Connecting with little kids often means getting on the floor to play Legos or Barbies. A game of chase or a quiet snuggle was just part of the daily routine. Now your child is a tween and finding ways to connect seems to be less straightforward (and sometimes even awkward!). The announcement: “I don’t need you to walk me to the bus … [Read more...]
5 benefits of using positive parenting with toddlers and preschoolers
My 3-year-old was given the choice between a candy and a cookie for dessert. We went on about our night thinking everything was fine until we heard an ear piercing scream coming from the other room. Rushing in, we expected to see someone hurt or injured. Instead, we found her crumpled like a ball on the floor. “I wanted a cookie for … [Read more...]
How (and when) to teach your kids a lesson
The screeching is piercing your ears. Like alarm bells in your head. Your body is flooded with panic and you will do practically anything to make it stop. Old parenting wisdom encouraged parents to intervene immediately, "Don't let them get away with this!" But recent brain research shows that kids can’t learn when they are at the height of a … [Read more...]
Positive Parenting: Handling Back Talk
The following is an excerpt from Rebecca Eanes' new book, The Positive Parenting Workbook. This inspiring and inviting guide walks readers through the process of charting a new path toward greater emotional awareness, clear communication, and joyful parenting! Filled with encouraging prompts and plenty of room to record your progress, this … [Read more...]
3 Words Your Child is Longing to Hear
The second I walk in the door, she’s on my heels. Showing me a thousand pictures, talking non-stop about her day, balancing on one foot, then the other. If I’m distracted, she might mix things up a little. Pulling on my sweater, singing at the top of her lungs, or whining. She wants my attention. But she wants more than just my gaze, she … [Read more...]
What to do when your child refuses to take a shower.
I’m not sure you saw the memo. I’m pretty sure it is delivered to all kids somewhere around age 9. Just in case you missed it, I’ll summarize: "Showers are bad. Stay dirty. Resist!" Yep. The child who could spend hours in the bathtub suddenly has a lack of affection for water. And it’s starting to stink. Addressing Shower … [Read more...]
What to do when kids are ungrateful after fun activities
It’s been a long day at the amusement park. Hot weather. Long lines. Way too much sugar. The whining starts on the way to the car, “It’s too far. I’m tired…” And it doesn’t end there. The kids start to bicker in the backseat. They demand that you stop at a fast food place for dinner. The youngest child starts to cry. You’ve held it together … [Read more...]
Simple reminders to parents of a 3-year-old
Some say the 2’s are terrible. But for many parents, it’s the 3’s that really challenge a parent’s ability to stay cool under pressure. Then meltdowns. The boundary-pushing. The fierce independence (followed by intense frustration that they actually cannot complete the task they wanted to do alone). It’s a lot to handle. Let’s take a deep … [Read more...]
Helping your child self-regulate during the holidays
I feel like there should be a warning for all parents around mid-November that reads: Caution. Self-regulation may be limited. As the season's shift and the store shelves begin to burst with the latest toys and flashy gadgets, kids dream of candy, Santa, and getting gifts for doing absolutely nothing. That’s a lot of excitement to … [Read more...]
What to do when you catch your child telling a lie
On your typical morning rounds of “clean-up-the-toy-tornado” you notice a new toy mixed in with the others. It wasn’t one that you purchased and it wasn’t a gift. Calling your child into the room, you ask, “Where did this come from?” “I don’t know,” she responds. Shifting her weight from one foot to the other and avoiding eye … [Read more...]
