Dallas Express Podcast: Resource guide for parents

Community dynamics and access to a quality education are affecting the growth and mental health of our children in a myriad of ways, with circumstances and expectations differing greatly from one household to the next.

To help parents, The Dallas Express has put together this resource guide for those who may be feeling overwhelmed. From useful information to help adults navigate their child’s perfectionism and scarcity mindset to books and podcasts, this guide has something for everyone. For instance, American Girl’s guidebooks might be a fit for a young girl in your life, as they cover a wide range of topics, including friends, middle school, friends groups, sports and more. Or dive in with Dr. Patrick J. Cohn and Lisa Cohn to help young athletes kick the fear of failure. Or find a way to manage the perfectionist urges that live within you.

This guide also highlights the impact of inadequate schools and poverty on learning and how it affects children’s cognitive development, assisting you in broadening your child’s educational pathways.

HELPFUL WEBSITES AND ARTICLES

DR. KELLY JAMESON

Dr. Kelly Jameson is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in working with children, adolescents, and families. Her website offers a range of services, including individual therapy, family therapy, and psychological evaluations. It also provides helpful resources and information on various topics related to children’s mental health and development, such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, and behavioral problems. With a child-centered and strengths-based approach, Dr. Jameson aims to empower children and families to overcome challenges and build resilience.

CARE.COM

This website is dedicated to providing resources for families and caregivers. This particular article discusses how comparison culture is negatively impacting children’s mental health and growth, with parents often comparing their children to others and making them feel “less than” their peers. In turn, this can lead to children developing negative outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. The article also highlights how children who are made to feel “better than” their peers may become reliant on external validation to achieve happiness or fulfillment. Experts and parents offer tips for putting a stop to this habit and focusing on building confidence and self-esteem in children.

YOUTH SPORTS: FEAR OF FAILURE

The article explores how perfectionism and fear of failure can affect young athletes and their performance. Many kids struggle with these issues, and it can cause them to play it safe and not take important risks. Parents and coaches often find it challenging to support their young athletes’ mental game, and their attempts to help can make things worse.

PERFECTIONISM IN CHILDREN

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The article discusses the harmful effects of perfectionism on children’s lives and the warning signs that parents should watch out for. Perfectionists often have unrealistic goals for themselves and engage in all-or-nothing thinking, leading them to place enormous pressure on themselves to reach their goals. Parents may inadvertently contribute to their children’s perfectionism by praising them for their achievements and putting too much pressure on them to succeed. Perfectionism can lead to anxiety, frustration, and a high sensitivity to criticism, and it may also result in mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. The article offers practical solutions for parents to help their children overcome perfectionism and develop healthy self-esteem, including modeling healthy self-talk, monitoring their expectations, and helping them develop realistic goals.

SOCIAL MEDIA TRAP

This article examines the negative effects of social media on mental health, particularly on feelings of depression, anxiety and loneliness. Social media comparison leads people to believe that their life is not as perfect as others. Social media images often blur the truth behind the camera, and it should not be taken as the whole truth. People behind the camera put in a lot of effort to make the narrative behind the image look perfect. The article highlights the importance of recognizing the difference between reality and curated images on social media to avoid falling into the trap of social media comparisons.

BOOKS

SMART GIRLS GUIDE BOOK SERIES

The American Girl Smart Girls Guide Book series covers a wide range of topics related to young girls’ mental health and development, including friends, middle school, navigating the digital world, crushes, and friendship groups. With a focus on building self-esteem and confidence, these guidebooks offer practical tips and advice for navigating challenges that young girls may face in their daily lives. The series aims to empower and inspire young girls to embrace their unique qualities and strengths while also providing a safe and supportive space to discuss difficult topics. Whether your child is struggling with self-doubt or looking for ways to connect with peers, this series has something for everyone.

THE PERFECTIONIST’S GUIDE TO LOSING CONTROL

This self-help book by Katherine Schafler aims to help readers overcome the negative effects of perfectionism in their lives and find inner peace and fulfillment. The author draws from her own experiences as a recovering perfectionist and offers practical advice and exercises to help readers let go of unrealistic expectations, embrace imperfection, and cultivate self-compassion. Through a combination of research, personal stories, and exercises, the book guides readers on a journey of self-discovery and transformation, helping them to identify their perfectionist tendencies and develop a more balanced and authentic sense of self. Whether you’re a perfectionist struggling to find happiness or simply looking for tools to improve your mental health, “The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control” is an insightful and practical resource that can help you achieve your goals and live a more fulfilling life.

OVERCOMING PERFECTIONISM ANXIETY AND INDECISION

This series by Cross Border Books operates as a workbook that aims to help readers overcome perfectionism, anxiety, and indecision and unlock their full potential. The book offers practical exercises and tools that can help readers identify their perfectionist tendencies, challenge their negative thinking patterns, and develop a more compassionate and resilient mindset. Through a series of worksheets, journal prompts, and mindfulness practices, readers can learn to release their inner achiever and achieve their goals without sacrificing their mental health and well-being. Whether you’re an older teen or an adult struggling with perfectionism and anxiety, this workbook can help you develop the skills and mindset you need to thrive in today’s complex world.

NOBODY’S PERFECT: A STORY FOR CHILDREN ABOUT PERFECTIONISM

This children’s book explores the negative effects of perfectionism and the importance of self-acceptance. The book tells the story of a young girl named Samantha who struggles with perfectionism and the fear of making mistakes. Through a series of events, Samantha learns that nobody is perfect and that it’s OK to make mistakes and learn from them. The book offers a gentle and accessible way to help children develop a healthy relationship with themselves and their abilities. With its colorful illustrations and relatable characters, “Nobody’s Perfect” is a valuable resource for parents, teachers, and counselors who want to help children build resilience and self-esteem.

MORE ON AMAZON

On Amazon.com, you can find several books that can help you deal with perfectionism and its negative effects. These books offer practical solutions and exercises that can help you break free from unrealistic expectations and overcome your fear of failure. These books can help you develop healthier thinking patterns, build resilience, and cultivate self-compassion so you can pursue your goals with confidence and joy.

EDUCATION

INADEQUATE SCHOOLS AND THE SCARCITY MINDSET

At Due.com, John Rampton explores the issue of underdeveloped learning in children and how it can be passed down from generation to generation in a very insightful, step-by-step article. It highlights the impact of inadequate schools and poverty on learning and how it affects children’s cognitive development, leading to a cycle of poverty and underachievement. Rampton believes that the lack of resources, such as funding for education and access to quality teachers and materials, is the root cause of this problem and that addressing these issues is crucial to breaking the cycle of underdeveloped learning.

The article also discusses the importance of early childhood education and how it can help prevent underdeveloped learning. According to the author, early childhood education programs that focus on building foundational skills, such as language and social skills, can help children develop the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. The author emphasizes that investing in early childhood education is not only beneficial for children but also for society as a whole, as it can help reduce poverty, crime, and other social issues.

Rampton’s primary point is that underdeveloped learning is a serious problem that affects millions of children and that addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of poverty and inequality. By investing in education and providing resources to children and families, we can break the cycle of underdeveloped learning and create a brighter future for generations to come.

The article provides a detailed look at poverty’s influence on learning, how to break the cycle, and what it means to you and the community at large.

INTERACTIVE DFW SCHOOLS MAP

Use this interactive map of public and charter schools in Dallas-Fort Worth to see how schools in your neighborhood are performing. The map provides a comprehensive and user-friendly way for parents to explore the educational landscape of our area and make informed decisions about where to send their children to school. Users can filter the map by achievement grades and examine accountability scores and grades, as well as student achievement scores and grades.