Dr. Judith Joseph joins ‘Fox & Friends Weekend’ to share practical tips for parents on helping their kids shift into a school mindset as the fall season approaches.

Sadness is an emotion we often associate with breakups, job loss, or death. But it doesn’t only appear when catastrophe strikes. As psychotherapists and parent educators, we know sadness is also a natural part of parenting—especially during the back-to-school season.

Just last week, a colleague shared a conversation they had with a friend. "I cried when I took my kid back to college," the friend admitted. Our colleague replied, "Come on! Isn’t that a bit much? Get over it already!"

This exchange shows how sadness is often misunderstood. Society tells us to "push it aside" or "ignore it." Many of us grew up believing that sadness burdens others or signals depression. Men, in particular, are often taught that expressing sadness is a sign of weakness. In short, we’re shamed for feeling sad.

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But sadness isn’t a flaw or a problem to be solved. It’s a universal emotion and learning to work with it benefits both your physical and mental health. Research shows that processing sadness can protect your heart and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

When we name and honor sadness, we can "feel and deal." This emotional awareness allows us to take adaptive actions that support both ourselves and our families.

Here’s a step-by-step guide we share with parents on how to recognize, validate,........

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