Parenting Today Newsletter
Parenting Today is a bi-monthly electronic newsletter that provides support, education, and resources around a particular parenting topic.
Behind the Screen: Understanding and Preventing Youth Exploitation in a Digital World
Community Question: I’m the parent of a sixth grader, and I’ve been hearing more and more about kids being targeted online in ways that are really alarming. Between social media, gaming apps, and...
Rooted Together: Growing Community for Youth and Families
Community Question: “I’m in middle school, and lately I’ve been feeling kind of lost. My hobbies have changed, and so have my friend groups. I’m not really hanging out with my old friends or family...
From Awareness to Action: Supporting Youth Against Vaping and Substance Use
Parent Question: I’m a parent of a middle schooler, and I’m starting to worry about vaping. I’ve heard that teens are using all kinds of devices, some with nicotine, some with cannabis and many of...
Protecting your family’s health through uncertain times
Parent Question: I’m worried about how the lack of access to healthcare might affect my family’s well-being. It feels like there are so many bigger problems in the system that it’s hard to know what...
PARENTING IN A CRISIS/RECOGNIZING A CRISIS
Parent question: “Sometimes I’m not sure how to help my 14 year old when they are overwhelmed - I feel out of my depth and wonder if I am helpful at all. I also wonder how I would know when I should...
What should I do if my child calls me names or says they hate me when they’re upset?
First of all, take a deep breath. This is really tough. You love your child and want to support them when they’re in distress, but you also want to teach them how to be kind and respectful. The...
AskBYS: When Parents Seek Emotional Connection with Their Teens
AskBYS, I’m a parent of a teenager, and I’m noticing how much their needs and behaviors are changing as they grow. It feels like they’re pulling away, and while I understand it’s part of becoming...
What is BYS, Anyway?
What Is BYS, Anyway? -- How Bainbridge Youth Services meets the needs of our youth, wherever they may be at Over the years, I’ve developed dozens of ways to describe what BYS is and does. There’s...
The Excitement Wears Off: What to Do When Your Child Suddenly Refuses to Go to School
By Courtney Oliver, BYS Executive Director The start of a new school year often brings excitement, with children eager to meet new teachers, make friends, and engage in fresh activities. However, as...
The Power of Peer Tutoring: Boosting Academic Success and Building Community
By: Laura Firman, BYS Program Coordinator In the educational landscape, where academic pressures are ever-increasing, peer tutoring has emerged as a valuable and effective approach to learning....
Helping Kids Make Friends: A Guide for Parents
by Chase Myers LMHCA, BYS Therapist There was a time in all of our lives when finding a new friend was as simple as someone running up to us, exclaiming loudly, “Wanna play?!” And BOOM, just like...
How To Help Kids Who Are Lonely
by John Carleton LMHCA, BYS Therapist There are many ways that loneliness can be expressed, so it can be tricky to know when your child is feeling lonely unless they come right out and tell you. A...