Bright Pine Behavioral Health

📚✨ March is Reading Month! ✨📚

Books shape how children see themselves.
They build confidence.
They teach courage.
They give language to big feelings.
They help kids feel less alone.

As a psychologist and a mom, I wrote these stories with intention — to support children emotionally while celebrating who they are;
and to provide guidance for parents & caregivers 💛

💙 Amazing Boy – celebrating strength, kindness, imagination, and the incredible potential inside every boy. https://a.co/d/0aD9G0yZ

💗 Amazing Girl – empowering girls to be brave, bold, creative, and beautifully themselves. https://a.co/d/0jiRoMRF

🏥 Vera Goes to the Hospital – a gentle, reassuring story that helps children prepare for medical experiences and feel safe through uncertainty. https://a.co/d/06jciIz0

🌈 My Big Feelings – teaching little ones that all feelings are okay and giving them tools to express and manage emotions. https://a.co/d/06b6jR32

🩰 Tiny Toes Ballet – a joyful celebration of dance, confidence, and rhythm. https://a.co/d/01vT2DyI

🍎 Apple Orchard Adventure – a heartwarming family story about bravery and regulating emotions. https://a.co/d/07C4rrch

These books build resilient, confident, emotionally healthy children; AND each book includes thoughtful guidance for parents and caregivers — because supporting kids doesn’t stop when the story ends ❤️

If you’re celebrating March Reading Month at home or in the classroom, I’d be honored to be part of your bookshelf. 📖✨

— Dr. Kat Lewitzke
Psychologist | Mom | Author

Dr. Lewitzke’s first two children’s books, “Amazing Boy” and “Amazing Girl, are here!

These books are fun and uplifting — designed to inspire confidence, curiosity, and meaningful conversations with the amazing boys and girls in your life.

Focused for ages 3 to 7 (relevant up to age 10).

Also included in the books are a special section for parents and caregivers to spark meaningful conversations with their child:

✅ Open-ended questions to encourage deep thinking and self-expression
✅ The power of encouraging words and how they shape confidence
✅ Building self-esteem through positive affirmations
✅ Reflection questions to deepen your child’s connection with the book

Links below 👇🏼

💙 Amazing Boy 💙
Link - https://a.co/d/3EL9SvC

💜 Amazing Girl 💜
Link - https://a.co/d/8QMoXRU

Dr. Lewitzke recently spoke on CBS Detroit about the Surgeon General's statement on parental stress, highlighting alarming trends:

* 70 to 72% of mothers and 92% of fathers are in the workforce.

* The labor force participation rate for mothers has significantly increased in recent years, with 70.4% of mothers with children under 5 now working.

This rise in parental workforce participation, paired with financial pressures like student loans and inflation, is driving stress levels higher than ever before. The burden of balancing work, childcare, and financial responsibilities is pushing parents to their limits.

Coping strategies are crucial to maintain well-being and create a nurturing environment for children. Parents should focus on self-care, build support networks, practice time management, and seek professional help if needed.

Addressing these stressors isn't just about individual solutions; policy changes that support job flexibility, family leave, childcare assistance, and work-life balance are essential. Let's work towards creating a more supportive environment for parents, ensuring better mental health outcomes for families.

https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/video/surgeon-general-calls-parent-stress-a-public-health-issue/

Surgeon general calls parent stress a public health issue U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has called for changes to national attitudes toward parenting and caregiving.