Remembering the Essence of Mother’s Day, Everyday
May 6, 2016 by VIA Contributor ·
On this mother’s day, I am struck by the irony of highlighting just one day in appreciation of this daunting parenting role. For nine months, we anticipate with a full range of emotions, the birth of a child. We have nine months to prepare…for the pregnancy and birth. What... Read More
Parent-Child Strengths Mapping
April 19, 2016 by VIA Institute on Character ·
Being a parent is hard work. There is no job description that can fully prepare you for the responsibility, rewards, challenges and uncertainty that come with having children. How can you possibly nurture and guide this other person when you are still navigating life yourself? Well…you do it together!... Read More
A Family on the Same Page, For the First Time
February 17, 2016 by VIA Contributor ·
A little over two years ago, my husband and I sat once again in the psychologist’s office, reviewing the fourth and most recent psycho-educational evaluation for our daughter. Her learning difficulties and confusing diagnoses had taken us on a journey through diverse academic settings — from private to public,... Read More
Grit that Produces Growth Beyond Graduation
February 20, 2015 by Dr. Neal Mayerson ·
The structure of schools has changed drastically and today schools can be places of desperation. Students who desperately want to be somewhere else. Teachers who desperately want students to engage more with lessons. Administrators desperately dealing with disruptive students, demoralized teachers, and unhappy parents and citizens. Grit is a... Read More
One Easy Way To Make Someone Happier
April 15, 2014 by Dr. Ryan Niemiec ·
On Monday of last week my son was admitted to the hospital for an inflammation in his lungs. He spent several days being treated and monitored by a variety of doctors, nurses, and aides. My wife and I spent the days sitting by his bedside, attempting to work remotely,... Read More
How Do You Teach Your Child About Curiosity?
February 21, 2014 by VIA Institute on Character ·
By teaching our children about #curiosity , we are teaching them about using so many other #VIAstrengths as well. Did you know we have a VIA Survey for youth to learn about character strengths? Please visit our site to learn more. Read More
Purpose-Driven Parenting
August 10, 2010 by Dr. Neal Mayerson ·
I have written a couple times about parenting, always when studies have hit the press with messages that suggest that parenting is bad for your happiness and that parents have little influence over their child’s (especially a teen’s) decisions and development. The most recent article appeared July 4 in... Read More