Lisa Gibalerio, Author at The Belmont Voice

Ask Lisa: Understanding Self-Harm

May 4, 2026

This week’s question centers around youth engaging in self-harm. A parent writes: I watched one of your recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey presentations and was taken aback by the data around self-harm: 80 middle and 111 high schoolers are hurting themselves, on…

Opinion

Ask Lisa: Should Teenagers Learn to Push Through?

March 26, 2026

When teens falter and opt out of an obligation, how do we best support them—by honoring their withdrawal, or by urging them to work past inner misgivings and fulfill their original goals? That’s the question behind a parent’s concern: My 14-year-old recently…

Opinion

Ask Lisa: Reconnecting With Your Teenager

February 21, 2026

Is it possible for parents to engage their teen children in real conversations? One parent wrote me: We have two teens, ages 14 and 16. They are good kids (so far!), but I am sad that they have no interest in hearing…

Opinion

Ask Lisa: What To Know About Opioids Following Dental Surgery

January 12, 2026

How likely is it that brief pain medication use will trigger drug addiction? That’s the question behind a parent’s concerns: My 19-year-old son is home on break from college and will have four impacted wisdom teeth removed next week. I am worried…

Opinion

Ask Lisa: Guidance on Weight Gain

December 1, 2025

Ask Lisa: Guidance on Weight Gain This month’s column addresses a challenging issue. A parent writes: My daughter, a recent college graduate, has put on a lot of weight (upwards of 50 pounds) over the last several years. I realize this is…

Opinion

Ask Lisa: Supporting a Grieving College Roommate

October 27, 2025

How should a college freshman balance the many joys of a new collegiate experience with the sadness of a roommate grieving the loss of a loved one? A father reached out: “My son is a college freshman. He seems to be adjusting…

Opinion

Ask Lisa: Guidance on ‘Cut-Off Culture’

September 23, 2025

A parent reached out for guidance: “Despite raising three children in a loving home, one of my daughters and I have a difficult relationship. We’ve had yelling matches (what family hasn’t?), but there was never any abuse. I’ve worked hard to support…

Opinion

Ask Lisa: Guidance on Coming Out

June 22, 2025

A parent reached out to me recently asking for guidance concerning his 10th-grade son: “I’m fairly certain that my 15-year-old is gay, but he hasn’t officially ‘come out’ – at least not at home. His mom and I are mostly OK with…

Opinion

Ask Lisa: Setting Boundaries With Friends

May 23, 2025

A parent of a Belmont High School junior reached out to me recently with this concern: “My daughter is fortunate to have a nice group of friends. But one of the friends (I’ll call her Maya) leans hard into my daughter for…

Opinion

Ask Lisa: Comparison is the Thief of Joy – Social Media Edition

April 30, 2025

A parent of a 20-something reached out to me recently with this concern: “My 27-year-old daughter has changed jobs, apartments, and partners with dizzying regularity since she graduated from college. Why? Apparently, the jobs, apartments, and partners just aren’t good enough.’ When…