It's been a walking-on-eggshells kind of day. "That's my decision," you say cautiously. "No more snacks before bed." You pause, waiting. And, just as expected, your child flies into a fit of rage. "That's not fair!" He yells, slamming his fist on the table. "I'm still hungry!" The yelling doesn't stop. "Settle down!" You yell … [Read more...]
Don’t Waste Another Consequence: Discipline Tips that Work
The goody bag is bulging with toys and candy. Your youngest child beams with pride as she displays her loot and gives you a minute-by-minute recap of the "My Little Pony" themed birthday party she just attended. Out of the blue, your son snatches the goody bag and says, "That party was for babies." "It was not!" your daughter defends, … [Read more...]
3 words that will change how you connect with your kids.
I have three kids. A part time job. And a house that refuses to stay clean for more than a minute. There's barely enough time in the day to get the basics done, let alone anything else. And, in the midst of all the chaos, my kids are longing to feel connected to me. They are begging to be seen, noticed, and really understood. I want to … [Read more...]
What to do when your child refuses timeout
You gave him a warning. If he threw the crayons on the floor again, he would be in timeout. And...he did it anyway. So, into timeout he goes. Or, at least that's what should happen. Instead, you find yourself in a wrestling match. Grabbing him out of the chair, trying to drag him to the timeout area. He's not going without a fight. … [Read more...]
Just Tell Me What to Do: A Guide for Parents
Why do the meltdowns always happen at night? I'm exhausted. I'm off the clock. I'm done with this parenting gig for today. Don't my kids know that? All I want to do is stare mindlessly TV. And I'm not talking about Daniel Tiger or Ninjago. My child is screaming. I know I need to do something, but my mind is blank. I'm about to scream back, … [Read more...]
Art Journaling with kids
Sometimes talking with our kids is like pulling teeth. It's not always easy for kids to put their thoughts and feelings into words. Art is a fantastic tool for connecting and communicating with our kids! Amy Maricle of Mindful Art Studio is back to help you use art journaling with your kids. Why Art Journal with Kids? Art journaling is fun … [Read more...]
A Surprising Solution to Sibling Fighting
Your kids are fighting. Again. You can hear them in the living room arguing over the remote. Or the iPad. Or whatever. "Work it out guys!" you yell from the other room. The arguing continues. And in a matter of seconds, you hear screaming. They are obviously not working it out. In fact, it they never work it out. Will … [Read more...]
Beyond “Take a Deep Breath”: Help for the Angry Parent
You did it again. You lost your temper with your kids. You yelled. You criticized. No matter how hard you try, you keep falling back into these bad habits. You don't want to be an angry parent, but in the moment...it just happens. You've heard all about learning your triggers. And you know it's important. But you need … [Read more...]
The Importance of a Family Motto
Do you have a family motto? (Here's an example from our family) You've probably seen beautifully written examples on Pinterest. But family mottos are more than just art! Taking the time to sit down and create a family motto can help you be a better parent! Read more about writing a family motto, and how to use a family motto to guide and … [Read more...]
Positive Parenting for Imperfect Families
It"s 8:30 on a school night. My daughter is supposed to be getting ready for bed. Instead, she's refusing to hand over the iPad, demanding "5 more minutes." I'm trying hard not to yell, but I can feel my blood pressure rising. I scan the stack of half-read parenting books on the shelf and wonder if any of them include the … [Read more...]