It happens in an instant. Your child is refusing to brush their teeth. Is begging for the newest video game. Or is picking on their sister (again). Then yelling begins -- complete with name calling, sarcasm, and eye-rolling. Except it's not your child. It's you. And you hate it. BONUS DOWNLOAD: 4 Steps to a Calm Response! You'd … [Read more...]
Where is your parenting village?
My parents live 5 hours away. My best friends live 30 minutes away. In two different directions. I'm a transplant to the area, so I still don't know the best playgrounds, the popular mommy-and-me groups or the sought-after babysitters. In other words, if I want support, I have to create my own parenting village. Do you even want a … [Read more...]
A Calm-Down Plan (For Parents)
A quick scroll through your Pinterest feed displays cool-down games, feeling-face posters, and jars of glitter floating gently through brightly-colored water. All with the goal of helping your kids calm down. This is a great goal. Kids need to learn how to manage their emotions and stay calm under pressure. But what about you? What … [Read more...]
To the exhausted parent: You’re not doing it wrong.
You close the door as hot tears stream down your face. Slumping to the floor, head in your hands, the scene replays in your mind. The power struggle. The yelling. The numerous attempts to interrupt the chaos with empathy and reasoning. Nothing worked. Where did things go wrong? What are you missing? Why is parenting so hard? You're … [Read more...]
Your Parenting. Redefined.
"I wish I was more like her," you say to the computer screen. "She's such a fun mom." Then, turning to your kids you announce, "Let's do a craft project!" An hour later, one child is in tears, two are arguing over a tube of glitter glue, and you are about to scream. So much for being a fun mom. Comparison and unrealistic expectations often … [Read more...]
The Day I Forgot How to Parent (And the Two Words that Brought Me Back)
Our words went back and forth like ping-pong balls. She said something rude. I replied with the same snippy tone. She tried to hit me and kick me. I just moved away and tried to ignore her. This is not how I usually parent. Somewhere along the line, I slipped back into the world of punishment, threats, and isolation. Positive … [Read more...]
How to Support Your Child (Even When You’re Disappointed)
As parents, we want great things for our kids. Sometimes, we feel disappointed when they struggle with a sport or lack interest in something we enjoyed as a child. Kate Early, a Licensed Professional Counselor, shares some tips for managing our feelings and supporting our kids. I'll be honest, here...sometimes I'm disappointed in my … [Read more...]
I’m Feeling Guilty for Yelling at My Child! 5 things you need to do now
Yelling is not the end of the story. You are not defined by the fact that you lost your cool. Next time you're feeling guilty for yelling at your child, take a deep breath. Then, follow these steps to move in a positive direction. You just yelled at your kids. And I mean, yelled. Despite your best efforts at calm, peaceful parenting, you … [Read more...]
How to break the cycle of anxiety in your family
You call out to your toddler who is scrambling up the jungle gym, "Be careful, honey! Watch out!" He decides it is too scary to climb and decides to go to the sandbox instead. You check your teen's grades online and realize there is missing work, "Don't you have math homework to do? Colleges look at these grades, you know!" She makes excuses and … [Read more...]
Finding the Positive in Your Parenting (even if you’re discouraged)
You yell too much. You worry constantly. You want everyone to sleep in their own bed, but you're just too tired to fight it. When it comes to making changes to your parenting, it's not hard to find things that need work. But, there are tons of things that don't need fixing at all! Your lopsided pancakes. The silly … [Read more...]