We all want to raise children who are well-behaved, thoughtful, and intelligent, but sometimes we miss the fact that we're already raising a good human. All eyes are on you. The room is silent. Embarrassment floods your body. You want to grab your child and run out the door - hoping everyone will forget the rude thing he just … [Read more...]
I’m Tired of Being an Angry Parent! Where Do I Start?
Five steps to move your parenting in a positive direction. No extra guilt. No added judgment. Tips any anxious, frustrated, overwhelmed, or angry parent can use right away! It's time. You're ready to make a change to your parenting. Great! Before you get extremely overwhelmed, pause and take a deep breath. Positive parenting isn't … [Read more...]
Angry parents: How to learn from your anger
Tired of responding to your kids with anger? Want to stay calm, but continue yelling instead? You're not alone. Use these tips to learn from your anger and move forward in a positive direction. You’ve heard a lot about being calm: It’s the best way to make a decision. It’s the best way to support your kids when they’re having a meltdown. It’s … [Read more...]
Easy Daily Practices to Show Love to Your Imperfect Self
Hey imperfect parent! When was the last time you truly embraced a mistake? Smiled when an old habit popped-up? Or shook off a bad mood? (Maybe never.) We have a tendency to hold ourselves to a ridiculously high standard: Perfection. Every moment we mess up is evidence that we are missing the mark. What if we flipped this script? … [Read more...]
5 reasons you still yell at your kids (and what to do instead)
You've tried everything to get off the crazy train of yelling. Or blaming. Or threatening. Or criticizing your kids. No matter how many "good days" you have, eventually fall back into old patterns again. And then you feel horrible. Your intentions are excellent, but something still seems to be getting in the way of kicking this habit. … [Read more...]
Raise a kid who can cope with challenges
Thanks to Janine Halloran for this guest post, check out her bio for links to some fantastic coping resources for kids! What images spring to mind when you hear the word “childhood”? When I first think of childhood, I imagine running through sprinklers on a hot summer day, giggles in a pillow fort while reading a silly book, or blowing … [Read more...]
Finding Clarity When You’re Baffled By Your Child’s Behavior
Oatmeal. 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? Feeling Stuck Unfortunately, this was only one … [Read more...]
10 Things Every Child Needs to Know About Thoughts and Feelings
Your 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 child feeling confused and overwhelmed. … [Read more...]
3 Ways Movement and Mindfulness Can Reduce Stress in Kids
Thanks to, Michelle Paget, LCSW, RYT, for sharing three ways you can incorporate mindfulness into your family life! In the busy and over-scheduled world we live in, it is hard to find a moment to pause and just be. It’s the feeling we get when we arrive at our destination realizing we weren’t paying attention to how we got there or the stress … [Read more...]
It’s not your job to stop a tantrum, it’s your job not to have one
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...]