Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch
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By: Julie Sekachev, M, Ed., LPC Associate Do you struggle with getting organized for back to school? Does going back to school or college seem overwhelming? Do you struggle to stay organized and have a hard time finishing tasks? Clutter can leave you drained. Being organized is a skill that is developed through healthy habits. […]
Do you struggle with getting organized for back to school? Does going back to school or college seem overwhelming? Do you struggle to stay organized and have a hard time finishing tasks? Clutter can leave you drained.
Being organized is a skill that is developed through healthy habits. However, the most important thing to keep in mind when organizing your environment is effort and commitment. Read below for ways to get rid of the overwhelm and organize your space.
First and foremost, start with a clean slate. Clean off your desk and begin to add items that you actually use. Same with your closet or any other area in your room. Having fewer things means you will enjoy the things you own. Donate, sell, or recycle items that are no longer serving you.
Also, when studying or doing any task that requires concentration keep your desk clean and clutter-free. Keep only the assignment or task on your desk you are currently working on to stay focused and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Third, label makers are great tools that can help you organize binders or different drawers in your dorm or room. You are more likely to put an item back in its place if it has a name.
Additionally, If you need to get your homework assignments and project deadlines organized invest in a bullet journal or a time block planner. You can get a free PDF here. Time blocking helps you decide your priorities of the day and get more accomplished vs. to-do lists that do not have time-bound deadlines.
To make things easier, create a list of things that need to be done in each room. Then, commit to cleaning one room at a time, and when you’re finished, close the door and move on to the next space. Closing the door to a cleaned room will psychologically give you a sense of accomplishment and motivation for the next room.
Also, you can set a timer and see how much you can clean in 15 minutes.
Create a friendly competition with family members or roommates to see who can clean the fastest.
Put in the effort to put things back in their place- doing this will save you time and energy next time you are looking for missing assignments, homework, or keys.
Additionally, if you are looking for a system, check out the KonMari method which features a minimalist approach to tackle organizing by category versus room by room. Check out her method here.
Organization can help you gain a sense of control, accomplishment, and pride over your work and environment. More often than not, organization leads to higher efficiency in accomplishing day-to-day chores and projects. As a result, if you can create a system to stay organized, whether decluttering regularly or committing to finishing assignments the day you intended, you will actually gain more time to spend with friends or doing other things you enjoy. For this reason, I want to encourage you this coming school year to make a commitment to yourself and begin! Your future self will thank you.
If you are having trouble getting organized and would like to feel less overwhelmed, the therapists at The Center at Cinco Ranch can help! To begin counseling in Katy, TX follow these steps:
Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including counseling for kids, counseling for young adults, teen counseling, couples counseling, eating disorder treatment, men’s issues, women’s issues, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, trauma counseling, family therapy, and group counseling. Our therapists strive to post blogs regularly. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. To learn more about our therapists and counseling services, please reach out to the Counseling Center today!
By: Margie Frisco, MA Supervised by Melissa Barton, MA, LPC-S Middle School can be challenging for the parents and the kids. Kids are trying to adjust to a new school with new people. Parents are trying to change to what can feel like a new kid. The transition to middle school will be one of […]
By: Margie Frisco, MA
Supervised by Melissa Barton, MA, LPC-S
Middle School can be challenging for the parents and the kids. Kids are trying to adjust to a new school with new people. Parents are trying to change to what can feel like a new kid. The transition to middle school will be one of the most complicated transitions children will experience. Different resources to help them adjust are available to help you.
Involvement is not just at home or school. There are many ways a parent can help their middle schooler. For instance, studies have shown that middle school kids do better with parent involvement. Parent involvement is most effective both at home as well as in school.
As your child grows, what they need from a parent changes. For example, a young child might need help changing or preparing their sandwich. A middle school kid might not need help with those things. But they might still need help at home with managing their time.
Lots of middle school kids have difficulty adjusting to managing chores, grades, and doing things they want to do. Helping your child figure out what works best for them is one way to help.
Another way parents can help at home is to be prepared for a change in their child. Many parents describe their middle school kids changing into a teenager overnight. Being ready for the change in attitude and behavior can be helpful for the parent.
Lastly, it is ok to need help. If further assistance is required, group counseling might be an option. Group therapy allows middle schoolers to share their feelings, feel validated by their peers, and learn by seeing others’ social interactions. In group therapy, the Center provides a space. We talk about healthy communication, ways to regulate their emotions, learning to celebrate small victories, and self-care.
A significant change in middle school is the school work. Not only do they now have more teachers, but they have to go to multiple classrooms, the schoolwork gets more complicated, and they become painfully aware that multitasking is mandatory. Keep in mind the parent involvement will change too.
Since your kid is getting older, they can be more responsible for their school work. They will still need help adjusting to taking on more responsibility. Middle schoolers can learn from watching you. They are watching how you react when you get discouraging news from work or when you have to work together with family members/co-workers. Setting an example of working effectively can genuinely influence your middle schooler.
Is your middle schooler understanding and developing academically? Are they struggling in one subject? Then take that information and find resources that help your middle schooler directly—also, getting to know where your middle schooler is developmentally helpful.
Even if they are acing all of their classes, are they involved in their school? Studies have shown that kids involved in after-school activities tend to adjust better in middle school. After-school activities can be anything, ranging from athletics, clubs, dance, or anything that interests your child.
If you would like more help with parenting strategies for raising a middle schooler, one of the therapists at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch can help! To begin counseling in Katy, Texas, follow these three steps:
1. Contact our office to set up an appointment or get more information on parenting.
2. Meet with one of our understanding therapists.
3. Find other ways to help your middle schooler with therapy today!
Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including counseling for kids, counseling for young adults, teen counseling, couples counseling, eating disorder treatment, men’s issues, women’s issues, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, trauma counseling, family therapy, and group counseling. Our therapists strive to post blogs regularly. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. To learn more about our therapists and counseling services, please reach out to the Counseling Center today!
By: Cheri Locke, MA, LPC At times parenting a child or teen with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD or ADD, can be overwhelming. As parents you may struggle to understand your child. As a couple, there may be consistent differences in how to handle situations with your child that may lead to conflict. The whole […]
At times parenting a child or teen with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD or ADD, can be overwhelming. As parents you may struggle to understand your child. As a couple, there may be consistent differences in how to handle situations with your child that may lead to conflict. The whole family can experience a disruption that leaves everyone feeling frazzled and emotionally drained. However, there are some things that you can do to provide stability and calmness in your home. These things will also help your relationship with your child and with your partner. Children with ADHD often experience just as much frustration as their parents. They want to be able to “do” all of the things that are asked of them. Remember, children with ADHD typically have deficits in some executive functioning which include the ability to organize, complete tasks, think or plan ahead. Parents can learn to manage and guide their children in positive ways, assisting in areas where their child experiences the most difficulties.
It is really important you get to know your child’s routine and understand how long she/he needs for homework, to get ready, etc. Being rushed is sure to trigger a meltdown or a fight. You can constructively allow your child time to work at their pace. For example, asking my child to get ready in 20 minutes in the morning does not work and leads to everyone feeling flustered. I know that he needs time to ease into the morning so 45 minutes to an hour works better for him and sets the tone for a better day. You can also set them up for success. Use timers and clocks around the house to alert them when their time is over. For example, if you tell them they have 15 more minutes of “play” time, set a timer to signal the end of time for an easy transition.
Structure and routines are very helpful no matter the age. Find a routine that works well for your child and try to stick to it. When they know what to expect it helps them function better. Also, the older a child becomes, the more help they need staying organized and planning, especially for school. As parents, we tend to think that because they are maturing we can step back. However, parents and kids end up more frustrated because homework is not done and/or turned in. The entire school experience can become daunting. Ask your teen what they feel will help them best. You can add simple solutions to your daily routine such as a whiteboard, a planner, daily to-do lists, or daily check-in’s. The teen years are not the time to let your kid figure it out on their own. With a little help in organization and planning, children can be successful.
Creating a space for your child can look different to every person that reads this blog. For some, it will mean creating a quiet space for your child to work. For others, it may mean carving out some positive time in your day to spend with your child. It may also mean allowing them to run at the soccer field to burn off some energy. Whatever this looks like for your family, take it. Who knows, it may even be a combination of the three!
I see many couples that often experience some issues with parenting. Recently, several couples have brought up issues related to parenting a child with ADHD. I believe it is important for couples to be united in helping their children. Here are just a few simple steps you can take today.
As parents of a child with ADHD it is important that you educate yourself. The needs of children with ADHD are different and cannot be “lumped” in or compared to those of other children. Read books or articles that are from reputable providers. Ask your child’s doctor if they have any resources. If your child is old enough, ask she/he what they feel will work best. Sometimes, our kids can offer some of the best insight on what will help them personally.
One thing I often hear from couples in session is they fight over their children and are at opposite ends of how to handle the situation. You are not going to agree on every parenting aspect, especially when it comes to parenting a child with ADHD. However, you can talk about it and come up with a solution that best serves your child. The last thing we want is to make your child feel that they are the cause of their parents fighting. Remember, this is a diagnosis. Your child is not intentionally “not listening.” Find a way to work with your partner, even if you need to compromise a bit!
If I haven’t said it yet, parenting a child with ADHD can be exhausting. If you are frustrated, the best thing you can do for yourself and your child is take a break. Let your partner take over. Repeat as often as needed. This helps keep things more calm and allows more positivity to emerge. When we are positive, children are more positive. It does not feel good to anyone involved to give or hear constant negativity or consequences. Allow yourself the space to see what your child did that day that you can give them praise.
As a parent, you can help your child overcome their daily challenges, help to increase calm and structure, and learn to respond in more positive ways. It is important to recognize what your child needs to be successful. For some, it is gentle reminders to raise their hands to speak, while for others, it may be reminding them to actually speak up for themselves rather than daydreaming. ADHD is not a one size fits all and it is not always the child that cannot sit quietly in his/her chair. Remember, at times we as parents do become mentally and physically drained from the daily demands of parenting a child with ADHD. If you feel that you are struggling, please reach out for help.
If you are ready to learn techniques to help your child and your relationship, the therapists at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch can help! We provide parenting related services as well as counseling services to all ages. To begin counseling in Katy, TX follow these three steps: Contact our office to set up an appointment or to get more information about parenting therapy Meet with one of our compassionate therapists Find ways to help your child with ADHD through counseling!
Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch we offer counseling services for people of all ages including: eating disorder treatment, depression treatment, women’s issues, treatment for anxiety, couples and marriage counseling, counseling for kids, counseling for young adults, teen counseling, family therapy, men’s issues, trauma counseling, and group counseling. Our therapists strive to regularly post blogs with helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. To learn more about our therapists and our counseling services, please reach out to the Counseling Center today!