First published March 2018 Updated April 2026 During the teenage years, the areas in the brain responsible for decision making, impulse control, and emotion regulation are still developing. At the same time, the brain’s reward system is highly active which can increase risk-taking behaviors.
Ask your kids this question – “Am I teaching you to be kind?” Parents may be surprised to hear their children may not think so. And with the current news and world landscape, kindness is more important than ever.
Supporting a child’s mental health also means supporting the caregiver. Learn how letting go of guilt, using evidence-based care, and building simple, consistent self-care and support systems can help you stay steady—and help your child grow, cope, and thrive.
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700 Children’s® features the most current pediatric health care information and research from our pediatric experts – physicians and specialists who have seen it all. Many of them are parents and bring a special understanding to what our patients and families experience. If you have a child – or care for a child – 700 Children’s was created especially for you.
As a parent or caregiver, you know your children – you’ve seen them grow up and are familiar with their strengths and challenges. It can be surprising and worrying to realize they won’t always share their lives with you. Read More
All kids have worries and doubts. But kids with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often can’t stop worrying, no matter how much they want to. And those worries frequently compel them to behave in certain ways over and over again. Read More
When a child lives with chronic pain, getting through the school day can feel impossible—for them and for you. Learn how pain-related thoughts (in kids and parents) can fuel school avoidance, and discover practical strategies to build routines, partner with the school, and help your child stay engaged and confident in the classroom. Read More
New Year’s goals don’t have to be just physical. Learn easy, family-friendly ways to support mental wellness and explore a 21-day Mental Fitness Challenge to keep your brain in shape all January. Read More
When children are born prematurely, they may miss out on important nutrients that affect brain development. As a result, preemies can sometimes struggle in school or with behavior problems. Physicians or parents may try to make up for that lost time using nutritional supplements. Read More
If your child’s extreme picky eating is affecting their growth, nutrition, or everyday life, you’re not alone. Discover how the multidisciplinary ARFID Clinic at Nationwide Children’s Hospital uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and family-centered support to help kids ages 10–14 build healthier, more flexible eating habits. Read More
Addiction is a treatable, chronic medical condition that typically starts in adolescence. 90% of adults with substance use disorder started using before the age of 18 and half started before the age of 15. Read More
We live in a world full of technology and, for many of us, our children understand it better than we do.Parents may feel pressured by their children to provide them with a cell phone at an early age, but aren’t sure when children are actually ready for this responsibility. So, when's the right time for your child to get their first cell phone? Read More
