Parenting for Brain Warriors with Tana Amen BSN RN - Weve learned that with a teenager the insignificant battles are less important than the war

Join Our Brain Warrior Tribe!

Get access to Personal Blog Topics, Health Tips, Recipes, and Invitations to Exclusive Events!

Plus you'll receive a special gift!

Join Our Brain Warrior Tribe - Free Quick Start Guide by Tana Amen BSN RN

PARENTING IS A NON-STOP BALANCING ACT

You'll need optimism, firmness, time-management, patience, love, and thoughtfulness. The goal is to raise happy, healthy, respectful and responsible adults. Make time to be present in your parenting. Your child will make mistakes (and so will you). Look at these as an opportunity to hold your child accountable for the natural consequences of life while offering the support they need.

3 Ways to Help Fathers Stay on Top of Their Health

What is it about men that they won’t go to the doctor unless you nag them incessantly? It’s almost as though they have blinders on that allow them to ignore even the pragmatic reasons for staying on top of their mental and physical health. It’s a little different in my situation because I’m married to…

On Mother’s Day, Remember Why You Rock as a Mom!

Every year on Mother’s Day, I can’t help but think back to those first days after giving birth and how overwhelmed I felt. When you first became a mother, didn’t you wish there was a playbook written just for you? One that would take into account your utter lack of experience along with the temperament…

Are You a Survivor of Child Abuse? Heal from Your Past and Protect Your Own Kids

My heart breaks every time I come across yet another story about the tragic abuse of a child. While I know most parents are good to their kids, it never fails to disturb me when I read about the terrible things some adults do that can cause irreparable harm to their children. As difficult as…

Are You Feeling Lonely?

Did you know nearly half of Americans age 18 and older feel lonely? It was heartbreaking to hear this, yet I learned so much about it during my Relentless Courage interview with Jack Eason, author of the recent book, The Loneliness Solution: Finding Meaningful Connection in a Disconnected World. The father of two Gen Z kids…

How Bias Starts In The Brain…And 5 Ways To Stop It

With so much social unrest these days, people on all sides of the political spectrum are blaming each other for being prejudiced, biased, or racist. I even got blamed for not taking a stance after the killing of George Floyd sparked worldwide protests. I make it a point not to get political because my main…

5 Worst Halloween Candies For The Brain

Halloween can be tricky for Brain Warriors and Junior Warriors. If your Junior Warriors want to go trick-or-treating, that’s okay. You just need to have a plan for what to do with all that candy once they bring it home. A lot of Warriors tell me they swap out some of it for brain healthy…

Homework and School Issues? No Problem!

Do you have a homework situation in your house? You’re not alone. We had a big homework problem a few years ago. When my daughter Chloe was younger, she didn’t want to do her homework. Every single night, we would battle over it. I wasn’t helping her do her homework, but I had to check…

Summer Cooking School For Junior Brain Warriors

Summer is upon us, and if you’re like a lot of people you may be wondering about the best ways to spend these sunny days. If you have a junior Brain Warrior in training, summer is the ideal season to spend more time together in the kitchen showing them what brain healthy eating looks like.…

Goodbye School Year, Hello Graduation!

Whether your Junior Warrior is graduating from college, high school, or kindergarten, or just finishing up the school year, it’s a good time to celebrate and start making plans for the summer. Here are 5 tips for parents of Warriors in training. 1. Celebrate their efforts, not their smarts. So your middle schooler made the…

6 Hacks To Make Family Dinners Easier

Life is busy! It can be challenging to carve out time for the family to sit together for dinner. No one understands this more than we do. However, we make a point of doing this whenever we are home because we know it is a critical time for family bonding. We literally make it an…

Foods That Boost Fertility

Are you trying to conceive but not having much luck? I’ve heard from so many women who are struggling to get pregnant. I usually tell them it’s a good idea to start with a visit to your gynecologist for a full workup to check your hormone levels and any other medical issues that could be…

The Bigger Effects of Bullying

Now that school’s back in session, it’s more important than ever to talk to your kids about bullying. We all understand the devastating effects being bullied can have on a teen, but did you know that just witnessing minor insults and threats can also increase the risk for drug use, social anxiety, and symptoms of…

Whats Going On In Your Teens Brain With Child Psychiatrist Dr Arsalan Darmal And Tana Amen BSN RN

What’s Going On In Your Teen’s Brain? – with my Child Psychiatrist Pt.1

Back by popular demand, award winning child psychiatrist Dr. Arsalan Darmal walks us through the development of your adolescent’s brain. Not many of us are aware that teen brains prune themselves of pathways not being used. What are the long term consequences of this? What part do hormones play? Want to speak to someone about…

Help People Change - Connect Emotionally and Lower Resistance by Tana Amen BSN RN and Dr Robert Johnson from Amen Clinic

Help People Change! Connect Emotionally & Lower Resistance – Pt.3

Do you ever feel burned out while helping someone change a difficult behavior or habit? It’s a hard road to tread but if you know the phases of motivation, and learn how to help identify obstacles, change is possible. Want to speak to someone about this? Please call one of my caring team members…

Proven Strategies To Change Any Behavior by Tana Amen BSN RN

Proven Strategies To Change Any Behavior – Pt.2

Ever feel like you’re walking the tightrope in an effort to change a problem behavior? Experienced addiction and change specialist, Dr Robert Johnson reduces the confusion stemming from behaviors that seem like self sabotage. Learn his secrets so you can facilitate change in someone you love. Want to speak to someone about this? Please…

When Arguing Hurts More Than Your Feelings

Nobody likes to argue with their spouse. It can hurt your feelings and put you in a bad mood. But did you know that those verbal spats can also cause physical pain? And I’m not talking about violent confrontations here, just regular day-to-day bickering. Researchers at Penn State have found that people with chronic conditions,…

Is Someone You Love Struggling With Addiction?

If you have a friend or family member struggling with a problem behavior, how do you balance between tough love and helping them build healthy and internal motivation to change? Walking that tight rope is a challenge. Today, my highly qualified medical director with many years of experience helping addicts, guides us through this process.…

Show Me Your School Lunches

It’s that time of year again. Every year, when the kids go back to school, I get a flood of requests for ideas for healthy school lunches and snacks. It’s no wonder. Good nutrition is critical for the development of your child’s brain and their ability to focus, learn, and perform in the classroom. This…

Is Your Child Losing Developmental Processes - with Dr Arsalan Darmal and Tana Amen BSN RN

Is Your Child Losing Developmental Processes? – with my Child Psychiatrist

Society is not fully aware and prepared to deal with the war zone effect our children are exposed to every day. Award winning child psychiatrist Dr. Arsalan Darmal unravels his plan to activate stronger brain circuits in children so they can thrive, even in today’s society. If you have questions or are interested in booking…

Kids And Supplements - Scientist Answers Your Questions Pt3 - With Dr Parris Kidd - Dr Daniel Amen And Tana Amen BSN RN

Kids & Supplements: Scientist Answers Your Questions Pt.3

Dr. Parris Kidd PhD and child psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen answer your questions on supplements for children. What supplements should I give my child? What if my child is too young to swallow pills or refuses to take supplements? For more in this series check out these episodes: Scientist Answers Your Supplement Questions Pt.1 Can…

Can Supplements Improve Your Mental Health - Dr Parris Kidd - BrainMDHealth Scientist and Dr Daniel Amen with Tana Amen BSN RN

Can Supplements Improve Your Mental Health? Pt.2

Is it safe to take supplements with anti-depressants, SSRI’s or anti-psychotic medicine? Learn what supplements can help your mood, memory, mental sharpness, sexual function, anxiety and stress. Would taking 5-HTP or GABA or saffron help? BrainMD Scientist, Dr Parris Kidd, and Psychiatrist Dr Daniel Amen, join me to answer your questions regarding nutritional supplements. For…

Teen Issues - Whats Trending with Dr Karimpour and Tana Amen BSN RN

Teen Issues: What’s Trending? with my Psychiatrist, Dr Karimpour

Dr Mona Karimpour provides young adults, teens, and children, with the tools they need when faced with a crisis or a brain disorder like depression, anxiety, ADD etc. She notices the changing trends in issues our young people are despairing over each year, and offers anxious parents solutions that work. If you need to reach…

Could You Have Lyme Disease?

A high school girl began hallucinating after a family trip to the mountains. After months of extreme heartache while being institutionalized and treated with antipsychotic drugs, she THEN visited the Amen Clinics where she tested positive for Lyme disease. She was treated with antibiotics and is now living a normal life and has graduated college.…

Teen Drivers with ADD/ADHD? Crashes More Likely

If you think your teenager’s ADD/ADHD is just an annoyance, think again. A recent study of newly licensed drivers between the ages of 16-17 showed that teens with attention problems are at higher risk of a crash. And those with hyperactivity-impulsivity or oppositional defiant disorder are more likely to engage in risky driving behavior, such…

Brain Healthy Easter Brunch Made Easy

As with most holidays, the focus has shifted away from what’s important. For many of us, even in these tough times, Easter is a religious and spiritual holiday of new life, a time of renewal. If it’s not a religious holiday for you, Easter likely holds some significance of the changing seasons or time for…

Tips For Teens - Stay Grounded In This Crazy World with Chloe Amen and Tana Amen BSN RN

Teen Bullying – Tips To Stay Strong; with Chloe Amen

Teens in this crazy world have a difficult road to navigate. Bullying is everywhere and our teens need to be savvy in order to survive. Learn what your teen can do to stay focused and grounded. Try my free One Page Miracle to help with direction and focus. Train your brain with a personalized plan…

Can Halloween Be Healthy?

Whether you’re into dressing up like witches and goblins and going door-to-door asking for a treat, October 31st is around the corner. Halloween is widely celebrated in the U.S. In fact, Americans purchase over 600 million pounds of candy in anticipation of trick or treaters. This is a total of nearly $2billion! This is truly…

3 Ways To Increase Your Cuddle Hormone by Tana Amen BSN RN

Decrease Anxiety, Depression & Symptoms of Grief with Oxytocin

Let’s talk about bonding and oxytocin – the ‘cuddle’ hormone. It’s what hospitals give women when they are having a baby. Pitocin is the synthetic, medicinal form of oxytocin, used to increase contractions and help women go into labor. It also helps us breastfeed and fall in love with a screaming, red, squishy looking newborn…

Healthy School Lunches Kids Love

Every September, I’m bombarded with questions about healthy lunch ideas for kids. Let’s face it, the lunches provided by schools aren’t any better than most fast-food restaurants. Even calling them food is questionable. Then there are Lunchables – the Kraft created, pre-packed lunches that became all the rage in the 80’s and are still going…

Just HOW Bad Is Football For Teens?

Did you know a couple of years playing football can actually damage your brain? In fact, a study shows that a high percentage of those who have played football AT ANY LEVEL (even high school or younger) had cognitive symptoms. A study from Boston University has revealed yet again the devastating effects of football. The…

How Valuable Is School?

Have you ever wondered why you spent so much time in school studying things you will never use again? The song Kodachrome by Paul Simon comes to mind … “When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school, it’s a wonder I can think at all”. Most schools don’t…

How To Ensure Your Kids Are Getting A Good Night’s Rest

Sleep, every kid needs it. We all know that getting a good night’s sleep is important , but poor sleep does more than just make kids tired the next day – it can affect their developing brains, trigger depression, attentional and learning problems, poor judgment and impulse control issues. Sleep is also primetime for growth…

Seven Steps To End The Food Fight With Your Kids

One of the struggles of being a mom is making sure your kids eat right. We are what we eat, and food—especially brain food—is an important factor on what kind of a late-teen and adult they will be. I spend a lot of time every week answering questions from incredible women, and often they don’t…

Our Summer Warriors: USA Olympians

Where did summer go? I feel like it was only a few weeks ago that Chloe was dealing with all the stresses of final exams and the pre-summer frenzy. Now we’re into August, and summer is nearly over. However, this summer the fiercest warriors from all across the world get together to compete in the…

Stop Comparing Your Life and Start Living It

One never knows how the act of sharing a story or experience affects the trajectory of another person’s life. For me, the storyteller was my grandma, Irene Singleton, affectionately nicknamed Grandma Sugar. It was my deep connection to her story of adversity; the loss and hardship she experienced that helped shape my feelings about education.…

Halloween Doesn’t Have To Be Scary For Your Health

Halloween is here. Of course, we always want to ensure the safety of our children in every way possible, and decreasing sugar intake is no exception. While we don’t want to encourage children to accept more wholesome unwrapped treats from strangers (like apples), with a little creativity, we can turn Halloween into a holiday of…

Why Kids Hate Green Veggies by Tana Amen BSN RN

Why Don’t Kids Like Green Food?

There is a biological reason that you may end up locked in a battle of the wills when you ask your child to eat green food! Have you noticed that your kids don’t hate all vegetables and general nutrition? Usually it’s the really green, bitter ones like spinach, kale, and sometimes broccoli (unless we camouflage…

Summertime Snacks: Fun, Healthy & Great For Kids

A lot of parents ask me for help on how to get their kids to eat healthy. My answer? Get your kids involved in the meal preparation process. Have them help you create their healthy snacks and before you know it, they’ll be doing it on their own. The easiest place to start is with…

The Real Deal On Supplements For Kids

Why? How much? Which ones?… are some of the frequently asked questions I get when it comes to kids and supplements. Summer can be a great opportunity to make healthy changes or refocus your families’ health routines. Or, better yet, if you don’t have a health routine, now is the time to start one. Typically,…

The Toxic Truth

“That white powder. It just makes me feel good. I can’t get it off my mind until I have my next fix—and then I keep coming back for more. The more I have it, the more I want it…” That statement could be coming from a cocaine addict or a sugar addict. Isn’t it strange…

Your Fork: Friend Or Enemy?

Mark Twain has been quoted as saying, “The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like, and do what you’d rather not.” Does that sound about right to you? Throw in bouts of hangry (hungry + angry), and that’s “dieting.” Put your fork down, and…

Run For Your Life…The Zombie Makers Are Here To Steal Your Brain!

Fall is my favorite time of year with cooler weather, colorful leaves and cozy times at home spent watching movies with my family. But as October comes to a close, I’m preparing for the invasion of the “Zombie Makers” (aka advertisers), who created messaging designed to entice children to gorge on candy corn and chocolate…

6 Ways to Empower Your Parenting

Life as a modern mom is a non-stop balancing act. To persevere, it takes optimism, firmness, time-management, patience, love, thoughtfulness, and a shot of wine every once in a while. (Just kidding about the wine. Remember that The Omni Diet eliminates alcohol!) If you are a parent, then you feel my sentiment. Regardless, it is…

What Are You Modeling For Your Kids?

You know that old saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree?” I hope that’s right as far as child rearing is concerned, although these days the current catch word is “modeling” – as in role model. What kind of role model are you for your kids? Unfortunately, children don’t come with instruction manuals,…

Homework Hassles

Labor Day has come and gone and students are back in school. We’re already inundated with questions from parents asking what to do about homework battles. This used to be a major stressor for me until a mentor told me something profound… ”It’s not your homework. It’s your child’s homework! Let her worry about it,…

The Dietary Approach To Healing A.D.D.

Yes, there are foods that can change the brain in remarkable ways. Taking the dietary approach to dealing with A.D.D. may mean making some major changes in your diet. You will have to replace some of those comfort foods you turn to when you’re stressed or rushed — you know the ones I mean: the…

School Starts in 3, 2, 1… What to Pack for School Lunch?

Have you been struggling with the issue of school lunches? There are options beyond peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! School lunch offerings have improved somewhat in recent years (more vegetables and fruits), but they still have a long way to go to meet the Brain Warrior’s Way standards. I make sure to always pack Chloe’s…

Eat Together At The Dinner Table? What A Concept!

Ever since more and more American homes began boasting television sets in their living rooms, an interesting correlation can be noted: television screens have become progressively thinner, while the average American waistline has grown significantly thicker! It can also be noted, that more Americans than ever mindlessly munch while watching the boob tube, forsaking sacred…

Holiday Challenge: Can You Have A Warrior Holiday by Tana Amen BSN RN

Holiday Challenge: Can You Have A Brain Healthy Holiday?

With Thanksgiving coming up, we’re heading fast into the holiday season with all its temptations – cookies, cakes, sweets of every description, office holiday parties and big family meals that may not be Brain Warrior friendly. I call it the season of the food pushers, those well intentioned friends and family members who urge us…

How To Have A Healthy Halloween

In our house, we start on Halloween early. It’s my pro-active strategy to emphasize the fun and still keep all those sugary treats at bay. We make pumpkins out of tangerines and decorate bananas to look like witches. We make healthy desserts – pumpkin bread and pumpkin pancakes. My daughter is old enough to assume…

Poor Eating Habits Not Just Diet Jeopardize Kids Health by Tana Amen BSN RN

Study: Poor Eating Habits–Not Just Diet–Jeopardize Kids’ Health

Certain eating habits, including meals served in front of the TV, can lead to higher cholesterol levels in preschoolers, potentially putting them at risk for cardiovascular disease as adults, according to a study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal. The researchers analyzed the eating behaviors and lipid levels of 1,076 kids, ages 3 to 5,…

Study: Dads Are Prone To Food Policing

Up to 66 percent of parents demand that their teenagers clean their plate–even if their kids are overweight or obese, according to a study published in Pediatrics. The researchers also found that it’s extremely common for parents to try to control how much their kids eat, with some parents pressuring adolescents to eat more and…

Deliciously Healthy Summer Drinks For Kids

Remember how great it felt to gulp down a cold, flavorful drink after playing outdoors or riding your bike on a hot, summer day when you were a kid? Now you can create equally delectable memories for your children with tasty thirst-quenchers that offer a healthy alternative to sugar-and chemical-laden soda and drink mixes. These…

Study: Overeating Is Learned During Infancy

It’s never too soon to start teaching kids healthy eating habits. In fact, a study published in the journal Pediatrics Obesity reports that the way parents feed their baby can strongly influence risk for early childhood obesity. Researchers from Brigham Young University analyzed health data from 8,030 kids and found that formula-fed babies were 2.5…

Four Ways Family Dinners Make Kids Healthier

Here’s food for thought: The more often you dine together as a family, the healthier and happier your children will be. Clear evidence of how powerful the simple act of sitting down to a family dinner can be comes from a Canadian study of more than 26,000 adolescents, ages 11 to 15, published in Journal…