For parents

Question:

Is it illegal for parents to smack their child?

Dr. Ana’s Answer:

It depends where you live. Right now, there are 63 countries where smacking children is illegal. Sweden was the first country to ban smacking in 1979. In the United Kingdom, it is only legal in England and Northern Ireland. In the US, it is legal across all states. Some states have banned corporal punishment but only in schools.

Question:

How do I discipline my child/teen without yelling at them? I am at my wit’s end and don’t know how to deal with my kid’s lying without ending up yelling at them.

Dr. Ana’s Answer:

I totally get you and I feel for you. If it makes you feel any better, I don’t know any parent that has never yelled at their kid. I think that, unless your child is a total saint, or you have nerves of steel, it is impossible to raise a kid without ever yelling.  

March 14 is a special date for all those who love numbers, logic, and the patterns that shape our world. It is the International Day of Mathematics, a global celebration that seeks to highlight the importance of this discipline in daily life. However, for many children (and some adults as well), math can seem like a daunting challenge or an unappealing subject. The key to changing this perception is to present mathematics in a playful and accessible way, integrating it into daily family activities.

Everyone is talking about Netflix’s show Adolescence. If you haven’t watched it, I really recommend you do. I watched all four episodes in one go because I could turn it off. It is a heartbreaking and very uncomfortable watch, but it is also beautifully filmed, and the acting is incredible. More importantly, it raises relevant questions about how much our children are being shaped by online content. A must watch for all parents.  

Question:

How to deal with unsolicited advice from my own parents as a new parent

Dr. Ana’s Answer:

First of all, congratulations on your new baby. I hope you are both doing fine. And welcome to the “I am going to tell you how to raise your child” chapter of your life from anyone that comes across your path. Because the fact is that as soon as your baby is born, everyone has an opinion about how you should do it. It can be exhausting and infuriating, at a time when you are most likely feeling stretched and vulnerable.  

When a couple divorces, it is a good idea that they create a parenting plan ^[1] for their children. This can be a difficult process because usually at this time emotions are running high. However, parents must keep in mind that the parenting plan is an essential tool of a successful co-parenting relationship. For a parenting plan to work, it must always prioritize the best interest of the child. 

Question:

How can I help and support my 12 year old daughter who presents with autism and diagnosed with dyslexia navigate/regulate emotions, calm her nervous system, make logical decisions and learn social cues? 

Dr. Ana’s Answer:

Parenting a neurodivergent child can be challenging. And sadly, often the conventional parenting advice doesn’t help. Here are some techniques you may find useful: 

Many parents feel uncomfortable when discussing sex with their teens and leave it in the hands of the school. But we should not count on sexual education to happen only at school. It must happen also at home. In this article, we give you information and tips, so you feel more confident when talking sex. 

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Question:

How does a divorce affect young boys and girls differently? 

Dr. Ana’s Answer:

This question has not been examined much by researchers in the last few years. Girls and boys tend to cope differently with divorce, rather than one gender coping better than the other. The impact of divorce depends on many factors such as age, personality, parental support, or the level of conflict between the parents.