communication | sibling rivalry | discipline | emotions | positive parenting
All you want to do is run to the store. Alone. Please!? Unfortunately, your 18-month-old has other plans. Scrambling to break free of her dad’s embrace, desperate to stay with you. Years later, you’re confronted with the same behavior. Only now, your child is 6 and hanging on for dear life as
Continue ReadingOatmeal. That’s what started it. You added raisins instead of blueberries and she was off like a rocket. All attempts to diffuse the meltdown were useless. It’s calm now (though you feel like you were run over by a truck). Taking some deep breaths you wonder… What just happened here?
Continue Reading“You seem pretty upset about my decision.” His eyes glare at you. Moving in to provide comfort, he swats you away yelling, “leave me alone!” You’re confused, hurt, and getting more upset by the minute. We’re told that empathy is the best response. The “magic bullet” of parenting techniques.
Continue ReadingParenting advice can get a little murky. If you Google your specific parenting problem, there’s a chance that you’ll find more than one answer. And, there’s a good chance that those answers will slightly (or completely) contradict. Instead of zooming in and searching for the “one” right solution. Let’s look
Continue ReadingOn the floor of my therapy office, a 6-year-old draws a picture of her family. Herself, Mom, Dad, two brothers, and a dog. Her mom and dad are holding hands. Everyone is smiling. My heart sinks as I look at her drawing. Her parents have been divorced since she was
Continue ReadingYour daughter slams her backpack on the table and rustles through the fridge for a snack. You know something’s not right, but when you ask, she responds with, “Nothing.” Ugh. Why can’t she just tell you what’s going on? Unfortunately, thoughts and feelings can be complicated. They can leave your
Continue ReadingThere’s no getting around it, these years are tough. Personal space is limited and your child may literally rely on your help for almost everything! The suggestion to take time for “self-care” may actually make you laugh out loud. (Or cry, depending on the day.) Maybe you’ve tried a few
Continue ReadingMornings with kids can be stressful. It seems like nothing will make them move faster or get out of bed without a fight, so you start every day with yelling, bribing, threatening and feeling constantly rushed. These tips will help you bring peace to your morning routine – and still get
Continue ReadingWhat do the neighbors think? If they only knew the begging, pleading, and negotiating that goes on in your home. Maybe they’d understand why yelling is the ONLY way your kids do what you ask. You’ve tried being the “nice mom” who doesn’t yell, and no matter how hard you tried,
Continue ReadingThey are the best of friends and the worst of enemies…they are siblings. Managing sibling rivalry can feel like a full-time job! Here are some helpful tips for managing sibling jealousy, sharing, competition among siblings and much more. You’re starting to wonder if it’s possible to have a car ride
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