from school to breaks and back again — but some years bring BIG CHANGE. You know those milestones: switching from home or daycare to preschool, from preschool to kindergarten, from elementary to middle school, and so on. It could even be transitions brought on by a move or transfer. While change […]

By Dr. Carrie Fryzel, Psy.D.

Should I seek an ADHD evaluation for my child? 5 questions to help

One million more U.S. children had received an ADHD diagnosis in 2022 compared with 2016, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  About 1 in 9 children between the ages of 3 and 17 have received the diagnosis, prompting the report to label ADHD as “an ongoing and expanding […]

Let’s get serious about play

We typically keep things pretty light and breezy here. But give us a moment on our soapbox to discuss something near and dear to our hearts: play. June 11 marked the first-ever International Day of Play, an annual event established by the United Nations. We celebrated all of June with daily #monthofplay ideas on Instagram […]

A treasure trove of #monthofplay ideas

We spent the month of June sharing play ideas on social media in celebration of the International Day of Play, but we wanted to gather some of those ideas in one place as a tool for families. Each family is different; scan through these and see which activities might work for yours. These ideas typically […]

By A.N. McMahon, LMHC

5 Life-Changing Habits To Transform Your Mental Health

As the saying goes, “If you keep a habit, sooner or later it can feel like a part of you.” For parents — especially those supporting their children through distinct challenges — self-care is vital to maintaining the health of the family. Fortunately, you can transform your mental health with 5 surprisingly simple habits.  Start small, […]

14 Unexpected Ways to Boost Your Mental Health Now

Practicing good mental health doesn’t always mean a lengthy list of “shoulds” and “should nots.” You can boost your mental health right now through activities you want to do. Here are 14 research-backed ways to boost mental health (for adults or kids) that may surprise you: Have fun playfully boosting your spirits! We wish you […]

By By Alexis Ecoff, LMFT

Xboxes and PlayStations: The World Through The Lens Of Neurodivergence

“Think of it like comparing an Xbox and a PlayStation,” neurodiversity advocate Ethan Lisi says in a TED Talk. “They’re both highly capable consoles with different programming. But if you put your Xbox game in a PlayStation, it won’t work, because the PlayStation communicates differently.” Sometimes, the world can feel like that to a neurodivergent […]

By Alexis Ecoff, FSP Clinical Director, LMFT

The Power of Play

5 reasons play therapy helps neurodivergent children thrive For neurodivergent children, verbal communication and social cues may feel unnatural — and that can make traditional therapies difficult or uncomfortable. Enter play. This intuitive language of childhood — a language of exploration, expression, and making sense of the world — becomes an accessible connection point. By […]

By Dr. Carrie Fryzel, Psy.D.

Telehealth: A Powerful Ally To Diagnose, Treat Child Neurological Conditions

About 1 in 36 children has autism spectrum disorder, according to the latest CDC estimates. And the prevalence of a broad range of other neurological conditions in children continues to climb, other research shows.   That makes today’s delays in diagnoses and treatment particularly troubling. Not only is the need increasing amidst a health care labor […]

Stuck Inside

9 ideas to turn cabin fever into cabin fun Together time can hit its limits when the weather, sickness, or some other circumstance means you’re stuck inside. We are huge fans of playfulness here at Pariva — we believe it’s the pixie dust that transforms relationships and learning from ordinary into magical. Below are nine […]

Readjusting To Routine

Back to school: Tips for a smooth transition Poll most any parents — especially after a lengthy break from school — and they’ll reassure you that kids need routines. Research backs up the anecdotal evidence. Those predictable routines, along with engaging environments and positive interactions between adults and children, help mitigate challenging behaviors, as well […]

Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child

When we embrace our neurodiverse children, we accept and celebrate them. Your child is an amazing being with so many strengths that deserve to be celebrated, appreciated, and cherished. Neurodiversity is not something that needs to be “fixed” or “cured”, but rather embraced. What does it mean to embrace neurodiversity? Embracing neurodiversity is about acknowledging […]

Understanding Anxiety in Neurodivergent Children

Anxiety’s like that puzzle you stare at, thinking it’s a simple square, only to realize it’s a multi-dimensional Rubik’s Cube. But fear not, we’re here to unravel some of those intricate patterns and give our exceptional kids the superhero support they deserve!  1. The Anxiety Kaleidoscope Anxiety’s not a one-flavor-fits-all ice cream cone, and that’s […]

Building Resilience in Neurodivergent Children

We’re diving deep into the realm of building super resilience in our unstoppable neurodivergent crew. Get ready to sprinkle some magic and unwrap the most epic guide to cultivating unbreakable spirits! 1. Embrace the Quirk-tactic Talents  Picture this: a talent show where everyone’s a superstar. Every kiddo, neurodivergent or not, has unique abilities. Whether it’s […]