Molly and Me Counseling and Training Center

04/28/2026

Enjoy!

There’s a moment most parents know well. It usually happens somewhere between the spilled milk, the sibling argument, the forgotten homework, and the fourth “Mom!” in 30 seconds. You pause for half a second and think, “I literally cannot do one more thing.” And then, somehow, you do. Becau...

04/17/2026

Spring and summer bring so many fun things for kids, but they also bring plenty of moments where they hear “no.” No, we are not getting that. No, not today. No, you cannot stay longer. No, that is not the plan.

And sometimes those little nos bring very big feelings.

I wrote a new blog post about why hearing no can be so hard for children, why it matters, and how parents can respond with both empathy and confidence.

If this is something your family is navigating, I hope it is encouraging.

Why hearing no is hard, and why it matters anyway One of the hardest parts of parenting can be holding a boundary when your child does not like the answer. Trust me I know! Whether it is no to another snack before dinner, no to more screen time, no to buying a toy at the […]

04/16/2026

One of the hardest skills for kids to learn is tolerating disappointment—especially when it comes out of nowhere.

Rain delays and sudden changes might seem small, but for littles, they represent loss of control and unmet expectations.

Today looked like:
✔️ naming feelings
✔️ validating frustration
✔️ staying consistent in boundaries
✔️ helping them pivot (eventually)

Not about eliminating the disappointment—
but helping them build the capacity to move through it. 💛

See more in today's post.

Rain changes, canceled plans, unexpected illness, and all the little moments that do not go how we hoped can bring up really big feelings for children. As adults, we know plans change. Someone gets sick. The weather ruins the outing. Something gets canceled. The day does not go the way we planned. W...

04/15/2026

I think the teenage version of me could probably teach me to be a little braver, a little louder, and a little less worried about overthinking everything.

She would remind me how to throw myself fully into something I love instead of hesitating or picking it apart. She knew how to be involved, how to care deeply, how to show up, and how to let herself feel excited about things. I think she also understood something important that is easy to lose as an adult, that c***ection, meaning, and being part of something matter just as much as achievement.

She would probably remind me that the things that made me come alive were never random. They were clues. The love of music, theater, Hi-Step, Natural Helpers, and helping people all pointed to who I was becoming long before I had the words for it.

I also think she would remind me not to get so caught up in what looks right on paper that I miss what feels right in my soul. She was still figuring life out, but she already knew that the best parts of life were about people, c***ection, purpose, and heart.

And honestly, I think she would tell me to trust myself more. That even when the path changes, that does not mean I was lost. It just means I was learning what was true.

04/14/2026

Teen anger is rarely just about attitude. Often, it is stress, hurt, anxiety, embarrassment, or overwhelm showing up in the only way they know how. In my newest blog, I’m sharing a deeper look at what anger in teens is really telling us and how adults can respond in ways that help, not escalate.

When most people think about anger in teenagers, they picture attitude, arguing, slammed doors, eye rolls, and explosive reactions that seem to come out of nowhere. On the surface, it can look like defiance or disrespect. But more often than not, anger is not the whole story. Anger is the emotion th...

04/13/2026

Finding out your child has stolen something can send a parent straight into panic mode. Before you assume the worst, take a breath. Stealing is a behavior that needs to be addressed, but it is often a sign that a child needs support, guidance, and help getting underneath what is driving the behavior. In this blog, I break down why children steal, how parents can respond without adding shame, and what to watch for if the behavior continues.

Finding out your child has stolen something can stir up a lot of emotions for a parent. You may feel shocked, embarrassed, angry, disappointed, or worried about what it means. Many parents immediately start asking themselves questions like, Why would my child do this? Is this a sign of something big...

04/09/2026

When a preschooler has experienced sexual abuse, the behaviors that follow are often trauma responses, not “bad behavior.” In this blog, I’m sharing what caregivers need to know about safety, belief, trauma responses, and the importance of developmentally appropriate support for healing.

When a Preschooler Has Experienced Sexual Abuse: What Caregivers Need to Know Learning that a preschooler may have experienced sexual abuse is overwhelming, heartbreaking, and deeply painful for any caregiver. In those moments, it is common to feel shock, anger, confusion, guilt, and an urgent need....

04/08/2026

When your child is yelling, shutting down, refusing, or falling apart, it can be easy to see only the behavior. But often, there is so much more happening underneath. Dysregulation is not just “bad behavior” — it is often a sign that a child is overwhelmed and needs support before they can access their skills. In this post, I’m sharing a parent-friendly look at what dysregulation really is and why understanding it can change the way we respond.

If your child becomes dysregulated, it does not mean you are doing something wrong. And it does not automatically mean your child is being bad, defiant, or manipulative. Dysregulation happens when a child becomes overwhelmed and their nervous system has a hard time staying calm, organized, and c***e...

04/07/2026

A little reminder for parents today…

Not every moment with your child is going to feel calm, c***ected, or magical.

Some days will feel messy. Loud. Repetitive.
You might find yourself thinking,
“Why are we having this same conversation again?”

But here’s the truth we don’t talk about enough:

👉 Kids don’t learn through perfection.
👉 They learn through repetition, safety, and c***ection.

Every time you stay present…
Every time you try again…
Every time you choose c***ection over control…

You are building something in your child that lasts far beyond that moment.

💛 You’re not just managing behavior.
You’re shaping how your child will feel about themselves.

So if today felt hard?
You’re probably doing more right than you think.

— Molly and Me Counseling & Training Center
Molly Gratton, LCSW, RPT-S™

04/06/2026

There was a time when I could see professionally what was going on with my son... and still feel completely overwhelmed as his mom.
In my newest blog, I share what it was like to raise a child I knew was struggling long before the ADHD diagnosis came, how that shaped me as a mother, and how it now shapes the way I support other parents in my work.

If you have ever loved your child fiercely and still felt exhausted by what they need, this one is for you. ❤️

How raising my son shaped me not only as a mother, but as the therapist I am for other families today When my son was three, I knew enough to know what I was seeing was more than a phase. Not because I was eager to label a busy little boy. Not because I believed […]

04/03/2026

Happy Easter to all the children and families with whom we treasure so dearly! I hope you enjoy this blog post!
https://mollyandmecounseling.com/the-beauty-of-easter-through-the-eyes-of-children/?preview_id=19420&preview_nonce=721392ff43&post_format=standard&_thumbnail_id=19421&preview=true

03/13/2025

We are seeking passionate clinicians interested in working with children and families within a school setting. We have a strong partnership with Meridian Elementary School and need additional clinicians to join our team to support children in need. Our goal is to expand our therapeutic services to other schools throughout the Treasure Valley.

At Molly and Me, our therapists are committed to fostering resilience, developing coping strategies, and reducing problematic behaviors. We work closely with parents and guardians throughout the therapeutic process. Our play therapists utilize play as a powerful tool to help children understand their experiences in a developmentally appropriate way.

If you enjoy working with elementary school children and are interested in working as an independent clinician within an agency setting, we encourage you to contact us. We offer clinical and RPT supervision, along with other benefits.

Please reach out if you have any questions or are interested in this opportunity. You can contact us at (208) 576-6464.