Depression is often thought of as an adult mental health condition, but it can affect children and adolescents too. For parents, recognizing depression in their children can be challenging, especially because young people may express their emotions differently than adults. Understanding the signs, symptoms, risk factors, and ways to support a child struggling with depression is essential for early intervention and effective care.

Winter can be a magical season: twinkling lights, cozy evenings, family traditions, and hot cocoa. But for many children—and especially neurodiverse children—this time of year can also bring emotional challenges. Shorter days, colder temperatures, and changes in routine can influence mood, energy, and overall well-being. For parents, it can be hard to distinguish between a normal “winter slump” and something more concerning winter blues.

As 2025 draws to a close, we wanted to pause and offer a simple but deeply felt message: thank you. Whether you’ve been following our blog from the very beginning or you just discovered us recently, we’re incredibly grateful you’re here. Our mission has always been to create a space where parents and caregivers of neurodiverse children feel informed, supported, and seen. Parenting differently-wired kids brings profound joy, fierce advocacy, and—let’s be honest—plenty of comp

Winter brings many joys—snowy landscapes, cozy evenings, and festive activities—but it also brings unpredictability and opportunities for flexibility. Snow days, icy roads, school closures, and unexpected cancellations can disrupt even the most well-planned routines. For neurodiverse children, who often thrive on predictability and structure, these disruptions can be particularly challenging.

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, connection, and celebration. Commercials show glowing families around dinner tables, social media feeds filled with matching pajamas, and conversations at school or work often center on plans for travel and festivities. But for many families, the holidays are not only complicated—they can be painful.

Winter can be a magical season—snowflakes, cozy sweaters, hot cocoa, family gatherings, and holiday lights. But for many families, especially those raising neurodiverse children, it’s also a season of added chaos. Suddenly, there are boots, coats, hats, gloves, scarves, snow pants, extra socks, and jackets cluttering entryways. The laundry seems endless. School bags get lost under piles of holiday gifts.

This boredom toolkit is designed to give parents ideas to support healthy, productive boredom. The key is not to prescribe exactly what the child must do, but to provide options and materials that encourage exploration, creativity, and problem-solving.

In today’s fast-paced, overstimulated world, boredom has become something many parents rush to avoid. With screens, organized activities, and structured schedules filling nearly every waking moment, the concept of boredom often carries negative connotations. Yet research and child development experts suggest that experiencing boredom is not only natural but also a vital part of building essential life skills.

Winter is a season of contrasts, especially here in Minnesota where Monarch is based. Cozy evenings, festive lights, and hot drinks create a warm atmosphere—but for parents of children, winter can also bring challenges. One of the most common is maintaining movement and physical activity when the cold, snow, or icy sidewalks make outdoor play impractical.

This thanksgiving season, we’re grateful for the individuals and families who trust us to support their learning journeys. Thank you for letting us be a part of your story. Wishing you the best this holiday season!

The holiday season is often pictured as joyful, magical, and full of family togetherness. But for many children—especially those who are prone to anxiety, have sensory sensitivities, or struggle with perfectionism—this time of year can be overwhelming. If your child melts down at gatherings, worries excessively about plans, or becomes rigid and perfectionistic during the holidays, you are not alone. In fact, it’s incredibly common for children’s big feelings to surface this t

For many families, the holiday season is filled with excitement—school breaks, family visits, festive outings, and special traditions. But for children who rely on structure, routine, and predictability, this time of year can feel overwhelming instead of joyful.

One of the most powerful ways children learn is through stories. Long before children can analyze research or take in complex lessons, they connect with characters. They see themselves in protagonists who stumble, fail, try again, and ultimately grow. This is the heart of growth mindset: the belief that abilities can improve through effort, strategies, and support.

As parents, one of the hardest things to hear from our children is: “I can’t do it.” For neurodiverse kids—whether they have ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dysgraphia, or other learning differences—those words often come after repeated experiences of frustration. This is where the power of “yet” comes in.

Thanksgiving is often described as a time for gratitude, reflection, and connection. Families gather around the table to share meals, traditions, and expressions of thankfulness. But for parents raising neurodivergent children—whether they have ADHD, autism, dyslexia, anxiety, or other differences—the holiday season can sometimes feel complicated.

As autumn fades into winter, the days grow shorter, the weather colder, and the calendar busier. For many families, this seasonal shift is accompanied by changes in energy, mood, and motivation—especially for children. While it may feel easier to let routines slide when the holidays approach, maintaining structure is actually one of the best ways to support your child’s learning, mental health, and overall well-being during the fall-to-winter transition.

If you’re a parent or teacher of a child with ADHD, you may have experienced moments when their behavior feels like it’s always on the edge. Maybe they shout out in class, refuse to follow directions, or suddenly storm out of a room. You’re left wondering: “Is this just ADHD… or is my child deliberately being disruptive?”

As a parent, few things sting more than hearing your child labeled “lazy.” You might notice your child struggling to start homework, taking forever to get dressed, or losing steam halfway through a chore. It can look like they don’t care or aren’t trying. But the truth is, what looks like laziness on the outside is often something very different happening inside the ADHD brain.

As a parent, you’ve probably seen the gap between what your child knows and what they can actually show. Maybe your child understands math concepts perfectly in class but forgets to turn in homework. Or perhaps they can tell you the steps of writing an essay but fall apart when faced with the blank page. This gap is often explained by a set of skills called executive functioning skills. They are similar to the brain’s “management system" or "control room".

Executive functioning is often described as the brain’s “air traffic control system.” Just as air traffic controllers coordinate planes so they don’t collide, executive functions coordinate mental processes so we can focus, make decisions, and reach goals. The below checklist can help you identify areas of challenge for your child and help start a conversation about options for support.