HarrisKramer & Liston

Self-care tip: The Brain Booster Doing a crossword or sudoku keeps you mentally sharp. It also distracts from the other things weighing on your mind. Believe us, the laundry isn't going anywhere. #SelfCare

Your teen's issues may seem unimportant to you, but they are significant to your teenager. No matter how hard it may be, it would be best if you saw things from their perspective. The way you appear to others may not be as important to you as your work deadline, but it's vital to a teenager. Teenagers have many issues they deal with, from trying to get good grades, stressing over what to do after high school, and peer pressure around drugs, body piercing, alcohol, clothes, and hairstyles. Never ignore or trivialize the problems your teenage children come to you with. Talk openly about these issues, be open-minded and give your teenagers rules which they can follow. When you show respect, they, in turn, will show you respect. www.harriskramer.com

Working with Harris Kramer & Liston was wonderful. Our consultant really got to know our son and understood his needs. Because of her encyclopedic knowledge of the universe of private schools, she was able to suggest the most appropriate schools for him. ~Parent in Larchmont, NY www.harriskramer.com

Being a teen in the age of instagram and snapchat can be confusing and daunting. It is important to instill positive body image early. Help her understand puberty: It’s strange to not know what’s going on inside your body, it can even become scary. Clarifying that puberty is a time of immense change, including weight fluctuation, can really help your daughter understand what she’s going through. If left unchecked, poor body image can lead to eating disorders, depression, and anxiety. www.harriskramer.com

Self-Care Tip: Get Physical Getting your blood pumping and getting outside is a great way to feel refreshed. Pick what’s right for your fitness level. Yoga, Walking, Running, Cross-fit, etc.

Don't compare! Your journey is not their journey. it's not fair to either of you. #MondayMotivation #SpecialChildren #SpecialFamilies

School districts are required by federal and state law to provide copies of assessment reports before an IEP meeting. But, there are no timelines that tell school districts how many days before the IEP meeting they must give you copies of assessment reports. Ask the school district early on to give you copies of the assessment reports a week before the IEP meeting. This is very important so that you can read the reports, write down questions you may have about the reports, and plan for the IEP meeting. If they do not give you the reports with adequate time to prepare, then postpone the meeting until you can be prepared. #IEP #SpecialEducation #BePrepared

My wife and I have worked with Harris Kramer & Liston for several years now in connection with identifying educational opportunities for our son, who has significant language disabilities. They thoughtfully took on the task getting to know our son through meeting with him and interviewing people who know him well and then recommended a truly unique post secondary school (that we had not previously known about) that has provided our son with tremendous opportunities in academic, social and vocational areas.

Anxiety comes at goes in waves and can sometimes be mild and other times may be very severe. You cannot promise your teenager that their anxiety will go away or that it can be fixed. This will only give them false hope and perhaps lead to more anxiety. #TeenAnxiety #HelpingFamilies

Make a spa appointment, Mani/Pedi, foot massage, facial, or something that makes you disconnect from the tethers of everyday life. This disconnect is critical to mental well-being. #SelfCareTips #HappyFamilies