Lotz Therapy

Throughout summer, I helped my 6th grader 'load in' some ideas for helping school mornings go smoother once fall came. I guided him through the creation of this 'Dopamine menu'. This idea is important for 2 reasons: 1) Cortisol (stress hormone) is at its highest after waking WHILE Dopamine is at its lowest. 2) SCHOOL STARTS TOO EARLY. This combo is responsible for a large part of school morning difficulties

I utilized my work handouts for brainstorming with him but largely let him lead and do his own research online; No child likes his parent's ideas. I haven't directly referred to his menu since school started. I've noticed he's thought to go outside for quick walks, either AM or PM a few times. Never happened before this. I'll take the win! 🚶🏼💪

Consider helping your child make their own 'Dopamine menu' then quietly place it somewhere they'll regularly see it.

Women consistently rank sense of humor as one of the most desirable traits in a romantic partner. Every day must surely be Christmas for MY wife....🤣🎄🍽️

"After school restraint collapse" is real & is in FULL effect come end of back-to-school week.

Limit activities this weekend for your family and you'll help your child decompress. Click article for a deeper dive.

https://ricepsychology.com/behavior/the-after-school-restraint-collapse-helping-your-child-overcome-their-emotional-buildup-from-school/?fbclid=IwAR2MD6-bfc9vxTZAxlQs8PpzAfYpD5zDNQFwjZH4rzUygcMgSmGbp1QW578

My 2026 fave 'back-to-school' children's book being made by a gas station WASN'T on my bingo card but here we are.

Better teaching of deep breathing for kids than ANY book from a therapist. 🤷🏼‍♂️🧠🦫

Etiquette sessions for 3rd graders and up. A Mom who follows my page sent me this from her town...LOVE THIS IDEA! 💡

Manners aren't just 'nice to have' — they're social-emotional skills in disguise. A landmark study tracking kids from kindergarten into adulthood found that early social-emotional skills (sharing, cooperating, regulating emotions) predicted life outcomes 20 years later — MORE THAN ACADEMICS did.

Etiquette isn't about 'stuffy old rules.' It's about giving your kid a head start on the skills that actually move the needle.

Sign your kids up for an opportunity like this in your area!