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 The idea that a child would engage in self-harm is often baffling to parents. Here's information to help you understand and recognize the symptoms.

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What Every Parent Needs to Know about Helping Young Children and Teens Build Their Own Coping Skills Toolbox

Coping skills are great tools for kids to have when the stresses and strains of life threaten to slow them down or overwhelm them. It can be useful to think of coping skills as tools.

Thoughts of a Self-Harming Teen

Self-harm is not as simple as you may think. Teens who engage in cutting or similar activities often find ways to rationalize their actions, even though they seem unimaginable to us.

Thoughts of a Self-Harming Teen

Self-harm is not as simple as you may think. Teens who engage in cutting or similar activities often find ways to rationalize their actions, even though they seem unimaginable to us.

Self-Harm: Her Experience and Advice to Parents

If we don’t talk to our kids, someone or something will fill that void. It is up to us to guide our young people in healthy ways of dealing with anger, sadness, emptiness, and massive change.

Self-Harm: Her Experience and Advice to Parents

If we don’t talk to our kids, someone or something will fill that void. It is up to us to guide our young people in healthy ways of dealing with anger, sadness, emptiness, and massive change.

Conversation Starters

Having trouble getting more than a few words out of your children? Try asking specific, pointed questions that require more than a simple "yes" or "no."

Self-Mutilating 11-Year-Old

My 11-year-old daughter started cutting her arms in response to children making fun of her at school. I am concerned that she will repeat the behavior. What can I do?

Recognizing When Your Child Is Distressed

Children are sensitive and can struggle to make sense of traumatizing and deadly events. There are common symptoms people experience following a traumatic event.

Understanding Teen Cutting and Self Harm

Young people of all ethnicities, ages, and income levels intentionally harm themselves. Cutting is most common among adolescent, Caucasian females from intact, middle- to upper-class families.

What Is Your Child's Potential For Developing An Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders can have serious, even fatal, consequences. Professional help, such as therapy or even hospitalization, may be necessary.

Parenting Tools for Home

Our parenting content is built on the research-proven Boys Town Model® and is written by a team of child behavior experts.

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