Advice from Our Professionals

Informative articles by Youth First’s Service Team

How Social Isolation Impacts Your Child’s Emotional Regulation

By Jordan Evans, MSW, LSW - January 21, 2026 - Emotional regulation is a child’s ability to understand, express, and manage their feelings in healthy ways. This skill begins developing early in life and continues to grow throughout…

Parents, Encourage Social Media Safety

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By Jenna Pauli, MSW, LCSW - January 14, 2026 - The popularity of social media and its negative effect on children have become controversial subjects. A growing number of social media platforms are targeting very young children. We…

Establishing a Smooth Transition from Home to School

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By Lisa Glahn, MSW, LCSW - January 7, 2026 - Returning to school after a break can be challenging for many students, especially after longer vacations such as winter or summer break. Typically, the longer a student is away from school,…

Kids Benefit When We Ring in the New Year with Self-Care

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By Camryn Cater, MSW, LSW - December 31, 2025 - When traveling by plane, we always hear the flight attendants say, “In an emergency, put the oxygen mask on yourself before putting it on your child.” This is to ensure the adult’s…

Make Time to Connect with Your Child

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By Hannah Smith-Quirey, MSW, LCSW - December 22, 2025 - When it comes to parenting, connection is essential. A strong bond helps your child feel loved, valued, seen, and heard. This doesn’t mean challenges and disagreements won’t…

Holiday Stress and Your Anxious Child

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By Brooke Skipper, MSW, LCSW - December 17, 2025 - It’s that time of year: no school, sweet treats, presents, and parties…You might think this is every kid’s dream! If you have a child with anxiety, however, you know this combination…