"Mom! Sam won't turn off the water in the bathroom!" "Mom! Sarah took my iPod without asking...and now she won't give it back!" "Mom, Mom, MOM!" Like nails on a chalkboard, most parents have come to dread the sound of a child tattling. It seems so needy, so desperate. Why can't they just work it out on their own? Because it is. And … [Read more...]
What anxious and angry kids need to know about their brain
"Settle down," you say above the screaming. It sounds more like a threat than a caring suggestion. "I don't know how!" your child jeers back. You shake your head, sighing. How many times do you need to remind her to take a deep breath when she's upset? Obviously, something's missing here. Big Feelings. Big Confusion. Big feelings like … [Read more...]
The real reason you give your kids so many reminders.
Hello, I'm Nicole and I'm a repeater. Here's a classic example... It's a typical hectic Monday morning. Everyone is moving slow. I glance at the clock and compare the time to the number of things still left to accomplish. Then it begins. The repeating. "Don't forget your homework." "Did you put your homework in your bag?" "Is your … [Read more...]
Aggressive Kids: Positive Discipline for Amazing Results
Learn how shame impacts the behavior of aggressive kids. These positive parenting tips will help you get to the root of the problem and begin to free your child from negative self-talk, anger, and acting out. The meticulously created Lego creation smashes against the wall and shatters into a hundred pieces. "That's enough!" You yell, … [Read more...]
5 Questions to Help your Unique Child Thrive
Special thanks to April Finley for guest posting this week! Read more about her in the bio below. My diaper bag was packed according to the list I’d written before I’d given birth; it was well stocked with clean clothes, burp cloths, washcloths, pacifiers, receiving blankets, diapers, and any number of other things I wasn’t likely to need in … [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...]
It’s not fair, and that’s ok. Supporting your children when a sibling is struggling.
The tantrum has been in full force for at least 20 minutes and it doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. While you're doing your best to manage the situation, you glance over and see two sets of wide eyes peering at you from across the room. You're torn. Obviously, the child who is screaming needs your attention. But what about … [Read more...]
Parenting: Three Things That Matter More Than Discipline
I'm thrilled to have Rebecca Eanes, author of Positive Parenting: An Essential Guide sharing three things that are more important that discipline in parenting. Check out her bio at the bottom of this post for more information about her new book! Tons of parenting books and articles tell us how we should and shouldn’t discipline our children, … [Read more...]
Maybe this is the question parents should be asking.
I was so upset. I didn't have a choice. The decision was made and it caught me off guard. Suddenly I was in fight-or-filght mode. I was angry! I texted a friend about the situation: "I didn't even have a say! This was decided for me...no one even asked how I felt about it!" She had nothing to do with it, but started trying to fix it, … [Read more...]
A simple visualization that will dramatically change the way you respond to your kids
It's a lazy Saturday. One of those rare weekends when you have nothing planned. Your kids have been parked in front of the TV all morning. It's a beautiful day, so you innocently announce, "Alright, guys! Time to turn the TV off and go outside!" Suddenly, they snap out of their zombie-like state and fire back at you: "WHAT!? … [Read more...]