Search the Archives:

Ease the sibling rivalry in your house by talking about these 10 rules for sharing!

Sharing toys with siblings: How to stop the arguments

Sharing does not come naturally to some kids…which means you’re constantly dealing with arguments about “who’s turn it is” and “who had it first.” Rather than forcing them to give up their favorite toy or engaging in a power struggle, use these 10 “sharing rules” to help your kids practice

Continue Reading
Tired of the power struggles? Responding with empathy is a great way to teach your child and to disengage from those big battles!

Using Empathy to Avoid a Power Struggle

  The bus drove away before we could get to the stop. Sighing, I turn to my daughter, “I guess I’m driving you to school today.” Panic filled her eyes. “No way. It’s embarrassing to be a car-rider.” Confused, I brushed aside her remarks. “It’s not embarrassing. Come on, let’s

Continue Reading
Here are 5 common (but unhelpful) parenting beliefs that may be keeping you from effective discipline with your kids.

5 Parenting Beliefs that Interfere with Effective Discipline

You’ve read the parenting books. You’ve tried the latest discipline strategies. And…unfortunately, you’re still dealing with the same old thing. Before you give up completely, let’s take a look at a silent partner in your parenting: Your thoughts. Everyone carries around an unspoken understanding of why kids act the way

Continue Reading
There are lots of reasons your child acts out. Here are 25 things that have nothing to do with your parenting.

25 things that impact your child’s behavior (and have nothing to do with your parenting)

Slow down parents…before you look for the perfect consequence for your child’s behavior, check this list. There are lots of things that cause kids to act the way they do. And, a lot of these things have nothing to do with your parenting skills. Meeting these needs will help you

Continue Reading

When you keep yelling at your kids (but really want to stop)

“Get in bed! NOW!” you scream at the top of your lungs. Any intention of staying calm went right out the window. Along with any amount of patience or rational thinking. Your kids scramble into their beds and you finally have a chance to breathe. It doesn’t take long for

Continue Reading
Sometimes the newborn phase is a breeze compared to when your baby starts moving. Help your older child cope with this transition!

Helping Your Older Child Cope When Their Sibling Becomes Mobile

You’ve read the books. You bought the “I’m a big brother” t-shirt. You have a basket of fun activities for him to do while you’re nursing. You’re prepared to smooth the transition from singleton to sibling once you arrive home from the hospital. But, a few weeks in, you feel

Continue Reading
It's hard to step back when your child is feeling big emotions. Here are some tips for responding when your child refuses to be comforted.

What to do when your kids refuse to be comforted

The scene plays out in slow motion. You watch helplessly as your daughter trips on a laundry basket and launches her freshly-glued art creation across the room. Hours of hard work lay scattered on the floor. She is devastated. Coming to the rescue you attempt to scoop her into a

Continue Reading
One simple phrase may eliminate tattling in your house.

A simple phrase to eliminate tattling.

“Mom! Sam won’t turn off the water in the bathroom!” “Mom! Sarah took my iPod without asking…and now she won’t give it back!” “Mom, Mom, MOM!” Like nails on a chalkboard, most parents have come to dread the sound of a child tattling. It seems so needy, so desperate. Why can’t

Continue Reading
Empower your anxious or angry child by teaching them about their brain using this simple script!

What anxious and angry kids need to know about their brain

“Settle down,” you say above the screaming. It sounds more like a threat than a caring suggestion. “I don’t know how!” your child jeers back. You shake your head, sighing. How many times do you need to remind her to take a deep breath when she’s upset? Obviously, something’s missing

Continue Reading
but there may be something else driving your need to give your kids so many reminders.

The real reason you give your kids so many reminders.

Hello, I’m Nicole and I’m a repeater. Here’s a classic example… It’s a typical hectic Monday morning. Everyone is moving slow. I glance at the clock and compare the time to the number of things still left to accomplish. Then it begins. The repeating. “Don’t forget your homework.” “Did you

Continue Reading