Don't assume your child knows what to do or say at the next family gathering, friend's birthday party, or other social situation. Prepare them in advance using these tips. A few weeks before Christmas, I asked my kids, “What would you say if someone gave you a gift you didn’t really like?” They looked at me wide-eyed and confused. Can we … [Read more...]
7 Tips to raise independent kids
7 tips that encourage your child to become more independent doing chores, completeing homework, practicing critical thinking, and making good choices. “I’m wearing dirty pants today because I need to do laundry,” my daughter announces as she comes into the kitchen for breakfast. I wait a beat. “I’ll do it after school,” she adds, … [Read more...]
13 Ways to Stay Calm When Your Child is Upset
It can be hard to stay calm when your child is upset, anxious, angry, or sad. Read through this list to find 13 ways to practice calm, confident parenting. I did not start out being an especially calm, patient parent. It took years of practice, therapy, and lots of deep breaths. And guess what? There are still times when I lose my cool, … [Read more...]
Reduce Shame: 21 Things Your Child Needs To Hear
Is your child stuck in the "I'm a bad kid" cycle? Caregivers can reduce the effects of shame, using these phrases to remind your child that they are seen, known, and loved. Shame is a powerful force. It sends the message that you are not worthy of love. It tells us we should hide our true selves because people would reject us if we … [Read more...]
10 things I love about having older kids (Tweens and Teenagers)
Raising tweens and teenagers can be challenging, but there are a lot of amazing things about this stage too! Read this list and then create your own. If there’s one phrase I would like to eliminate from our vocabulary, it is “just wait until they’re older.” Being a mom of three girls, I hear this phrase often. But as my kids grow, I … [Read more...]
25 Alternatives to Timeouts, Grounding, and Taking Things Away
Change the way you think about discipline! These 25 parenting tips focus on positive, respectful, age-appropriate alternatives. When it comes to discipline, it's easy to feel stuck. We're told to use timeouts, grounding, bribes, taking things away, and even spanking, but nothing seems to make a difference. Maybe we've been … [Read more...]
Three Things to do When Your Child is in the Middle of a Huge Meltdown
Big emotions can be scary, overwhelming, and stressful for parents (and for kids!). Use these three tips to parent with a calm confidence during your child's next meltdown. She stands in the kitchen screaming. Hands clenched at her sides. Eyes focused and glaring. You try everything - offering a hug, yelling “settle down,” sending her to … [Read more...]
A Reintroduction: Nicole Schwarz, Parent Coach
Celebrating 10 years of positive, respectful parenting strategies at ImperfectFamilies.com and looking forward to the next adventure. Welcome to Imperfect Families! I’m Nicole Schwarz, Parent Coach, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and mom to 3 girls. I did not start out using positive, respectful parenting … [Read more...]
How to banish the word “should” from your parenting vocabulary
The words "should" and "should not" add unnecessary guilt and shame to our parenting. Use these tips to parent in a way that moves you in a positive direction. Sitting on the couch, scrolling social media, you sigh. Thoughts swirl through your head as you peek into the carefully curated accounts online, "I should get organized." And, "I … [Read more...]
Try this “Magic Ratio” With Your Kids Today
Is the communication in your home full of complaints, arguments, and whining? Chances are the "magic ratio" is off. Use these tips to bring some peace and calm to your family. After another extremely frustrating day battling his son about everything from screentime to bedtime, a parent sat down with me for a parent coaching session. During … [Read more...]
