Posts by Hillcrest Staff
Handling Back-to-School Anxiety: For Parents
Back-to-school season can feel like an emotional rollercoaster for parents and teens alike. While the first day of school is often pictured as exciting and full of fresh opportunities, for many families it’s also a time marked by worry, uncertainty, and heightened stress. These feelings—especially when they’re intense or persistent—fall under what’s often called back-to-school…
Read MoreTeen Angst: Understanding Signs and Symptoms
If you’re a parent, teacher, or someone who works closely with adolescents, you’ve probably encountered what’s often referred to as teen angst—that unique combination of moodiness, rebellion, emotional outbursts, and withdrawal that seems to come with the territory of adolescence. But how do you know when it’s just normal growing pains—and when it’s something more?…
Read MoreDifferent Types of Parenting Styles: Which Fits You Best?
Every parent wants to raise a happy, healthy, and responsible child—but the how of parenting can vary greatly from one family to another. These differences are often rooted in what experts call parenting styles, and understanding yours can be a powerful tool for improving communication, resolving conflict, and helping your teen thrive—especially during challenging times.…
Read MoreDealing With Difficult Teenage Daughters
Raising a teenage daughter can sometimes feel like navigating an emotional minefield. One moment she’s sweet and smiling—then suddenly distant, angry, or in tears. If you’ve found yourself asking, “Why is my daughter so difficult lately?”, you’re not alone. The teenage years are marked by rapid brain development, emotional intensity, and a deep desire for…
Read MoreWhy Do Teenagers Sleep So Much?
If you’ve ever tried to wake up a teenager before noon on the weekend, you’re not alone—and you’ve probably wondered: Why do teenagers sleep so much? Is it laziness, defiance, or something deeper? It turns out, there’s a very real biological and psychological reason behind teens’ sleep habits. During adolescence, the body and brain go…
Read MoreRunaway Teens: A Guide for Parents
It’s every parent’s nightmare—waking up or coming home to find that your teenager is gone. For many families, this scenario is not just a bad dream; it’s a frightening reality. Each year, an estimated 1 in 7 teens runs away or becomes homeless at some point, according to national statistics. While it’s easy to assume…
Read MoreRecognizing the Signs of Teen Depression
Teenagers experience a whirlwind of changes—physically, emotionally, socially. From pressure at school to peer relationships and family expectations, it’s no surprise that adolescence can be a rocky road. But while some emotional ups and downs are completely normal, persistent sadness, loss of interest, or changes in behavior could signal something deeper: teen depression. As a…
Read MoreCreating the Perfect Summer Schedule For Your Teenager
Summer break represents a significant transition for teenagers – three months of freedom from the structured school environment that can either become a period of growth and discovery or a time of aimlessness and regression. As a parent, you hold the key to helping your teen make the most of these precious months while maintaining…
Read MoreWhat is Failure To Launch Syndrome? – Helping Teens and Young Adults
If your teen or young adult is struggling to step into adulthood—avoiding responsibilities, staying isolated, or showing no drive to move forward—you’re not alone. More and more parents are asking, “What is Failure to Launch Syndrome, and how do I help my child overcome it?” Failure to Launch Syndrome (FTL) isn’t an official clinical diagnosis,…
Read MoreWarning Signs of Depression in Teenagers
Being a teenager is already complicated. Between academic pressure, social dynamics, changing bodies, and the quest for identity, adolescence can feel like a roller coaster. But what happens when your teen’s “moodiness” starts to feel like something more serious? Teen depression is a real and growing concern. According to the CDC, rates of depressive episodes…
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