Jeff Veley’s Blog
Expert insight for grownups featuring advice for parents, educators, and mental health professionals.
Balancing Indoor and Outdoor Time
As much as kids and parents may buck the schedule, there's no doubt that establishing some structure during your week, can ease everyone's anxiety and give you things to look forward to. One thing that's important to put on the calendar is outside time. Recently I...
Cultivating Your Child’s Passion
Every kid has dreams, talents, and passions. One of the greatest opportunities as a parent is the ability to cheer your child on and help the grow to accomplish their goals. Listening to "The Warning" from Monterrey, Mexico makes me wonder what involvement their...
Students Use Reporting Hotline to Bully Peers
A hotline designed to make schools safe is now being used by students to bully others. Now, lawmakers and school officials are scrambling in an effort to address false reports made through Safe2Tell. The hotline was created after the Columbine shooting so that...
A Simple Tip to Boost Student Achievement
Teens today are more anxious than ever before. The world's stressors are great, communication is constant, and it all can get overwhelming very quickly. All too often, I see parents with the best intentions add to this stress and the pressure can break even the...
Helping Kids Learn Coping Skills
It's true that coping skills are becoming a popular topic of conversation, as we seek to reduce stress and find our happy places, once again. In an era where adult coloring has become a fad and millenials are opening coffee shops where you can pet cats while sipping...
The Words of Rachel Joy Scott
As we reflect on the devistation caused by the recent school shootings across America, there is no doubt that change needs to happen. While it's easy to point out what others might do to help solve the problem, we must also ask the question what you can do to be part...
National School Walkout Day
Today, many students across America will leave their classrooms at 10 am to demand change when it comes to guns and school safety. In talking with educators, parents, and community members about National School Walkout Day, some believe this demonstration will...
The Power of Forgiveness
Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping it kills the other person. Harboring negative thoughts only harms the person holding onto them. When you think of forgiveness in this way, you can quickly understand why it's one of the most powerful gifts you can...
How to Prevent School Shootings
Last Wednesday, upon returning from a day of speaking in Missouri, I got off the plane and was met with the news of yet another school shooting. I quickly learned that an expelled student had claimed the lives of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in...
Investing When Others Run Away
If you want to freak out an enemy in your life, follow today's tip. Whether it's someone that you are consistently at odds with or simply someone who posts a rude comment on social media, showing kindness and making an investment in someone when conflict brews will...
Viewing Disagreements as Opportunities
Recently I had to work through a challenging disagreement with a friend. To be honest, I didn't know how it was going to go. It was one of those conversations that you dread, but know needs to happen. While I knew that things could go south really quickly, I made...
Meet Madelyn, A Student Peace Ambassador
Each week I drop some nuggets of wisdom challenging you to love well. This week, I've invited my friend Madelyn Johnson, a student who is currently traveling the country, promoting peace and showing love in many places. I met Madelyn a few years back, while speaking...
Leaving a Legacy
Yesterday I attended a funeral for a retired police officer and military veteran who passed away suddenly. Standing in Texas cemetary with the cold wind blowing across my face, time seemed to slow down as I listened to the words of the chaplain who was officiating. ...
Parenting Lessons from Wal Mart
I have to admit that when I first started in the social work field, I would occasionally visit Wal Mart to gather illustrations on parenting. The people were always there and the demonstrations never disappointed. Before you call me creepy, recognize that you do...
Making Time in the New Year
As you set goals in 2018, I want to challenge you to think not only about personal goals but also goals for your family. How do you want to love each other in 2018? What things will you put in place to help you do so? Research shows that writing down your goals...
Merry Christmas to You!
Enjoy this joyous time of year with those that you love most and spread a little love and kindness to someone that you don't know. Together, we can make the world a little brighter.
How to Manage Your Emotions
It's the holiday season and, among the hustle and bustle are a few extra opportunities to get your feathers ruffled. Stress levels during "the most wonderful time of the year" tend to be at all-time high. As you prepare for many family gatherings, prepare food,...
What To Do When You Feel Unappreciated
This year marks the 25th anniversary of “The 5 Love Languages” by Dr. Gary Chapman. The book is not only a classic for how to love well in relationships, but it’s also helped me solve a number of conflicts with people that I deeply care for. It’s amazing how things...
Building Self-Confidence
I recently read an article in the Dallas News. The title immediately peaked my interest. The headline read "Lawnmower Parents are Raising a Generation of Kids Who Struggle with Adversity". Penned by Ramy Mahmoud, a teacher in Plano, TX, the article talks about how...
Helping Improve District Policies on Aggression
As my team and I help schools across the country learn the best practices to respond to aggressive behaviors on campus, we've noticed a specific need arise. After training the students, staff, and parents on the "Peace Sign Approach" to social aggression, schools are...
Find Your Reason to Live
Listen on iTunes I had the pleasure of sitting down with one of my dearest friends, Yohan Daza, recently to join his new podcast. "Find Your Reason to Live" takes a positive approach to the suicide problem and inspires those searching for hope by sharing stories of...
Boosting a Kid’s Self-Esteem
Love is not self-seeking but it’s important to love yourself
Student Football Fans Stop Rival’s Insults with Simple Gesture
The roar of a high school football game is enough to get any sports fan excited. Often, though, a peaceful night of fun can turn sour when fans disagree with a call or see the opposing team racking up points on the board. It’s no surprise that violence at school...
Growing Your Child’s Self-Worth
For the next few weeks, my radio features and online blog will focus on helping children grow in three areas... Self-Worth Self-Esteem Self-Confidence As a parent, I believe the greatest thing you can say to help your child grow in the area of self-worth is "I love...
Jeff Veley uses Comedy, Magic to Reach Kids
I greatly appreciate the Hinsdalean for highlighting the great work that schools in their community are doing to promote peace and civility in response to social aggression. - Jeff Veley
Emotional Balloons
Haters at the Football Game
Check out the incredible actions by these amazing students as I take you to their football stadium to hear the story.
Roasting, a New Trend in Cyberbullying
While on tour this fall one of the most common questions I get from middle schoolers after giving an assembly is... "Mr. Jeff, can I roast you?" While roasting isn't new, it's making a comeback and, instead of being a fun form of comedy, students are sometimes using...
Tough and Tender Parenting
One of the most difficult thing about parenting is giving consequences. After all, your children may respond completely differently when given the same consequence. What is effective with one child may not be effective with another. How do...
Be Someone’s “Amy”
Listen to the clip above about the girl who changed my life with one simple act of kindness. I've been looking for Amy since I was 14 years old. I tried tracking her down via social media, phone books - everything I could think of, with no luck. Until this... Love...