November News

Some great reads about parenting, resilience, girls in STEM, social anxiety, college financial aid, advanced education, coping with the election aftermath, and more...

Image: Pexels/Asya Vlasova

Greetings, friends!

While fallout from the US election might be the only thing on your minds (or perhaps, something you are trying to avoid thinking about!), real life continues. We all can hopefully find some joy and at least solace in what has been meaningful in our lives all along. The Holidays ahead offer a time for reflection and gratitude, although are sometimes peppered with burdensome expectations and disappointments (see my article below).

With a few exceptions, I plan to to mostly avoid the elephant in the room (um… the election). Instead, I am including some articles I have found that might hopefully serve as a diversion this month.

Wishing you a peaceful month and Happy Holidays ahead!

First, a few of my recent articles:

Although posted earlier on Substack, I wanted to share this again, given the holiday stress many of us experience: Welcoming Chaos for the Holidays.

Is it really imposter syndrome… or could it be something else? When Imposter Syndrome is an Imposter.

How the concept of psychological selfishness is relevant to how we view others’ and our own behaviors (with a nod to the recent election). When Healthy Self-Interest Morphs into Harmful Selfishness.

And if divergent political perspectives are triggering conflict with loved ones, please see this article written just prior to the election, which lists resources focused on healing divisiveness: Healing Political Divisiveness through Conversation.

(If you would like to read some of the above Medium articles, but hit a paywall, email me at gailpostphd@gmail.com for access since I can send a limited number of “friend” links.)

The following are some great articles I have stumbled across this month:

What exactly is harsh parenting? And when to be concerned (or not) when you yell at your kids? Does Harsh Parenting Really Change your Child’s Brain?

Although written several years ago, this helpful article has been circulating again. It offers much-needed advice about circumventing a marital crisis due to divergent political views (with suggestions that are also relevant to maintaining bipartisan friendships and family relationships): Confessions of a Bipartisan Spouse.

What might help girls succeed in STEM fields? For Girls to Succeed in STEM, Confidence Matters as Much as Competence.

If you, your child, or someone you love is shy, read/listen to this overview of shyness: Why are Some Kids Shy?

It might seem counterintuitive, but practicing a variety of pursuits can enhance performance. Want to Improve at Something? Practice Something Totally Different.

Parents of college-bound teens, take notice: Improved financial aid may now be available for middle-class families. Some Colleges are Targeting Financial Aid to Middle Class Families.

Another great article from the Fordham Institute that supports the necessity of advanced learning opportunities for high ability students: Advanced education provides benefits that differentiated instruction can’t.

Some research on the essential role of self-compassion in mitigating social anxiety among teens who have experienced trauma. Association between Childhood Trauma and Social Anxiety in Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Self-Compassion and Loneliness.

For those of you who homeschool your gifted child (or are considering it), the following is an overview of the available research. Gifted Students Learning in Homeschool Settings: Research and Policy Reacommendations.

And finally, an introduction to an upcoming special issue on resilience, where the slate of articles (including my own!) are described: Optimizing Mental Health and Well-Being: In Search of the Holy Grail of Human Wellness and Flourishing.

Please share with others, hit the “like” button, and let me know your thoughts, opinions, or ideas in the comments section below!

Have a good month and a Happy Thanksgiving for those who celebrate!