Learn how to improve your interpersonal relationships, communicate effectively and build healthy bonds in our relationships and partnership section. Find tips on relationships, family, social and work relationships – connect with others and strengthen your bonds!
Starting a conversation is often easier than ending one. Many people struggle to find the right phrase to wrap things up without sounding abrupt or rude, and that’s when the awkward silence or forced small talk begins. Knowing how to close a dialogue with grace can save both parties from discomfort. Researchers have found that … Read more
Ask most people about school subjects for building kids’ minds, and they’ll probably say math or science. But there’s one discipline that blends logic, creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork—and it’s missing from many US classrooms. That field is robotics, where students dive into engineering, electronics, programming, and design thinking to bring ideas to life. Robotics offers … Read more
Since its debut in 1996, Arthur has become much more than a children’s animated show. The series follows Arthur Read, an eight-year-old aardvark, living in the fictional town of Elwood City. Unlike many other cartoons, Arthur offers a window into the everyday lives of kids, tackling real-world problems with a balance of humor and heartfelt … Read more
When a child gets hurt, feels upset, or faces a difficult situation, most parents instinctively rush to comfort them. The words come out quickly, often before the child has a chance to process what just happened. While the intention is love and reassurance, this automatic reaction might actually create deeper emotional challenges over time. Parenting … Read more
When Salman Chowdhury opened his acceptance letters this spring, he had more than a few to read. The New Jersey student received offers from 10 of the nation’s top 25 universities, including Harvard, Columbia, Princeton, Yale, and the University of Pennsylvania. Harvard will be his home this fall. That level of success might sound like … Read more
Verbal and non-verbal language plays a key role in parenting—especially when raising gifted children. Experts stress how much the way we speak to our kids influences their emotional well-being and self-esteem. For children with high intellectual abilities, this impact can be even more pronounced, as their advanced thinking often clashes with adult expectations or traditional … Read more
Helicopter parents are known for being extremely involved in their children’s lives, to the point where it often becomes excessive. This parenting style, although rooted in love and protection, can turn into a pattern of over-supervising, controlling, and limiting a child’s personal growth. While being an engaged parent is essential, certain behaviors cross the line … Read more
When parents think about languages for their kids to learn, they usually lean toward French, Spanish, or Mandarin. There’s one powerful option that rarely gets the spotlight in US classrooms: sign language. American Sign Language (ASL) has proven benefits for all children, including those who are hearing. And yet, it remains underused in most schools … Read more
Even when couples love each other deeply, weekday routines can erode their connection. Work, errands, screen time, and fatigue often leave little room for anything meaningful. According to psychologist Mark Travers, PhD, the happiest couples don’t wait until the weekend to show up for each other. Travers, who studies relationships and also speaks from personal … Read more
Stepping in to help your child might feel like the responsible thing to do. Whether it’s smoothing over a tough day or lightening their workload, many parents believe they’re protecting their child from unnecessary stress. But doing too much for them—especially things they can handle on their own—can quietly get in the way of their … Read more
Some parents try to protect their children from difficulties, but being overly involved can do more harm than good. Helicopter parents often micromanage their kids’ lives, which can keep them from learning to be independent and responsible. These common behaviors, often seen as caring, can actually limit a child’s chance to grow. Recognizing these habits … Read more
After 15 years of research and clinical work, psychologist Jessica Weiss has found that the happiest people in the US all tend to do a few specific things, every single day. These aren’t huge life changes or complicated routines, but simple, practical habits that help people feel more grounded, fulfilled, and connected. In the following … Read more
Dr. Mark Travers, a psychologist who specializes in relationships, says that happy couples are intentional about how they spend their weekends. After researching hundreds of couples and navigating his own marriage, he has found that five specific habits consistently appear in the strongest relationships. Here, we’ll look at the five weekend routines that can bring … Read more
Kids today have more access to coding classes and computer science, but classic hands-on skills tend to disappear from most classrooms. There’s a craft that doesn’t rely on screens and can do more than just keep kids busy. It helps shape how they think, focus, and use their hands. We’re talking about sewing, an ancient … Read more
Arguments can spiral fast, as once emotions flare, logic tends to disappear. Psychologists have identified one phrase that often cuts through the noise and tension: simple, direct, and with big potential. The phrase—”What do you need right now?“—comes from the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) model developed by clinical psychologist Marshall Rosenberg. In this article, we’ll explain … Read more
According to psychologist Rafa Guerrero, overprotecting children during their early years often leads to adults who can’t make decisions, doubt themselves, and feel lost in everyday life. In this article, we’ll look at how overprotection translates to everyday actions, how it affects a child’s emotional development, and what parents can do instead. We’ll break down … Read more
When someone opens up and asks what you think, it’s tempting to jump in with an opinion. Maybe you’ve been through something similar or think you see the big picture more clearly. However, research suggests that offering your opinion might not be as useful as you think. Instead of giving advice, a better approach is … Read more
When parents think about sports for kids, baseball, football, and basketball are usually top of mind. However, another sport builds strength, balance, confidence, and independence, and it doesn’t get nearly enough attention in the US. That sport is skiing. It’s often seen as a vacation activity or something reserved for kids who live near the … Read more
Board games are a classic choice for fun and learning, but when it comes to helping kids strengthen short-term memory and sharpen attention, there’s another option that’s even simpler and doesn’t require any setup or pieces. This game is suitable for classrooms, homes, and playgrounds, and most children already know how to play it. It’s … Read more
Parents often focus on math, reading, and now coding as the areas that reflect academic success. However, there’s another skill that research shows can give kids cognitive advantages, and most US schools still don’t teach it. It’s chess. Despite being one of the oldest strategy games in the world, it’s rarely part of the curriculum, … Read more
There’s one phrase emotionally intelligent parents rarely say to their gifted kids, and it’s not because they’re overly permissive or trying to raise a genius. It’s because they understand how language can shape a child’s self-perception. Here, we’ll break down the phrase “Don’t get like that, it’s not a big deal” and why it can … Read more
Most of us have dealt with it at one point or another: you’re trying to speak, and someone cuts in again. It happens in meetings, at dinner tables, and during casual chats. One or two interruptions can be shrugged off. But when someone does it repeatedly, it’s not just annoying, it signals something deeper. According … Read more
According to child psychologists, certain types of play can help kids become better thinkers, better communicators, and more socially aware. And no, we’re not talking about screen time or academic apps. A great way to support a child’s brain development is through board games. Experts like Dr. Laura Markham and Claire Lerner highlight that games … Read more
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting, but some styles consistently lead to better outcomes for the little ones. New research points to a specific approach that helps children grow into confident, emotionally stable, and resilient adults. After studying over 200 families, parenting expert Reem Raouda found that “emotionally safe parenting” delivers long-term benefits that go … Read more
Saying “no” is a big deal for many people. Whether it’s a coworker asking for a favor, a friend who wants your time, or a family member pushing your limits, turning someone down often feels awkward. That’s usually not because we don’t know what we want, but because we’re trying to avoid guilt, conflict, or … Read more
Parents and traditional education typically emphasize languages, science, or sports for their kids’ development. However, child psychologists and educational researchers highlight a distinctive foundational skill with multiple benefits: playing a musical instrument. Engaging in musical training can shape young minds for success in diverse fields such as the arts, STEM, and even social sciences. In … Read more
We often concentrate intensely on science and math for our children. But there’s another discipline, often relegated to the background of the US educational system, that can cultivate sharper minds: theater. By integrating the performing arts, drama, improvisation, and creative expression, it enriches cognitive and emotional development in a unique way. Theater education serves as … Read more
That idyllic scene of grandparents doting on their grandkids often masks a more complex reality. Many seniors over 65 feel hesitant about full-time childcare, not because they love their families any less, but because the constant demands can trigger physical fatigue, emotional burnout, and conflict within the family. Here, we’ll explore the reality of “grandparent … Read more
Alongside geometry, chemistry, computer science, and arts lies another discipline quietly forging the executive functions children need most: civic and ethical values education. Far from rote memorization, it combines social studies, moral philosophy, and community engagement to cultivate thoughtful individuals and active citizens. And despite its impact, it often slips off US school agendas. In … Read more
We have all experienced those awkward exchanges where conversation feels off. When a person continually brings up particular subjects, it often indicates difficulty in forming genuine human connections. These recurring patterns can be indicators of underdeveloped interpersonal abilities. Let’s examine four common conversation habits linked to weaker social skills. We’ll review why these patterns arise … Read more