All kids are challenging at times. Toddler tantrums, bedtime battles, arguments about homework - they’re all common. And then there’s adolescence, which takes things to a whole new level.

Kids and teens can and do develop anxiety disorders, but anxiety is also a normal emotion, and one all kids experience, even happy, healthy, confident kids.

Teenagers have a reputation for sullenness, sudden mood swings, and an aversion to family interactions. But sometimes general moodiness isn’t normal adolescence, it’s a sign of something more - depression.

When you’re feeling down in the dumps or stressed, you probably take steps to feel better. Self-harm most likely isn’t something that springs to mind. It’s not something you equate with coping, but for a lot of teens, it is.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by deficits in three key areas: attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Kids with untreated ADHD are easily distracted and have difficulty staying on task.

It’s not unusual for teens to experiment with diets, but dieting to be ‘healthy’ or to lose weight can be more than just a phase – it can represent the onset of an eating disorder.

We all want to raise confident kids. Kids with confidence are happy, outgoing, and sociable, while their unconfident counterparts are insecure, shy, and afraid to try new things, none of which are desirable outcomes.

No-one goes into marriage thinking it’ll end in divorce, but for about half of all marriages, that’s exactly what happens. And it’s devastating for everyone involved.

As your child grows, so does their social world and their exposure to playground challenges. Like any developmental skill, some kids need more help with friendships than others.